Town OKs senior services department

Dedicated office would support largest demographic on the island


The largest demographic on Conanicut Island is getting its own department.

The town council unanimously approved a recommendation Monday from Town Administrator Andy Nota that put the wheels in motion to create a department of senior services. Currently, these programs are administered under the umbrella of the parks department.

The decision follows 11 months of negotiations between the town and the Friends of the Jamestown Seniors about which organization should control the senior center, which is housed at the Conanicut Grange on West Street.

These issues surfaced following an agreement by the two sides in 2017 that gave the nonprofit organization more taxpayer dollars. This budget increase, however, was approved alongside additional municipal oversight. Roughly 18 months into this partnership, the seniors accused the town of “metaphorically running a steam roller over them.”

To rectify these troubles, a working group between the two sides was established in March 2018. Monday’s compromise stems from discussions of that group during three sessions, which had their setbacks, according to Nota.

“We’ve taken a couple of rights, a couple of lefts, a couple of steps forward and a couple of steps backward,” he said.

The decision to create a department, Nota said, is unique.

“It’s very rare,” he said. “It might be the only time we’ll have this conversation for years to come.”

Heidi Moon, a board member of the Friends of Jamestown Seniors, spoke for her organization during Monday’s meeting. She said this settlement could make Jamestown “a model community” for municipalities that are having problems servicing their elderly population.

“I don’t think I could have said it better,” Nota replied.

According to Nota, the charter gives the council discretion to establish town departments, which are to be “administered by an officer appointed by and subject the direction and supervision of the town administrator.”

The officer, however, needs to be confirmed by the councilors.

Moon indicated support for Betsey Anderson, the woman hired at the beginning of 2018 to oversee the senior center. Moon said Anderson “loves seniors, has awesome ideas and knows how to collaborate.”

Nota said the time was right to create a department of senior services because about half of the population is above 50 years old. Moreover, about one-quarter is at least 60.

“That’s a significant population,” he said. “It’s very important to be out in front of this issue.”

To illustrate this growing demographic, Nota said meals at the senior center have increased from 1,299 served in 2014 to 6,738 served last year, representing an uptick of 419 percent. Since the partnership began in April 2017, there have been 582 seniors who have participated in at least one program offered by the parks department.

Nota said the founding of a department for seniors would require future investments by the public.

“We just scratched the surface,” he said.

When asked why by Councilman Bill Piva, Nota said the significant population of residents in their 50s will seek these services as they age. Moreover, the senior citizens in town boast “an active, healthy nature.”

“They set their own agendas,” Nota said. “Our senior population is well engaged.”

“Aging in place does not mean standing still,” Moon said.

Nota, however, said it was too early to determine the scope of these investments.

“It would be modest,” he said. “It’s tough to put a number on it today.”

According to Nota, while the department will have its own budget and management, it will still have to rely on other town departments, especially the parks department and public works.

Mary Meagher, the council vice president who served on the working group, applauded the effort.

“I’m happy to see the two groups working together,” she said.

Councilwoman Nancy Beye, a member of the working group who was representing the other side as a board member of the seniors, made the motion to accept the recommendation.

The department is expected to be fully implemented before the end of this fiscal year in June.