Richfield commission reviews senior-center year, unanimously backs recommendation to seek renaming in honor of Jan Weber

The Richfield Human Services Commission on Feb. 26 reviewed annual activity and finances for the village senior center, heard updates on trips and meal delivery, approved routine motions and unanimously agreed to ask the village council to consider renaming the center in honor of longtime organizer Jan Weber.

The commission’s report showed 2025 ended with 282 total members, of whom 249 were paid members and 33 members aged over 90 are exempt from dues. The minutes list 136 Village members and 39 Township members; 28 new members joined in 2025 and the center recorded eight member losses aged 77–97. As of Feb. 23, 2026, 125 members had renewed for the year. Membership dues remain $10 annually for Village and Township residents and $15 for outside residents.

Commission members also reviewed programming numbers: staff reported 42 trips in 2025 with 627 participant visits and 15 dinner trips with 265 participants. Special events included a Dec. 7 Christmas tea with 124 attendees and a Feb. 11 Valentine Jam Session attended by 50 people; meeting notes list the food cost for the Valentine event as $46.70. The meal delivery program continues to operate with 18 regular clients and seven regular volunteer drivers. Financially, the center closed 2025 at 87.6% of budgeted expenditures, according to the minutes.

On operations and facilities, the commission discussed recent landscaping work (removal of pine trees on the building’s east side and planned removal of bushes), and a water-related interior damage caused by an ice jam that made part of the office ceiling collapse and saturated office cupboards, which the minutes state need replacement. The commission noted that, once landscaping is finished, exterior lights will be installed to match other village buildings. The minutes also clarify that the senior center will remain open for its activities even when Revere schools close for weather.

Personnel changes reported to the commission included the appointment of Marilyn Baade through 2027 to fill the remainder of Jan Weber’s term, and the appointment of Kevan Hudak through 2029 to replace Juanita Taylor. Carol Campbell was named the council liaison for the senior center. The commission also reported hiring Amy Huey as trip coordinator; the minutes record that the first trip under her coordination was Feb. 22, 2026 to a Hudson Players production with 18 members attending.

During new business, a suggestion was made to rename the facility the "Jan Eastwood Weber Seniors Activity Center" to honor Weber’s role in establishing the center. Paul Swan moved to have Carol Campbell bring the matter to the village council for consideration; Lois Czekaj seconded and the commission voted unanimously to forward the recommendation.

Votes at a glance - Approval of Nov. 11, 2025 minutes: motion by Paul Swan; second by Lois Czekaj; outcome: approved unanimously (yes: 6, no: 0). - Motion to forward renaming recommendation to council: motion by Paul Swan; second by Lois Czekaj; outcome: approved unanimously (yes: 6, no: 0). - Motion to adjourn at 6:39 p.m.: motion by Paul Swan; second by Kevan Hudak; outcome: approved unanimously (yes: 6, no: 0).

The commission set its next regular meeting for May 21, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the senior center.