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City officials address issues at new senior center

Date: 4/10/2015

CHICOPEE – The RiverMills Center has been open to the public since Sept. 25, 2014, but there are unresolved issues with the building and some of its features.

The city is moving forward to address these concerns that include a heating and cooling system that doesn’t work as it should, a cracked parking lot and a yet-to-be opened café area.

Mayor Richard Kos met jointly with the Council on Aging and the Building Commission on April 1. After the meeting Kos told Reminder Publications it “was an opportunity to address outstanding issues.”

The HVAC system was one of the subjects. Carl Dietz, director of Community Development, explained a software issue has prevented the largest unit from properly working. He explained the air-handling unit on the roof of the new center has not been responding to the controls in the building.

Although the controls are now “workable,” Deitz said, more repairs are required. He noted while the cooling function has been responsive, the heating has been an issue with some rooms too warm while others have been too cool.

The parking lot for the building has developed cracks at the joints. He said he is waiting for the contractors to respond to the problem.

Both concerns are covered by a one-year warrant, Deitz added.

Kos said the furniture needs for the building have not yet been completed and he said they are being reviewed. Funds have been allocated but not all have been released.

The technology concerns are also still ongoing, the mayor noted. The city’s Information Technology Department is continuing work in the building.

The plaque for the building is an issue, Kos said. The plaque would note the elected officials involved in the creation and construction of the building. Kos added there have been discussions about who should be included on the plaque and he believes the past or present members of the Building Commission, the City Council and the Council on Aging should be included.

He called the café on the ground floor of the building an “ongoing issue.” He said a point-of-sale system must be established to sell coffee and other food items, as well as a revolving account so supplies can be bought and proceeds can be posted.

The current status of the $2 million fundraising campaign undertaken by the Friends of the Senior Center was also discussed. Kos, who was co-chair of the effort before he was elected mayor, said that more work is required to meet that obligation.

City Treasurer Marie Laflamme said nearly $1.55 million has been collected or pledged so far.