Commission on Aging (COA) members spoke about progress for nominations and the annual budget for Newtown Senior Center at their Monday, November 17, meeting.

The new year will bring some changes to the commission, as a few members will have their terms end on January 6, 2026. This includes COA Chair Anne Rothstein, COA member William Darrin, and COA alternate James Ritchie — leaving two commission member positions, along with an alternate, that need to be filled in December.

Since Rothstein will leave as chair, a member of the commission will be chosen to serve in the position instead. The COA will have an election this month to select a new chair, along with additional members.

When Director of Human Services Natalie Griffith started discussing this in her report, she rushed out of the meeting to get something from the next room over. Just one moment later, she rounded the corner, holding a bouquet of yellow, orange, and red flowers for Rothstein.

“This is on behalf of Human Services because we’re gonna miss you so much,” Griffith said.

Griffith noted that she prepares her reports in advance, hence why the commission changes have been on her mind. She added how they will try to have “another little goodbye” at the COA’s meeting in December, maybe even with some refreshments.

“It’s been such an honor to serve on the commission with you, so I’ll save all the comments till next month now I have some more time,” Griffith said.

COA member Pat Bailey said she will connect with fellow COA member Claire Theune, who was not at the meeting, to review the expiring members and explore past members who may wish to return.

Griffith also talked about how the ever-busy budget season has continued to ramp up. Recent staffing changes in Human Services, Griffith said, have allowed her to propose structure changes to her department.

However, since some of these positions are union positions, Griffith said she has to work with the union before she can talk about these changes further.

“So before I’m able to talk through those changes publicly, I need to work through that process internally,” Griffith said. “So by the next meeting, I should be able to have a whole budget to share with the commission and then talk through ways that the commission can hopefully support the Human Services budget through the process.”

When asked by the commission how the budget will fare compared to last year’s budget, Griffith said it would be “pretty close to the same.”

She noted there are pieces she wants to push for that she previously spoke with the COA about, namely wanting the Newtown Easy Transit pilot program to continue. Griffith said they have grant funding for transportation services through December 2026, so she will be looking for additional funding to continue the program.

“There’s also some restructuring that I’d like to do with the budget that should free up some funding for it,” Griffith explained.

She did not request any increase in programming for the senior center last year because it was a “very tight budget year.” As such, with the new year, Griffith said she will likely look to request additional programming money as the senior center grows and further diversifies its programs.

“We’re already really busy, but we always want to do more,” Griffith said.

When Rothstein asked how commission members could show their support, Griffith said they could write in or speak during public participation at the Board of Finance and Legislative Council’s future meetings.

She noted that Transportation Coordinator Jennifer Faircloth has been surveying Newtown Easy Transit passengers at the request of Rothstein. Faircloth has sent out surveys to all new riders with the program in order to get feedback regarding their experiences with the program and how they rate it.

Rothstein asked if they could try and schedule Faircloth to speak to COA members about this feedback at their next meeting.

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Griffith noted the holidays are “always the busiest season for Human Services,” and that the season is filled with a lot of giving programs to support local residents.

She said Human Services have been “fully in the throes” of their Thanksgiving program with Women in Newtown (WIN), and that contacts have been made for the delivery of their annual Thanksgiving baskets.

“We’re managing both sides of donors and recipients with WIN, around what our recipients are hopeful for to help their pantry and fill their Thanksgiving tables,” Griffith explained.

Right after that, Griffith said, Human Services will once again work with The Newtown Fund for its Holiday Basket Program. This program encourages the community to donate gifts, make a financial donation, or adopt a family for the holidays. These baskets provide, gifts, food, and other necessities to support residents in need.

Griffith said members of both Human Services and the COA are preparing for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell Ringing this year, with one-hour shifts available on Fridays and Saturdays, December 5-13. This is an important effort for Human Services, as 90 cents of every dollar that goes into those kettles stays in Newtown.

“That is a huge source of how we support our households in need throughout the whole year. You know, everyone’s feeling very generous around the holidays, it’s a really nice time to give, but the need goes all year long,” Griffith explained.

When they need to help a resident with rent, in the months far away from the holidays, Griffith said they look to the Salvation Army to help with those needs. For this, Griffith said they draw on those holiday donations.

“So if you can get out there and help us ring over those two weekends, we greatly appreciate it,” Griffith added.

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.