MONTAGUE — Even when the weather is cloudy, those driving down 5th Street will spot something bright.
It’s the new sunshine yellow door to the Gill Montague Senior Center, which was repainted, along with the rest of the exterior of the building through the Franklin County Sheriff Department’s community service program.
The building is now a dark gray, except for the doors, all of which are the punchy yellow. Roberta Potter, the director of the Council on Aging, said it’s been more than 20 years since the building was last painted. She said the difference has been drastic and the work done by the men in the program was top-notch.
One of them spent an entire afternoon on a ladder repainting the “Turners Falls Athletic Club” logo, something that Potter said went above and beyond what was asked.
For Potter, the paint job goes beyond the building looking nicer and newer. The seniors who use the center are appreciative of the new paint job and she said anytime a town building gets an update it reflects well on the community.
“It shows we care,” she said.
The center purchased the paint and supplies, but Potter said the volunteer work of the Sheriff Department’s program saved the Senior Center at least $5,000.
The program which has been running for about 20 years, and shows an investment in the community and helps foster relationships.
Sgt. Kevin Hubbard, who organizes the program, said that it’s a win-win situation. The town saves money on labor costs and the program allows the minimum security inmates to gain skills and leave the correctional facility.
“It allows the men to get out there and learn vocational skills and get back out in the community,” he said.
The painting took nine days, according to Hubbard, and the center was able to stay open the entire time. Six men from the program worked on the senior center project. He said the program does about 80 projects a year.
Seniors who use the center love the finished product. Many specifically cited those new yellow doors as their favorite part, something that makes the center look lively.
“In almost 10 years, this is the best it’s ever looked,” said John Furbish, one of the seniors who attends programs at the center.
Beyond the new exterior paint, the center is still looking to do some additional upgrades, because the center is in use constantly for programs. Previously the center received a grant to redo the wiring in the former church.
The good news? The senior center loved the job the workers did so much that they’ve asked them to come back this winter to paint the interior.
Miranda Davis covers Montague, Gill and Erving. You can reach her at 413-772-0261, ext. 280 or mdavis@recorder.com.