MINUTES
SENIOR CENTER BUILDING COMMITTEE
Meeting #22, November 9, 2004
Present:
Karen Pressey – Chair, Neil Hegarty, Walter Guertin – Treasurer, Lynne Doblin - Secretary, Pat Brush, Penny Schafer, Mary Ann Johnson, Phyl Solomon, Nava Niv Vogel, and Monique van Beek – Clerk (Recorder).
Absent:
Rob Jones
Guests
Barbara Miranda, Mary Kennedy and Barbara Brown
Agenda:
Ÿ Report feedback from:
Karen Pressey (Mega Meeting Nov 8th),
Barbara Miranda (Fundraising effort),
Neil Hegarty (Environmental Fair) and
Walter Guertin (Financial Update)
Ÿ Discussions (Additional Members, Timeline, Schematic Reports distribution, Publicity Ideas, Debt Exclusion Considerations)
Ÿ Other business
Ÿ Next Meeting
Meeting was called to order at approximately 7:35 p.m. by Chairperson Karen Pressey in Conference Room 2, Belmont Town Hall. She informed the committee members that Paul Maney had resigned from the committee and that his seat on the committee is now vacant.
Feedback
Karen Pressey gave feedback on the “mega meeting” held on November 8, 2005, noting that the committee had to create an advocacy group for the debt exclusion. She also reported that the capital projects planned for by the Town are (in sequence) Belmont Senior Center, Wellington School, Belmont High School and the Library.
Barbara Miranda gave feedback on the fundraising committee’s activities so far. Some of the members of the fundraising committee are: Bill Skelley and Jenny Fallon (chairs), Lydia Ogilby, Ann Marie Mahoney and Wally Flewelling. Thus far the committee had received training from a fundraising consultant, Ellen Stevens, on raising funds for the building project. It had also designed a brochure and developed a database with information about the Senior Center. The committee has developed a list of prospects (and they would welcome suggestions from the BSCBC on additional names). They also requested that no firm amount be set for private fundraising, as it could limit the amount of money that could be raised. They intended to start with their
community fundraising efforts with a kick-off event. They plan to conduct a town-wide mailing to get the community involved with the project. To this end they have developed a list of individuals and/or groups that represent different constituencies in the town. These people would lend their names to correspondence and also talk to people about the project. They also plan to complete a feasibility study that will show what the feasibility is for major fundraising for this project – and relates more to major and/or corporate donors. At this stage they feel that they are well prepared, have a specific plan and feel very assured in the process. Barbara Miranda also noted that they would definitely benefit from the pressure of the debt exclusion and have decided to accept pledge cards until the debt exclusion passes.
Mary Kennedy (guest) asked the committee why the model of the building was not on display around the town, as this would help word about the project to spread around town. She was concerned that with several other projects also being developed in the town this specific project might not be approved. She believed that the model could be used as an effective marketing tool within the community.
Neil Hegarty provided feedback on the environmental fair. He, Walther Guertin, and Phyl Solomon were present at the fair. They presented the model and handed out a lot of flyers. The model attracted a lot of attention--most comments were positive, noting the environmental aspects, the structure and the “streetscape”. Comments were made on the fundraising and financial aspects of the building. The multi-use aspects of the building were welcomed. One comment on the geo-thermal system was that it was not realistic in terms of the pay-back time envisaged. In total 1,300 people visited the fair. He also noted that the model was very fragile and that it needed a cover. The committee decided to find out from the architect about a
cover for the model. Neil Hegarty would follow this up with the architect John Catlin.
Walter Guertin provided the committee with a financial update that included a summary of expenses. He reminded the committee that $ 150,000 had been appropriated towards this project. So far the committee had spent $72,782. The committee still has many expenditures outstanding, but at this stage it has enough money available to cover all its expenses.
Additional Members
Regarding additional members to the committee, the ADA representative wanted to be a liaison not a formal committee member. Karen Pressey also asked which of the committee members did not receive schematic reports.
Publicity ideas
The committee identified the following opportunities for public information sharing about the project:
Ÿ Present the model at the Senior Center Christmas Party
Ÿ Take the model to different clubs. Nava Niv Vogel is president of the Rotary Club. Walter Guertin could assist with the Lions Club and Phyl Solomon with the Retired Men’s Club. Other clubs that needed to be contacted were the Women’s Club and the Maria Montessori Club.
Ÿ Have a cable TV show about the project.
Ÿ Place the model on exhibit in the storefronts of the Belmont Savings Bank and the Citizens Bank.
Ÿ Nava Niv Vogel noted that she has a 20-minute video of the presentation made by the architect John Catlin about the project which could be used for marketing and information purposes.
In order to realize these ideas, Karen Pressey asked that subcommittees be formed to accomplish tasks. The committee decided on the following:
Ÿ To prepare presentations and schedule information meetings (Pat Brusch, Mary Ann Johnson, Phyl Solomon and Karen Pressey)
Ÿ To prepare soft cost estimates and then e-mail to Karen Pressey (Walter Guertin, Penny Schaffer and Pat Brusch)
Debt Exclusion Considerations
The committee decided that there is a need for a committee to raise money and advocate for the ballot issue and ensure a “yes” on debt exclusion. Nava Niv Vogel noted that the Friends of the COA have a public relations committee which would be a logical place to find people for a pro-debt exclusion campaign. The committee was reminded that the BSCBC may not legally take part in this campaign as a committee. Jim Staton was mentioned as a possibility to help with the debt exclusion campaign, as he worked on the Fire Station campaign too. Nava said she would discuss the matter with him.
Other business
Regarding Karen Pressey’s presentation to the Town Meeting on 11/29 she informed the committee that it would be similar to the presentation she made to the Board of Selectmen on 11/08/04. She would like to add information about community use of the building after 4 pm and provide information about the fundraising efforts. She would e-mail the draft of the presentation to the committee members for comments.
Next meeting
Next meeting was set for January 11, 2005 at 7:30pm. Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:45 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lynne Doblin, Secretary
Senior Center Building Committee
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