While new Council on Aging Director Missy Dziczek may only be in town for a year, she has big plans to help Wareham's seniors, including finding a new space for the council's activities.

Before Dziczek was hired in November, the Council on Aging hadn’t had a director since 2014. That year, the position's funding was taken away due to budget cuts. The current position is only funded through a one-time state grant which will end on June 30.

Dzizcek is aware of the short time available. While she intends to search for more money, she has set goals that would benefit the town's seniors should that funding not be available.

Dziczek's first goal is to find a new space for the Council on Aging. “The COA only has this small gym area,” she said, referring to space in the Multi-Service Center.

Dziczek said it's important to find the needed space now because the senior population in Wareham is expected to double in the next 18 years.

The Council on Aging is currently looking at vacant buildings in Wareham as new centers, possibly one of the unused school buildings.

Funding would have to come from outside sources to pay for the move, said Dziczek. She’s looking into Community Preservation Act funds earmarked for older buildings and local grants.

She’s also determined to add more immediate benefits to the program. The Council on Aging is adding many new programs to its roster, including a five-day-a-week exercise class, an art class and monthly wellness classes.

The exercise classes will hopefully be held in collaboration with the Gleason Family YMCA.

Dziczek, who retired last year after 18 years as the director of the Medway Council on Aging, found that the Wareham position suited her perfectly.

“I wasn’t really enjoying retirement,” she admits. She and her husband purchased a summer home in Onset and are in the process of moving permanently into the area.