Village moves forward with security upgrades at Senior Center; walk‑in freezer request to be revisited

The Village of Magdalena is moving ahead with a series of security and safety upgrades at the Magdalena Senior Center, following board action at the Feb. 9 regular meeting and confirmation from Mayor Michael Thompson that additional improvements, including a long‑sought walk‑in freezer, remain under consideration for future funding.

Trustees unanimously approved an emergency grant application totaling $32,223.30 to address vandalism, safety concerns and aging infrastructure at the center. The application, submitted through the New Mexico Aging and Long‑Term Services Department, covers new security cameras, motion‑activated lighting, replacement of broken windows and the installation of doors on the center’s parking garage. The village cited repeated incidents of theft and property damage, including vandalism to the hot/cold food truck and broken locks and windows. 

“We have had windows broken on the building, hot/cold food truck vandalized twice this last year,” the application states.

During the meeting, Thompson said that the upgrades are necessary to protect seniors and staff, particularly during evening events when the parking lot is dark.

 “The parking lot is very dark during evening senior events, which makes it not safe for elderly people to walk to their cars,” the village wrote in its justification on the grant.

A second emergency grant request, $37,556.87 for an outdoor walk‑in freeze, was withdrawn at the recommendation of state officials, who advised the village that the project did not meet emergency criteria. 

“We had applied for an emergency grant for the freezer and were advised that it probably wasn’t an emergency situation,” Thompson said in an interview. “It should go on our ICIP for planning.”

Thompson said the need for additional freezer space remains pressing. The center currently receives two food deliveries per month, and limited storage forces higher delivery costs. 

“If we could get it down to one with a walk‑in freezer, it would be a little better,” he said.

The village plans to revisit the freezer request through its Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP), which would allow the project to move forward through standard capital‑outlay channels rather than emergency funding.

Thompson also confirmed that the center continues to serve a significant number of residents. “We served 1,100 meals in January,” he said, noting that the center has approximately 130 registered participants.

The statistics for Jan. show that the total meals served were 1,136. There were 88 clients, 26 of whom got home delivery and 62 who ate on site. Currently, there are 107 on-site customers signed up and 28 signed up for home delivery. 

The center provides congregate meals, home‑delivered meals and social programming for older adults in Magdalena and surrounding communities.

With the security‑related grant application approved, the village will move forward with procurement and installation once funding is awarded. The freezer project will be added to the ICIP for future consideration.

Thompson said the village remains committed to improving the Senior Center’s facilities and ensuring that services continue uninterrupted. 

“We’re trying to make sure the center stays safe, functional and able to serve everyone who depends on it,” he said.