NORTON - With Norton's human services director a budget casualty, senior citizens calling the Norton Senior Center for help will be forwarded to Town Manager James Purcell.

Purcell volunteered during last Thursday night's selectmen's meeting after Selectman Robert Kimball Jr. said he has received calls and complaints from seniors getting no answer when calling the center.

Kimball asked Purcell to look into forwarding the calls to town hall, "so at least there's someone" answering the phone.

"We'll send them to our office, because that'll give me an idea of what's going on," Purcell said.

The senior center has lacked an administrator since July 1, when longtime Human Services Director James Dinsel became director of veterans services. The center also reduced hours to 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, when volunteers staff the building. It was Purcell's budget recommendation to cut the veterans agent that voters supported at the May annual town meeting.

Purcell said he "expected a couple of rough spots," and has contacted Bristol County Elder Services and a number of human service agencies about helping Norton residents.

He said he will meet with Self Help officials Thursday about having staff members provide fuel assistance help Tuesdays and Thursdays at the senior center at 55 West Main St.

"The blanks are getting filled in. They're not all filled in," Purcell said.

Kimball suggested approaching neighboring communities with "the same needs that we have" about sharing a council on aging director for one day a week.

Additional funding perhaps could be appropriated at the Oct. 6 fall annual town meeting, Kimball said.

MICHAEL GELBWASSER covers Norton for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at 508-236-0439 or at mgelbwasser@thesunchronicle.com.