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Health & Fitness

Honoring Our Seniors

Friends,

Our seniors have made Boston the great city that it is today. We have an obligation to ensure that they continue to enjoy a high quality of life, in their own homes if they choose, and in safe and healthy neighborhoods. That is why today I am pleased to announce my proposals for honoring and supporting our seniors. 

As mayor, I would expand transportation services for seniors and develop a Senior Mentoring Program. Seniors bring a lifetime of experience to the table and we should be connecting then with our public schools, colleges, and businesses so that they can mentor students and young business leaders.

Many seniors live on fixed incomes, so we also must adopt and expand programs that enable them to continue to be vital parts of our communities. I will advocate for programs that support seniors who want to stay in their homes and neighborhoods. For seniors who are homeowners, I will expand the Property Tax Deferral Program and the Property Tax Work-Off Program.

My proposals to support our seniors include the following:

  • Expand the Property Tax Deferral Program, which allows qualified seniors to defer property tax payments until the property is sold or transferred.
  • Expand the Property Tax Work-Off Program, which allows eligible seniors to volunteer in exchange for a reduction in their property taxes. The program currently serves only 50 seniors.
  • Expand and improve the Senior Home Repair Program, which assists seniors with making the modifications to their homes that will enable them to stay even if they become less mobile, and also helps seniors to repair and maintain their homes.
  • Support NORCS programs – such as Ethos’ AgeWell West Roxbury – that create senior support networks in their communities. 
  • Expand and improve the Senior Shuttle, which currently requires a month’s notice to reserve a ride for social and recreational activities.
  • Continue great programs like the Summer Concert Series, breakfasts and luncheons honoring our seniors, the Mayor's Garden Party, and neighborhood holiday events. 
  • Create and facilitate a volunteer rideshare program so that seniors with cars can provide rides to those without, which will also provide increased opportunities for seniors to meet and socialize with their peers.
  • Advocate for the creation of a tiered price structure for the T’s Ride program (which doubled in price in 2012) so that seniors on a fixed income can benefit from this service.
  • Develop a Senior Mentoring Program that connects seniors with students and young business leaders so that seniors can share their experiences while staying engaged in their communities.
Our seniors have contributed so much to Boston, and we need to honor their contributions by supporting them as they have supported us. Throughout my time in the City Council, my staff and I have made assisting our senior citizens a top priority. We have put our time and energy into providing effective and prompt constituent services, helping seniors deal with a wide range of problems, and helping them navigate city government to find solutions. As mayor, I will continue that commitment and lead on issues important to our seniors.

Please let me know your ideas for supporting our seniors by emailing me at ideas@connollyforboston.com or calling my campaign at 617-942-0136. You can see more of my ideas for Boston's future at connollyforboston.com/ideas.

Thank you.
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