New initiative will provide local seniors with opportunities to gather, connect and enjoy a hot meal together in New Hartford

The Town of New Hartford is seeking community volunteers as it prepares to launch a new senior services program designed to bring back Senior Services to New Hartford. Once again, local seniors will have access to a welcoming place to gather, socialize and connect with one another.

The program represents an important first step in the Town’s effort to rebuild and expand services for New Hartford’s senior community.

The Town recently reached an agreement with Community Wellness Partners that will allow the Town to utilize the Presbyterian Home Activity Room located on Middlesettlement Road on scheduled days throughout the month for senior gatherings. As part of the arrangement, participating seniors will receive a hot meal provided by Presbyterian Residential Community Center.

Community volunteers will play an important role in helping the Town launch the program
and create a welcoming, enjoyable experience for participants.

The Town has already received inquiries from residents interested in volunteering and is now extending that invitation to
the broader New Hartford community.

Volunteers may assist with welcoming participants, activities, meals, social interaction and general program support. Residents who enjoy working with seniors, have ideas for
activities or simply want to give some of their time to help strengthen connections within the community are encouraged to become involved.

Restoring opportunities for New Hartford seniors has been a priority for Supervisor Jim Messa, who has remained committed to bringing meaningful senior programming back into the community. Councilman Dave Reynolds has also been a longtime advocate for reinstating a local program for New Hartford seniors and has been actively involved alongside Supervisor Messa in discussions and negotiations to help bring the new program to fruition.

“For several years, our seniors have not had the kind of dedicated gathering place within New Hartford that they once enjoyed,” Messa said. “Changing that has been important to me from the beginning. We want our seniors to have a place where they can see friends, meet new people, share a hot meal and feel connected to their community. This is our starting point, and I am excited about where we can take it.”

New Hartford previously operated its own senior programming before transitioning in 2022 to an arrangement with Mohawk Valley 50 Forward that provided eligible Town residents access to senior services at its Parkway Center in Utica. The new program will bring regular senior gatherings back into the Town of New Hartford while providing an opportunity to build additional programming over time.

“We don’t want to simply recreate what existed before,” Messa added. “We want to listen to our seniors, learn what they would like to see and build a program around their interests and needs. Having the involvement of enthusiastic volunteers from our community will be a big part of making that possible.”

Additional information regarding the program schedule, eligibility, activities and registration will be announced as plans are finalized.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Town of New Hartford will be hosting an informational meeting. Residents interested in volunteering
their time to the Senior Services Program are encouraged to attend:

Volunteer Informational Meeting
where: New Hartford Town Hall, 8635 Clinton St., New Hartford
date: Tuesday, September 1, 2026
time: 4:30 PM

Interested individuals can RSVP with interest:

• RSVP HERE
• or Call the Supervisor’s Office at: 315-733-7500 ext. 2331
* Walk-ins will also be welcome.

The Town welcomes residents interested in helping make this new program a warm, active and engaging place for New Hartford seniors.