NORTH SMITHFIELD – The town of North Smithfield will no longer work with Woonsocket-based Aging Well to provide classes and other services for seniors following a recommendation from resident and senior advocate Linda Thibault, who recently resigned from her position with the organization.
Instead, Thibault hopes to form a new entity based in town that serves the older population with the help of funding recommended by both the administrator and the Budget Committee – and a new senior center at the former Halliwell School property, now in planning.
“I was kind of torn in two directions,” Thibault told NRI NOW this week of her work with the agency, which involved splitting her time between her hometown and the neighboring community. “It was very sad that I left. It didn’t work out because of circumstances beyond my control. Now, my time has really been devoted to North Smithfield – trying to develop a robust program.”
A non-profit offering meals, exercise classes, referrals and resources with the goal of enhancing the lives of seniors, Aging Well, previously known as Senior Services, currently serves around 40 to 50 North Smithfield residents, according to Executive Director Ryan MacLeod. Thibault worked as co-director of the organization’s wellness program since 2009, also offering exercise classes in North Smithfield through Aging Well at Scouter’s Hall.
Thibault told town officials that she became dissatisfied with the organization following a change in leadership, and that the town would be better served by a local effort supporting seniors.
MacLeod became executive director in May of 2024 and has implemented some recent changes, such as the launch of “La Placita,” a new area of the building at 84 Social St. catering to Spanish-speaking seniors inside previously underutilized space.
“They’ve funded us through the end of June,” MacLeod told NRI NOW of the town this week. “Our understanding is, after that, the funds will be moved to an account in the town’s Parks & Recreation budget.”
Town budget documents show that funding for senior services in North Smithfield fell under the umbrella of Parks & Recreation in 2022, when the line item was $10,000. It was increased to $20,000 in fiscal year 2023, and held steady for 2024.
Last year, the line item was moved in the budget to be included under “Town Council contributions,” and funded $40,000, according to Budget Committee Chairperson Douglas Osier. The funding, which in previous years was passed on to Aging Well, was boosted through a $20,000 federal grant last year.
For fiscal year 2026, Town Administrator Scott Gibbs has recommended a town contribution of $45,000 to senior programing, while the Budget Committee has recommended $42,500.
“Starting this fiscal year, the town will no longer contract with Aging Well, following leadership changes and the formation of a new service entity,” noted a presentation this month by budgeters. “The preparedness of the new provider is unclear. Interim measures should be considered to ensure uninterrupted delivery service and compliance with procurement requirements.”
Thibault noted that she has long been working toward creating an in-town program for residents age 55 and over, in addition to advocating for a dedicated space for programming.
“It’s been no secret that I’ve been trying to get that going here in town,” she said.
A registered nurse, Thibault notes she developed the wellness program for city-based Aging Well, and now hopes to do the same in North Smithfield, with plans to move operations to the town’s new multi-generational center once the building is complete.
“When the center is ready, we can just move it on over,” she said.
Osier said that Thibault came before his board in April to discuss the recommended change.
“From a budget perspective, it’s $40,000 this year, but what if we build out the program? I think there’s a lot of discussions to be had in that area,” said Osier, pointing to the need in the future to fund salaries, meals and activities for the new center. “We outsource a lot of that to Aging Well now.”
Osier said that budgeters have been left unclear on details or a timeline for the plan.
“For an organization to receive the funds, they would have to have all of their paperwork in place,” he said. “From a budget perspective, why are we funding this entity if we don’t have a plan for services?”
Ultimately, the board decided, “We’ll fund it because we know senior services are critical for the town.”
“The key for us was to just make sure there were funds available and there wasn’t a disruption,” said Osier. “If the town’s going to switch it would be helpful to plan – not just this year’s funding. Hopefully there’s more clarity going into next year’s budget.”
Thibault said that many details of a new organization to serve town seniors are indeed still in the planning phase. She has worked to continue programing at Scouter’s for the time being – including exercise classes, a quilting group, meditation courses, seminars, special events and more – while hashing out details of a future plan with the town administrator.
“It would be a new entity,” she said. “We’re still working on all of that. There are so many unknowns right now.”
Of the town-based programming, she added, “I decided to just keep all of that going, and we’re going to add things.” The intent, she said, is to offer a full schedule of different programs Monday through Friday each week.
“By not being at the Woonsocket site anymore, my whole attention is here now,” she said. “I’ve been doing this already – the only difference is it has my undivided attention now.”
Thibault noted that by 2030, 1 out of every 6 people will over the age of 65 – and 90 percent of them want to age in place.
“It’s important we provide services for people age 55 and older,” she said. “It’s my mission It’s my life It’s my passion.”
She noted that decision on how to move forward in North Smithfield will ultimately fall to the Town Council.
“All I know is, the classes and programs will continue at Scouter’s Hall. The North Smithfield Town Council is in charge,” she added. “I’m just here to help.”
Meanwhile, the Woonsocket-based organization is on track to lose $40,000, and will no longer be involved in programming at Scouter’s. MacLeod said Aging Well is now looking at the potential of creating a congregate meal site in North Smithfield.
The funding from North Smithfield, he said, was previously used to help with his organization’s meals program, through which seniors are charged just $3 for daily meals that cost $6.
“We appreciate the support, but it won’t make a real difference at the end of the day,” he said, adding that North Smithfield residents are still welcome to use their services. “Everybody is absolutely still welcome here.”
It’ll be important for those of us who want this to truly be a multigenerational center to keep reminding our fellow residents that it is not a senior center. I hope a large portion of the programming is geared toward young folks. They need it most. It’s past time we start thinking more about the upcoming generation and less about the Boomers.