Older population impacted as budget cuts hit councils on agingDate: 1/24/2024 The cuts to the state budget made by Gov. Maura Healey’s administration impacted industries and people across the commonwealth, including the state’s older population.
In East Longmeadow, an earmark in the budget had set aside $75,000 for the Pleasant View Senior Center, which needs a new van that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Healey’s cuts reduced that amount to $37,500. The van is needed for the Tri-Town Trolley program, which transports older people to medical appointments, adult day care facilities and events outside the Senior Center.
“We are moving forward with that quote [of $75,000],” Koebler said. She said the Council on Aging has been reaching out to dealerships to find the best price possible, while also seeking alternative funding opportunities, including a grant through the state’s Community Transit Vehicle Program. She was working with state Rep. Brian Ashe’s (D-Longmeadow) office on a state contract to obtain the vehicle, but that fell through.
The town would order the van by submitting a commitment letter, but it cannot do so until the funding is secured. The payment would be made at the time of delivery. The delay is further exacerbated by the time it takes dealerships to receive the chassis and base vehicle, which must then be modified to be ADA-compliant. The entire process will take well over six months.
While three of the fleet’s four vehicles are at or past the end of their usable life, the need for the service has been growing. In January 2022, the Tri-Town Trolley provided 390 rides. This year it is on track to give 632 rides. At the same time, Koebler said the cost of providing the service has increased, and in turn the rates have doubled to $2 each way in town, and risen from $3 each way out of town to $4.
Meanwhile, Wilbraham is approaching the end of construction on a new Senior Center.
“We were expecting $100,000 from the earmark grant to use towards the building costs of the new Senior Center,” said Director of Elder Services Paul Dubord, who also sits on the Senior Center Building Committee. “That was cut to $50,000, which was disappointing, but we welcome any support from the state that we can get.”
The Senior Center project has been in the works for more than a decade. Construction on the $13.43 million project began in early 2023. The funding process was controversial, with an initial appropriation, followed by two rounds of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act and donation from the Friends of Wilbraham Seniors.
“We are very lucky to have a great Friends group — the Friends of Wilbraham Seniors — who have raised over $800,000 for the new building,” Dubord said. “They have donated over $300,000 so far and those funds covered furniture, billiards tables, bocce court and fitness equipment. They were the driving force behind the earmark grant.” Dubord said the group is continuing to fundraise and, “hopefully will be able to cover any deficiencies in the budget.”
Private services for older people were also impacted by the cuts. JGS Lifecare, a healthcare in independent living facility in Longmeadow, had expected to receive an earmark of $60,000 for new technology that would facilitate patients calling for a nurse, and unit renovations. That amount was cut to $30,000.
Reminder Publishing reached out to JGS life care for comment but did not receive a response by press time.
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