Focus is on senior activities in M'boro

By Nancy on March 15, 2008 2:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

www.meredithnhnews.com

by Sarah Schmidt
sschmidt@salmonpress.com

March 13, 2008
MOULTONBORO — As the calendar counts down to Town Meeting and a vote on exploratory costs for a community/senior center, a representative from the Recreation Advisory Committee came to selectmen to gather specific information on the Senior Needs Committee.

A good deal of attention has been paid to the recreational needs of seniors, as some residents and selectmen have questioned the amount of space and activities devoted to seniors in Moultonboro during planning for a community/senior center. A vote for architectural and engineering costs to explore the possibility of such a center will be decided upon during Town Meeting this Saturday.

Committee member Carla Taylor asked the board about the history of the SNC, who they were, and where the committee now stood. Chair Karel Crawford told her that about six years ago, the committee formed to find a place where seniors could have their own building or meeting room, and tried to develop a vision of the what building would look like, and what activities it would include. As time went on, according to Crawford, the committee went by the wayside with grants "fizzling away." Crawford said she was uncertain of how often they now meet.

Selectman Ed Charest said he believed the committee began around 1993, during the construction of the West Wynde facilities, and noted that it was an independent group. Joanne Farnham, a member of the SNC, recalled some of the discussions the SNC had had when trying to determine what would be most desired in a senior center. Among the most important aspects, she said, were transportation and a centrally-located building. Farnham said that they usually met at the Lions Club, but "could meet anywhere" and didn't take notes.

Though some senior trips were combined with Meredith in the past, the committee had no budget, Crawford said, noting that funds for aerobics classes and senior trips were in the Recreation Department's budget.

"Our concern is that (seniors) are looking for something to do, and the Recreation Department is maxed out," said Taylor. "We need clarification, we need proof that the board is working with us"

Charest reiterated that the committee had been an independent entity in the past. Farnham said that the desire of the committee was for a place for seniors to drop in to work on computers, hear lectures, and in general to interact with others in the community. Taylor agreed, acknowledging that some senior Moultonboro residents had approached the Recreation Department about having a room during certain hours, but that the department didn't have enough staff and time to cover that as well.

"We've tried different things in the past, and the response has not been great, if no response at all," said Crawford. "Trying something else, it's finding the right avenue. We're not going to ignore seniors."

The agreement for the two entities to remain separate was still strong, as expressed by Crawford and resident Nancy Wright.

"It always seemed that seniors should be separate," said Wright. "It's the largest part of the population, and continues to grow. It might make sense to be two separate entities."

The Recreation Department offers a survey for seniors to fill out and return, concerning their desires for senior activities in Moultonboro, transportation difficulties, and any other thoughts. Forms are available online at http://www.moultonboroughrec.com/.

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