Wellesley Council on Aging introduces new director

January 6, 2023 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The Wellesley Council on Aging has introduced Deborah Greenwood as its new director of senior services, and the community will have a chance to meet her on Jan. 11 at the Tolles Parsons Center from 10:30-1130am.

According to the COA: “Deb brings many years of experience working in Human Services, twenty of which with seniors directing programs and services for the aging population. In addition, she has prior experience working at a Council on Aging and in Human Resource management.”

Hiring a director has been challenging, with more than 100 resumes reviewed over several months. After a series of interviews last year, the Board for the COA was twice unable to close the deal with its choices. Health and social services administrator Kate Burnham had stepped up as acting director recently.

Previous Wellesley COA Director Heather Munroe left in April after a little more than two years on the job. The Council knew from the start that she at some point would head back to being a town administrator.

New hire Greenwood’s recent experience, per her LinkedIn profile, includes being sales and marketing director for Benchmark Senior Living and director of sales and business development for LCB Senior Living.

COA Board Chair Tony Parker said Greenwood was a unanimous choice for the job. The hiring also marks a return to Greenwood’s roots of sorts, in that she previously held a municipal job in Dedham as an outreach social worker, and she was educated in public administration.

“She has all the ingredients to make for a great director,” he said, as the COA looks to get on with developing its strategic plan.

deborah greenwood coa — Deborah Greenwood, COA director (photo from Wellesley COA)

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Wellesley Council on Aging’s director search continues; kitchen catch-up

November 17, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley Council on Aging (COA) has gone through the interview process for a new director a couple of times in recent months but has yet to hire one.

Robert Connors was selected over the summer to be director, but the 2 parties couldn’t come to a contract agreement. More recently, director selection Eric Poulin decided to stay on with the Rochester, Mass. Council on Aging after leveraging the Wellesley offer for a big raise, according to The Wanderer, a news site in that region.

In addition, the Council’s assistant director just left for another job (the COA job has been posted), and health and social services administrator Kate Burnham has stepped up as acting director.

The Council continues to offer an array of in-person and online programs to seniors, and sign-ups are up. It held a 5-year anniversary party for the Tolles Parsons Center, and smoothly handled voting at the center during the fall election. But staff is being stretched thin, and the COA seeks its third director since the center opened.

Rolling out expanded offerings and hours has been a challenge. That’s been a disappointment for those who would like to see offerings at night and on weekends as well as more programs that might attract those on the lower end of the senior scale. A working group is exploring ways to expand hours.

More help could soon be on the way. Council on Aging Board Chair Tony Parker told us last week there were numerous good candidates during the most recent search interviews, and fresh discussions are underway. The COA was holding its regular monthly meeting on Nov. 17, where an update on this topic was on the agenda (after this post published).

Update (11/18/22): During the COA Board’s Nov. 17 meeting (see Wellesley Media recording about 16 minutes in), Parker shared an update that 3 possible candidates being pursued all decided that they would be doing something else. “We are now at the edge of doing a new search, which we can kick into gear very soon,” he said. With Burnham becoming the acting director, the COA is looking for someone to handle the social work she has been overseeing.

“Our situation is not dissimilar to other people in finding staff both in town and everywhere,” Parker says, citing Brookline and Newton as other communities that have conducted director searches. “The pandemic wore some directors out.”

The pandemic also led to the exits of many from the healthcare industry, some of whom are now focusing on jobs working with seniors. But it is an employee’s market right now, and organizations have been shown to be willing to boost pay to keep good people.

tolles parsons — Photo credit: Tolles Parsons Center

Wellesley Council on Aging Director Heather Munroe left in April after a little more than two years on the job. The Council knew from the start that she at some point would head back to being a town administrator.

During its director search, the Wellesley Council on Aging has had dozens of candidates and whittled the pool down to a manageable number for more intense interviews.

The town seeks a director who has an interest in making the lives of seniors full, and who generally enjoys being around people, Parker says. A job posting cited Wellesley as having about 6,500 of its 29,000 residents aged 60 and over.

Getting a director in place is important for numerous reasons beyond day-to-day leadership and operations. The Council seeks to develop a new strategic plan and it’s important to have a strong director in place for that process, Parker says.

Kitchen catch-up

The shortcomings of the Tolles Parsons Center‘s kitchen have been an issue ever since the Council on Aging headquarters opened in 2017.

Discussion of that kitchen—home to commercial-grade appliances the COA doesn’t have town permission to use—heated up earlier this year because of a COA capital budget request for $50K to study how to optimize the kitchen (and to study possible safety changes at the facility).

Wellesley’s Facilities Management Department (FMD) recently conducted a feasibility study on the kitchen to determine the best way to move forward and get the kitchen licensed for use.

COA reps, FMD, an outside consultant, and Town Executive Director Meghan Jop met earlier in the month to discuss the situation, and in particular, the COA’s priorities (hot lunches are big).

Next steps include the consultant putting forth recommendations based on the study and other input. Considerations for the COA will be operational costs, such as those related to personnel preparing food, as well as scheduling, said Greg Wilson, assistant director of senior services at the time.

Board member Marlene Allen stressed not locking down a schedule at this point to allow COA flexibility to adjust to changing needs.

Registration opens for Wellesley Fire Department’s Thanksgiving dinner for seniors

November 3, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Registration has opened for the annual Thanksgiving dinner served to Wellesley seniors by the town’s fire department and volunteers. The event started in 1966 through the Veterans Council.

Tickets will be available for 125 seniors age 60-plus to attend the event on Saturday, Nov. 19 from noon-2pm at Wellesley Country Club, 300 Wellesley Ave.

To reserve your spot, please call to sign up at 781-235-3961.

*Please note, tickets are required and must be picked up at the Tolles Parsons Center, 500 Washington St.

Registration closes on Nov. 10 by 4pm.

The Wellesley Fire Department appreciates any donations made out to “WFD Senior Citizens” and mailed to Wellesley Fire Department headquarters, 457 Worcester St., Wellesley, MA 02481

Wellesley seniors news: COA kitchen survey; Masks still required; Happy 50th!; Director search; Health Fair in October

September 20, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The latest Wellesley seniors news:

Council on Aging kitchen survey

Wellesley’s Facilities Management Department is conducting a feasibility study on the Council on Aging’s kitchen to determine the best way to move forward and get the kitchen licensed for use. The Tolles Parsons Center commercial-grade appliances currently can’t be put to use.

Have your voice heard on the topic via this survey, which is open until Friday, Sept. 23 at 12:30pm.

Masks still required

The Board of Directors for the Council on Aging decided at its Sept. 15 meeting (discussion starts about 70 minutes into the Wellesley Media recording) to keep the mask and COVID-19 vaccination requirements that have been in place since early in the year. Results from a survey of senior center users found that the majority favored keeping restrictions in place, though there was some call to separate mask and vaccination requirements (so say, masks could be optional but proof of up-to-date vaccinations would be required).

There was sentiment from a couple of senior center users who called in, as well as some on the board, that masks should be optional. But most of the board felt it should wait to approve a change in the policy until we see how things go with COVID early this fall, and until more people get a chance to secure the new bivalent boosters. Anecdotes were shared of people trying to get those boosters and getting shut out of late due to supply chain issues that are expected to lessen soon.

The board plans to revisit the issue at its next meeting.

Happy 50th!

The Wellesley Council on Aging celebrates its 50th anniversary today. The group’s first meeting was held on Sept. 20, 1972.

Director search continues

The Council on Aging Board this week held a couple of preliminary screening sessions as it attempts to find a new director of senior services. The board was unable to come to terms with its choice following a selection process during the summer.

The board has narrowed a field of about 40 applicants to fewer than 10, and has begun interviews. Hopes are to get a new director in place in early November.

Health fair on Oct. 13

Come to the Wellesley Health & Wellness Fair presented by the Wellesley Council on Aging on Oct. 13 from 11am-2pm at the Tolles Parsons Center at 500 Washington St.

The Council has assembled more than 40 health and wellness professionals and exhibitors for this free event. Free health screenings will be available.

• Hear about the latest trends in fitness & nutrition
• Explore home health care and residential living opportunities
• Find answers to legal or financial questions specific to seniors

More information from the Friends of Wellesley Council on Aging.

Wellesley Council on Aging still searching for a director

August 4, 2022 by Bob Brown 1 Comment

Less than two weeks after the Council on Aging Board made its selection for a new director of senior services on the heels of a public interview process, the seniors group is once again on the lookout for a leader. The two parties couldn’t come to a contract agreement.

The Wellesley Council on Aging Board had chosen Robert Connors, pending negotiation of compensation and benefits. He was to have replaced Heather Munroe, who left in April after a little more than two years on the job (the 2021 annual town report listed her salary at about $95K).

Connors had been chosen over another finalist, Elaine Eliopoulos. The Council on Aging received more than 40 applications for the job posting, held four executive sessions to process that information, and whittled down finalists from six to two.

Update (8/10/22): The job posting is online

Please send tips, photos, ideas to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

Wellesley Council on Aging selects new director

July 22, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The Wellesley Council on Aging Board this week made its selection for the next director of senior services, choosing between two finalists with very different skill sets. One with a deep financial and business background, though also with solid credentials in elder services, and one with background as an attorney and more recently involved in gerontology research.

Following more than 90 minutes on interviews with the candidates followed by discussion, the Board chose Robert Connors, pending negotiation of compensation and benefits. He would replace Heather Munroe, who left in April after a little more than two years on the job (the 2021 annual town report listed her salary at about $95K).

(Update 8/2/22: A recording of the July 21 interview meeting has been pulled from Wellesley Media at the request of the Council on Aging.)

Connors explained a career shift into elder services over the past 10 or so years as having stemmed from the unexpected death of his father, who had big plans for post-retirement life cut short. “It was time for me to focus on things that had a little more personal and social impact other than just making money…” said Connors, who earned a master’s in gerontology in 2013.

The Council on Aging received more than 40 applications for the job posting, held four executive sessions to process that information, and whittled down finalists from six to two. Those two were Connors and Elaine Eliopoulos, an attorney who has also run an acupuncture business in Weston and is currently working on a Ph.D. in gerontology.

During the interview process with the board, Connors discussed his interest in the changes taking place in the world of elder services fueled by a “Silver Tsunami” in which 10,000 Americans a day are turning 65. Changes in everything from social to housing to tech will be “a launching point for a lot of things coming down the pike,” he said. While Connors works in elder services now, he acknowledged frustration with lots of turnover at his current workplace as one reason for possibly leaving.

In Wellesley, some 6,500 people out of our roughly 29,000 residents are seniors, according to Council on Aging board members. Connors said one thing that captured his attention after seeing the job opening was the Tolles Parsons Center that serves as senior central in town. The state-of-the-art nature of the facility “showed me a commitment to this cohort in the Wellesley community,” he said.

Connors said his goals would include bringing as many services as possible to a broad group of seniors.

Council on Aging Board Search Committee Chair Marlene Allen said during the post-interview discussion: “What I particularly like about Robert is his breadth of involvement in different things from deep into finance, and deep into business and deep into working with seniors…,” Allen said, noting his work as well in state and federal programs.

More: Wellesley Council on Aging kitchen all the talk

Wellesley Senior Living project proposed for top of Pond Road

July 5, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley’s Pond Road is known for its winding and hilly course through dense forest. It’s abutted by farmland, Lake Waban, Wellesley College property, and stately homes, including some owned by the Hunnewells. It’s officially a scenic road, though has experienced a change of scenery since two homes were built near the street over the past year. Also, when you now look across Rte. 135 from the top of Pond Road you see a chain link fence topped with barbed wire in front of the railroad tracks.

Now the scenery at the top of Pond Road, near Rte. 135, could be changed significantly again. The property owner, who sold to the developer of those homes at 194 and 196 Pond Road that are very close to the street, has now apparently sold 200 Pond Rd., to an investment firm. Plans are to build a multi-story, 130,000 sq. ft. assisted living and memory care facility where a 10,000-plus sq. ft. Georgian Colonial estate with a pool and tennis court now stands. That 1990 home, on property spanning some 9.6 acres, has gone on the market in the past for nearly $10M (see dramatic realtor video).

While the address for 200 Pond Rd., is in Wellesley, the long, meandering driveway leads to a compound situated across the town line in Natick.

So exactly how the approval process for this proposal will play out in the neighboring towns remains to be seen. We reached out last week to Natick officials and will update this post if we hear back.

Wellesley officials have had an introductory briefing on the project and have shared information both during the June 27 Select Board meeting (about 27 minutes into the Wellesley Media recording) and in a follow-up email.

The Wellesley Senior Living project comes from HYM Investment Group, Balfour Senior Living & Welltower, and Robert A.M. Stern Architects. We reached out to Balfour in late June, but have not heard back.

The project team’s pitch for the 130-unit facility includes that it will “establish a world-class senior care community in a bucolic landscape” and “preserve the nature of Pond Road” in part by screening the project’s view from those traveling along the road. During summer, when the trees are full, you can’t see much of the 200 Pond Rd., property from the street, though you get a pretty good view of it from those two new homes.

The developer’s presentation to the Wellesley officials included plans to improve the 175 feet of Pond Road (which stretches 6,200-plus feet overall) between the driveway and Rte. 135.

wellesley senior living — Wellesley Senior Living presentation

Project planners point out that most residents won’t have vehicles, and that employee traffic will be spread out and reduced via shuttles to public transit. Still, with visitors, employees, deliveries, etc., there’s no doubt that the introduction of such a facility will make crossing Pond Road at the Rte. 135 intersection dicier for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers both during and after construction.

Balfour is an experienced developer of such projects, and has a senior living facility planned in Brookline for 2024.

Wellesley Senior Living will be located just over a mile from a new “luxury senior living” facility in Natick on Rte. 135 dubbed Anthology, which doesn’t appear to include information on its website about pricing (“If you have to ask…”). The large assisted living and memory care facility will have 86 units, and replaced a handful of houses along the Boston Marathon route.

Wellesley Select Board member Ann-Mara Lanza asked during the recent Select Board meeting whether any affordable units might be part of the Wellesley Senior Living plans. Town Executive Director Meghan Jop said she wasn’t sure, though that would be up to Natick, and whether it has an inclusionary zoning provision. The presumably kitchen-less units in such a facility wouldn’t count toward Wellesley’s housing totals, but would provide more nearby housing for seniors.

The Wellesley Senior Living plan could necessitate a rezoning of the land in Wellesley given intentions to use it for commercial activity, Jop said. The project is expected to formally go before the Wellesley Select Board at some point, and then Town Meeting after that if it proceeds.

The project developers are expected to aim for zoning approval in Natick in the fall.

More: Resources for seniors in Wellesley

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