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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-10-28-MSCC-min.pdf MUZZEY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL CONVERSION PUBLIC HEARING October 28, 1981 The Muzzey Junior High School Conversion Committee held a public hearing on October 28, 1981 at 8 00 P M. in Estabrook Hall Chairman Alfred S Busa, George Harris, Nason Whitney, Donald R. Giller, Mary E Shunney, Otis S Brown, Jr , William T Spencer and Leo P McCabe were present Mr Busa opened the hearing and read the charge to the Committee in its entirety He explained that the purpose of the hearing was to give the people in the neighborhood a chance to air their views and to present suggestions to the Committee, is so desired Mr & Mrs William J Bickford, 1505 Massachusetts Avenue, Russell Square Unit 16, requested consideration be given to a Lexington congregate community for senior citizens They also suggested that space should be available for the Council on Aging with a key service to be included such as a health care center for minor medical problems and emergency care It was proposed that this be funded by the private sector Mr Brown asked if the tax base on this type of housing would be a normal tax base or somewhat subsidized by the community Mr Bickford replied that he felt that it was basically a business tax basis Mr Geller asked if congregate housing developments are often related to what we consider nursing homes and if ownership is implied Mr Bickford stated that he didn't think that Muzzey Junior High School was large enough to be considered the nursing home type What they had in mind was more of a small living quarters type with a central dining room and recreation etc areas Mrs Shunney questioned the Bickfords as to the need in Lexington for this type of housing and whether it was affordable to purchase Mrs Bickford replied that the City of Cambridge has sent out a question- naire to its citizens over 60 and it was determined that there was a need there Mr Busa explained to Mrs Jerri Frick, of Precinct 4 upon her question- ing that the Council on Aging and the Housing Authority had submitted pro- posals which would include low and moderate income housing and part for the elderly including congregate meals and an elderly center David Williams stated that he felt that it was premature for the neigh- bors to reach any conclusions until they had been presented with a proposal from the Committee. He asked the Committee if they, knowing the size of the building is large in comparison to the 4 9 acre site, would be adverse to recommending to the developer that they take off a portion of the building - 1 Muzzey Junior High School October 28, 1981 Public Hearing Mr Rooney of the Lexington Housing Authority and Council on Aging pointed out that funds are available under Section 8 that cannot be used because the rental properties, Morrow Crossing and Potter Pond, do not meet the guidelines set up by HUD He stated that the Town should make a decision quickly so that available funds would not be forfeited and could be used for new construction or rehabilitation He explained that as Chairman of the Council on Aging in 1978, he was part of a committee appointed by the Selectmen, that made a survey of 16 com- munities looking at senior sites He stated that, to his knowledge, the re- 1 port of that committee had never been received or accepted by the Town He presented copies to the Committee 1 Mr Brown informed the Committee that he had taken a pool among the residents of Russell Square asking for suggestions and comments relative to the future use of Muzzey The pool indicated that there were three areas of a great deal of interest, selling for condominiums, apartments or leasing the property for office type use All returns indicated that some facilities should be made available for senior citizens for a drop-in-center, Council on Aging, if possible, on the first floor All responses indicated that the residents of Russell Square were interested in acquiring a narrow strip of land to create a buffer between Muzzey and Russell Square, or when the Town does make its decision that a covenant be in the agreement that whoever uses it require that a buffer strip beween Muzzey and Russell Square to screen the residents from whatever goes in there Mrs Judy Uhrig, member of the Recreation Committee, requested that con- sideration be given to the Committee for use of the gym, auditorium and the cafeteria for recreation purposes Mr Robert Pressman, 22 Locust Avenue, referred the Committee to the Fair Housing Resolution passed, by Town Meeting in 1979 and requested that consideration be given to family housing Mr William Spencer explained that the problem the Housing Authority has been having with funding agencies is that they require the Housing Authority to own or at least control the property before they will consider funding; Town Meeting insists on seeing:what they are going to get before they will allow the transfer of property He stated that he would be speaking in favor of a conditional transfer to the Housing Authority for a time certain, so that the Housing Authority can control the property and seek funding { Muzzey Junior High School October 28, 1981 Public Hearing Mr Harris referred the Committee and audience to the Elderly Needs { Assessment report of 1980 and stated that copies would be available for anyone who wishes to have one The Chairmgn closed the hearing at 8 00 P M. Respectfully submitted, deallz-e-c-/Z5770 , { Beatrice M Casey { Acting Secretary J {