LETTER: Enfield Officials Address Senior Center Rumors

To the Patrons of the Enfield Senior Center, Enfield Taxpayers, and All Interested Persons;

As I am sure you are aware, Susan Lather – Director of the Enfield Senior Center – has retired and we wish her well in her future endeavors. During her tenure with the Town, Susan was an energetic presence at the Center and her passion for the facility and its patrons was obvious. Her contributions to the growth and development of the Senior Center are numerous and her mark on the Senior Center is indelible.

Susan’s retirement, coupled with local media coverage of her announcement, has created a great deal of speculation and uncertainty about the future of the Enfield Senior Center. From this uncertainty and speculation, a number of rumors have arisen about the future of the Enfield Senior Center. The purpose of this letter is to address those rumors.

One rumor we would like to address is with respect to closing the Senior Center early and reducing programming. There are no plans to change programing or reduce operating hours at the Senior Center. It is true that the Town is looking to utilize more support staff, volunteers, and interns at the Senior Center. However, these efforts are to continue providing senior services in the most effective and efficient manner possible.

Second, the rumor that a new Senior Center Director has already been selected is false. In the short-term, several employees will be engaged to continue the operations of the Senior Center. When the time comes for the Town to hire the next permanent Senior Center Director, interview participation will be solicited from Friends of the Senior Center, the Senior Center Advisory Board, the Commission on Aging, and other organizations representing senior citizen interests.

Lastly, the rumor that the Town and this administration do not appreciate volunteers, in particular senior volunteers, is untrue and unfortunate. The Town of Enfield provides many services due in part to volunteerism. Wherever volunteerism occurs in this organization, we look to acknowledge our appreciation of that giving spirit. Our challenge is how to honor and acknowledge volunteerism without utilizing tax-dollars and user fees so those funds can be devoted to adding and expanding programming opportunities.

It is our hope that the information in this letter has addressed the more concerning rumors which have recently developed. The Town of Enfield remains committed to providing a high quality Senior Center which delivers quality programming. Should you wish to discuss this letter, or any other matter; we welcome the opportunity to speak with you.

Respectfully,

Bryan R.H. Chodkowski
Town Manager
860-253-6353

Dawn Homer-Bouthiette
Director of Social Services
860-253-6395

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