2010 Town Report - Town of Ludlow

The waiting list for the elderly/handicapped developments as of December 31, 2010 - (1-bedroom) consists of (98)
applicants; (2-bedroom) consists of (2) applicants; (1) congregate applicant, while the waiting list for the family
developments consists of (68) applicants. During 2010 there were (15) vacancies in the elderly/handicapped units
and (2) vacancies in the family units. Based on the number of elderly/handicapped units within the Ludlow Housing
Authority, the average age of a unit occupant is 77. The average monthly rent is $346.05 per unit which includes
heat, hot water and electricity. The average monthly rent for family units is $533.79 per month.
The Board of Health utilized the Wilson Street Community room for weekly blood pressure clinics on Wednesday
mornings at 10:00 a.m. A Flu Clinic offering flu shots to Ludlow resident seniors was held in November and proved
to be very successful. Many thanks go out to the Town of Ludlow Nursing Staff who came out to meet with the
tenants to discuss health issues and perform free monitoring of vital signs of our seniors and handicapped
population. There continued support of the elderly and disabled within the Town of Ludlow is greatly appreciated.
A federal grant was written in the amount of $113,500 to replace eleven boilers within family units as well as two
buildings housing the elderly was approved. Construction for the boiler replacements will begin in early 2011. In
addition, a grant written for energy conservation was awarded allowing for an energy audit to be performed. As a
result of the audit, family homes were provided insulation and in some cases, insulated front and back doors. In
addition, new lighting was provided for all units; (57) energy star rated refrigerators replaced older refrigerators.
The Chestnut Street building received a new rubber membrane roof; slate was replaced as well, in the spring of 2010
at a cost of $131,000.
As in previous years, the State Street Community room is currently used for a drop off station for the home
delivered meals. We feel fortunate to assist WestMass Elder Care to continue efforts to provide meals to our elders
within the community.
The Ludlow Housing Authority would like to thank the Ludlow Fire Department, the Ambulance crew, and the
Ludlow Police Department for their caring concern, support, and dedicated response to the needs of our residents at
all hours and under all conditions and circumstances.
The Board of Commissioners would like to thank all of our gardening tenants who work so tirelessly to plant
flowers to make our developments look so beautiful during the spring, summer and fall months.
A special thank you goes out to the Hampden County Correctional Center. Through an integrative program, the
Hampden County Correctional Center has been able to place pre-release individuals on a one-on-one work situation
with maintenance crew personnel of the Ludlow Housing Authority. This program has been a huge success,
especially during these hard economic times for the Ludlow Housing Authority. The Ludlow Housing Authority
would also like to thank Sheriff Michael Ashe, Jr., Kevin Crowley and Jeff DiMaio without whose assistance; we
would not be able to complete some of the larger projects within the Authority. Without the assistance of this
agency, the Housing Authority would not have been able to accomplish on-going necessary grounds-keeping and
maintenance especially during these hard economic times.
The Ludlow Housing Authority tenants continue to look forward to the annual picnic sponsored by the Ludlow Fire
Department Social Club. This event is very special to the tenants of the authority. We wish to thank the Ludlow
Fire Department's Social Club for their kindness and generosity.
The Senior Center Director and staff working at the Senior Center located in the Chestnut Street building deserve a
special thank you from the Ludlow Housing Authority for their on-going efforts in the programs continually
evolving at the Senior Center. We thank them for there generous van service to and from our Developments on a
daily basis to ensure socialization. The Senior Center serving our elderly population in Ludlow offers excellent
programs as well as a meal service program on site. The tenants and staff within the Ludlow Housing Authority are
grateful for the services offered through the Senior Center. It is only through the support of the townspeople of
Ludlow that these services continue to be an integral part of the daily life of so many elderly individuals.
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