SENATOR AMEDORE SECURES FUNDS FOR ROTTERDAM SENIOR CENTER

Senator George Amedore today announced he has designated the Town of Rotterdam to receive a capital grant in the amount of $354,000 to make much needed repairs to the Rotterdam Senior Citizen’s Center. The anticipated upgrades will not only improve the condition of the existing facility for community use, they will also qualify the center to be certified as an emergency shelter for all residents of Schenectady County in the case of an evacuation order or major disaster.

“The Rotterdam Senior Center is a great community gathering space for our seniors, but the building needs necessary repairs and upgrades in order it to be suitable for continued use,” said Senator George Amedore. “The services and activities available at the Center encourage our seniors to continue to live a healthy and active lifestyle, and we need to make sure this valuable resource remains available to the entire community.”

“The Rotterdam Senior Center has developed into a major site for social events, learning activities, charitable offerings, and community service for our senior population. In the past several years the building has fallen into disrepair and has been in danger of being uninhabitable. Being fiscally strapped, like most communities, our local government did not have the means to deal with the dire situation. That is until Senator George Amedore found out about the issue, and found a fiscal solution that will allow our senior center to be restored to the level of greatness it deserves. The Town of Rotterdam is indebted to Senator Amedore for this grant that will enhance the lives of Rotterdam’s senior population,” said Rotterdam Town Supervisor Harry Buffardi.

After the flooding caused by Hurricane’s Irene and Lee, Schenectady County identified the need for a designated emergency evacuation shelter that meets recommendations by the American Red Cross and the Unites States Department of Homeland Security. The Senior Center, which was used as a shelter in the wake of Hurricanes Irene and Lee, was identified as an ideal site after a facility evaluation by the American Red Cross, but several upgrades were required to meet the recommended standards of the Federal Mass Care Service Delivery System and the Schenectady County Emergency Operations Plan.

The grant will cover upgrades and improvements including: a power system back up and installation of a gas powered generator; replacement of the auditorium flooring, as that area would serve as the central location for care and feeding of evacuees; replacement of the roof of the South Wing, in order to be able to provide for the required environment should the need arise for isolation of evacuees in case of illness; modernization and updates to the two existing septic systems to allow for increased use; kitchen upgrades and enhanced water lines to allow for increased use of the two industrial kitchens.

“While it is always our hope to avoid the need for emergency shelters, we must take steps to ensure that we are prepared in the event we need them,” said County Legislature Chairman Anthony Jasenski.  “On behalf of my colleagues I want to thank Senator Amedore for securing these funds which will facilitate the infrastructure improvements necessary to make the Rotterdam Senior Center a safe shelter for our residents in the event of an emergency.”

“Making these upgrades and repairs will not only benefit the seniors of Rotterdam who will have a much improved space to meet and hold events, but it will create a viable option for an emergency shelter that will serve all of Schenectady County,” said Senator Amedore.

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