CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – Franklin County’s eight senior centers will share a new $48,000 contribution from PA Health and Wellness, bringing the organization’s support for the centers to $96,000 this year.
The contribution will support senior-center activities and needs, including the Franklin County Area Agency on Aging’s annual Fall Fest and holiday parties, equipment and other expenses.
“We are grateful for PA Health and Wellness’s continued generosity toward our senior centers,” Commissioners Chairman Dean Horst said. “Their contributions this year have enabled us to keep serving our older residents, even as we navigate financial challenges and budget constraints.”
PA Health and Wellness began working with the county’s Area Agency on Aging in early 2024 and now provides programming at all eight senior centers.
The presentation came as commissioners proclaimed September National Senior Center Month and heard from residents about the role the centers play in helping older adults remain active and connected.
Franklin County has senior centers in Chambersburg, Greencastle, Mont Alto, Path Valley, St. Thomas, Tuscarora, Upper Strasburg and Waynesboro. In 2025, the centers provided 101,260 meals, including 86,666 hot meals, 12,915 frozen meals, 1,010 shelf-stable meals and 669 bagged meals.
The centers offer congregate and home-delivered meals, exercise and wellness programs, crafts, recreation, educational programs and volunteer opportunities. Home-delivered meals also provide regular contact and wellness checks for residents who may otherwise be isolated.
County staff described one woman who recently had her blood pressure checked at a senior center and received a concerning reading. She went to her primary care doctor and was subsequently diagnosed with a heart condition requiring corrective surgery.
Rhetta Martin said she joined the Greencastle Senior Center after retiring from a stressful 45-year career. Since then, she has lost weight, lowered her blood pressure and developed a new circle of friends.
“One of the ladies, her husband had passed away, and she said that she can hardly make it through the weekends because it’s so lonely,” Martin said. “But when she comes to the senior center on Monday, it gives her so much happiness just to have friends.”
Ann Cunningham told commissioners she spent five years caring for her critically ill husband, who also had dementia. He died in 2022.
“The day he passed, I lost my purpose,” Cunningham said.
After eventually accepting her sister’s invitation to visit the Greencastle center, Cunningham became a regular participant and volunteer.
“You get there, you have a new family,” she said.
Volunteers contributed more than 18,000 hours to senior-center programs during the past year. Henry Carbaugh is beginning his 23rd year delivering meals through the Greencastle center after signing up shortly after retiring.
“I thought, well, maybe that’s something I could do one day a week,” Carbaugh recalled. “The next day, they called me. And I’ve been delivering meals every year since.”
Probation officer honored for handling difficult arrest
The commissioners also recognized adult probation officer Brannon Salzetti as the county’s August Employee of the Month for his work handling two caseloads and responding to a potentially dangerous situation late on a Friday.
Salzetti, who joined the county staff in July 2025, has spent much of his time with the department covering two caseloads and is continuing to do so while helping a newer officer transition into his former role, according to one of three nominations submitted on his behalf.
Late one Friday, Salzetti began receiving reports that an individual under his supervision may have violated the terms of his probation, had been involved in altercations and was making threats.
“Rather than let it be ‘a Monday issue’ and go home for the weekend,” the nomination said, Salzetti coordinated with two Pennsylvania State Police troopers and traveled to the man’s residence in a remote area of northern Franklin County without radio coverage.
Troopers located and held the man until Salzetti took control and arrested him. State police also confiscated a large marijuana plant. Because the man was extremely intoxicated, Salzetti took him to a hospital for medical clearance before booking him into jail.
“Brannon’s dedication may have prevented serious harm to the defendant or his family,” the nomination said.
Another colleague cited Salzetti’s volunteer work at National Night Out in Washington Township and his willingness to represent the probation department outside his regular duties.
Salzetti received three of the 19 nominations considered by the county’s Special Thanks and Recognition Committee.
County updates Right-to-Know policy
Commissioners also approved the first update to Franklin County’s Right-to-Know policy since it was adopted in 2009.
The revisions reflect personnel and organizational changes since Pennsylvania’s current Right-to-Know Law took effect, including the retirement of longtime county Right-to-Know officer Jean Byers. Becky Brackbill has succeeded her in the position.
The revised policy also recognizes separate Right-to-Know offices for the courts, district attorney, coroner and sheriff.
Commissioners unanimously approved the changes.
