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Fellow Residents:
Please consider the following when you cast your vote on the proposed Senior/Community Center:
- The Pleasant Street Center was built in 1880. It does not meet the need of its users: the usable square footage is less than 5,000 square feet, making it one of smallest in the state; there is no bathroom on the main floor where the one large activity room is located; there is periodic water leakage in the basement room; and no rooms for private meetings with clients.
- Programming has been limited because of the small size leading to waiting lists for popular programs, and an inability to provide others.
- By 2030, Seniors will comprise 30% of the town’s population.
- Seniors provide a significant portion of the taxes that pay for all town departments, including the largest, the schools.
- The new building will meet the needs of the expanding Senior population for decades.
- Human Service and Elder Services have long been combined into one department with shared staff for most positions, all currently located at the Center. Having Veterans Services and Recreation programming under the same roof would provide for better coordination of all town Human Services.
- The Recreation Department is designed to serve all age groups, but can’t do so for Seniors due to lack of space in which to hold programs during daytime.
- That the proposed center would also be used for other age groups at other times would be a benefit to the entire community, similar to the role the library plays for primarily passive activities.
- The Council On Aging, Permanent Building Committee, and ReCALC members voted unanimously for the new center to be built at the Symonds Way site. While not ideal, it was deemed to be the best choice of town-owned and private options explored.
- The election should not be viewed as a contest between supporting Killam or the new Center. Both are priorities for the town.
- Please join me in voting Yes for each
John O’Neill
Summer Avenue
