Hudson to vote on funding new Senior Center
By Angela Greiner Contributing Writer

Senior Center members, staff and Friends of the Hudson Seniors meet with Michelle Ciccolo, town assistant administrator/ director of community development, (back, far left) Jan. 5 in the Town Hall to view the Senior Center design plans. Photo/Angela Greiner

Hudson - Erratic heating systems, mold, asbestos, noncompliance with handicappedaccessibility requirements and faulty electrics are a few of the building issues plaguing the Senior Center located at 29 Church St. in Hudson. The rehabilitation of the Senior Center, which is housed in an antique building, has been the focus of local seniors, town officials and community residents over the past year.

After public meetings, feasibility studies of the building, design plans and Town Meeting discussions, seniors and town representatives would like to move to the construction phase of the project, which requires a "yes" vote on Question One on the Tuesday Feb. 5 ballot.

"It is not a question of whether, it is a question of when," said Michelle Ciccolo, town assistant administrator/director of community development, about the renovation of the Senior Center.

With more seniors than ever entering the building over the past six months for social service needs, Secome nior Center Director Janice Long and Ciccolo agree that "now is the time."

Long will host an open house and tours of the existing building Monday Jan. 14 at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday Jan. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday Jan. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. She encouraged Hudson residents to stop by and see the state of the building and view the plans for the new center.

"The center is more then Bingo and coffee," Long said. "Social service is the heart of the Senior Center … and we provide services for all seniors and all in

levels."

In the past six months, the staff has helped more than 560 senior residents obtain a variety of services. Some of the more pressing needs have included prescription drug and health care education, fuel assistance, wellness programs and Meals on Wheels, which serves more than 15,000 meals annually to local seniors.

The cost of constructing the proposed design plans is estimated at $4.4 million, which includes all furnishings, landscaping and the development of 35 parking places along Railroad Avenue.

"We kept our cost down by reusing the old building," Ciccolo said. "This is a reasonable price when compared to similar senior center projects."

The design of choice will embrace and restore the existing historical character of the current building and feature an addition that would bring the center from 8,000 square feet to 14,000 square feet.

The new center will be handicapped-accessible with a new entrance to the building, an elevator, handicapped-accessible restrooms on the first floor, a great room for functions, third-floor office space and an industrial kitchen.

Ciccolo also explained that the town could choose to fix the most urgent problems plus add an elevator, yet that alone could cost more than $2 million.

"It would not be prudent spending," Ciccolo said. "It would be irresponsible of the town because the building would still be inadequate."

The open house Jan. 14 will be followed by a public meeting to discuss the financing of the center.

"We want the community to know that we are looking for other options for money," Long said.

At this point, the plan is to hire a professional fundraiser to help offset some of the project's costs.

The town is also in the position to apply for more than $1 million in state grant money through Community Development Block Grants and the Community Preservation Act.

Long also said that since the majority of the senior community have provided tax dollars to support the new high school and Fire Department, it's time for the rest of the community to support them.

"It's their turn," Long said.