A handful of improvements to the Frenchtown Center for Active Adults are currently in the works.

On Tuesday, the Frenchtown Charter Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved the installation of a standby generator and walk-in refrigerator and freezer for the center's kitchen, as well as the replacement of the main and vestibule doors of the township-owned building.

The generator and refrigerator/freezer projects are being paid for through American Rescue Plan Act funds awarded to the center by Monroe County.

The center's executive director, Paul Iacoangeli, appeared at Tuesday's meeting to ask that the township consider contributing to the door replacement project. Iacoangeli said he was only able to find one contractor willing to bid on the project, with the bid coming in at $25,500.

"(The doors have) to be tri-fold, automatic doors, and we require two sets," Iacoangeli said. "It's a little bit more expensive than the double doors you see at most big stores, big box grocery stores, and because of of the width of the entrance we have to get tri-fold doors... (The township goes) out of its way as it is to help us out, but this is kind of a special project."

Iacoangeli said the doors are original to the building, which dates back to the late 1970s, and they are showing their age. In late January, a therapist who works at the center suffered an injury when the vestibule door did not open properly. The door openers were replaced with newer models in hopes that that would fix the problem, but it did not.

"I'm just here tonight to seek approval for the projects, and hopefully wrangle a little bit of money out of you," Iacoangeli said.

The board was down two members Tuesday, as Treasurer Julie Ellison and Trustee Chris Collins were both absent. Those members in attendance expressed an interest in helping the center pay for the replacement of the doors, but wanted to wait to make an official determination until the full board was present and Iacoangeli could provide more information about the firms he reached out to that declined to bid on the project.

"It needs be updated," said Frenchtown Supervisor Al VanWashenova. "It needs to be helped. I think the consensus would be that if you (Iacoangeli) get that (additional information), I we think it would be a good thing that we need to help with to make it happen."  

"Personally, I'm in favor of at least a split," added Clerk Kyle Bryant. "I think that would be reasonable, obviously pending, I guess, the whole board’s (review)."

Trustee Gary Klemz agreed that the township should assist in funding the project, but added that he'd like to see them also assist the center in trying to obtain other bids prior to approving a contribution.

"I think we should help get these doors replaced," Klemz said. "But I think we should probably try to get somebody to give you another price for it."

"I’ve been trying," Iacoangeli replied. "I called yet today... I’ll do my best to try to secure some other quotes on it, but I mean, the big thing tonight is that we’re getting the approval for the projects."