Fitchburg Commission on Aging Well Meeting - July 9, 2026

The Commission on Aging Well met on July 9, 2026, to discuss a department restructure driven by the Baker Tilly study, hear reports from city staff and the senior center, and plan future engagement with the new Madison YMCA. The meeting included detailed deliberation on resource constraints, facility remodeling, and the need to avoid duplication with the YMCA.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the previous meeting were approved by a voice vote (motion, second, all in favor) without amendments.

Discussion Items

• Department Restructure: Adam, a city representative (deputy city minister), presented on the background of the restructure. The Baker Tilly staffing study (completed in 2022/2023 and adopted by the council) recommended creating a Leisure and Community Services department. When parks director Scott Endel retired roughly 13–14 months before this meeting, the city shifted recreation functions to the senior center director (Jill) and moved parks under public works. Healthy neighborhoods was also moved under Jill. Adam noted that the city cannot create new positions due to budget constraints, so this restructure was done without additional staffing, relying on reallocating duties. Commissioners expressed concern that the department is being tasked with serving both youth and seniors without adequate resources, potentially setting it up for failure. Jill said she is evaluating programs for efficiency, considering a bi-monthly newsletter (to free up newsletter production time), reducing weekend party rentals (which have declined due to fee increases), and discontinuing low-value programs. Adam emphasized the city-wide effort to identify tasks that can be dropped to make room for new priorities.
• YMCA Development: A commissioner raised the potential impact of the new Madison YMCA (expected to open in 2028, with construction beginning fall 2026). The YMCA will have two pools, two full gymnasiums, an indoor walking track, six pickleball courts, and child care. Jill noted that the YMCA will serve Madison, Verona, and broader areas, so it may draw seniors through Silver Sneakers memberships. She emphasized the need to partner with the YMCA rather than compete, and to understand their programming before finalizing the commission's mission and facility plans. The commission agreed to invite the YMCA to a future meeting and to visit the Beaver Dam “Watermark” model that combines rec and senior programming.
• Facility Remodeling: Jill outlined the proposed remodeling of the senior center and rec area after police vacate the building. Plans include reconfiguring offices, creating a locked staff area, improving the kitchen and storage, and turning the rec kitchen into office space. A commissioner questioned whether the YMCA partnership might alter these plans, and the commission agreed that meeting with the YMCA should precede mission development.
• Meals and Housing Support: Jill reported that the senior center is averaging over 300 visitors per day (up from a typical 250). The Friends group provided three scholarships for senior fitness, assisted two people with housing, and purchased a bed for a client who had been sharing a bed with a granddaughter. Meals on Wheels numbers are down due to a Dane County policy no longer paying for meals for people on Family Care (Medicaid managed care); those clients now receive boxed meals that require preparation. Commissioners lamented the loss of regular wellness checks.

Key Outcomes

• No votes on restructure: The commission took no formal action; they will continue the discussion at the August 13 meeting.
• Future Planning: The commission will begin drafting a mission and vision statement after meeting with the YMCA and learning from the Beaver Dam model. This is intended to align the new integrated department (senior center, rec, healthy neighborhoods) under a shared identity.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned following a motion and second.