Town of Blackstone senior center names outreach coordinator, expands meals, classes and garden; transportation punctuality stressed

Gilda Centeno, the new outreach coordinator at the Town of Blackstone Senior Center, introduced herself at the council meeting on March 6 and outlined plans to increase outreach and services for local seniors.

The senior center director reported the center has brought its nutrition program in-house, added new fitness classes, launched a gardening initiative supported by a grant, and expanded its newsletter to explain programs in more detail. During transportation remarks, a council member asked riders to be ready before pickup times and urged people to schedule rides early because equipment problems and long routes have caused delays.

Centeno said, “I am the new outreach coordinator here at the Town of Blackstone at the senior center,” and described 13 years of social-work experience supporting individuals, families and communities as she laid out her goals for outreach and connecting seniors with resources.

The senior center director (name not specified in the meeting) said the center has brought nutrition services in-house to broaden meal options and accommodate dietary needs such as gluten-free and dairy-free diets. The director described recent special events, including a Valentine’s brunch and a “Soup to Nuts” Monday program that pairs local guests with seniors over soup, and said the town will use the nutrition program to provide meals at special events.

The director also announced new fitness offerings: a strength-training class on Tuesday afternoons at 1 p.m. using existing weight equipment, a “strength and stretch” session on Tuesdays led by an instructor with YMCA experience, and a chair-yoga class on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. Instructor Jean Gillis was named as a personal trainer and triathlete who will teach the strength classes.

The center recently partnered with the Blackstone Millville Garden Club and the parks and recreation department secured a grant to build raised garden beds behind the senior center. The director said the raised beds are constructed and seniors who lack a backyard will be able to grow produce at the center.

Staff also reported they are expanding the newsletter to include program descriptions and a town-news section to keep homebound seniors aware of activities. The director encouraged seniors to call the center about programs and assistance, and to inquire about the senior tax-abatement programs and the senior tax work-off program.

On tax programs, the director said veterans, disabled or widowed individuals, people 70 and older and other qualifying residents may be eligible for abatements. The senior tax work-off program was described as available to anyone age 60 and older; the director said eligible participants can work for the town and receive an abatement on their real-estate tax bill.

Transportation coordinator remarks (delivered by Ed Colette, a council member) stressed punctuality for pickups and earlier scheduling for appointments. Colette said drivers sometimes spend 40–45 minutes on town pickup routes and that one late rider can delay the entire run: “If one person's late, the whole bus is late.” He urged riders to be ready 10–15 minutes before scheduled pickup times and to call Dennis as soon as they know they need a ride.

Friends-group and fundraising items were also discussed. The Friends group is drawing raffle tickets and planning fundraising trips; a recent trip took members to a local store that is closing and ended with a stop at Panera. The meeting also noted an application from Chris Priebak to join the council; no appointment action was recorded.

Votes at a glance - Motion to accept the January minutes: approved by voice vote (motion text not specified in the transcript; mover/second not specified). - Motion to adjourn: approved by voice vote; second identified as Ed Colette; mover not specified.

The council set the next meeting for Thursday, April 3.