GLOUCESTER CITY NJ (April 17,2007)--Gloucester City Mayor William James released the following information to further explain the details surrounding the City's new senior Citizens Community Room.
It reads as follows:
"This money was a grant from the state Department of Community Affairs; the grant is scheduled to expire in November of this year. The fire hall is owned by the Gloucester Heights Fire Company. Original stipulations of the grant called for the construction of senior citizen community center but now due to time constraints and the soft costs related to land acquisition, engineering and architectural work a new avenue was sought out.
With the input of the Senior Citizen organization and their executive board, the Gloucester Heights Fire Hall was chosen as a sight. The money will be used to purchase the building excluding the Fire Bays which will still house the trucks and the fire company for response. The fire department hopes to build above the bays for their offices and related uses. The entire hall area inclusive of kitchen and bar area will be available to the senior citizens.
Construction costs estimated at $75,000 will be supplied through the purchase agreement to place a pull out barrier across the hall giving the Seniors their own private area and security as they rightfully deserve and need. There will be a kitchen and serving section of this described area along with other amenities and furniture available for everyday usage. In the event they need extra room for their meetings and events they can open the barrier and have full access to the hall.
The area outside the barrier will be available for rentals and the monies from these rentals will supply the Seniors with an escrow for hall management and cleaning as the seniors don't want or need the added responsibility.
Just so everyone knows where the money goes after it is given to the fire company, it is used for their portion of the building with construction and the daily running of their organization. The fire department is hopefully always going to exist at that location as it is a necessity. In the event the department disbands for whatever reason the money is then given directly to non-profit organizations throughout the community the same as was done with the disbanding of Highland Park Fire Hall.
It's a shame that some people don't have enough confidence in our integrity or the integrity of Councilman Bill Hagan and the Gloucester Heights Fire Association to not take our efforts as honest and sincere.
I feel as though this great opportunity for the Senior Citizens of our community and the hopeful acquisition of the property is a positive and forward movement for our community. I also feel as though every step we have taken in this regard has been totally transparent and only with the interests of and the backing of the Senior Citizen Community.
This information has been supplied to the community in several venues and a full report will be coming on the progress in the near future."
