Aging and Disability Commission - Special Meeting Minutes
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
AGING AND DISABILITY COMMISSION – SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 24, 2017
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
A special meeting of the Aging and Disability Commission was held on January 24, 2017, in Program Room 1 of the Simsbury Public Library, 725 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT.
PRESENT
Janet Beatty, Victor Bible, Joy Himmelfarb, Mike Jennings, Ed LaMontagne, Mary Ellen Long, Mona Martinik, Mark Orenstein, April Schmidt, Diana Yeisley, Arlene Zappile, Cheryl Cook (Board of Selectman Liaison), Kathleen Marschall (Senior Center Coordinator), Susan Ray (Library)
EXCUSED
Grace Comeau, Margaret Diachenko, Lorraine Doonan, Marvin Koff, and Susan Krinsky
GUESTS
Susan Porter
Richard Ostop (Chairman, Public Building Committee)
Jerome Shea (Town Engineer)
Lawrence Boardman (Public Building Committee)
Lisa Heavner (First Selectwoman)
Ray Giolitto (Northeast Collaborative Architects)
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Edward J. LaMontagne, Chairman, at 7:05 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge was recited.
Ray Giolitto (Northeast Collaborative Architects) gave a presentation reviewing the preliminary concept plan for renovations to Eno Memorial Hall (Senior Center).
Presentation: Senior/Community Center Conceptual Plan
Mr. Giolitto pointed out these highlights of the current renovation plan of the building:
Lower level will be main accessible entrance.
Lighting will be upgraded throughout, with relamping of historic lighting fixtures. Lavatories will be renovated with new accessible lavatories installed that are ADA compliant.
Offices will be moved to lower level in space currently occupied by SCTV. Offices can’t be on first floor because of historic nature of those rooms, which means they can’t be divided.
Multipurpose room will be slightly larger. Lower level hallway will all be at same level.
Main level remains essentially the same, with a lift added to the stage and assisted listening devices included for the auditorium.
Air conditioning will be added throughout the entire building.
Existing offices will become exam/health screening room and accessible toilet nearby, thereby making the building ADA compliant (requires an accessible toilet on each level).
All new signage on site and in interior.
Second floor remains the same with the exception of new paint and new lighting. Second floor activity room equipment will move down to lower level.
Elevator complies with code except for exterior call buttons.
Remaining issues: acoustics in rotunda; acoustic issues in auditorium (reverberations); antiquated projector room.
Mr. Giolitto made these comments about suggested changes for the site:
Parking lot will be raised with constructed retaining wall and there will be 45 parking spaces. Handicapped parking spaces now at 4 (typically 10% of spaces).
A drop-off drive will be added with walkway to the main accessible entrance. Canopy over drop-off drive may not be feasible, but they will consider a canopy over walkway.
Currently shows courtyard between new entrance and existing structure. If courtyard is filled in, will make larger reception area but roof can only be 8 feet tall.
Considering developing seating area outside entrance.
Anything against the building on entrance side cannot harm the existing marble slabs.
On ground level, may be able to regrade outside so that more light will flow in to lower level.
Mr. Giolitti also noted that any changes to the current plan will have to be presented to Historic Preservation again.
Discussion of Senior/Community Center Conceptual Plan.
Mr. Jennings asked that there be more handicapped spaces. There is a curb cut space on Hopmeadow Street and the town is investigating having handicapped spaces there. He also asked that doors be made accessible in the bathrooms.
Mr. LaMontagne asked about whether front entry doors should have automatic door openers.
Ms. Himmelfarb noted the inadequacy in number of parking spaces. Mr. Giolitti notes that best option given space limitations of the site is the drop-off area with a canopy and parking at library.
Mr. LaMontagne asked about sidewalks, which Mr. Giolitti said would be concrete.
Mr. Orenstein commented on relocation of offices. Mr. Orenstein asked that consideration be given to moving the offices elsewhere in order to acquire more space.
Ms. Martinik noted that not adding storage space is problematic. She and Ms. Long both asked if the Youth Services office might be moved to another building.
Mr. Orenstein asked if all ADA changes were made, and the renovations were limited to those, what the cost would be; Mr. Giolitti said it would be approximately $1.4 million.
Ms. Ray noted that the Library will make every accommodation during Eno renovation.
Ms. Yeisley notes that there will be a large presence voting on Phase 3 Education improvements and funding for Senior Center could ride with it on referendum in May. The pairing will help both. Ms. Heavner notes that strategy should work well[JB1] .
Still to be discussed by Public Building Committee: moving plans, construction time, operating costs.
Ms. Heavner notes that this is a critical time and urged commission members to attend Public Building Committee meetings. February 27 will be when Ms. Heavner presents budget to the Board of Selectman, and she intends to have the Eno renovation budget on the public referendum in May. Mr. Alsop notes that he’d like major details as soon as possible. There will be three Public Building Committee meetings before then. They meet first Monday of month at 7 pm in Board of Education Room at Town Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Yeisley moved to adjourn. Ms. Long seconded. Meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday February 21, 2017, 7:00 p.m., Youth Room, ENO Memorial Hall
Submitted by
Jan Beatty
Jan Beatty
Clerk