HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-22-CCAC-minTOWN OF LEXINGTON
Ad hoc Community Center Advisory Committee (AhCCAC)
Minutes
APM 19^
Date: October 22, 2013
Place and time: Cary Memorial Building, Battin Hall, 7:00 P.M.
Members Present: Michelle Ciccolo, Chair; Mary Ellen Alessandro; Betty Borghesam; Harry Forsdick;
Laura Hussong; Leslie Zales
Members Absent: Florence Koplow
Liaisons Present: Linda Vine, Vice chair of AhCCAC, Town Manager's Office; Charlotte Rodgers, staff,
Human Services; David Kanter for Beth Masterman, Capital Expenditures Committee; John Wilson, Chief,
Fire Department; John Mazerall, Police Department; Karen Simmons, staff, Recreation Department; Koren
Stembridge, staff, Library; Jon Himmel, Permanent Building Committee
Liaisons Absent (liaisons only attend as- requested and as- available to address relevant agenda items):
Glenn Parker, Appropriation Committee; Alessandro Alessandrini, School Committee; Chris Filadoro,
staff, Public Works; Shawn Newell, staff, Public Facilities; Dorinda Goodman, staff, Information
Technology; Norm Cohen, Board of Selectmen;
Consultant Representatives Present from Steffian Bradley Architects (SBA): Teresa Wilson, Kevin
Neumann
Also present: 60 attendees, in additional to those listed above, signed in; some attendees, including four
speakers, did not sign in.
Recording Secretary: Sara Arnold
The meeting was called to order by Ms. Ciccolo at 7:05 P.M.
1. Opening Comments: After introducing the committee, Ms. Ciccolo presented a PowerPoint overview of
this Committee's efforts -to -date and the steps that the Town has taken to develop a Community Center at
39 Marrett Road. She explained the two phase process that is being pursued on parallel tracks, one to
facilitate use of the new facility starting in the fall and the other to address expansion needs that require
more time to develop. In Phase 1, the Human Services Department and the Recreation Department will
move to the new facility after initial renovations are complete. She noted that programming needs provide
the basis for identifying space needs, and the Committee is interested in what Lexington residents perceive
as needs that might be addressed at the new facility in the long term.
Ms. Wilson provided a pictorial tour of the mansion, built in 1905 and the addition, built in 2000, located at
39 Marrett Road. She encouraged residents to share how they would like to see the facility used.
2. Audience participation: The following 21 people, representing a variety of entities and interests, spoke at
the meeting, sharing their ideas for programs and issues for consideration:
Bijan Khosraviam
Resident
Cerise Jalelian
Board Member, Lextended Day After - School Program
Victoria Campos
Lexington Council on the Arts
Michael Alexander
Resident
Lindsay Wedell
LexFun
Charles Hudson
Boy Scouts
Cynthia Reed
Special needs advocate
Rosemary Levy
Piano teacher
Danny Watt
Resident
Ed Ganshirt
Resident
Jack Fucci
Resident & Executive Director of Waltham YMCA
Gloria Bloom
Town Meeting Member
Lori Deliso
Lexington Farmers Market
Unidentified resident
Lexington Farmers Market and LexFun
Marty Wilner
Resident
Jerri O'Neill
Senior citizen advocate
Lisa Muir
Resident
Ephraim Weiss
Resident
Mickey Khazam
Friends of the Council on Agin
Jane Trudeau
Friends of the Council on Agin
Jennifer Yaar
Special Education Planning Advisory Council; Special
Education Parent Teachers Association
A statement from Sue Sheffes, who was unable to attend, was read aloud.
A summary of the general suggestions from the audience is provided below:
• ensuring the building is environmentally sustainable, includes changing tables and bathrooms that
accommodate preschoolers, incorporates state -of -the -art technology, allows flexibility, and can
handle large events;
• ensuring the senior center has adequate space in the facility for a range of programs, including
dancing, bridge, tai chi, life learning events, the Fix -It Shop, its Window Pane store, and its library;
• providing space for LexFun, potential Farmers Market programs, the arts, including music, and the
Boy Scouts;
• providing space and resources for residents with special needs; and
• providing programs that are intergenerational.
There was concern expressed about the Town moving offices to the new facility, which will usurp some of
the space for programs. Ms. Ciccolo noted that the facility needs to be staffed to run the programs. There
were questions about the future use of space that will be vacated by the Human Services and Recreation
Departments when they move to Marrett Road. Ms. Ciccolo noted that this is not included in this
Committee's charge but the Selectmen will be addressing the issue.
Ms. Ciccolo expressed her appreciation for everyone's attendance and input. If there are further comments
they can be emailed to her via the Town Manager's office.
3. Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M.
These minutes were approved on November 8, 2013.
Materials used at the meeting:
➢ Public Meeting Agenda, October 22, 2013, AhCCAC
➢ Lexington Community Center; AhCCAC Public Meeting October 22, 2013; PowerPoint Presentation
➢ Statement from Sue Sheffes that was read at the meeting