Georgetown COA Director to Retire

Dear Editor,
I just wanted to let you know that I will retire from my position as Director for the Georgetown Council on Aging on November 25. My last day in the office will be November 23.
I have been the Georgetown COA Director for the past 17 years. During that time, we have seen significant growth in our older adult population.
When I began my work, Georgetown’s older adult population was 16 percent of the town’s population. Older adults now represent 30 percent of the Town’s population.
Initially, the Georgetown COA offices were located at Town Hall. To provide programs and activities, we rented space at the First Congregational Church, used conference rooms at Town Hall and the Community Room at Trestle Way (housing for older adults and others). When the Penn Brook School was built as a Kindergarten – Grade 6 school, we were able to propose repurposing a wing of the Perley School as the Georgetown Senior Community Center. The building project was completed in February 2017 and we moved in during a blizzard!
It has been a wonderful 17 years. Truly an honor and a privilege to be part of this community for so long. The incoming COA Director will be Kristin Crockett, who is currently the Essex COA Director. She will begin her work on November 20. I wanted us to have a few days of overlap.
The COA Board, staff and volunteers planned a wonderful gathering for me that was held on Tuesday at the Senior Center. Above is a photo of Senator Tarr and Rep. Kassner presenting me with legislative citations. Left to right, Rep. Kassner’s legislative aide Christina Eckert, Rep. Kristina Kassner, COA Director Colleen Ranshaw-Fiorello, Senator Bruce Tarr and Senator Tarr’s legislative aide Mary Ann Nay.
I want to thank you for your support and help in publicizing our programs, activities and services. The Town Common has helped us connect older adults to our programs.
Thank you,
Colleen Ranshaw-Fiorello, Director
Georgetown Council on Aging