New senior community ready to open in Westfield

WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A new senior housing community in Westfield will mean 75 new jobs and new living options for western Massachusetts seniors.

City officials held a preview tour of Armbrook Village on North Road on Friday morning. Mayor Daniel Knapik told 22News that the $20 million apartment complex will employ dozens of people on a full and part-time basis, in fields such as skilled nursing and occupational therapy.

He says that the facility also adds to the town's tax base.

"A facility like this, it's commercial, so it has to pay its own way--it's on the repair system; so it sits up here and pays a lot in property tax," the Mayor said.

Knapik added that the need for senior housing communities is increasing, as the Baby Boom generation ages. He said that there are an estimated 9,000 Westfield residents over the age of 65, and there needs to be more housing to meet their needs.