2001-10-31-CEC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEETING DATE 10/31/2001 Call to order 7.35 PM - Present all cec members except Tom Griffiths, John Graham (COA Chair) and Steve Benak ( Umass student as observer) JohnG reported that there are two Senior Center committees -- the original committee that is inactive since August and the new one studying the DPW site. The later has got participation from DPW and consultant CDM. They have explored but not concluded the following two alternatives: 1) Jointly occupy the 201 Bedford with COA and DPW. This will involve some operations of DPW to be located at Hartwell Ave. 2) Use 201 Bedford for senior center and some housing. The kind of housing has not been discussed yet but it is likely that it would involve an outside developer with requirement to include say 25% affordable housing. DPW will be entirely moved to Hartwell Ave. In response to questions John reported the following: 1) Wallgreen site is unlikey to be attractive because of potentially costly negotiations with three leaseholders/owners. 2) COA has become more realistic about what the town will approve. The original plan of two story 30,000 sqft. building with 150 parking spaces is still their goal. However, the entire team that was leading the effort is no longer in place. The question of attracting sufficient seniors, the social programs to be offered, location of the day care facilities and the number of parking spaces needed all may have to be revisited. With respect to parking, the range has been from 38 to 150 with 70 as reasonable. 3) They are also receptive to Harrington as a site. The original issue was timing but it seems that COA will ride along with the timing of decisions on DPW and schools. 4) Nothing from the $50K approved last year has been spent, the CDM study is funded by DPW's original contract with CDM. 5) The daily attendance at the current senior center varies between 75 to 100 with most of the attendance in the morning. The possibility of reconfiguring the existing space does not look very good. The inside atrium concept is not working, they need another elevator, air handling, lighting and so on. After John left the CEC approved the minutes of the 10/24/01 meeting with some typos in the names of individuals. ShirleyS reported on G8 meeting -- budget concerns raised by PaulH ShirleyS also reported on Swing space committee. A 30,000 sqft. commercial building site with about 7 acre has been identified that looks good but is being kept under wraps until further negotiations. GoergeB reported on his review of the architectural plans for Harrington and Fiske. He questioned the designs on basis of the "Pod" concept not working for the fifth grade. RobinG will get back to him. Meeting adjourned 8.45 pm Respectfully submitted, Narain Bhatia 8 Nickerson Rd Lexington, MA 02421 email: bhatia@cheerful.com Tel: 781-863-0893 (USA) Fax: 781-861-1143