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To the Editor:

I had hoped that an apartment conversion at the closed Hughes Convalescent Home might entice a developer to build apartments for middle-income senior residents of West Hartford who are interested in “aging in place.” This was a golden opportunity to trade one form of senior living for another.

What are the plans for the recently shuttered Holiday retirement home next door to Hughes? Will that parcel become another “luxury apartment for young professionals”? I think West Hartford is building or has built over five properties with that moniker in the past two years.

Our town has made very little accommodation for the 16,000 seniors in this town. Many seniors would consider selling their large, two-story colonials if an attractive apartment building or condominium complex was developed for those over 65 years old.

The Senior Advisory Commission held two well-attended housing forums this spring. It is time for our older population to form a voice that our town officials will hear. Some of us have knocked on every door in Town Hall, and had lovely meetings with multiple officials, with no answers. And, obviously, no plans …

It seems that West Hartford has turned its back on her long term taxpayers. Now is the time for the Town of West Hartford to advance plans to provide suitable housing to keep seniors in town.

Respectfully,

Beth Rocco
West Hartford