Seniors in the city of Dunbar have more to look forward to than just a new senior center.
Dunbar City Council approved two measures to enhance the quality of life of its senior population during its Monday night council meeting.
Moving forward, with the help of volunteers, the city will prepare fresh, hot homemade meals on the last Friday each month in the city's new senior center located in the basement of City Hall. That will be served in place of the boxed meal that's shipped daily to the senior center but prepared elsewhere.
"It's just like at your house," Dunbar Mayor Terry Greenlee said of the fresh-cooked meals. "You cook in your kitchen, you serve in your dining room."
The meals will cost the city $2,000 annually. Greenlee said the city has also has a lot donations for the cause. Three organizations, which wish to remain anonymous, provided funds to help provide the monthly hot and fresh meals to Dunbar seniors.
"There are a lot of people who care about our seniors around here," Greenlee said.
Council also voted to purchase a 16-passenger van for $14,200 from the state of West Virginia to use for senior transportation.
"We are going to let them pick where they want to go," Greenlee said. "If it's feasible, then we have the van and can take them"
He also envisions trips during the holidays to view the Festival of Lights at Oglebay Park in Wheeling, potential trips to The Greenbrier and other destinations that are feasible visit in a day trip.
The senior center itself has been open for about a month. So far, the city has seen a noticeable increase in facility usage - from people coming in regularly for television shows to people using exercise equipment.
"The senior center's options just continue to grow," Greenlee said. "Whatever our seniors need, we are going to make sure it happens for them"
The city's senior center used to housed in the Dunbar Recreational Center, where Greenlee hopes to repurpose that now vacant space for youth programs.
Council also voted to renew a state grant to fund a resource officer at Dunbar public schools.
"Students will feel more secure," Greenlee said. "And that policeman isn't just a big, ol' guy - they get to know the police and become very friendly with them."
Having a police officer in students' presence also helps cultivate a good relationship between the citizens of Dunbar and its police force, Greenlee said.
"We hardly ever have any issues at the schools because of that officer," Greenlee said.
The officer is stationed at the middle school, but floats between the primary, middle and intermediate schools in the city.
In other business, council approved March 20 meeting minutes.