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Senior-center budget seeks modest increases; PATH collaboration and bilingual services under review
Summary
Methuen's elder-services director requested small increases to building maintenance, utilities and program costs and described a split funding approach for a social-worker/interpreter position shared with the PATH program. The mayor flagged a broader facilities-maintenance consolidation plan that could move custodial work under DPW in FY2026.
The Methuen senior center presented targeted requests in its FY2026 municipal budget to cover building maintenance, utilities, and program expansion while discussing staffing for bilingual social-work services.
Acting Elder Services Director outlined requests including a $10,000 increase for building maintenance to keep the senior center safe and clean, higher utilities to cover increased energy costs, and modest additions for food, printing and program instruction. The director also explained a change to how the center funds a social-worker and interpreter position tied to the PATH program (a collaborative outreach program that includes the Methuen Police Department and social workers). The line that previously funded $50,000 for bilingual social-work and interpretation was proposed to be split 50/50 between the PATH partner program and the senior center so the center can ensure coverage on days PATH is not present.
Councilors and the mayor discussed staffing details and the hiring timeline. The mayor told the council he prefers to continue relying on PATH social workers — who are housed in the police department — for clinical and licensed social-work services, and said the city would explore volunteer and senior-tax-workoff options for bilingual support. He also said a future facilities-maintenance consolidation could centralize custodial services under DPW to generate efficiencies across city buildings, including the senior center.
Councilors asked for confirmation that the recently filled full-time maintenance position would make a contracted cleaning service unnecessary. DPW and senior-center staff said the contract was an interim measure while the center transitioned to a full-time custodian.
No formal budget vote was taken; councilors and staff agreed to continue coordination on the social-worker/interpreter funding, hiring timelines and the broader facilities-maintenance planning.
