Dear Editor,
The plight of many Senior Citizens in Natick continues. We are tired of being treated like second-class citizens. We intend to fight for Equal Rights with the Motto: Senior Lives Matter.
My letter below explains one of the top issues. It was written back in August 2017. Too date, nothing has been done about the matter, not even an acknowledgement. This indifference to Seniors can no longer be tolerated. We pay our taxes like everyone else. We are at the least entitled to common courtesy.
I realize the letter is long, but the issue is longing. I'm hoping that the Natick Report would be willing to help us Seniors with our cause. Thank you.
Jerry Pierce, Town Meeting Member, Precinct 10
201 Eliot Street
508-655-5084
August 17, 2017
An Open Letter to the Natick Board of Selectmen
Dear Selectmen:
I’m writing to you about the shade structures which were supposed to be installed outside at the Community-Senior Center this past spring so that the picnic tables there could be enjoyed by the Senior Citizens this summer. Here it is almost Labor Day, and there are no shade structures installed.
You may recall that this project started out as Article 28 on the 2016 Fall Annual Town Meeting. Shortly after I presented the Article at a Finance Committee meeting, Town Administration acknowledged its merit and determined that the matter could be best resolved under the Capital Equipment Article 9 on the same warrant. I received such positive encouragement for the project that I was very willing to have it heard there. I believe this line item received unanimous approval from Town Meeting.
Needless to say, we Seniors were looking forward to finally being able to enjoy the picnic benches at the Center. That excitement, however, has proven to be a bit premature. I’ve been down there to check on the status of the project since April, but there hasn’t been much to check at all. Two new table/bench units had arrived and were placed on a mulch pad. But no shade structures to be seen.
After several months of the same thing, I sent an email inquiry to Ms. Lambert, Director of Community Services. She promptly responded that the umbrellas are indeed on site, but because they are very heavy, they need to be sufficiently secured to the ground and her requests to the appropriate Town departments for assistance have been futile. I did appreciate her concern to make sure that the umbrellas would be safe.
I accepted that reason for the delay with grace, for the next two months. As my good health changed a bit recently, I realized that I must see this project through. And my thought process altered also. I realized that accepting the status quo wasn’t going to accomplish anything, again. I decided that an excuse of non-communication/cooperation between Town Department Directors with high-paying salaries just wasn’t going to cut it this time.
Having served on the Finance Committee for nearly nine years already, I have heard excuses for delays on projects of every class and caliber going. But this excuse is in a category all by itself. It’s beyond mind-boggling and totally unacceptable. Granted, some excuses were substantial, but more were superficial. I have heard lame excuses. I have heard excuses with no logical standing whatsoever. I have heard excuses which are mere cover-ups or just downright ridiculous. Those attempts amazed me, and not in a good way.
This is not typically how Seniors have been treated in Natick. The Natick citizenry have been very kind to us. They seem to know that they will one day be where we are now. And we do want to leave something great for them. All I can contribute this to is that the majority of “bosses” in Town are not Natickites. They do not have a vested interest in Natick. So I plead with all my heart that when the search committees and you begin your interviews for a new Town Administrator and Fire Chief, please emphasize the rich fabric of Natick’s history and make certain that they will be a good fit for the good people of Natick. Don’t be overly impressed with degrees and learned interviewing techniques. Common sense is still a commendable characteristic.
I’m not sure what we Seniors have to do to claim the consideration we should be entitled to. I know for a fact that other age groups in Town are first on the list to have their needs addressed or their amenities awarded. For example: new playgrounds, ball fields, loads of loam delivered to community gardens, and on and on. It just baffles me why Senior needs and wishes continue to be placed on the back burner by some people in many instances. I for one will not accept this any longer.
Perhaps we should apply for a permit to hold a demonstration on the Town Common. I assure you, it would be very peaceful. Would you kindly advise me how to proceed with this endeavor? Thank you.
Sincerely,
Jerry L. Pierce
A Proud Senior Citizen
