NEW MILFORD, CT — The New Milford Senior Center began passenger service with a new bus Oct. 9, while town officials reported growing demand for heating assistance and concerns about the loss of kerosene deliveries to local residents.
The updates were presented during the Commission on Aging's Oct. 9 meeting, which also included reports on senior housing maintenance, Medicare enrollment and September participation in Senior Center programs.
Jasmin Ducusin-Jara, director of New Milford Social Services, announced that the town's new senior transportation bus had been delivered Oct. 2, registered and placed into passenger service Oct. 9.
The 2026 Ford E-350 bus replaces a 2019 vehicle that will now serve as a backup.
Ducusin-Jara said both buses have been equipped with new iPads to improve ride scheduling, communication, ridership statistics and real-time updates when schedules change.
The Senior Center also plans to participate in New Milford's Trunk or Treat event on the Green, with volunteers invited to help.
Senior services advisers Janette Ireland and Rebecca Yarrish reported that their appointment schedules were booked through mid-November as residents sought help with heating expenses and prepared for Medicare open enrollment.
The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program is operating for the heating season, and Medicare open enrollment began Oct. 15.
The advisers identified the loss of kerosene deliveries in the area as a significant concern for residents who depend on that fuel to heat their homes.
They said they were working with Community Action and other organizations, including Rebuilding Together in Litchfield, to explore alternatives.
Possible solutions include assistance with converting heating systems to propane or oil, although the advisers noted that such conversions can be expensive.
The September municipal agents' report also described outreach efforts involving rental rebates, energy assistance and programs that provide holiday gifts to older residents.
According to the report, staff recorded 287 service interactions involving 161 individuals during September. The report's assistance categories included 102 service units associated with energy assistance.
Commission members discussed unresolved maintenance problems at Butterbrook and Glenn Ayre senior housing.
Vice Chairman Robert Bennet reported that the properties' shared manager had resigned and that efforts to hire a replacement were underway.
He said maintenance concerns at both properties remained unresolved while the position was vacant.
The commission is continuing to explore ways to assist with the problems.
Commissioner Geraldine Rodda also asked about stair striping inside the Senior Center.
Ducusin-Jara said she had discussed the issue with Dave, the town's head of facilities, who was evaluating possible solutions.
No formal action was taken on either maintenance matter.
Program Coordinator Deborah Rose reported that the Senior Center's Community Connections open house on Sept. 19 featured 25 vendors and attracted a steady flow of visitors.
The event brought together organizations providing services, information and community programs for older residents.
The September activity report recorded 2,058 program and activity check-ins, including 1,412 in recreation and social programs, 459 in health and wellness activities, and 187 in educational programs.
The report cautioned that attendance totals were lower than the previous month's figures partly because a technical problem with the Senior Center database prevented check-ins from being recorded for several days.
The Senior Center welcomed 17 new members in September, including 13 New Milford residents, two Danbury residents and one each from Florida and Pennsylvania.
Other September activities included a senior picnic, an ice cream party, National Senior Center Day festivities, a drug takeback event and a food bank collection.
The commission received a draft of its annual report, with members asked to submit comments before the Oct. 30 deadline.
Chairwoman Gretchen O'Shea-Reynolds also said she would contact subcommittee members to arrange a meeting before the end of October.
The commission unanimously approved its October agenda, Sept. 11 meeting minutes, September program coordinator's report and senior services advisers' report.
All four approvals were unanimous, although numerical vote counts were not recorded.
The commission's next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 12 at 3:30 p.m.
The Oct. 9 meeting was held at the New Milford Senior Center, 40 Main St., and adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
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