AGAWAM — Town officials reached a compromise on Senior Center hours on May 2, with the City Council voting to extend the hours to 8 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and retain the current 5 p.m. closing time on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“Three days is a great compromise,” said City Councilor Anthony Russo. “We are just coming out of a pandemic, and with the seniors being such a high risk, having three days a week is a great way to gauge how the seniors will do with just coming out of the pandemic.”

The council began debating Senior Center hours last month. At that time, Councilor George Bitzas noted that the Agawam Senior Center, at 954 Main St., traditionally stayed open into the evening hours, but when it reopened following the COVID-19 state of emergency, the hours were changed.

“The Senior Center is important to the community, as it is a good community space,” said Bitzas. “The center cannot operate with rigid business hours. This is a place of community service; these hours should be flexible. The activities that occur should not be urged to close or be shut off early.”

Councilors at their April 19 meeting had disagreed on whether City Council should take a position on Senior Center hours without consulting with the mayor and Senior Center director, and agreed to table the decision until this month.