SENIOR CENTER BUILDING COMMITTEE
Meeting #46, June 20, 2006
Senior Center
7:30 PM
Present: Karen Pressey, Pat Brusch, Peg Callanan, Walter Guertin, Mary Ann Johnson, Penny Schafer, Phyl Solomon, Nava Niv-Vogel, COA Director, John Ciccariello, Project Manager, Janet Macdonald, Disability Access Liaison
Absent: Neil Hegarty, Rob Jones
Catlin Associates not in attendance.
John Ciccariello informed the committee that all of the required drawings were delivered to Jeffrey Wheeler on Friday, June 16, 2006. He said that after review, Catlin documents show the original submital of 63 parking spaces and 31% open space. He also said that the Zoning Compliance Check List was sent to Jeffrey last night.
Items for submission on night of hearing:
Arborist Proposal
List of comparable Senior Centers – listed by completion dates, most recent first
Bob Clarke’s analysis of issue related to number of stories calculation
John talked about the meeting with Department Heads held on June 14, 2006.
Peter Castanino said that it might be possible for the center to have daily pick up of lunch waste on the same schedule as the schools. He said there might be a cost involved. John mentioned the suggestion of taking a part of the pantry and closing it off for a trash room and provide outside access. The committee raised several issues and would consider only as last alternative. Peter also commented on the raised planting bed at the entrance and indicated that it compromised plowing and felt that people would run over it. He suggested simple curbing and possibly painted lines instead. He commented at length on the importance of keeping the landscaping as simple as possible. The Town has had to drastically reduce funding for landscape upkeep. He also asked about irrigation.
John indicated that outdoor building lights would probably be on timers rather than sensors. Sensors tend to be very sensitive and to go on too easily and too often.
He indicated that the Lt. Hoer of the Police Department did not want an opaque fence on the property line. He felt that would encourage possible loitering of young people. He also wanted low plantings rather than tall plantings. He will provide his concerns in writing to the ZBA/Planning Board.
Fire Chief Frizzell indicated that he felt there should be more capacity for fire refuge on the second floor since the open stair way would allow smoke to rise from first floor even though the whole building is sprinklered. He also suggested that the door to the patio from the lounge should swing out rather than in. He also was concerned about the difficulty in accessing the basement in case of an emergency but understood that it met code. He also cautioned that the elevator must have the capacity to hold the gurney and four fire fighters.
John Ciccarillo will summarize all issues raised at the meeting in a memo to John Catlin.
The ownership of the two properties, Town Field and former Kendall site came up. The point was made that both properties were purchased by the Town of Belmont and are currently under the care of the Town of Belmont. John sent copies of the deeds to Jeffrey. He also asked if someone could trace the history of the Town field to see if it was ever designated as Park land. Karen said that while it is possible, it is not easy. All of the Town Reports of vintage years have been archived to the old Electric Light Department and it would take a lot of reading to trace the history of the Town Field from 1918 to the present. We have sited the turn over of the Kendall site from the School Department to the Town in our ZBA application documentation.
Maryann will try to get a letter signed by Dan MacAuley, new chairman of the Recreation Commission indicating their support of our project and their acceptance of the parking situation.
Nava will provide the programmatic uses on which the Schematic Design was based. We will ask John Catlin to address the space allocation based on program information.
Nava indicated that 15 - 20 people now come to the center by van and another 10 – 15 car pool on a daily basis. She said that 50 – 70 people visit the center in the mornings and around 50 in the afternoons. There are about 14 staff people (paid and volunteer) that are at the center for most of the day.
Nava gave Karen four pages of signed petitions in support of the project. Phyl will be making some phone calls to nearby residents.
Phyl indicated that she has not been able to reach Lynne Doblin. She is getting together with Nancy Forbes, Shade Tree Commission, tomorrow to discuss landscape plan.
On a motion by made by Pat, seconded by Phyl the committee voted unanimously to approve the minutes of June 13, 2006
Next Meetings:
June 27, 2006 7:30 PM ZBA/Planning Board Selectmen’s Office
July 11, 2006 7:30 PM Senior Center
July 25, 2006 7:30 PM Senior Center
August 10, 2006 7:30 PM Senior Center
August 15, 2006 7:30 PM Senior Center
On a motion by Pat seconded by Penny, the committee voted unanimously to adjourn at around 9:20 PM
Sincerely,
Karen Pressey
Karen Pressey, Chairman
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