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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-05-15-SCSC-rpt Report to Selectmen.pdf May 15, 1978 U' SENIOR CENTER SITE COMMITTEE Report to the Board of Selectmen The Senior Center Site Committee has been meeting since the end of March The committee has completed a preliminary survey of possible Senior Citizen Center Sites and have begun more indepth analysis of sites located near the Center In addition the committee has started to review possible funding sources Facilities The preliminary survey identified approximately 30 sites in Lexington (as indicated on attachment 1) including many school and churches After reviewing the sites, and discussing the charge of identifying needs, the committee has agreed that need can best be determined by establishing a tem— porary center At the same time the Town Manager's Office was directed by the Board of Selectmen to relocate the Council on Aging to a more accessible location for older citizens Working with the Manager's Office, the committee is trying to obtain a temporary Senior Center which will have adequate space for the Council on Aging Space requirements for the temporary site include a private office which can be for the sole and private use of the Council, and which can be locked; a room for private counseling, large meeting room, access to a kitchen and entrance ways which can be used by wheel chair bound Seniors Thecommittee has reviewed facilities at Cary Hall, Church of Our Redeemer, First Parish Church and been in touch with the school committee regarding Muzzey Junior High, Monroe School, School Administration Building and the High School In addition, the committee is working with Hancock Church To date the two most likely site for a temporary site appear to be Church of Our Redeemer and Hancock Negotiations are just underway at the Senior Center Site Committee -2- Report two churches, so potential costs will not be available until sometime in June at the earliest (the committee is working toward a Fall 1978 starting date for the temporary center) Funding The committee has looked at two source, of funding, the first a Hun Small Cities Grant and secondly funds through the Department of Elder Affairs A HUD Small Cities Grant has been completed and submitted through the Manager's Office At the committee's last meeting. Mr Jack Crain of the Department of Elder Affairs di,;cussed funding avail,;bl, throng.. that: department and other techniques of fund raising used by Senior Groups around the Commonwealth Future Projects The committee has tarted to review other communities facilities, looking first at communities of a similar size to determine types of Senior Center facilities. They range from small Council on Aging offices to large Senior Centers For purposes of Lexington, however, it was agreed that the establish- ment of a temporary center would be most beneficial in providing guidelines for a permanent center. Once a temporary center i, underway, the committee plans to review other centers around the State, and other community services that could be provided in a Senior Center This additional review combined with the operation experience of a tem- porary center will serve as a basis for locating a permanent site The committee, however, feels to continue this effort, particularly the field work the committee size should be expanded At present there are only five members, with the resignation of Louis Tropeano We respectively request that at this time two additional members be added to the committee Senior Center Site Committee -3- Report A second progress report will be submitted three months after the temporary center opens or no later than December 1, 1978 to the Board of Selectmen This report will include a progress report on the temporary center, update on efforts to locate a permanent site and available funding Possible Senior Center Sites .040 West Lexington Maria Hastings School United Methodist Church Temple Emnuah South Lexington Dan Curtin properties (possibly a storefront) Franklin School Trinity Covenant Church Jonas Clarke Junior High Temple Isaiah Lexington Center Lexington High School Old Belfry Club Grace Chapel St Bridgets RFK Hall Vinebrook Village First Baptist Church - serves as drop-in center School Administration. Building luz-z-ey Junior-High -4Cary Hall -4 Chu d ) GC o-LU& North Lexington Knights of Columbus Greeley Village East Lexington Church of Christ Harrington School Museum of Our National Heritage Grey Nuns Sacred Heart Church - serves as drop- in center Pollen Community Church - serves as drop-in center Nursing Homes East Village Pine Knoll Hancock House Fair Lawn