Senior Center Eno Memorial Sub Committee Regular Meeting
SENIOR CENTER/ENO MEMORIAL SUB-COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING - 4:00 PM
FEBRUARY 6, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
Richard Ostop, Chair, called the Regular Meeting of the Senior Center/Eno Memorial Sub-Committee to order at 4:04 P.M. on Thursday, February 6, 2014 in the Court Room of Eno Memorial located at 754 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT. The following members were also present: Edna Schreindorfer, Pauline Henderson, Mona Martinik, Mark Orenstein, Aging Commission, Mickey Lecours-Beck, Mike Laureno, PBC, Ed LaMontagne, Aging Commission, Karen Handville, SCTV, Linda Schofield, Board of Finance, Jeff Shea, Simsbury Town Engineer, Richard Sawitzke, Engineer, Mike Paine, Board of Selectmen. General Audience was Judy Schaefer, Cheryl Cook, Anita Mielert, Diane Nash and other interested parties.
PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Mr. Ostop explained that the purpose of this meeting is that the BOS has asked this committee to provide some input as to what to do about a Senior Center. In the past, a number of locations were looked at as well as renovations to Eno Memorial and recommendations were made to the Public Building Committee, which were given to the BOS. The BOS has asked to be more confirming as to what this committee would like to do.
The four options that had been previously discussed were: Renovations to Eno; Renovations and additions to Eno; Additions to Eno as well as an addition to the Performing Arts Center to accommodate over capacity of Eno; A new facility located at Bushy Hill and Stratton Brook Road.
The BOS would like the committee to come back with several recommendations to what this committee thinks the Senior Center should be here in Simsbury and make this recommendation by March 1, 2014.
Eno Hall facility Use Guidelines; August 3, 2013 – Senior Center Discussion Letter to BOS from PBC; and February 23, 2013 letter Senior Commission Center Study Recommendation letter to BOS from PBC were given to all as a hand out information.
There are three meetings scheduled to complete this goal: Introduction meeting on February 6, (today) and two additional meetings at 4:00 P.M. on February 13 and February 20. The Committee is planning on have a senior advisor from McLean attend the February 13th meeting and discuss, as a professional, what a Senior Center should have and some of the positives and negatives about the different ideas raised.
Once the sub-committee makes a recommendation to the BOS, the committee believes that the BOS has to go to a referendum or a town meeting to make a vote.
Some of the needs assessments put forth several times in the past and are considered “top level considerations” that should be included for the overall facilities are:
- It should be a one level building with ground level weather-protected access.
- There should be easy on and off-road access to ample level and wide spaced parking.
- The building itself should have extensive natural lighting protected on the south and westerly facings by shade trees.
- To the extent grants, etc. are available, the building should be situated to take advantage of discrete solar paneling for an alternate energy source and energy efficient materials and devices should be used extensively on the interior.
- The setting for the building should be as near to the geographic center of the town as possible and away from high traffic areas and should have safe and secure usable outdoor spaces for walking, reading, visiting, picnicking, etc.
- This is a suburban and semi-rural community and the “overall feel” of the center, for the comfort and enjoyment of the users, should reflect a home away from home “feeling”.
- The center should reflect not only what the current users think it should be but, perhaps even more importantly, what the hundreds of non-users think it should be.
Some additional needs that have also been presented were:
- Additional parking. Currently there are 37 spaces behind Eno Hall. On most days, there are between 100-200 people that visit the Senior Center.
- A covered patio and a turnaround for Dial-a-Ride buses would be safer and more accommodating. Wider entrances with automatic sliding doors would be more accessible.
- A large Multi-purpose room to hold up to 300, with the ability to divide into 2 to 3 smaller rooms to be used for meal service and large programs. This room would also have an adjacent commercial style kitchen.
- A Creative Arts room that would accommodate 40-50 people for painting, ceramics, stamping, etc. Large work tables, storage space for projects and supplies and a kiln room would also be included in this space.
- Program rooms for groups, presentations, guest speakers and ongoing classes. Ideally, this room could also be divided into two smaller spaces to accommodate more groups as needed.
- A Billiard/Game Room. This room would house pool tables, ping pong tables, card/poker tables, dart boards, TVs, iPod docking stations, arcade games and small kitchen.
- A Fitness Room that would include a variety of exercise equipment, TVs, changing rooms and showers. This room could also be used for small classes and one on one training.
- A Wellness Room for medical appointments, screenings and one on one consultations.
- A Café/Lounge to provide a space where people can gather for conversation, read a book/magazine, access the internet, wait for the Dial-A-Ride bus, etc. Coffee, sandwiches and snacks would be available for sale.
- A Library/Quiet Reading area that would have space for chairs/couches and house books, magazines and newspapers.
- A Movie/Presentation Room that could also be used for virtual gaming. Ceiling mounted projector, large screen, surround sound, stadium seating to accommodate 100 for movies, power point presentations, etc.
- A Conference Room for a variety of meetings including town boards and commissions, community meetings, staff meetings and workshops which would include a ceiling mounted projector and white board.
- Space for The Food Closet.
- Office space for five Social Service staff and three volunteers.
- Storage Space.
It was noted that the cost of a new Senior Center would be added into the budget and Eno Memorial would stay as it is. Mr. Sawitzke stated that estimates have been done in the past and this has been noted in a letter from August 2013 which provides a quick overview about the different options that have been looked at.
Mr. Sawitzke introduced the new Town Engineer, Jeff Shea, who will be taking over for him.
Mr. Sawitzke presented exhibits that had been done in the past showing different options for the Senior Center. It was also noted that Eno could be done in a stage program and Mr. Sawitzke explained some of the stages.
Mr. Ostop noted that some of the costs that have been reported to make Eno into a 22,000 square foot facility would run about $8m. If a new building were built, i.e. Bushy Hill/Stratton Brook the cost would be around $6.5m.
It was also brought up that if the town closes a school due to the enrollment dropping, could one of the schools be used for a new Senior Center with other programs taking place in other facilities. It was noted that many seniors use the Dial-A-Ride and would not be able to get to all locations. Another suggestion was brought up for the Senior Center to move into part of The Hartford building, however, it is believed the town wants to keep this building for tax revenue. Mr. Ostop said he would try and confirm with the BOE school closing considerations and report back at the next meeting.
Many seniors have voiced their concern that they do not want their taxes to increase and it was noted that a lot of the construction of a new building could be done through grants; however, operational costs could still run around $60,000.
Ms. Mickey Lecours-Beck stated that a survey was completed by the Aging and Disability Commission in 2009 and another survey was completed at the Police picnic in 2013. The Police survey results came back that most wanted the Senior Center to stay at Eno with the main concern being avoiding higher taxes.
Mr. Ostop asked/suggested of all in attendance to ask around, question all friends, neighbors and seniors of their thoughts regarding a Senior Center to be brought back at the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Ostop adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Senior Center/Eno Memorial Sub Committee at 5:03 P.M. on February 6, 2014
Respectfully submitted,
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Richard Ostop, Chairman Leslie Brigham, Commissions Cler