Secretary Festa visits Elder Services
By Louisa Weeden
On Thursday, December 6, newly-appointed Secretary of Elder Affairs Michael E. Festa visited Elder Services of Berkshire County.
Secretary Festa first met with the five western Massachusetts Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) executive directors, Robert P. Dean of Elder Services of Berkshire County, Robert Gallant of Highland Valley Elder Services, Roseann Martoccia of Franklin County Home Care Corporation, Priscilla Chalmers of WestMass ElderCare and Elaine Massery of Greater Springfield Senior Services. They were joined by elected officials, including State Senator Benjamin B. Downing, State Representative Christopher Speranzo, and Berkshire District Attorney David F. Capeless. Congressman John Olver’s aide Jason Ostrander, and State Representative Pignatelli’s aide Kerry Sullivan also attended the meeting. Secretary Festa and Berkshire District Attorney David Capeless had worked together as assistant district attorneys in Middlesex County in the early 1980s. This smaller meeting provided an opportunity for Secretary Festa to learn more about the unique features of the five western Massachusetts ASAPs and the needs of those they serve.
Secretary Festa then attended a reception in his honor attended by over 70 people including those named above; representatives from area Councils on Aging; members of Elder Services’ staff, Board and Advisory Council; representatives of other human services and health care agencies; community seniors; and senior advocates.
All in attendance were pleased to hear Senator Downing and Representative Speranzo share their impressions of Secretary Festa, who had served five terms as a state representative. Representative Speranzo reminded those present that as a state representative, Secretary Festa had served as the primary sponsor for the “CHOICES” legislation, which seeks to have the “money follow the person,” starting with the least restrictive type of long-term care, such as home care services. They described him as “someone who really cares,” and “a great listener.”
Secretary Festa spoke of his intention to be responsive to concerns of Massachusetts seniors, and noted his familiarity with the Berkshires, where he and his wife have made annual visits over the past several years.
Addressing the many senior advocates in the audience, he stated that he sees his role as Elder Affairs Secretary to “support you in the fine work that you do.” He pledged his support to work towards firmly establishing a “Community First” attitude on the state level, focusing on services that help seniors remain in their own homes for as long as possible. He added that he was honored to work for and with so many partners who share his vision and goals for the future of senior care. Following his remarks, he spent time circulating among the guests, engaging them in conversation and answering their questions.
Following the event at Elder Services, Secretary Festa toured Crossway Village, a senior housing apartment complex located in the former Lee Central School in Lee, where he met some of the residents, and enjoyed seeing what Elder Services had accomplished with the HUD 202 funding that made the conversion possible.
