KENT, Conn.—A major milestone in Kent’s history was observed last weekend when the town paused to commemorate the construction of Templeton Farm, the senior housing complex that has served community elders for a half century.
Present to greet visitors were most of the members of the current Kent Village Housing for the Elderly (KVHE) board of directors: President Tegan Gawel, who introduced the speakers, Vice President Tammy Lang, Secretary Marsi Boon, Treasurer Dan Gantt, Kevin Brady, Elise Cieplik and John Worthington.
First Selectman Eric Epstein was unable to attend but Selectman Lynn Mellis Worthington read a congratulatory letter on his behalf.
“I want to extend my warmest congratulations to Templeton Farms Apartments on celebrating 50 years of providing housing for Kent’s senior residents,” he wrote. “Fifty years is a wonderful milestone, representing decades of service, care, and commitment to our community. Providing older residents with a place to call home, where they can maintain their independence and enjoy a sense of belonging, is something truly worth celebrating.”
He lauded the partnership KVHE has forged with the town. It has allowed space in the converted barn that once served the original Templeton Farm when it was still a dairying operation to be used as a senior center operated by the town’s Social Services department. Activities are open to seniors who live off site who gather to enjoy meals and social programs.
“We are actively working to incorporate additional hours to expand the enjoyment of the property even more,” Epstein said. “Senior housing is an important part of a strong community. Our seniors have contributed so much to the Town of Kent, and ensuring they have a safe, welcoming and supportive place to live is an important way to show our appreciation.”
Worthington then spoke about what it meant to her personally to have her parents move to Kent six years ago to be near her family. Her father had covered the community almost 40 years before as the editor of the former Kent Good Times Dispatch and her husband, John, has served on the board of directors for about 10 years.
Catherine Bachrach, a former president of the board and a strong advocate for the elderly population, noted that there have been only six presidents of KVHE and 65 to 70 board members in a half century. The housing complex has served about 150 to 175 residents, most of whom have been drawn from Kent or have family here.
Although the initial attempt to construct the 24 independent living apartments was controversial in town, the complex was eventually built for $427,000 between 1974 and 1976. The town remained divided in its opinion about further improvements to the site, however, and turned down the 1978 Older Americans Act grant that would have converted the barn into a Senior Center.
The barn was finally dedicated as a Senior Center for residents in 1991 and in 1993 volunteer labor finished the Templeton Farm community room in the other half of the barn.
Bachrach quoted Martin Luther King, saying, “I salute all the people who have said… ‘yes we will, and yes we can.'”
Andrea Schoeny contributed to this article.
