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SENIOR CENTER BUILDING COMMITTEE
Early in 2005 the Senior Center Building Committee members participated in getting information out to the community about the Senior Center. We displayed the model at functions, stores, and banks. Then in the fall things got very busy and very exciting for us. On October 24, 2005 at a Special Town Meeting we presented an amendment that requested an appropriation of $6,328,456 to fully fund the construction of the new senior center. This vote was contingent on the passage of a Debt Exclusion. After a thorough discussion of all the issues the Town Meeting approved the article on a two-thirds voice vote. On November 4, 2005 the voters returned a “YES” vote in the Debt Exclusion election to approve the construction of the new center. We are very grateful to the Selectmen and other Town boards and committees for their support of
the project. We also extend our thanks to the voters from every precinct who also demonstrated their support.
Since November we have begun working with our architect John Catlin to move into the phase two of the project which includes Design Development and preparation of Construction Documents. This phase should be completed by July, 2006 and we will go out to bid on construction around Labor Day. We have hired John Ciccariello as our Project Manager. A Project Manager is now required by law in Massachusetts to help represent the interests of the Owner (the Town of Belmont) with both the architect and the contractor. John has years of experience in both areas.
In this phase we will deliberate over issues of sustainable design, zoning compliance, code compliance, building materials, furnishings and equipment purchases and many other details that go into constructing this facility. We will meet with the Department Heads to get their input and advice and will be relying on the Disabilities Access Committee for their expertise as well.
I also want to highlight the amazing efforts of the fundraising Committee who worked so diligently in attracting over $1,000,000 in contributions dedicated to reducing the cost of the construction to the tax payers. Jerry McCarthy, Barbara Miranda, Bill Skelley, Angelo Firenze, Will Brownsberger, Anne Lougee, Phyl Solomon, Neil Hegarty, Ethel Hamann, Anne-Marie Aigner, Marrianne Jacobbi and Scott Ferson - they did a great job. I also offer our remembrance for the contribution to the effort made by Ellen Stevens in shaping the campaign and sharing her wisdom and advice. There was also a very active committee who came together in helping to inform the voters about the project in preparation for the Debt Exclusion. We owe them all a deep sense of gratitude.
Paul Maney and Lynne Doblin resigned from the committee this year and we will very much miss their valuable contributions.
Respectfully submitted
Karen Pressey, Chairman
Patricia Brusch, Walter Guertin, Neil Hegarty, Mary Ann Johnson, Rob Jones, Janet Macdonald (Liaison, Disability Access Commission), Nava Niv-Vogel (Management Liaison), Penny Schafer, and Phyl Solomon
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