Since its implementation in November, the bus transportation service provided at the West Windsor senior center has already administered over 260 rides to West Windsor residents.
Donna Fucetola, the senior center’s new manager of senior and social services, reported the figures during her presentation at the Township Council’s December 20 meeting, which was held at the senior center building for the occasion.
“One of the very frequently used and important means of service that we offer is transportation,” said Fucetola about the services provided by the senior center.
After receiving the bus as a donation from Princeton University, the township hired a part-time bus driver to provide transportation services for seniors at a cost of $1 per one-way trip and $2 per round-trip. Fucetola reported that the senior center provided 144 rides in November and 119 in December.
Many may not know, but the senior center provides a variety of services for all residents of the township, not just senior citizens. The senior center serves as an information and referral site for all West Windsor residents. All residents, regardless of age, are also able to rent wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and other equipment from the senior center, said Fucetola.
Senior center officials also organize volunteer medical rides for seniors to doctors within the immediate area, and a group of students from High School South who volunteer to shovel snow, Fucetola said.
The senior center, which is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday through Friday, serves 110 people daily. Just this year, the center registered 291 new senior residents.
“We were the first municipal senior center in the state of New Jersey to receive accreditation” at the national level in 2002, said Fucetola. The senior center received re-accreditation in 2007.
The 10,000-square-foot senior center celebrated a grand re-opening in September, 2009, renovations to the existing building, five additional classroom/meeting rooms, bathrooms, and more storage space.
The $1.185 million contract for the first phase was awarded to Tri-Form Construction Inc. of Metuchen in June, 2008, for the first phase. A $500,000 grant from the county; a $100,000 grant through Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein; and $50,000 from the state Department of Community Affairs helped fund the project, with the rest coming from township funding.
Fucetola highlighted the new facility during her presentation. With its new high-tech computer room, game room,library, and second entrance, the senior center is “an active, vibrant facility,” she said.
The Friends of the West Windsor Senior Center also has raised $70,000 in its enhancement fund, $30,000 of which has been spent to add to the facility. Of the successful programs, the senior center offers physical fitness programs like strength training, yoga, and ballroom dancing; educational programs, like investments, world languages, and arts classes; and recreational programs like billiards, day trips, and a Mahjong class.
It also provides a senior cafe and partners with the AARP to offer free income tax service and safe driving classes. It also holds an annual holiday luncheon. More than 100 participants attended the most recent luncheon.
Fucetola said the more information on senior and social services is provided on the township’s website — www.westwindsornj.org. She said the senior center always encourages and welcomes new members. For more information, call 609-799-2400.
