by: Areta Odiah, John Budenas, 22 News
MIDDLEFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Congressman Richard E. Neal joined local officials Wednesday to announce $750,000 in federal funding to renovate the Middlefield Senior Center, a historic building that serves as a hub for community programs and services.
The funding was secured through Congressionally Directed Spending from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service and was included in the Fiscal Year 2026 federal spending bill.
“Whether it be a park, a library, or a senior center, there are certain institutions in a community that people come to identify with, which is why preserving them is so critical,” Neal said. “That is why I was proud to secure $750,000, providing the catalyst needed to renovate this historic building and ensure it can continue to serve the community for years to come. For a tight-knit community like Middlefield, a project of this magnitude makes a world of difference to the residents’ way of life.”
Neal was joined by Town Administrator Evan Kenney, Middlefield Select Board Chair Ann Marie Visconti, Select Board Member Curt Robie, Select Board Member Sherri Venditti and other local officials for the announcement.
Built in 1901, the Middlefield Senior Center is in need of significant repairs to address deterioration and allow it to continue serving residents. The facility hosts a variety of community programs, including flu clinics, a monthly nurse-led blood pressure clinic and educational classes focused on nutrition, safety and emergency preparedness.
“This investment is about more than constructing a building,” said Middlefield Select Board Member Curt Robie. “It is about ensuring that our seniors have a safe, accessible, and welcoming place to come together and remain connected to the community they helped build.”
The planned repairs cover several areas of the aging facility. Work crews will install a lift to provide better accessibility for visitors, apply a fresh exterior paint job and implement water quality improvements. The project also includes the replacement of 22 windows and a complete upgrade of the building’s electrical system. Residents have noted that the structure, which was built in 1901, has fallen into a state of deterioration.
According to Neal’s office, the funding will be used for HVAC upgrades and other construction improvements needed to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. The renovations are intended to modernize the facility while ensuring it remains accessible for social gatherings, educational programming, wellness initiatives and other community events.
The Middlefield Senior Center project is one of 15 Congressionally Directed Spending projects submitted by Neal for Fiscal Year 2026 to support communities across Massachusetts’ 1st Congressional District.
Renovations are scheduled to begin next month. The project is expected to take two years to complete.
