The proposed consolidation of Butler County senior centers may not result in the closure of most of the 10 sites.

Beth Herold, county Area Agency on Aging administrator, said in an interview that some centers may remain open for a couple days a week if there is demand for it.

Herold said seniors across the county will be surveyed about their preferences.

“We're seeking their input,” she said.

Herold said the county needs to address attendance issues at the sites, which cost $720,000 annually to maintain.

“We're reaching under 200 of them,” she said. “We're just looking at maximizing service.”

Herold pointed out that other counties have consolidated their centers into one or two sites.

Under the proposed plan, which was recommended by the AAA advisory board, only the Cranberry Township municipal building and a proposed new site in Clearview Mall in Center Township would remain.

Butler Area Rural Transit buses would bring seniors needing rides to the centers.

Herold said the idea also is to serve younger seniors who still work or watch their grandchildren during the day.

She said a final plan should be in place by fall.

Several people who use the Slippery Rock center in the Slippery Rock Township Building voiced their concerns about the proposal to the county commissioners on Wednesday.

Clara Janikowski said many people use the Slippery Rock center with activities ranging from exercise class to Bible study.

“I don't know what I'm going to do every day,” she said about the possibility of a closure.

Sandra Dye said she could not come to Center Township on a daily basis as she does now to the Slippery Rock center.

“This is someplace for seniors to go,” Dye said.

Glenda Eakin asked why Butler County is talking about reducing the number of centers while Mercer County is increasing its centers.

“I can't understand why Butler is in such bad shape,” Eakin said.

Commissioner Bill McCarrier, board chairman, pointed out that Lawrence County consolidated to one center.

Eakin questioned what would happen to the $4,000 raised for the Slippery Rock center kitty if the center closes.

“We are not going to be able to use it,” she said. “It seems this was done in a secretive and unethical way.”

Herold, who did not attend the commissioners meeting, said any such funds would be used for a center, whether it's at Slippery Rock or a central site.

During the meeting, McCarrier stressed no decisions have been made.

“It's still being studied,” he said.

Commissioner Jim Eckstein opposed the proposal, saying the county is not too financially strapped to support the centers.

“We're not in dire straits,” Eckstein said.

Herold said the county's review of improving attendance is in line with recent recommendations by the state Department of Aging to maximize services to seniors.

The county operates 10 centers, three of which are considered satellite locations.

Along with Cranberry and Slippery Rock, there are centers in Lyndora, Chicora, Evans City, Mars and Zelienople.

The satellite sites are in Mount Chestnut, West Sunbury and Winfield Township. The Bruin satellite already was consolidated into the Chicora center.

Joe Farone, whose wife goes to the Chicora center, said in an interview that the sites should remain open.

“It bothers me,” Farone said. “It isn't right.”

He said activities such as the painting class his wife attends would be lost.

Farone said the cost to rent space in the Clearview Mall would offset savings from closing centers.

“It's gotta be astronomical,” he said.

Herold said AAA would get an adjusted rate if an agreement is reached for a site at the mall.

Here are the Butler County Senior Centers:• Butler, Tanglewood, 10 Austin Ave., Lyndora. Open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday; lunch served daily at 11:30 a.m.• Chicora, Moose Hall lower level, West Slippery Rock Street. Open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday; lunch served daily at noon• Cranberry Township, Municipal Building, Rochester Road. Open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday; lunch served daily at noon• Evans City, 426 E. Main St. Open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday; lunch served daily at noon• Mars, Penn Mar Plaza. Open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday; lunch served daily at noon• Mount Chestnut, Mount Chestnut Presbyterian Church.Open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday and Thursday; lunch served daily at noon• North Central, West Sunbury Presbyterian Church. Open 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; lunch served daily at noon• Slippery Rock, Township Municipal Building, 155 Branchton Road. Open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday; lunch served daily at noon• Southeast, Winfield Township Fire Hall, 200 Brose Road. Open 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; lunch served daily at noon• Zelienople, Senior Center, 700 S. Green Lane. Open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday-Friday; lunch served daily at noon