Residents urge Somers leaders to restore senior center hours and staff amid budget cuts

Dozens of residents pressed the Somers Board of Selectmen on June 18 to restore staff hours and benefits at the town’s senior center, arguing that recent budget cuts have diminished essential services for older residents.

The pleas were led by Elaine Friedman of Billings Road, who said she wanted the board to disclose how much the town paid for two sets of architectural drawings for a proposed community center and to explain why the senior center’s director position was reduced from full time to part time, with associated pension and benefit reductions. "We seniors have been in town the longest," Friedman said, arguing that cuts to staff and hours have harmed transportation for doctor appointments and curtailed programs that keep seniors physically and mentally active.

The controversy surfaced during an extended public-comment period that drew residents who emphasized different aspects of the issue. Darlene McCrae, who identified herself as a program coordinator at the senior center, said the center averages about 38 visitors per day and that closing Fridays would reduce weekly open hours to roughly 28. Several speakers described the center as a "second home" for isolated seniors and said reductions in staffing would force some professional employees to leave because part-time hours do not cover benefits.

Board members and staff said they understand the concerns but emphasized the constrained fiscal picture. Town officials and the finance director told residents the town faces a budget gap after years of using one-time fund balance dollars to keep tax rates lower; that gap is one factor driving proposed cuts across departments. The board did not reverse any of the cuts during the meeting but noted the next referendum and budget process could restore positions if voters approve a higher appropriation.

Residents suggested alternatives including furloughs, spreading reductions more evenly across departments, volunteer support for some programs and learning from neighboring towns’ staffing models. "We need to think differently," Michelle Young said, urging the town to prioritize core services while finding new ways to reduce recurring costs.

The board did not take immediate action to reinstate jobs at the meeting; members said changes to the senior center’s hours and staffing remain tied to the budget question that will be put to voters at a scheduled referendum.