Social Services Office

Moved To Town Hall South

By Steve Bigham

The town’s social services department moved its offices out of Edmond Town Hall earlier this month and is now located on the lower level of Town Hall South.

The new location also houses the Salvation Army Food Pantry, which had previously been located on the second floor of the Congregational Church House. It is now open all week long rather than for just a couple of hours per week.

Social Services Director Glynis Lanzetta said the new location allows her staff to better serve the public. “It’s a much easier place to get to and is much more pleasant,” she noted this week.

Social Services had for many years been located in what amounted to two walk-in closets on the top floor of Edmond Town Hall. Space was limited and the environment was not exactly what you would call pleasant. In addition, both seniors and disabled citizens had difficulty climbing the three flights of stairs or using the building’s antiquated elevator.

Earlier this spring, a man in a wheelchair actually made it all the way to the social services department on the third floor. It was a remarkable accomplishment, seeing that he had to use the building’s 80-year-old elevator. However, it was not enough to keep the town from moving the social services offices.

Town Hall South no longer leaks and, thanks to the work of the town highway department, the new social services offices are some of the nicest municipal offices in town.

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal felt social services needed to be in a more private area that was easier for residents to access. Town Hall South was the obvious solution.

“It’s just a better location. I think it tends to put people more at ease,” he said.

Social Services Assistant Director Ann Pacinni said the department’s new quarters provide the kind of atmosphere in which residents can feel comfortable coming in for help.

Mrs Lanzetta, who took over as director this past December, said there is truly a need for social services in Newtown. Not everyone in Newtown is affluent and some residents may simply need temporary assistance due to an injury or illness, she said.

“It’s a mixed community with diverse needs and we really are utilized here,” she noted. “The selectman’s office got a taste of how busy we are earlier this month when our phones were down. They had to take all our calls.”

The town has hired a secretary/receptionist who will take over in the social services office next week.

The social services department can still be reached at 270-4330