Eldridge, the senior citizen housing community in Morris, will be refurbished using a $550,000 federal grant awarded to the town.

Eldridge, the 20-unit senior citizen housing community in Morris, will receive an upgrade funded by a federal grant of $555,000 awarded to the town this month.

The funding will allow the Morris Housing Authority to make interior and exterior improvements. The grant is being administered by the state Department of Economic and Community Development.

With the funding, the housing authority will re-shingle roofs, install new exterior doors, energy-efficient appliances and carpeting, improve handicap accessibility and repave the driveway leading to Eldridge from East Street. A fire-alarm system will also be installed.

Eldridge is 20 years old and needs work, according to Evelyn Rowley, who stepped down last week after more than 20 years as chairman of the housing authority. The two handicap units are in major need of work, she said.

Larry Sweeney, chairman of the town's Economic Development Commission, led the effort to pursue federal funding. The town's grant writer, Larry Wagner, wrote the application seeking $600,000 in funding.

First Selectman Karen A. Paradis sais she was elated with the town receiving the grant and praised Rowley, Sweeney, Wagner, Morris Housing Authority Director Gina Parisi, and selectmen's administrative assistant Susan Jeanfavre for the work during the grant application process.

Work is expected to begin next spring, Rowley said.

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