Hammers swing at Westminster Senior Center

Tommie-Lee Goddard sands a doorway in the new Westminster Senior Center Wednesday morning as part of the Worcester County Sheriff's Office Community Service Program. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / ASHLEY GREEN

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WESTMINSTER -- Contractors and inmate workers were working hard on the inside of the Westminster Senior Center, which town officials expect to be open by Christmas.

The inmate workers, who are sanding and painting the interior this week, were brought in courtesy of a Worcester County Sheriff's Office program for low-risk inmates nearing release.

Inmates are unpaid, but receive credit towards an earlier release. Corrections Officer Jason Firmin, who was one of two officers supervising the work Wednesday, said it also allows them to give back to the community.

"It's a good way to pass the time," said Felix Mendoza, an inmate worker originally from Clinton and no stranger to construction work.

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Tommie Goddard of Leicester said the work gives them something to do and breaks up their routine. The inmate workers received coffee and doughnuts in the morning and sandwiches for lunch.

Inmate worker Brandon Griffin of Fitchburg has never done painting work before. Previously this week, he put down primer and paint and on Wednesday he was using sandpaper on doorways to smoothe out the brushstrokes. He said when he gets out he plans to work and continue his education. He currently has an associate's degree in business and plans to get a bachelor's degree in business.

Construction contractors from L.D. Russo Inc., of Harvard, are working on more advanced tasks like installing components of the temperature-control system. In addition, unpaid volunteers from town are also helping work on the project, including Keith Harding, a former advisory board member, and Don Barry of the Planning Board.

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Hammers swing at Westminster Senior Center