THE GOLDEN years became a good bit shinier this week for our local senior citizens, courtesy of the Belmont County commissioners.

A long-awaited and much-needed contract has been put in place that provides for services for senior citizens. The accord has been years in the making and was finally made possible through the passionate efforts of the county commissioners and Belmont Senior Services.

Both sides should be commended, as their good-faith talks will result in a better way of life for a most special group of individuals.

The freshly minted agreement will enable levy funds to be expended for the best services possible to as many Belmont County seniors as possible. We see that as a good deal.

Belmont Senior Services is a private agency contracted with Belmont County to provide services for seniors. Two senior services levies provide county funding for meal deliveries, transportation and a wide variety of other services.

Issues concerning the use by the agency of county funding have bandied about for years now. Those concerns were fueled by the purchase of the Mediterranean restaurant facility for use by the agency. Such plans never came to fruition.

But those days are now in the rear view mirror. The Mediterranean has since been sold, a new director as well as new board members are currently directing Senior Services. Now with a new contract in place, a brighter lifestyle is dawning for senior citizens.

An added bonus to the accord is new software which will accurately track the agency’s expenditures and receipts. No money will fall through the cracks or be misspent.

One final piece of the pleasant puzzle is an auxiliary board is being established to work closely with the Senior Services’ board of directors to monitor the use of levy funds.

It will be composed of local senior citizens. Such an undertaking will obviously yield positive results.