Newtown’s Commission on Aging (COA) met on Monday, June 15 to follow up on questions raised at the last Friends of Newtown Seniors (FONS) roundtable about housing.

First on the agenda was public participation. Lynn Welsh, art instructor at Newtown Senior Center and a member of The Society of Creative Arts of Newtown (SCAN), said, “This is regarding the possible purchase of an air purifier for the art room in the building.”

Welsh said that she hoped for one that would reduce the number of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, in the room. She explained later in her statements that while someone had come to check the room’s air quality, it was when no one was in the room using the materials that can be potentially hazardous.

Commissioner Michael Stern confirmed that someone had come to look at the room and its potential needs. Stern told Welsh that he thinks the group is “pretty good to go here” and is working on obtaining a proper air purifier for the room. Welsh said that she was “glad to hear” the progress COA had made and said that she would “leave it up to you guys.”

Both John Voket, director of Economic and Community Development, and Rob Sibley, director of Planning & Land Use, were invited to attend the meeting to further discuss affordable housing and housing in town. Voket was unable to attend, and Sibley came late. As a result, the commissioners asked Natalie Griffith, director of Human Services, to present her report to the group first.

Griffith’s report was brief. She shared that the Senior Center patio has officially been opened and is being used by center members. She also discussed Easy Transit and shared that she will be going to the Legislative Council’s first meeting in July. Town leadership is looking at the differences between Easy Transit, HARTransit, and the Sweetheart bus. Griffith said that she thinks each group that uses each transit option is different in both services and ridership. Chair Pat Bailey called it a “big success.”

Griffith also reminded the group that “Christmas in July” is coming back to town with Salvation Army Bellringing Initiative. She shared that 44 households were assisted with funds from the Salvation Army since May 2025. Griffith also discussed the recent Regional Leadership breakfast that she attended that was very positive and “solution focused.”

Commissioner LeReine Frampton then asked about the number of men who are Senior Center members as the meeting was before the then upcoming Father’s Day breakfast and celebration at the senior center. Griffith replied saying there were about 40 men signed up for the men’s monthly breakfast. Commissioner Peggy Posteraro, who is also a member at the senior center, said that she has seen more men around the center during the day.

First Selectman Bruce Walczak was in attendance at the meeting. Commissioners asked him about the WinnDevelopment lease for Kent and Shelton Houses on the Fairfield Hills campus. He went in depth discussing the lease agreement and what the buildings look like inside currently, and what Winn hopes to do with the properties.

Sibley joined the conversation at this point and answered several questions from commissioners about affordable housing. Sibley also offered some explanations as to Planning & Zoning Commission’s role, the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD), and accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.