New Baldwin Hall for all opens at Wangum Village

NORTH CANAAN — It was nearly a year ago that the management office, laundry, mail and lunch rooms were moved out of the community hall at Wangum Village and consolidated into an empty apartment at the senior housing complex. At that time, Baldwin Hall — where residents at the 24-apartment complex at the end of Quinn Street congregate — was about to be expanded by 10 feet on either side.On Oct. 26, residents, town officials and members of the board of directors of the North Canaan Housing Authority (which was formed to oversee the facility built in 1975) celebrated the opening of the totally revamped hall.A party such as that would have meant a tight squeeze in the past. The tremendously improved elbow room is heralded by residents as a bold stroke; even the assembly of a 3,000-piece puzzle did not get in the way of Saturday’s party.The hall now includes an open kitchen area; a laundry room big enough to move around in and even hold a café table; and not just one but two restrooms, which do not have to double as storage closets. Of course, all are wheelchair accessible. Out back is a generator large enough to power the hall, a recently upgraded fire and call-for-help and alarm system and light the complex’s sidewalks.“We can accommodate everyone in the hall during a power outage or other emergency,” Executive Director Ashleigh Bergenty said, “and they will be able to see to get here.”Bergenty is also organizing her new office. During the party, her mother, Debbie Bergenty, a board member, presented her with a plaque for going above and beyond during the past year. She noted her daughter worked on her own time as needed and didn’t take a vacation in order to make sure everything went smoothly. The remodel was paid for with a $700,000 state grant, and is part of ongoing efforts to update the entire facility. This grant also funded the alarm system upgrade, new paving and expansion of the parking lot and the conversion of two apartments to full Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. Wangum is currently at 44 residents. The hall allows for 32 for table seating. It is enough, Bergenty said, at least for now. A program administered off-site is in the process of offering hot lunches to any seniors in the community. Some residents from beyond Wangum Village do come now, but there is plenty of room for more. Grants are vital to Wangum Village, which is funded only by rent based on a percentage residents’ income. There is no town funding or subsidies.