Newington Senior Center Commission Elects New Chair, Picks Volunteer of the Year
Town Council · Meeting of April 7, 2026
CT NEWINGTON — Newington's Senior and Disabled Center Advisory Commission elected Ed Noivo as chair and Kathy Sobieski as vice chair at its April 7 meeting, then unanimously named daily lunch volunteer Steve Robin — known around the center as "Hawaiian Steve" — as 2026 Volunteer of the Year. The commission heard a budget report showing $283,030 across all center funds as of March 13, with the meal-donation account running ahead of projections in part because a CRT grant has been covering Evening Meals on Wheels costs, saving the center $6,000 to $7,000 per month. The director described an 18-month effort to shift congregate meal preparation in-house, reducing reliance on outside vendors, contingent on a $10,000 nutrition grant already on hand and additional funding the town council — facing what the director called "a very, very, very challenging budget" — is expected to finalize within two weeks.
A fall adult bingo fundraiser, modeled on a March event that netted just over $3,000 despite lower-than-expected turnout, is targeted for a Friday night in September.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 950 words
Source: the Town Council meeting of April 7, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
NEWINGTON — April 7, 2026 — Newington's Senior and Disabled Center Advisory Commission elected new leadership, chose its 2026 Volunteer of the Year, and advanced plans for a fall fundraising bingo night at its April 7 meeting.
The commission, which oversees programming and finances at the town's senior center, reorganized under a new chair and began plotting a kitchen upgrade it says could significantly cut the center's reliance on outside meal vendors.
The Full Story
The commission's first order of business after approving its previous meeting minutes was electing officers. Members nominated Ed Noivo as chair. One commissioner noted mild concern about Noivo's frequent travel, but the group agreed he could participate remotely via Zoom when necessary. The vote was unanimous. Members then elected Kathy Sobieski as vice chair, also unanimously.
The senior center's director delivered a detailed budget and programming report. As of March 13, the center holds $283,030 across its various funds, broken down as follows: the copy shop account holds $16,048; the gift shop, $54,013; membership, $60,156; fitness room membership, $34,691; donations, $66,780; meal donations, $38,453; interest, just under $3,000; and a nutrition grant fund of exactly $10,000.
The director said the center's meal donation account is in stronger shape than projected because the center has spent less than anticipated. He credited an arrangement with CRT, a regional transit and social services agency, which has been covering Evening Meals on Wheels costs — saving the center roughly $6,000 to $7,000 each month it holds.
"Every month that they have the funding saves us $6,000 or $7,000. So it's a couple months into that now. So we have saved, like, a good chunk of money, which is great." — Senior center director (first name only in transcript)
A significant discussion centered on the center's long-term plan to reduce its dependence on CRT for congregate lunch meals by building out an in-house meal preparation capability. The director described an 18-month effort involving the town's facilities and building departments and the fire marshal. The plan would require a commercial dishwasher, reusable dishware, additional storage, and a larger refrigerator. A $10,000 nutrition grant is already earmarked for the project. The kitchen holds a food license and at least one ServSafe-certified staff member.
A commissioner raised the possibility of purchasing prepared, oven-ready foods from wholesale suppliers such as Restaurant Depot or Sam's Club to lower per-meal costs — an approach the director said aligns with the center's direction. A member of the public, identified as Karen Brecker, noted she had spoken with a representative of what she described as the Hartford-area Herford Foundation about grant funding for the congregate meal program and said the foundation expressed interest. The director said the center has previously received funding from the Greater Hartford Foundation but that this would be a separate source.
"That's the entire project I've been working on for the past year and a half, this moving, the whole kitchen project. So you hit the nail on the head there." — Senior center director
On fundraising, the commission discussed holding a Friday-night adult bingo event in September rather than repeating its dinner-format fundraiser. The director reported that a similar bingo event held March 27 at the Portuguese Club netted just over $3,000, even with approximately 30 fewer attendees than expected because of a scheduling conflict with a UConn basketball game. Commissioners agreed a September date would give adequate planning time. The director said he would research available venues in town and report back. The center already owns bingo equipment, which would reduce costs.
The commission unanimously selected a volunteer known at the center as "Hawaiian Steve" — full name Steve Robin — as the 2026 Volunteer of the Year. Nominators described him as a daily lunch volunteer who helps prepare and serve about 100 meals, registers attendees, assists with cleanup, co-hosts themed monthly lunches, and has delivered Meals on Wheels. The director said Robin "embodies the spirit of volunteerism" and was the staff's top recommendation among five nominees. The Volunteer of the Year dinner is scheduled for May 19 at 5:30 p.m. The event's theme is "Star Spangled Volunteers," tied to the nation's 250th anniversary.
The commission also heard that a garden shed destroyed over the winter will be brought back for a formal purchase vote at the May 6 meeting. A quote obtained by Brecker puts the replacement at approximately $4,100 including tax, though the director noted the center is tax-exempt and the final cost would be lower. Staff are working to identify which budget line can cover it.
Why It Matters
The commission's push toward in-house meal preparation is the center's most consequential ongoing financial question. If the project succeeds, it could free up CRT funding entirely for Meals on Wheels delivery — a program that currently costs the center $6,000 to $7,000 per month when external funding is unavailable. The town council is still negotiating its overall budget, and the director said senior center requests for capital and operating funds have been well received but are not yet guaranteed. A final council budget vote is expected within approximately two weeks of the meeting. The next commission meeting is May 6, when the shed purchase request is expected to come to a formal vote.
Key Motions & Votes
- Vote: Approval of previous meeting minutes Tally: Approved unanimously
- Vote: Election of Ed Noivo as Commission Chair Tally: Approved unanimously
- Vote: Election of Kathy Sobieski as Commission Vice Chair Tally: Approved unanimously
- Vote: Selection of Steve Robin as 2026 Volunteer of the Year Tally: Approved unanimously
- Vote: Motion to adjourn Tally: Approved unanimously
Source
Newington's community access TV: Senior and Disabled Center Advisory Commission meeting, April 7, 2026