Furniture request approved for Beckish Center

Selectmen approved the purchase of $8,193 of furniture for the Beckish Senior Center Tuesday during their regular board meeting.

Furniture approval came on the heels of seniors in town offering input and making requests for specific furniture to add to the revamped center.

Recently, the center has undergone some major renovations – including the creation of new parking spaces and the addition of three new rooms in the center – new furniture will complete the upgrading process.

There was a total of $11,000 available for the purchase of furniture.
According to center Director Donna Gray, funds for the furniture were allocated during the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

Items to be purchased include armchairs, recliners, tables and other items to make the center more comfortable and accommodating for Columbia seniors.

“We can’t have rooms with nothing to sit on,” said Gray, adding the rooms will be used as smaller, more private meeting spaces.

She said the additional space allows for more center programming as well.
Gray said she thought it was time for selectmen to approve the purchases because local seniors had enough opportunities to express their views during two meetings held at the center.

In addition to meetings, an interior director – who volunteered her services to the town – has worked with center officials and a committee to find the best value for the available money.
“She got ideas together and then brought them to the seniors,” said Gray.