Shrewsbury Senior Center Tightens Trip Sign-Ups, Launches Museum Pass Program

SHREWSBURY — May 13, 2026 — Shrewsbury's Council on Aging overhauled its special-trip sign-up rules and unveiled a museum-pass lending program at its May 13 meeting. Director Holly Luke and Assistant Director Aisha Sahin announced that beginning in June, Shrewsbury seniors must appear in person with identification to register for popular group trips on opening day, ending a practice that allowed one resident to sign up another. The center also plans to purchase annual memberships at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, the Southwick Zoo, the Audubon Society, the Worcester Art Museum, and the EcoTarium, lending passes to seniors for a $20 refundable deposit. Luke reported the center fully expended its $25,000 MCOA transportation grant, with a $632.45 balance being reconciled, and on May 12 submitted three new MCOA grant applications — a transportation expansion grant, an $8,000 outreach grant for a town-wide mailing, and a $13,000 nutrition grant to fund monthly 50-person dinners at $5 per person — with results expected in June. Food Pantry Coordinator Jennifer Andrade's resignation was announced; her position is expanding from 15 to 24 benefit-eligible hours per week and is now posted.