ORANGE — The Council on Aging has decided not to pursue a kitchen renovation at its office because the work would be too expensive.

Chair Henry Oertel told the Selectboard this week that the necessary repairs and updates would cost tens of thousands of dollars.

“That’s basically it,” he said. “We have all types of equipment sitting down at the Armory in storage, but the actual electrical work, plumbing work … we’re looking at thousands and thousands of dollars, and we just don’t have that kind of money.”

Oertel explained a kitchen hood alone would run $25,000 to $30,000, and that doesn’t include plumbing and electrical work. He said the floor would need to be jackhammered and a 4-inch sewer line, with a grease trap, installed.

“It just goes on and on and on,” Oertel said.

The Council on Aging, along with other town services, has since the fall of 2021 operated out of 62 Cheney St., the rectory of the former Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church, which a handful of years ago gave its facilities to the Mission Covenant Church. The Selectboard closed the aging Orange Armory, the former home to the Council on Aging, due to its poor conditions.

Oertel told Selectboard members he had recruited some contractors to donate their time and employees for a kitchen renovation, but the lease states renters must use the church’s contractors.

“There’s no way. There’s just no way,” he said, “unless you guys have, like, $80,000 to $100,000 to come up with.”

He mentioned the Council on Aging has cooked meals outside on the grill and has hosted caterers. He noted the council is considering a “cold kitchen” that would offer soups from slow cookers and sandwiches.

Council on Aging Director Tracy Gaudet said the agency is ineligible for grants because the town does not own the building that houses it.

“We’ll figure it out,” she said. “We’re not going to give up.”

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.