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Groundbreaking at Lee Central Enriched Housing Project
On October 22, Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc. held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Lee Central Enriched Housing Project in the gymnasium of the former Lee Central School. Congressman John Olver, Senator Andrea F. Nuciforo, Jr., and State Representative Smitty Pignatelli, who have been key supporters of the project, each spoke at the event, which signified the beginning of converting the school into 38 units of affordable service-enriched senior housing.
The project has been planned and coordinated with the assistance of consultants Gagnier, Hicks Associates of Springfield, Studio One Architects of Springfield, and general contractor N.L. Construction of Ludlow. The staff of the Town of Lee, including town manager Robert Nason, the three selectmen, the town planning board, the Lee Department of Public Works staff, the Council on Aging and the building commissioner, have been instrumental and supportive in the project. The senior housing units will be managed by Berkshire Housing, with Residential Coordination and service provision through Elder Services. The gymnasium will be restored and available for sports and community-based events.
The building, when completed in early spring of 2006, will have a cafeteria with lunches served Monday through Friday and a therapeutic bathing facility, and will house the Lee Council on Aging and its activities. Services offered to eligible residents will include Meals on Wheels, personal care, house-cleaning, laundry, health insurance counseling, and money management. There are plans for an aging resources library and a computer lab, where seniors will have the opportunity to learn how to operate computers and to navigate the Internet.
The renovation of the Lee Central School into senior housing has been funded through HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) and DHCD (Massachusetts Department of Community Development).
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