Crossway Village holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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On Friday, April 28, a group of approximately 175 people gathered at Crossway Village at 21 Crossway in Lee to witness a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony celebrating the completion of the renovation of the former Lee Central School into 38 units of affordable senior housing with enhanced services. Among the speakers were former Elder Services Executive Director, Catherine R. May, current Executive Director, Robert P. Dean, and Crossways Project Coordinator and Elder Services Fiscal Director, Stephanie Talanian. Three of the speakers, representing the primary funding agencies, drove in from Boston for the ceremony: James Barnes, Deputy Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Eric Alexander, from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, and William Brauner, from the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation. Lee Selectperson Patricia Carlino spoke on behalf of the Town of Lee. Dean spoke first, saying, “We are here today to celebrate a new beginning and a rebirth for a building that has served the town of Lee so well for so many years. Crossway Village is a community success story. This project - this conversion - succeeded only because so many people were able to work together on so many levels. If not for that spirit of cooperation, we would not be standing here today... and this building would have remained vacant and unused.“ Talanian said, in her remarks, “ Crossway Village is a work in progress. It encompasses all the buzzwords for "inter-generational". We are proud of the fact that Crossway is more than just senior housing. It was built in the spirit of community and truly is a place where all of the residents of Lee can support each other by participating in multi-generational activities.” Lee Selectperson Patricia Carlino spoke of the personal significance the transformation of the former Lee Central School holds for her and many in the Lee community, who grew up within its walls and are pleased to see the building given new life and purpose. The project was planned and coordinated with the assistance of consultants Gagnier, Hicks Associates of Springfield, Studio One Architects of Springfield, and general contractor N.L. Construction of Ludlow. The staff of the Town of Lee, including town manager Robert Nason, the Board of Selectmen, the town planning board, the Lee Department of Public Works staff, the Council on Aging and the building commissioner, have been instrumental to and supportive of the project. Crossway Village’s senior housing units are managed by Berkshire Housing, with Residential Coordination and service provision through Elder Services. The gymnasium has been restored and will be available for sports and community-based events. Crossway Village is home to the Lee Council on Aging and its activities, and has a dining room where lunches will be served Monday through Friday. Services offered to eligible residents include Meals on Wheels, personal care, house-cleaning, laundry, health insurance counseling, and money management. There are plans for an aging resources library and a computer lab where seniors will have the opportunity to learn how to operate computers and to navigate the Internet. The renovation of the Lee Central School into senior housing was been funded through HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) and DHCD (Massachusetts Department of Community Development). U.S. Congressman John Olver, State Senator Andrea F. Nuciforo, Jr., and State Representative Smitty Pignatelli were instrumental in moving the project towards its fruition.
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MassDOT: Lee Drainage Repairs on I-90 Westbound

LEE, Mass. — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing drainage repair operations on I-90 westbound from mile marker 10.4 to mile marker 10.6 in Lee. 
 
The work will take place on Wednesday, November 5, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with a shoulder closure in place.
 
Drivers traveling through the area should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution. 
 
Appropriate signage and messaging will be in place to guide drivers through the work areas. 
 
All scheduled work is weather dependent and subject to change without notice. 
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