A young mother once asked Stoneham's Council on Aging Director, "Why do seniors need a center anyway? They could play bingo anywhere." That question reveals how many people misunderstand what the Council on Aging provides. The Senior Center offers far more than recreational programs.

The Senior Center is the only social service agency in the town of Stoneham. With just two full-time staff members, six part-time employees, and over 50 volunteers, it provides transportation to medical appointments outside Stoneham, congregate meals for seniors who might otherwise go without proper nutrition, health insurance counseling to navigate complex Medicare decisions, elder law services, tax preparation, monthly health screenings, wellness programs, and outreach services that provide a human voice when seniors need help. The building itself, the historic Almshouse on the National Registry of Historic Places, requires ongoing maintenance that the Center's budget must cover.

The Council on Aging's budget was slashed by 27.5% in FY26, now operating on little over $180k. Neighboring towns with similar demographics like Wakefield and Melrose provide significantly more funding for their senior centers. All three operate from historic buildings with similar maintenance needs, but Stoneham's seniors are getting less support.

The Center is currently depleting non-general fund accounts just to keep services running. They're spending down donations and reserves to avoid cutting programs. Director Kristen Spence watches her monthly budget printouts carefully. The Center has launched fundraisers to supplement the budget. But should seniors really have to rely on charity to access basic services?

Transportation keeps seniors independent. The Council on Aging provides rides to medical appointments outside Stoneham. The MBTA RIDE recently changed its policies, and drivers are no longer allowed to provide the same level of assistance with personal items they once did. For seniors who relied on that support, who need help getting packages from the curb to their door, these changes have made the Senior Center's transportation services even more critical.

Getting to doctor's appointments, accessing nutritious food, attending wellness programs that prevent falls and hospitalizations, staying connected to the community instead of isolated at home--transportation enables all of this. Social isolation among seniors increases mortality risk as much as smoking. The Senior Center keeps our older adults thriving and connected.

Massachusetts and Stoneham offer multiple tax exemption and deferral programs for seniors facing financial hardship and the town is actively examining how to strengthen these programs. But the best way to help seniors goes beyond exemptions. Maintaining services that allow them to age in place affordably--transportation, wellness programs, community meals, and support services--prevents more expensive interventions later.

If the override fails, the Council on Aging will face cuts. Reduced transportation services when seniors need them most. Fewer wellness programs that prevent falls and health crises. Cut hours for part-time staff who provide continuity and expertise. Inability to maintain the historic Almshouse building. Loss of shared staff positions with other communities. Elimination of programs that keep seniors safe and independent.

Stoneham's senior population is growing rapidly. The demand for these services isn't going away. In fact, it's increasing.

Nobody wants to alarm seniors unnecessarily, but sugarcoating the truth isn't kindness. The numbers tell a clear story: a 27.5% budget cut to senior services, a department depleting its reserve funds to avoid cuts, a growing senior population needing more services, and critical programs at risk.

Our seniors built this town. They raised families here. They paid taxes here. They volunteered here. They served in the military for this country. Now, when they need support to age with dignity in the community they helped create, we owe them more than budget cuts.

The override means maintaining the services that allow seniors to stay in their homes, stay healthy, and stay connected. Transportation to medical appointments. Congregate meals. A voice on the other end of the phone when they need help. Passing an override is necessary to protect the people who made this town. We have to do right by them and pass this override.