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Bloomfield staff report: senior services, youth employment and parks updates delivered to subcommittee
Summary
Town staff reported seniors’ programming (about 460 AARP tax appointments, multiple outings), Social & Youth Services updates including 333 renters-rebate applications and 36 summer youth hires from 210 applications, and parks metrics including swim lessons and camp enrollment; the town manager noted leadership transitions in senior services.
Town staff presented a series of service updates to the Education, Workforce, Youth Development & Community Services Subcommittee on July 14, covering senior services, social and youth services, and parks and recreation.
Luz Cortesmall, assistant director for Senior Services, said AARP volunteers prepared roughly 460 tax-preparation appointments for 2025 and reviewed a string of recent events including a pre–Mother’s Day luncheon (75 participants), a pre–Father’s Day breakfast and a Juneteenth celebration. Cortesmall said senior trips are planned for the Hartford Jazz Festival and an annual state senior outing in Cheshire; she noted the senior center sometimes uses two buses for outings and can provide transportation for about 48 people per bus when there are no wheelchair accommodations.
Camilla Hillian, director of Social and Youth Services, reported the renters-rebate application window runs April 1–Sept. 30 and that the department had completed 333 applications to date. She said the department issued 295 farmers market cards (each with $40 loaded) for residents age 60+ or disabled adults and explained the program’s income guidelines and proof requirements. Hillian warned that, under a new HR1 requirement, some residents have lost benefits; she said Connecticut Department of Social Services data show 137 Bloomfield residents have lost benefits so far and that the department is partnering with Community Renewal Team (CRT) case managers to assist affected residents.
Hillian also reviewed youth programming: a counseling pilot launched in March served an estimated 6–8 youths and their families; the summer youth employment program received 210 applications, interviewed 105 youth and selected 36 participants. Hillian described tiered placement: 16 youths in tier 1 (career exploration, paid $16/hour for 120 hours) and 20 youths in higher-tier placements in town departments or community worksites (paid $18/hour for 120 hours).
The deputy town manager reported parks and recreation metrics: 98 daily admissions and 160 swim-lesson participants during the recent reporting period, 936 membership scans, roughly 215 campers enrolled across three camp sessions, and summer concerts averaging 300–350 attendees. He announced a West Indian celebration scheduled for July 30 (rain date July 31).
Town leaders praised staff and noted a personnel transition: the town manager thanked Cortesmall and said she will take over senior services leadership on Oct. 1; Hillian said the town will post for an assistant director as part of retirements and planned transitions.
Next steps: staff will continue outreach for renters rebates, coordinate assistance for residents affected by benefit changes, post the assistant director job and follow up with council on youth-adult council representation. No council votes were recorded on these items during the meeting.
