Borough Continues Support For Senior Lunch Program

The Borough Council agreed on Wednesday to continue  to participate in senior center lunch  program.

Borough Administrator Robert Elia said the program is run by Sussex County, through a contracted vendor. The last vendor, Catholic Charities, has dropped out of the program, he said.

Mayor Sylvia Petillo said the new operator is affiliated with Newton Hospital.

The council voted to enter into an agreement with Sussex County to participate in the senior lunch  program, and in a second resolution, agreed to hire three part-timers to operate the meals center.

Elia said  the county reimburses Hopatcong $20,300 for the program, which covers the cost of two employees.  But the program needs three to run effectively, he said. He said the three current employees will continue to work at the center.

The borough will cover the cost of the third employee, $13,000, he said. The move will allow the program to operate as it does now.

Petillo said Sussex County runs four senior lunch centers, but Hopatcong’s is the largest. While it can serve  seniors from any part of the county, all the current guests are from the borough, she said.