On Friday, May 9,  Millis Housing Authority celebrated the construction of a new gazebo in the senior housing courtyard at King Terrace. The structure was designed and constructed by carpentry students at Tri-County Re0gional Technical Vocational High School. Millis Housing Authority management and board provided lunch and an ice cream social for the residents and students, who were joined by MA State Rep. James Arena-DeRosa. 

“The residents had wanted a gazebo for ages, for a very long time, a place where they could gather and sit and be outside even when there’s inclement weather,” said Candace Avery, Millis Housing Authority Executive Director, “And so we reached out to Tri-County. They’ve also done projects for us in Medfield and here. They were more than happy and willing to come out. The students do all the layout, the design, and the building. It was wonderful, from start to finish.”

Residents were pleased with the outcome.

“I think it’s great,” said resident Jodi Frawley, “Those kids did a wonderful job, they really did.” 

Her neighbor, John Curran, added, “It was good to see the youth in action, doing a good deed. They were happy people. They brought joy to us, and I wish them well in life.”

The project, which included a ramp and seating inside the gazebo, was a great one for students, said Tri-County carpentry teacher Tim Croteau, who advised students along with teacher Jeremy Barstow. “It’s our chance to help the community,” said Croteau, adding, “Any chance we have to get out of the school is better for the kids; they have real-life job experience. The octagon was a very different design for them to tackle, I’m glad it worked out this year. The kids had a blast interacting with all the people around.”

Tri-County junior Connor Boudreau-Rapp estimated the group spent about 200 hours since October building the structure. 

“It was fun. The ramps were hard,” said Boudreau-Rapp, who hopes to pursue furniture-making.

At the event, Carol Baker, Chair of the Millis Housing Authority, told students, “We can’t express to you enough the appreciation we have for the effort and love you put into the gazebo for our residents. It truly is so meaningful to us and to them.”

Maintenance Supervisor John Milani worked with the group from Tri-County, and he also reached out to Rocky’s Ace Hardware in Millis, which generously donated an outdoor table and chair set for the area.

“I thought it was a great idea for the people to have somewhere outside to sit and communicate with each other, because they always sit inside the house all the time and when their families don’t come to visit them, that’s the best thing for them,” said Milani, adding that one resident, Jay Sundin, is a DJ who “comes and plays music outside. It’s really very enjoyable for all the people who live here.”

Nine-year resident Scott Fuzy used the term “awesome” to describe the job the students did. “They worked together as a team,” he added.