Rec Center director: $7,327 of $15,000 senior-activities grant spent; committee weighs sustainability

Rec Center director Jason Verhegui told the Civic Affairs Committee on Feb. 26 that $7,327 of the $15,000 allocated by assembly resolution 24-06 was spent in 2024 on furniture, food and program experiences supporting the borough's senior-activities program.

"In 2024, $7,327 was spent out of the $15,000 allocated by resolution '24-06," Verhegui said, noting purchases that included two stand-assist recliners, coffee tables, two sofas, a dining table and ADA-compliant chairs. He said the furniture supported 61 socials that drew a total of 534 attendances (many repeat attendees), and that $1,699 was spent on food, averaging about $25 per event.

The report prompted questions from committee members about program sustainability and allowable uses. Committee members confirmed that food purchases were drawn from the same $15,000 account, and discussed one-time purchases still planned — such as rugs or sound-dampening panels to improve acoustics for seniors with hearing issues — versus ongoing expenses for outings and experiences.

Chair told the committee the $15,000 came from earlier assembly action tied to a larger Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines grant originally worth $75,000, of which $50,000 had been earmarked for outfitting a leased property and $25,000 toward staffing. "We have moved away from that idea," the Chair said, and noted roughly $55,000 remains available in the original Royal Caribbean grant pool for community use.

Assembly members and staff said the priority should be sustaining a year-round senior-activities program rather than additional furniture. One member suggested the committee consider directing remaining funds to the Rec Center as a lump sum so staff can manage routine needs without repeated approvals; another recommended including senior programming items in the next municipal budget cycle to ensure ongoing support.

The committee asked Rec Center staff to provide a line-item list of last year’s experience expenses and to flag any items that would require budget amendments. Chair said the committee will keep the senior-activities update on future Civic Affairs agendas while members brainstorm options for using both the $15,000 allocation and remaining funds from the Royal Caribbean grant.

Next steps: Rec Center staff will supply last year’s expense details and the committee will discuss longer-term funding in the next budget cycle.