Ribbon cutting at new senior/community center

A spirit of good feelings permeated the room as Commissioners mingled with local residents. Photo courtesy of Pat Vailliencourt

by Marsha Chartrand

“It was amazing,” said Mayor Pat Vailliencourt, who has coordinated the senior/community center project from both ends for well over a year. “There was standing room only for the ribbon cutting.”

It was indeed an enthusiastic public who showed up at the Village Room on June 4 for a sneak peek of the center, which will be completed shortly, subsequent to Health Department inspection.

The City was down to the wire to complete everything by the June 4 deadline. Work has proceeded sometimes slower than expected, so staff were on board to help, from City Manager Michael Sessions to the DPW Crew. KC Clegg, Brittney Kuehnle, Mark Dresch, Dwayne Vailliencourt, and Marty Way, along with the senior board also came to the rescue. And the job site looked presentable for an excellent meal catered by Frank’s Place, with donated desserts.

“We are so close we no longer have to pinch ourselves to make sure it’s real,” Vailliencourt said.

Several County Commissioners and officials attended the ribbon-cutting prior to the scheduled meeting of the Board of Commissioners in the Council Chambers. Once again, with the crowd too large for the Council room, the meeting was live streamed in the Senior Center for the overflow.

“Some of us stayed (until 2:30 am) hoping the BOC would approve releasing the initial payments from the Senior Millage,” Vailliencourt concluded. “They had very long discussions on the resolutions for the Office of Aging Services and releasing some funds. Both will be on their July agenda.”

New tables in the dining area. Photo courtesy of Pat Vailliencourt.

All kitchen appliances are thanks to the Manchester community who donated to numerous fundraisers over the past several months. Photo courtesy of Pat Vailliencourt

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.