WEST NEWBURY — In an effort to quell "much incorrect and inaccurate information and gossip," Laura Dillingham-Mailman, director of the Merrimac Council on Aging, presented West Newbury selectmen with charted response to concerns raised over a possible merger of senior services between the two towns.

Merrimac selectmen have indicated support for the idea, but selectmen in West Newbury are divided. At a meeting at the end of June, selectmen Chairman Glenn Kemper said he would not support any plan that West Newbury's COA Board of Directors has unanimously voted to oppose. In fact, board members said they will all resign if selectmen agree to the plan.

But Kemper's colleagues, Dick Cushing and Tom Atwood, said it was too early in the discussion process to rule anything out.

The first point Dillingham-Mailman's chart stressed is that under the proposed plan to regionalize, both towns' senior centers would remain open.

"By maintaining senior centers in both towns, identities are not lost," the director said.

Seniors can use either at any time and will have access to town vans, NEET drivers and Ring and Ride to transport them back and forth between events and activities in each town.

"If needed, van hours will be increased to accommodate the needs of seniors," she said.

"Last year, 40 West Newbury seniors participated in programs offered at the Merrimac Senior Center. They participated in painting, pool, trips, luncheon programs, blood pressure clinics, bowling, exercise, knitting and crocheting, 45's, poker, SHINE, line dance, Red Hatters, special events, holiday parties and more. West Newbury seniors who use Merrimac Senior Center are very excited about the collaboration.

"Services and activities will be enhanced, not decreased ... Seniors in both communities have more choices," wrote Dillingham-Mailman.

The proposal calls for maintaining a congregate meal site in West Newbury, she pointed out, but added that "even if the Merrimack Valley Nutrition Program closes the congregate site in West Newbury due to low volume," Merrimac could still send over meals, so West Newbury seniors maintain the option of sharing a meal with friends in town.

Although the collaboration will not eliminate the COA director position in West Newbury, some seniors are concerned that under the regionalized plan, West Newbury's COA director, Theresa Poore, would become an employee supervised by the town of Merrimac.

Dillingham-Mailman responded, "Although Merrimac would have direct supervision of West Newbury staff, the Town Personnel Policy will protect staff. Merrimac will maintain direct communication with West Newbury's finance director and selectmen, with monthly reports. COA board will continue to advocate for West Newbury seniors and advise the director and executive director."

And it's not true that West Newbury would lose autonomy over its COA budget, she said. Each town's budgets would still need approval by its COA director and board, Board of Selectmen and town meeting voters. Finance directors and finance committees in both towns would still make recommendations on the budgets. Grants awarded to each town would be managed by that town.

Dillingham-Mailman noted that "many grants offer opportunities for towns that collaborate," and added that state legislators "have consistently expressed their concern that towns need to form new alliances to reduce costs."

"This is not a new concept," she said; successful collaboratives have operated for more than 20 years in central and western Massachusetts.

"The state is looking to find ways to reduce duplication of services and costs by forming community partnerships at the local level," she said.

The director acknowledged that "a number of people in West Newbury feel they were unaware of the negotiations; they feel 'roadsided' and not part of the process."

She stressed that with the current fiscal crisis forcing reductions of up to 35 percent in state aid, cuts are going to be made somewhere.

"Senior centers and libraries are considered 'nonessential' and are likely to be faced with deeper cuts, while at the same time they are seeing an increase in 'senior' population use."

"The selectmen and finance directors acted in accordance with the crisis and brought in the COAs for discussion as soon as it was possible. Both (COA) directors were informed of this possibility well in advance of the joint meetings," wrote Dillingham-Mailman.

Poore told selectmen in June that more effort was needed to keep her and her COA board in the loop on discussions about this issue.

"Change is difficult and can be uncomfortable," Dillingham-Mailman said. "However, the finance directors and selectmen began these discussions in good faith that this would be a positive step for both towns by sharing revenues, staffing and enhancing programming. Every effort is being made to ensure that both towns benefit from this coalition."

The initial plan called for a five-year commitment and a $45,000 annual assessment from West Newbury to Merrimac that could increase by only 21âÑ2 percent per year. The move would save Merrimac about $5,000 and West Newbury $15,000 annually.