Council: Conditions at Senior Center 'A Disgrace'

The Londonderry Senior Center will be closed from today through April 24 as work to remodel the building's restrooms is undertaken. It will reopen on Thursday, April 25.

The remodeled restrooms will cost $22,000, and are part of a series of renovations expected to be undertaken over the next year or so.

Acting Town Manager William Hart updated the Town Council on the proposed renovations at Monday's meeting.

"There was concern about the restrooms," Hart said. "I went down last week and talked to the seniors and there are a number of folks who use that facility regularly here tonight. They're excited about the process of us rehabilitating that area. It is a building that is very important to those who use it and we're excited about getting started."

Two town councilors remarked on the deplorable conditions at the senior center, saying it's high time the town looked to rectify the situation.

"Quite frankly, I think it's a disgrace," Councilor Jim Butler said. "The kitchen has mice droppings. I think we have a problem with infestation. We should get a company in there. You wouldn't want it in your house."

Council Chairman John Farrell agreed that the situation should be addressed, saying "Let's get the exeterminator in."

He also echoed Butler's comments about the facility, urging seniors to come forward if they see problems like this again.

"If you have a problem, don't wait," Farrell said. "This never should have happened. It's wrong, it's disgusting, and it's a disgrace to this city and to you as individuals."

Al Baldasaro, chairman of the Elder Affairs Committee, called the renovations "long overdue."

Once the bathroom renovations are complete, Hart said the plan is to slowly renovate other parts of the senior center to bring it up to current standards.

"We're looking at keeping the building but making a committed effort to step-by-step rehabilitate," he said. "It's going to be a project that's going to be ongoing, I imagine, over the next few months.

"What we need to do is look honestly and candidly at the problems we have, come up with solutions that work and let the voters decide," Hart added. "We need to get together a plan in preparation for this upcoming budget season and determine what is the cost. Is it going to be a cost we can chew in one year or is it a cost we have to bite off a couple steps at a time."

Senior Affairs Director Stacy Thrall said the town's seniors are "very excited" about the renovations, and thanked Hart and the council for making them a priority.

"I know one of the issues in the past was seniors feeling the town didn't care," she said. "This is a true step to show that you do care."