Greenfield’s issues is not the Council on Aging programming. It does an excellent job for our seniors. The issue is the management’s attitude. It believes the $4 million, taxpayer-funded building is for its exclusive use.
When the senior center was housed at the Weldon House community room, there was no such issue. Many community activities and local clubs utilized the space provided by the Weldon. The problem arose when the space became in need of major renovations. Since the town didn’t own the property, it could not fund the necessary updates. So we built a new community center on town property. This was indeed to house the senior center, but it was never suppose to be for the exclusive use of an approximate 10% of the citizens to use.
The militant attitude of the leadership and staff have lead to the policy that a golden or should I say silver ticket must be presented to enter. If this attitude continues, I suggest the Council on Aging truly take ownership of the property. It can pay the utilities, grounds-keeping and parking area upkeep with its own funds. It can also pay the bill the residents approved to provide the Jon Von COMMUNITY Center.
The overburdened taxpayers should not be responsible for a building they have no access to. Or… the attitude can be adjusted and leadership can loosen its death grip on the door and allow the community to use the center after its activities are finished.
Priscilla Collins
Greenfield