We live in a rapidly aging world. Americans are living longer and having fewer children. Retiring seniors are a mounting demographic looking for social connections, physical activities, volunteering and lifelong learning. As we age, we begin to lose cherished spouses, beloved family members and dear friends, shattering our world. Some are utterly alone. It is easy to succumb to loneliness and depression. Isolation is unhealthy and often leads to rapid decline. A vibrant senior center serves as an entry point for seniors to choose socialization over seclusion. We must do better for more seniors.
New senior centers have been popping up around us. I doubt they had extra money just hanging around with no other purpose or priority. They had similar data pointing to an aging population increasing the demand for senior centers. With vision and the courage of their convictions, they prioritized seniors in budgets.
Our Senior Center has struggled over many years to secure a safe and stable center. The present location is grossly unsuitable with minimum parking, zero privacy and inadequate space. Events occur at multiple sites across three towns making it inefficient, ineffective and limiting. A sensible plan by the South County Senior Center director and Board of Oversight included needs and feasibility studies, and proposed costs for renovations supported by builders and architects. There were seven forums detailing proposed options and tours of the recommended site at 112 Amherst Road in Sunderland.
The building is spacious enough to support the aging population now and for future generations. The property has been well maintained and has a plethora of windows for fresh air, ventilation and an abundance of natural light. It has lovely grounds offering gardening opportunities and outdoor activities on warm, sunny days. Parking is ample with room for more. It will be ready soon so it can be enjoyed now by some of the same seniors who have patiently and loyally moved from one chaotic location to another, including under a tent after the 1888 building was condemned.
This rare opportunity to lease this property, with the right of first refusal to buy, is our best case scenario. It shifts liability for major repairs to the owner and includes the cost of renovations, real estate taxes, including the increase after the renovations, maintenance and repairs, including the elevator, landscaping, snow removal, hazard insurance and water district taxes. Please read that again!
The difference in the budget from the present location is meager at under 1%. A scant amount in a massive budget to support the needs of seniors who have paid and paid over their lifetimes. Why have our budgets consistently skimped on seniors? We are experiencing the consequences of that neglect now and must face an override vote with a small tax increase before we can see this through to fruition. How did we get here?
There was a confusing last-minute tour of the Deerfield Town Hall with a push to use it for the senior center. It was said that the hall is in move-in condition except for paint, cleaning and ramp renovation. That contradicts Deerfield’s own feasibility study and the plan by Gorman Richardson Lewis architects of the condition of the hall. Dan Murphy, a professional engineer who serves on Sunderland’s Selectboard and Board of Oversight said that study was done five years ago and the price tag for work that needs to be done would now be 50% higher with cost escalations.
Let’s place our trust in the unbiased experts, the builders, architects and engineers who have no vested interest or emotional attachment one way or the other. They rendered the honest, unvarnished truth about the work needed with associated costs.
Please stop skimping on seniors. We have supported everything all our lives and now ask you to support this long-term solution for a senior center that will be designed to meet the needs and well-being of aging seniors to enjoy a safe, healthy, dignified quality of life.
Vote ‘yes’ for the South County Senior Center location on 112 Amherst Road in Sunderland.
Doris Bardwell is a retired registered nurse and lives in South Deerfield.