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Norwich senior center seeks to maintain transport service as budget covers receptionist, eyes bus replacement
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Summary
Senior center leaders told the council the receptionist will be fully funded in the proposed budget, $10,000 in cannabis funds will support a mental‑health clinician, and the capital plan includes an 18‑passenger bus replacement; staff described transport scheduling, membership fees and demand pressures.
Mike, a representative of the Rose City Senior Center, and city budget staff summarized services and funding requests for the senior center.
Budget staff told the council the senior center’s receptionist position — previously funded partially by opioid settlement funds — is proposed to be 100% general‑funded for FY27. Staff also said the budget includes $10,000 from the cannabis fund for mental‑health clinician services at the center and a capital request for an 18‑passenger bus replacement in FY26–27.
“Transports are to and from medical appointments, to and from the senior center, to and from the grocery store,” Mike said, describing scheduled rides and wheelchair transport. He said residents of Norwich pay a suggested $25 annual membership to use rides (the fee is waived for those who cannot pay) and estimated membership revenue at roughly $35,000–$40,000 per year, which the center reinvests in programs.
Councilors asked about vehicle ages and fleet backups; Mike said the center’s newest multi‑passenger bus is a 2021 vehicle, a 2016 bus will become a backup and an older 2012 natural‑gas bus had been taken out of service. He noted quoted replacement estimates near the $150,000 range in the capital narrative.
Council members also asked about whether the senior center counts short trips and how scheduling works; Mike said rides must be requested a day in advance and the center typically fills runs from about 8:30 a.m. until roughly 2 p.m.
The council expressed support for continuing funding for the receptionist and for reliable transportation while noting grant opportunities may offset capital costs if secured. No formal vote occurred; staff said they will pursue grant applications where possible and will return with any updates to the capital plan.
