Index

The Hamilton Council on Aging services Hamilton's seniors in a variety of ways. They offer trips, outreach activities, and presentations. The newly purchased Hamilton-Wenham Senior Van has provided both towns with even more opportunities to reach out to seniors. For more information on Council activities or the Senior van service see the information below.

Mimi Fanning, Chairman
Dorothy Lamson
Mary Maione
David Cooper
Bill Jenkins
Barbara Essensa

The Senior Work Off Abatement Program allows Hamilton residents over the age of 60 or who are disabled to perform work for the Town of Hamilton at a rate equal to minimum wage in order to earn credit towards their property tax bill. They must own and occupy property for which taxes are being paid.

Under this program, senior residents are allowed to earn up to $750 in credit which would then be applied to their property tax bill. Currently, minimum wage is $6.75 per hour, so an individual would be able to work a maximum of 111 hours.

The Senior Work Off Abatement Program extends from December 2nd thru December 1st of the following year.

The eligibility requirements for this program have been set forth by the Hamilton Board of Assessors and are as follows:

*Must be a resident of Hamilton for a minimum of 5 years
*Must be at least 60 years of age by July 1st
*Income earnings can not exceed $38,000 a year if single and $48,000 if married

Please contact Allison Jenkins, Assistant Town Administrator, for more information. 978-468-5572 or AJenkins@hamiltonma.gov

The Hamilton-Wenham Senior Van Service began operations on Monday, January 26, 2004 and provides transportation to senior citizens and the handicapped five days a week, Monday through Friday, between 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The van is wheelchair accessible.

Banks
Barbers & Hairdressers
Beverly Hospital Campus
Churches
Council on Aging Centers
Community Center in Hamilton
Doctors' Offices
Enon Village (meal service)
Gordon College Bennett Center
Lamson Hall (meal service)
Hamilton-Wenham Public Library
Market Basket Plaza in Rowley (weekly trip)
North Beverly Shopping Plazas
Post Offices
Railroad Station in Wenham
Recreation Center in Hamilton
Restaurants
Stores/Malls
Town Halls
Voting Centers

Transportation to medical appointments and meal service is given priority status. Appointments for rides must be made by calling the Senior Van Service Center. When leaving a message to schedule a ride, please leave your name and a telephone number where you may be reached to confirm the details of your trip. Please schedule all rides at least 24 hours in advance. There is no fee for the van service; however, a contribution of $1 per round trip will be accepted. Please limit the use of the van to one round trip per day. For those requiring personal assistance, a family member, friend, or volunteer may also ride along. All riders must use seat belts.

There are a number of scheduled trips in addition to regular services. These include:

Weekly Service to Market Basket Plaza in Rowley
The Hamilton-Wenham Council On Aging van program now offers weekly van service to the Market Basket Plaza in Rowley. This trip is provided every Wednesday starting at 12 noon with a return expected between 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. Space is limited and reservations are made on a first-come-first-serve basis. The Rowley Plaza also has a CVS, T.J. Maxx store and hair salon. Seniors may also choose to go to the Spuds Restaurant or to the Agawam Diner. If time allows, and if the passengers wish, stops are made at the Clam Box and the Dairy Queen on the return trip. The Dairy Queen will give all seniors on the van a 5% discount.
Monthly Service to Peabody/Danvers Malls
The Hamilton-Wenham COA van program offers a monthly trip to the malls in Peabody and Danvers. Due to the generosity and commitment of volunteer van drivers from the local Rotary Club, the COA van program is able to offer this trip on the fourth Saturday of each month. Seniors will be picked up at their residences starting at 10 a.m. and be returned to their residences by 2 p.m. On the return trip, if time permits and if the passengers wish, a stop will be made at the Cherry Hill Creamery for ice cream. The Creamery will give all seniors on the van a 20% discount. Space is limited, so please call ahead for reservations.
Service to Town Elections
The Hamilton-Wenham Van Program is available to bring Hamilton and Wenham senior citizens and handicapped persons of all ages to vote in both Hamilton and Wenham town elections.

For more information about the Senior Van Program please call 978-468-5534 between 10am-4pm Monday thru Friday. After hours leave a message and someone will return your call.

People are always needed for a variety of jobs as volunteers. Without these wonderful, dedicated individuals, we could not provide so many services to our seniors. There are many opportunities for volunteers, interns, students, and friends who are looking for the enrichment found by helping others.

Currently, volunteer services are needed to provide help in the following areas:

Drivers – While there is a Senior Van Service, there are times when drivers are needed to take people to hospital and doctor offices beyond the times served by the Van Service.

Friends – The Councils on Aging in Hamilton and Wenham urgently need help from residents to start a “Friends of the Councils” organization. Councils on aging are not allowed to directly accept contributions or to raise funds. Therefore, the Hamilton and Wenham COAs need a “Friends of Organization” to provide financial assistance to fund their programs for seniors. The Friends of Organization would form a non-profit corporation. Donations to such organizations are tax deductible.

For more information about volunteering, please call Catherine Tinsley at 978-468-5529.

Lindsay Snavely, Senior Service Coordinator
Mimi Fanning , Chairman

Office:
Hamilton Public Library
299 Bay Road
P.O. Box 429
Hamilton, MA 01936
Phone: 978-468-5595
Fax: 978-468-2682
Email: grammymimif@aol.com
coa@hamiltonma.gov