In a state that’s had trouble keeping up with elevator inspections, it was good a team arrived at the Bangs Community Center in Amherst late last month.

The four-story municipal building’s only elevator broke during an inspection by the state Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, after it received a “full load” of weights and crashed down into the lowest level, spilling hydraulic fluid. No one was hurt.

Felix Browne, a spokesman for the state agency, said in an email to the Gazette that breakdowns are not uncommon during tests like this, which are designed to verify that it is safe with the maximum rated load.

The director of Amherst’s senior center, one of the town programs based in the center, said it will be a “huge challenge” for residents to go without an elevator for several months, particularly those who are disabled.  

The elevator is rated for 2,500 pounds. When inspectors loaded that much weight onto the lift, it failed. Their due diligence may have prevented future injury, and public safety is of paramount concern. Browne discounted rumors that the state may have placed too much weight in the elevator; the test was conducted properly, he said. The loss of the elevator will be both inconvenient and costly. The senior center has already called off a Thanksgiving event that’s been offered for 40 years because it will be too hard to transport food among levels of the building. Other programs in the center are shifting the location of events to spare people the need to climb stairs.

The cost of acquiring a new hydraulic jack – the component that failed during the weight test – is expected to top $77,000 and additional expenses including a hazardous materials cleanup will push the overall cost over $85,000.

Signs posted at the center say it could take up to six months to get the elevator back into service. But Ronald Bohonowicz, facilities supervisor for the town and schools, says the repairs are a high priority and may be done in time to save the Thanksgiving party, for which everyone who relies on this equipment will be plenty thankful.