Dropped Senior Center services

Published: 01-27-2023 6:20 PM

The recent firing of a dance instructor at the Greenfield Senior Center brings to mind the similar actions of the same director in forcing the shut down of free tax preparation a few years back.

At that time, theses services were provided at the old senior center at the Weldon and I was one of the AARP volunteers who prepared the returns. Usually, the leader of our group of five contacted the director of every center we worked (Greenfield, West County, Bernardston, Turners Falls, S. Deerfield, and Orange) to set up times for the service throughout the tax season and iron out any problems that may arise. However, on our first day at Greenfield, the director came in five minutes before we were scheduled to begin work and announced that 1.) we could no longer serve people who resided in other towns and 2.) we could only prepare one return at a time in each room for privacy reasons and that she had the support of the Council on Aging.

We were flabbergasted that these changes were made at the last minute. We explained that to limit our services to the citizens of Greenfield was against our regulations which required us perform our services for residents of any town that wished them. Limiting the space meant that we could only prepare two returns an hour: we generally worked in one large room and one small adjacent room. In every other senior center I have worked in Franklin and Hampshire Counties, we worked in one large room.

To spring this on us at the last minute with no warning and no advanced discussion, left us feeling angry with zero interest in continuing to work in Greenfield. We were gone by noon. We continued our work in other county towns and announced that people who signed up for Greenfield would be accommodated at Bernardston.

I believe a for-profit tax service filled the void we left. I have spoken to many former Greenfield residents who told me that they were unhappy with the change and wish we could come back. I had to explain that under the circumstances, we would be unable to do so.

John Pollard

Shelburne

]]>

Article continues after...

Yesterday's Most Read Articles

Driver taken to hospital after Interstate 91 rollover in Bernardston
Deerfield woman gets probation in stabbing case
Greenfield Police seek robbery suspect
My Turn: Biden’s record and accomplishments are extremely positive
Greenfield’s Lucas Allenby, Landon Allenby qualify for USASA Nationals
Springfield man gets 5 years in Greenfield shooting case