The Senior Center Story: All Chapters, No Ending

Even before a 10-year lease ran out in 1999, seniors made one thing clear: They wanted their own, new center downtown. Since then, half a dozen proposals have come and gone, most recently the Jayson Williams Foundation's bid to build a new center.

Now the city is again attempting to assemble funding for a new building, but the tab for bonding has increased from $2.75 million a few years ago to $4.3 million now. A bond ordinance including the $4.3 million went down to defeat Monday (Aug. 8, 2005) and the new proposal is to float a separate bond for that amount.

What is the center, anyway?

In the large, open space at 305 East Front Street, seniors play cards, shoot pool, crochet, socialize, hear speakers on topics important to elders, organize trips and host political candidates. The latter often come bearing food and promises. The food is consumed and many of the promises remain empty, like the vacant lot across the street where the new center may be erected someday.

City residents can join the center at age 55, but only about one-fifth of those eligible are members. Daily attendance varies, but averages 150 people, center officials say.

One big change over the years is the rent. During the 10-year lease, it was $66,333 annually, but it rose by one-third soon after and continued to climb while seniors rejected plans to put the center in the Plainfield Armory or the basement of the former Tepper's department store.

Now the rent is $104,400 in a two-year lease that expires June 30, 2006, Finance Director Ron West said.

With a whole lot of luck, the city may be close to having the new center by then.

PLAINFIELD
Population (2000 Census): 47,829
Over 55 years: 4,400
Senior Center Members: 1,500 to 2,000

A Look at the Neighbors

At Monday's City Council meeting, some speakers asked why the city doesn't get a developer to build a new center at no cost, like the one in South Plainfield.

The 10,000-square foot building was erected by developer Jack Morris in an arrangement mandated by the governing body, South Plainfield Senior Center Director Joann Graf said. Under state law, the borough was able to stipulate "off-site improvements" - the center - and Morris was allowed to build extra townhouses in a large development.

Plainfield has had few large-scale developments and has tended to give developers amenities like 30-year tax abatements.

South Plainfield seniors can join at age 55 and the center has 850 members, about 17 percent of those eligible. The center is open Monday through Saturday and Graf is using a federal grant to modernize the kitchen so she can launch a nutrition program. As built, the center had only facilities to warm up food.

Graf also obtained a $58,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation to get a new bus and hopes to replace a second one in 2006 with a similar grant. She is applying for more funding from a Philadelphia foundation to pay for all new computers and exercise equipment.

"There's not a lot of money, but we hope to get $30,000 to $50,000," she said.

SOUTH PLAINFIELD
Population (2000 Census): 21,810
Senior Center Members: 850

North Plainfield's program is more modest.

Seniors 55 and over can join and the program has 93 members, said Frank D'Amore, who became president in July.

The borough had about 3,430 persons over 55 in the 2000 census and D'Amore said he hopes to bring in more members. About 60 to 70 people come out for meetings.

The group meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Vermeule Community Center. With an organ and piano on hand, members hold sing-alongs on Tuesdays and then have programs with speakers on legal, financial and social issues affecting seniors.

Thursdays are for bingo, he said.

There is no budget cost for the program except for an annual picnic the borough holds for the seniors, and the costs of operating the bus. Seniors pay a nominal fee of $1 for the picnic to help defray costs.

D'Amore said the program uses grants, but he said, "Grants take an extremely long time to process through."

NORTH PLAINFIELD
Population (2000 Census): 21,103
Over 55 years: 3,430
Senior Center Members: 93

Back to the City


Like its neighbors to the north and south, the Plainfield Senior Center seeks grants, offers education and assistance and keeps its members stimulated and active. Director Sharron Brown and her staff work day to day to provide a safe, clean environment. But for the seniors, there's still one big thing lacking - a place of their own.

--Bernice Paglia

KEYWORDS: senior center