BUCKLAND — Though seniors from Ashfield, Buckland and Shelburne continued their annual picnic tradition at the Buckland Recreation Area on Tuesday, the 2025 gathering marked the first picnic as an independent senior services district.
Robin Lipson, secretary of the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, state. Rep. Natalie Blais and West County Senior Services District Board of Managers Chair Sylvia Smith at the annual Senior Center picnic at the Buckland Recreation Area on Tuesday. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ 
Sylvia Smith, chair of the West County Senior Services District’s board of managers, welcomes those in attendance at the annual Senior Center picnic at the Buckland Recreation Area on Tuesday. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ 
At the annual Senior Center picnic at the Buckland Recreation Area on Tuesday, state Rep. Natalie Blais, right, speaks with Senior Center Director Juli Moreno, left, and Paige Dolinski from state Sen. Paul Mark’s office. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ
“This was driven by volunteers,” said state Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Deerfield. “One of the earliest memories I have of taking office was being at Mohawk Trail Regional School, where we brought together all of the communities to talk about this, and that was several, several years ago.”
On July 1 of this year, the West County Senior Services District officially launched after more than a decade of planning and pushing for the necessary legislation. Previously, the Senior Center in Shelburne Falls had operated under a consortium of the three towns.
To recognize the work of the district’s volunteers and staff, Blais, as well as representatives from state Sen. Paul Mark’s office, the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, and the Massachusetts Councils on Aging, joined the seniors at their picnic to present them with citations from the State House and honor the first senior services district in the state.
“This is the first in the commonwealth. We do many things really well, and we do a lot of things that are firsts,” Blais said. “What we have accomplished here today is a reflection of our community and what works best for us.”
“You’re not just serving older adults. You’re helping all of us reimagine what it could look like to support people of all ages,” said Robin Lipson, secretary of the Executive Office of Aging and Independence. “So thank you for your leadership, for your innovation, for your heart and for your inspiration.”
“You’re not just serving older adults. You’re helping all of us reimagine what it could look like to support people of all ages.”
Robin Lipson, secretary of the Executive Office of Aging and Independence
Lipson said senior centers across the country serve as hubs of civic engagement and places where older residents can go to gain resources and connections. The West County Senior Services District in particular offers transportation assistance; medical equipment loans; aid in navigating fuel assistance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone (SHINE); fitness classes, memory cafes and more. As an independent district, the goal is to continue to grow and expand the Senior Center’s reach and offerings for its communities.
“While there are lots of things that government can do at the state level, and at the federal level, and the county and local level, I think what’s so special about what you do is that you’re really great about coming together for people,” Lipson said. “It’s really the senior center and the councils on aging and the collaboration you have that has created the most priceless and valuable asset, which is creating community.”
Massachusetts Councils on Aging Executive Director Betsy Connell added that “what makes a community truly livable” is more than just schools, housing and industry; it’s also making sure there are resources and support for residents of all ages.
“Today we’re reminded that the strength of the community, or the communities combined in this situation, is how it supports, serves and honors its older adults,” Connell said. “This West County Senior Services District isn’t just a place where programs and services are going to be delivered. It’s going to be a place where community grows, where lives are enriched and meaningful connections are made.”
Senior Center Director Juli Moreno said the ultimate goal for the new district is to eventually have all the towns in western Franklin County join. In the immediate future, she hopes to plan more special events in addition to the center’s regularly scheduled programs. While plans have not been set in stone yet, she noted she is planning a murder mystery theater and a haunted house event.
“Here’s to the future,” Buckland Selectboard member Joan Livingston said.
