CLIFTON PARK -- The town of Clifton Park is planning to form a new town department for senior services. If all goes smoothly, the new department could be part of town government early next year.
Under the plan, the Shenendehowa Senior Center, an independent, nonprofit organization, would come directly under the control of town government.
The senior center would remain a semi-independent nonprofit free to do its own fundraising and grant writing. Town Board members cite the towns of Colonie and Bethlehem as examples of similar operations.
The senior center, which is located on Clifton Common just off Vischer Ferry Road, already receives more than $120,000 a year from the town. The town also provides bus service to and from the center. Town Board member Tom Paolucci said making the institution part of town government will make it easier for the town to provide financial support.
According to census data, 10 percent of the town's 36,000 residents are 65 or older. And town officials expect the senior population to grow.
"It's about providing for families. It's about expanding services," Supervisor Philip Barrett said.
Meanwhile, grant funding is becoming more competitive and fewer grants are available for organizations like the senior center. Judith McKinnon, the group's executive director, said combining the senior center with the town would protect the institution in case grant funding begins to dry up.
The president of the center's board of directors, Karl Siverling, said the center's finances are in good shape now, and the idea to join town government was not sparked by any kind of funding emergency. It's simply a smart way to plan for the future, he said.
The town approached the senior center in August, Siverling said, and the center's finance committee approved the idea unanimously.
Paolucci said a "transition committee" made up of four representatives from town government and four from the senior center would hammer out the details over the coming months.
Dan Higgins can be reached at 454-5523, or by e-mail at dhiggins@timesunion.com.Original Story in the TU
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