Officials tout offerings of boro Office on Aging

BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer

SPOTSWOOD — The Office of Aging not only provides programs for senior citizens but also helps disabled persons make use of state and county programs.

Even borough officials were surprised to find out the office serves as a gateway for residents who need to make use of such services, such as busing or other needs. Janine Balazs, director of the Office on Aging, recently spoke at a Borough Council meeting and impressed the governing body with her description of just what her office does.

Councilwoman Marge Drozd told the Sentinel there is consideration about changing the office’s name so it better reflects all the services provided.

What sparked the talk was a recent exchange of letters in the Sentinel written by several residents, and a response from council President Curtis Stollen, regarding a perceived lack of services for disabled persons in Spotswood. Stollen admitted the borough itself provides few such services, but said the Office on Aging helps disabled residents take advantage of a vast array of county and state programs for the disabled.

Stollen said the office also, of course, provides many services for seniors such as exercise and other classes, health screenings, etc., and puts out a monthly newsletter. He said residents are required to register with the office to take part in the services and programs.

“We are very fortunate that, as a small community, we have such a thriving Office of Aging,” he said.

Drozd said she is very impressed with the work done at the office. She said it also serves as a portal to state and county programs for the disabled.

“It is a lot of use to anyone with a disability, whether they are young or old,” she said.

The office provides wheelchair-accessible transportation to grocery stores and medical appointments, as well as transportation to shopping centers and other locations.

Drozd would not say whether the borough is considering adding more of its own services for those with disabilities, but she feels that the borough already offers a lot by sharing county and state services. Busing and housing, and other types of assistance, are among the services available through the state, she said.

Drozd said the borough would publicize the variety of services available.

Stollen said borough services for disabled people are limited to busing, but said Spotswood is under immense financial strains due to its size.

“The cost must be spread over a large tax base. You need a large residential base,” he said. Stollen also said part of what makes the services expensive is that the people running them must have professional credentials.

He said the newspapers letters turned out to be a positive force because they led to residents contacting the office to make use of available services.