The Village of Montgomery is hoping to receive some Federal funding to expand its senior citizen center at Veterans Memorial Park.

Following a public hearing last week, the village board voted to apply for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) of approximately $300,000 for an addition to the senior center.

The CDBG program is awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered through Orange County. Eligible use of funds include construction of public facilities and improvements, such as water and sewer facilities, streets, neighborhood centers, and the conversion of school buildings for eligible purposes. Each activity must meet one of the following national objectives for the program: benefit low- and moderate-income persons, prevention or elimination of slums or blight, or address community development needs having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community for which other funding is not available.
Village Trustee Walt Lindner said the funds would be used to put a 20 x 40 foot addition to the north end of the Senior Center.

“The grant amount is for about $300,000,” Lindner said afterwards. “It is the third time we have applied. The addition would be used as meeting room for seniors to use during the week and weekends regardless of larger activities taking place in the center.”

Lindner, during the meeting, noted that the current senior center, mostly meeting room space, did not have a comfort center, unlike Wesley Hall, the former senior center (now the Montgomery Village Museum) which had couches, chairs and even a pool table.

Village Attorney Will Frank warned that the village application may be competing with those from other municipalities that have sewer treatment plants in disrepair.

“They’re going to get the money first,” Frank said.