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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-02-14-COA-minMINUTES Council on Aging February 14, 2006 Attending Marian Cohen, Chairperson Betty Borghesani Shirley Buck Bob Edwards Dan Fenn Don Graham Paul Lapointe Frieda Oliner Jane Trudeau Tom Griffiths, School Committee Lauren MacNeil, Director of Social Services Diane Snell, Office Manager Guests: Jim Goell Marnie Terzian Verna Thayer The minutes of the January 12, 2006 meeting were accepted, Senior Center Action Committee Marian Cohen reported on the presentation by Maria Constanides of the final report of the SCAPC to the Board of Selectmen on Monday, February 12, 2006. The SCAPC narrowed the list of possible sites for a new Senior Center to Munroe School, Muzzey Playing Field, and Harrington School, with Munroe School being their first choice, Tom Griffiths stated that Harrington School will not be available for at least ten (10) years. The size of Muzzey Playing Field will not accommodate a 20,000 square foot building and adequate parking. The problem with Munroe School was obvious at the BOS meeting. The Center for the Arts now occupies the building and many of its supporters attended the BOS meeting and spoke against being displaced by a Senior Center, Dan Fenn also expressed concern about "booting out" one worthwhile organization to provide another organization with building space. In response to a question by Dan Fenn regarding the Muzzey Playing Field, Paul Lapointe showed a layout drawn by Charles Horning which Illustrated the problem of fitting a 20,000 square foot building and adequate parking on that site. Marian Cohen noted that Munroe School is in disrepair; it has not been maintained. The Town Is subsiding private businesses presently using the site. Currently, no rent Is being charged, but Jeff Lipsky, Executive Director, is proposing that the Center pay Twenty Thousand ($20,000.00) Dollars per year. The Town in turn would invest Two Million ($2,000,000,00) Dollars to Two Million Five Hundred Thousand ($2,500,000.00) Dollars in improvements. Paul Lapointe said the present situation is untenable. There are liability issues for the Town. The building is not handicapped accessible. Marian reported that the Selectmen have requested more information on our attendance and program space needs, Marian will be on the BOS agenda at a future meeting. She Is giving them the "Survey of Town Residents" October 2003 and a new document she prepared, "Lexington Senior Center FY 2005, Programs, Services, and Activities." The COA enthusiastically supported Marian's suggestion that seniors turn out the next time we are on the BOS agenda. Frieda Oliner asked as to whether or not Kline Hall located at the former Fernald School site is a possibility for the Council on Arts. Paul Lapointe stated that interior rehabilitation of that building would also be expensive. Tom Griffiths suggested that the COA ask the BOS to decide the best use for Munroe and to assess: 1) Is it safe? 2) Is it ADA accessible? 3) Is it free of liability? Paul Lapointe stated we should emphasize that the COA is being practical and flexible in scaling down new space to 20,000 square feet and agreeing to two (2) sites instead of one larger facility, Public Relations Several members and guests spoke to the Issue of how to mobilize the Seniors, A petition and letters to the Minuteman newspaper were suggested. COA Position SCAPC Report This MOTION was made by Paul Lapointe, The COA has reviewed the SCAPC report and wishes (1) to express its willingness and flexibility to consider something other than a single site for the Senior Center, (2) strongly urges the Board of Selectmen to determine the future use of Munroe School as soon as possible, and (3) supports funding a feasibility study of Munroe School and of the existing Muzzey Senior Center to confirm that the SCAC proposal will support the COA program. The COA voted and passed this MOTION. The next COA meeting will be March 9, 2006 at 3;30 p.m. R spectfuliy subRitted, J e A, Trudeau, Secretary