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Gardner council discusses senior center repairs, painting and building future
Summary
Council members reviewed progress on senior center repairs — bathrooms, doors and a rebuilt fire escape — raised concerns about a leaking rubber roof above the CAC area, and discussed contractor bids and timing for painting; no decision was made about selling the building.
Council members used the Jan. 5 meeting to update each other on ongoing repairs and future work at the Gardner Senior Center.
Staff reported that bathroom fixtures have been installed in part and that remaining wall patching must precede final fixture installation; front doors were said to be on a multiweek delivery timeline (8–10 weeks planned) and punch-list trim work remained. The council noted the fire-escape repair was completed and thanked the fire department and crews for the work.
A roof issue was raised for the Community Action/CAC portion of the facility: speakers described a concave section above the elevator that allows snow and water to collect and freeze, stretching seams and causing leaks. Members said this will likely require a several-thousand‑dollar structural adjustment so the roof sheds water rather than pooling.
On painting and cosmetic work, the council discussed using state‑contracted painters (for jobs above procurement thresholds) or bids from local training programs such as Monty Tech; members cautioned that volunteer painting had previously produced mixed results and recommended professional contractors for durability. Board members emphasized that painting and floor refinishing should be among the final tasks after major structural repairs.
A member asked whether the city plans to keep or sell the building; staff replied the future of the building is undecided and "No idea" was given when asked directly about a sale. There was no motion to place the building on the market during the meeting.
Next steps: staff will prioritize structural fixes (roofing and doors), obtain cost estimates or bids for painting and other final work, and report back to the council as timelines firm up.
