It's good to go. Good morning, Jason. Morning. >> How are you today? >> Doing well. >> Good. Mr. Mayor, how are you? >> Good. How are you? >> Still same old mic. Don't worry about the best. >> It's whatever rolls off for me at the moment. If I can get out married, I'll do it. But if I can't like Mr. Mayor,
>> I >> Yeah, different tiers. Um, hi Ann. Hi Alan. Hello. >> Danielle. >> Oh, Danielle from the disability commission. >> I was going to say nice to see you in person.
Okay. Um, anybody ready? Okay. I'm going to call the Wednesday, April 29th, Economic and Community Development Committee meeting to order. The clerk will please call the role. present. >> Council Har >> present >> and council.
>> We have a quorum present. Announcement of open meeting recordings. The notice is on the wall. Is there anyone here recording today's meeting? Okay. Only staff. No one is recording the meeting. Review and approval of meeting minutes. There are none.
First item time on the agenda. Item 11821. April 2026 Waterford Community Center update. Um the mayor is here to give the Waterford Community Center update. He did provide um a written narrative in our packet as
well. Um for anybody watching from the public if you'd like to see that in the packet. Um but go ahead, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Uh to begin, the uh council president, myself, uh executive aid Ryan Egan, and director Michael Ellis have begun to meet to talk
about uh drafting a 90-day transition plan. And that way when the senior center uh is ready to move into the Waterford Community Center, uh we have the full plan as to this furniture is moving around this timeline and this needs to be painted and these doors need to be upgraded and everything in between
in as much detail as possible. That way we have a actual instruction sheet to go. So when it's ready to go, we can just press go and move forward from there rather than trying to figure out things as we go along. Uh I think this is going to be very helpful to us in terms of uh you know making sure we have
a clear you know a clear timeline on how this move is going to go so that we can get in there as efficiently and effectively as possible without interrupting services at the senior center um too much uh for the people that rely on those services. The senior center is a place that a lot of people go uh not
only for the listed services that are on the sheets but also to find someone else to talk to um and continue to socialize in a different manner. uh while someone's retired, maybe someone may uh be home alone now that a spouse is no longer with them or they, you know, recently moved to the area trying to make new friends and things of that
nature. Um you know, I often look at the senior center as a equivalent to our school buildings where people get a chance to interact with their peers. Uh so that's why we want to make sure we're not interrupting their uh services uh too much with this plan while understanding that this plan is going to
benefit the services in the long run. Uh so this plan is still being drafted. We don't have a uh final draft of it yet, but that is something that will be shared with the council uh once it is finalized uh and getting ready to go. That way everyone's on the same page uh and the public is also aware uh with
that as to what that 90-day plan looks like. Uh the plan will be broken down into a couple different phases. It'll have a pre-move uh section, so everything that needs to be done in the space prior to the eventual move of the senior center as a prerequisite to the move happening. uh
and then broken down into 30-day increments within a 30-day um review period after the fact as well too once the senior center opens in terms of uh what would it uh you know are the rooms being utilized in the right way? Is the furniture laid out the correct pattern?
What next steps would then need to be taken if a phase 2 would have to happen? Um and really that would really happen in the common spaces and we're not going to know that until we get people in the building itself. uh but you know some preliminary ideas and what we think we may need to keep an eye on and then uh adapt and evaluate as we go forward from
there. So those are really the main sections of what this plan will look like and that's in current draft form. >> Okay. When what's the deadline for your draft to be completed? >> End of May. >> Okay. Any questions from the committee? Um,
no, I don't. I think it's a it's going to be a great move for the elderly cuz I'm one of them and um you know big staircase. That's great. >> But yeah, I'm looking forward to that. >> Thank you. >> Um and then
my only other kind of question on that is so you have so it's um director Ellis from the senior center. Yes. It's your aid, Ryan Egan, and you during these meetings for this >> Yes. >> plan. Is anyone else involved in that conversation? >> The council president's been kept aware
of the meetings that we've had. He sat in one of the meetings that we've had uh as well too, just to make sure everyone's on the same page. Y >> um but the majority of the meetings are with the director, uh my aid, and myself. >> Okay. Is there anyone from the Council on Aging there? >> Uh that's going to be part of the next We want the initial draft first and then
get the Council on Aging's uh feedback after that. >> Okay. And then any updates on the senior center, anything having to do with the transition or the plan of the senior center being at Waterford? Who delivers that to the council on aging? >> That's something I'd go to one of their meetings and let them know at least the
initial plan and then the director would continue the >> discussions after that. >> Okay. Thank you. I just for just um so specifically for this because I do get questions from seniors and I think they get >> information maybe through council on Asian meetings through the director and
they you know there's some kind of hearsay things. I think it's much better managed than it's ever been. >> Um and the reason for having you come to these meetings to get these updates was so that we had something consistent monthly about Waterford. Uh and so I
think having >> it would make me most comfortable. I think my best suggestion is for you or your aid to be present at those council on aging meetings to be sure that that u message is consistent. Um because as important as it is to have the senior
center director involved as it is it is um the senior center, I do think that any of those other kind of details that really your office is responsible for um that you're going to get the questions about from the council and other people. I think that you should be at those
meetings or your your office should be present. Uh because again then when something comes to me or another counselor or whatever it is, it's consistent information and I don't think it's been that way in the past. Um, I think there's it's been there's been the best intention as people want to talk about this because
they're excited about it, but I don't think it's helped with getting good information out about this project, particularly the senior center piece because that is the biggest piece and that is the next tenant. That is the tenant moving in. We don't have anything concrete for any any other um organization even though there are a lot
of discussions which is good. Uh, this one is really important to get this moved sooner than later. Um and I just think that information needs to be as consistent as possible. So I would um suggest and made the request at the same time that anytime there's a council on aging meeting it's not coming only from
the director he has the support of your office as well. Um okay comments on that? Anything else? Okay go ahead. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Uh the concrete ramps we talked about at the last meeting are still moving forward and seeing if they are considered a 30-year project. The reason
why this is we'd expected it to be this long on that uh the reason why it takes this long to certify if it's 30 years or not is that in order to receive an engineer stamp on the plans themselves to certify that it would be a minimum 30 years the engineers have to go through the warranties of all the mater proposed
materials that would be used in terms of the the type of concrete the rebar uh and everything else like that as well as the full scope of the project uh to in order to verify that it would last 30 years. I have a very strong belief that it will be eventually signed off on
because they approved the concrete ramping here at city hall last year. Uh they just have to go through the process of certifying that everything would be considered a 30-year process. If this does go through, as you've seen in the uh renderings that I submitted at the last meeting, this would be a concrete ramping that goes around the entirety of
the building, not just the front ramping. Um, this is also separate of the ramp that is installed over by the front door of where the senior center will be. Uh, that one was already installed. The only thing that, uh, was remaining for that is the contractor does have to put the new handrails in.
Uh, those have not yet been installed, but they were part of the project that was already done there. They're waiting for the door to be put in first before they go in and drill and put the handrails in on that one. Uh, so that is also being done just separate of that. So that's uh, where that part of the project is moving forward. And when do we expect to know whether or not?
>> I'd guess within the next 3 weeks. >> Okay. >> Just based off of how long it took them to stamp the original uh 30-year items last year's go around. >> Okay. Um I guess I if if you haven't I or whoever hasn't I would request that
like I would get I'd say like >> set a deadline for them. Just say within the next three or by this date >> we would like an answer to this. We have to move on with this project or whatever it is. um to get people in the building. So, if I would encourage to push for that and to say, "I understand that
you're doing your work on it. We appreciate it, but this is our deadline. Can you meet that or can you meet it sooner? What's the realistic?" They might say, "But we'll get it to you two weeks sooner." They might say that, but with this project, we just need concrete deadlines and due dates at this point. >> Um any questions, comments?
>> Okay. Playground equipment removal for extending extended parking lots. >> Yes. If uh you remember at the previous meeting I talked about how the DPW was going to be removing the playground equipment that was on the twotory side of the building. That playground equipment has been fully removed. Uh it
uh wasn't in as good condition as originally planned when you went to the items that were underground that secured it. Uh so we have not reinstalled it in a different parking uh excuse me in a different playground uh like was the original plan. Right now we are uh looking at you know what to officially do with that in the future. Uh long and
short, it is removed and the rubber mulch has also been removed uh from that former playground area. The eventual goal is to extend the parking lot down that area uh in order to uh make sure that we have adequate parking for all of the different services uh that are provided in uh the community center. Uh
once everyone is moved in, the center is fully open. Um I uh have talked to the city engineer who oversees the parking layouts uh for the city buildings uh along with the director of public works who would be involved in paving the area as we do have some funding set aside to
pave uh Waterford Street's parking lot this year. Uh so all of that is one contingent on when the ramp work is done which is another reason why we're trying to get that ramp work done as quick as we can too because we don't want to pave something to dig it up and reut the ramp in. Uh but also to make sure that we have the right layout and adequate parking for the area uh too. So that's
part of the reason why that that playground equipment has now since fully been removed. >> Do you know how many spots that removing the playground equipment will put once there's parking spots there? >> Around nine. >> Nine. Okay. >> Yeah. >> And is there I think at the last meeting it was around $90,000. Yes.
>> We' said for paving. Is that included? Is that area included in that or has that price changed at all? >> No, that included that area. >> Okay. Okay. Um, but as far as we know, it's still about that much. And is And is that how much money if how much funding
has been set aside? Yes. For that from the DBW? >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Questions, comments? >> Okay. Um, and then that playground equipment was going to be moved to Bigfford. >> Yes. >> Is when and what's that look like?
>> Uh, some of it may still be moved. Some of it was damaged in the anchorings that it had underground. So, that will, excuse me, will not be able to be moved. Uh, so we're going through right now and seeing what is able to continue to be used and what's just past its useful life at this point. >> And who's doing that? Is that the DPW? Yes. Okay. Um, I would assume I mean
it's like spring now, so I'm assuming they're trying to get that in so kids can use it for this summer kind of thing. Okay. >> Yes. >> Okay. Anything else? Okay. Disability Commission. >> Uh, Commissioners Hurst, uh, Forier and Claybar and I met at the Waterford
Community Center last week, uh, two weeks ago at this point. um uh commissioners uh two of the commissioners are here today um that were with me at that tour uh really looking to see if there was a space that they could find in the community center. If uh the vision for the community center itself uh was to provide a single
roof that all these services could you know further their missions under by being able to collaborate in a greater uh capacity and work with people and be more accessible to the public. Uh so very happy to hear that the disability commission is looking for space in the building. Uh we think we've identified a couple of options uh that they would be
able to utilize uh for a new uh disability um disability uh awareness center and uh ways that they could grow the services of the disability commission and their outreach to the public uh to make sure that people know about uh the work that they do and uh how to uh contact them and work with
them and also educate the public uh on the work that they do. So, I'm very happy to see that that's another potential tenant that we have in the building moving in the long term. >> And we already have the historical commission, >> correct? >> Well, has a space there. We have Alan Agnelli here from the historical commission. Um, and then so disability
commission could have a space there as well. >> Yes. Um, and then my other question is, and I think it's a great idea, like you said, for all the reasons I think and having the senior center there with I I think it's it's a great use of the space, just my opinion, but um just kind of on that
um with your visit with all of you there, uh, and the members can feel free to speak as well. um in terms of the building and ADA compliancy and requirements and all of those things. Has that been a conversation between yourself and the disability commission for Waterford or how is that being
handled? Cuz we have talked about it in two of these previous updates, but how is that being handled to be sure things are met? >> I mean, this was the I'm If the commissioners have anything they'd like to add, I'm sure I'm happy for that. I just want to add to that I understand that the building is a very old building and so there's things that might be
acceptable that wouldn't normally for a brand new building, but there's things that we need to change. So I I understand that. But just in general, >> what's that conversation? >> In in general right now, we knew all of the doors needed to be replaced for the exterior doors in the building, mainly because the partitions in the middle of
the doors uh were not wide enough to meet ADA compliance. they were only 26 in rather uh excuse me 28 in rather than the required 36. Uh those have since been replaced now with the grocery store style doors uh that are being installed over at the entrance to the senior center and have already been installed at the front entrance of the building.
Uh we knew that the bathrooms all needed to be upgraded because the partitions were not ADA compliant for the turn radius that was there. Those uh partitions have since been fully installed. uh the uh architectural access board did do a review of the site um and found
that the work that was done there met their requirements but as the uh commission does point out and I uh am long and short is I'd like to receive more feedback from the disability commission uh on the work that's being done there because as uh you know chair
hurst uh often says you know compliant doesn't always mean accessible uh and I think that's a very important note to make uh so while the work in there may be compliant liant with the various regulations that we have in terms of the Americans with Disability Act and the Architectural Access Board uh code of
Massachusetts regulations doesn't mean it's also the best for people uh to be able to utilize and get around the right way. Uh so I uh do plan on continuing to seek feedback on the site from them. >> And I have spoke with Chair Hurst um on this matter and other matters concerning
media compliance with things in the city. Um, and I know that the commission is more than willing to um, meet with you and offer their feedback and be part of the conversation. So, I'm really glad that that collaboration is happening and I hope that it does continue um because when we when we move the senior center
into the space, I think it's clear that the hope for the city is that it is complete in there in the space. We don't want to have to go back. We only want to take steps forward. So, I do appreciate that. Any questions, comments from the committee? >> No. No. Okay. Um, anything from the
disability commission? Any comments? >> You want to just comment on what our kind of vision is? So, we're envisioning a community center for people with disabilities um in honor of Eric Kudson who disable
grant the commission for many years. And we just need a space where people can go and be encouraged to come out and participate in the community and have access to the CAC the senior center if it's applicable and all these different resources in one space in a accessible
space. So, I think it's great and just based on even Ian pointed out in the rooms things are set up shorter for, you know, height, but in a wheelchair it makes it more accessible. So, it's really just a perfect space. We lived in
the kind middle kindergarten thing. >> Yeah. So, some stuff >> it helps that it was built up for for kindergarten students. Yeah. Yeah. >> But isolation is huge in a disability population. if we have a safe place for people to come out and we can help them
to realize that they can do other things within our community. So, it's be kind of like a a starting point for people, you know, show them even though you're disabled, you still be able to do this, this, and this.
>> Thank you. >> It sounds like having the space is a great first step, never mind all the other ideas that you you just said. So, um, that's great to see the collaboration. >> Yeah. >> Great. Well, thank you. I look forward to further updates on those conversations and kind of how that can
go forward. Hopefully, we continue to work, you know, we continue to work together to make that happen. That'd be great. Um, okay. Thank you. Uh, Gardener Educational Television. >> Yes. So, with the recent announcement that Gardener Academy is going to be merging with Gardener High School, there
was a need for extra space at Gardener High School. Uh currently, uh Gardenner Educational Television, uh takes up a room and a half at the high school for their studio. Uh because of G relocating, that room needs to be converted into one of the classrooms for uh the G students. Uh so talking with
Superintendent Pelgro and director Josie, Gardener Educational Television will be moving also into the community center uh into two of the rooms in the back behind Mayor Morse's uh gymnasium. Uh there is a a larger room with a smaller room partitioned off and a large closet that actually mimics it's it's a
greater size of the studio that they currently have and it also increases the space and actually makes it a more ideal TV studio for them. Uh with the lighting that's in there, with the space that's in there and everything in between. Uh so right now to go back to a different 90-day plan, uh director Josie and I are working on a transition plan for them as
well, knowing that the school needs to convert the rooms before the beginning of the school year in September. uh probably getting that done by uh the end of May as well for a move plan. Figuring out what uh needs to be done in terms of notifications with Comcast, equipment moves, uh different access moves in
terms of uh the different cables and wirings that have to be done through Comcast and National Grid to power the station. All of those things are uh new conversations that we're having right now with GEV. Uh however, I do think it is going to be a greater space for them. Uh it's further out of the way than in a
high school setting where classes are changing every 40 to 50 minutes. Uh so there's not as much foot traffic in the hallway, especially in that location. Uh one of the things that they don't have currently that we're looking at purchasing with this room right now is a uh recording in progress uh red light like you'd see in some sound recording
studios. Uh getting one of those for the hallway so that people in the area know that there's a TV show being recorded. Uh as well as u just being more accessible. Right now there's, you know, there have been, you know, concerns about having people uh being filmed at the TV station going into the school
building. Uh and, you know, really making it so that you're not there for a school purpose. This alleviates all of those concerns and I think just provides greater access for those going to the studio and just a better setting for the studio itself in the long term. >> Thank you. Uh my only question was is
well I have a couple questions but is there any cost associated with the move from the high school building over there to the Waterford Community Center? Meaning like I know that you know obviously equipment has to move and those kinds of things but what is there any cost associated with it? >> There likely be some cost associated
with rerunning the Comcast wires in there to make sure that they can run the TV station out of there directly into the cable system. Um the way that the cable department runs is they do receive capital uh funds every year as part of the franchise fee from Comcast. Uh so
there is funding in that account. Uh and then honestly just figuring out what parts of the buildout need to be done as part of this move. Um I think that uh a lot of the longer term um work that needs to be done in the space uh
curtains you know uh there there's a there's a sufficient amount of uh outlets in the room that's there. So I'm not too worried about the electrical side of things uh can be phased in is the the long and short of it. The the initial move I think the main costs are going to be running the Comcast wires into the room uh to be able to get
everything out of there. Uh but we've done a lot of upgrades to the cable department in recent years. If you remember, the council's voted to take a lot of the uh reserve for appropriation funds out of the capital funds that the department receives from Comcast to utilize that to purchase new equipment,
a lot of the equipment is now mobile equipment. Uh so while there is some work that needs to be done for the actual station itself in terms of the board, in terms of its servers and things of that, a lot of the stuff's been upgraded. So it really should save us in the long term with this move, too. So, this transition is is is a 90-day
transition plan? >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, obviously because the beginning of the school year, and this is a good time to to do this, get them in there. Um, so you expect the final draft of that plan to be at the end of May as well? >> Yes.
>> Okay. >> And that will come to the council. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, and al along with that, if there is any other, not to jump around too much, but if there is any other like um with the ramps or with the parking lot, like
if there's any other appropriations, those would come to the council at that time. Okay. >> Yep. >> Okay. Cuz we meet, you know, obviously twice in June. Yeah. >> Then we meet in July and we meet in August, but fiscal year ends June 30. You know, those kinds of things. I'm sure you have those in mind. I just >> that's what comes to the forefront for
me. Yeah. if it's end of May, we have so much time that we want to try to move some things. Um, but anyways, those basically once there's a plan, those appropriations will then come to the council because we'll know where where the money is going. >> Yeah. >> Okay. If there is any
>> questions, comments. No. >> Okay. Thank you. Growing Places and Gardener Community Action Committee. Uh this is just kind of similar to the last phase of the 90-day transition plans that I've talked about earlier where there's an evaluation phase of just seeing how things are going. Uh where
Growing Places and the CAC have now had their leases and the locations for over a year. Uh just seeing how things are going over there. Uh Growing Places, uh you know, is fully up and running and operating and we've had several different tours of that site and the work that they're doing over there and that's great. Um they are, you know,
looking at storage opportunities for some of the stuff that's over there. uh now that we've got more people in the building, now that uh they've increased their operations and are working on relocating fully out of their Lemonster location into this location, seeing what um storage space is available for them there, too. It's really not an immediate
need, but just a conversation that's happening. The CAC is currently working on building out their site. They're working on building the uh kitchen area in the former principal's office that the city council approved last July. Uh that work is continuing to move forward. Uh but you know we're still in conversations with uh Julie man from the
CAC uh to talk about you know how has the work been and you know you may not be in the building fully yet but how has your interactions with the city and the construction side of the things been uh you know now that the food pantry side is built out and you're working on the kitchen side of things. Uh what's your next phase and what's you know the your
step for your move in look like. >> Um so those conversations have been good and are ongoing uh and will continue to be ongoing throughout the end of the summer. And then this is the same thing for the CAC. >> Yes. >> Okay. Questions, comments? >> No, thank you. >> Okay.
>> Um, so when will you know like when will you have their full evaluation? Will that be end of May as well? Is this kind of >> That's my goal is to kind of wrap all this up by the end of May. >> Okay. It sounds like if it's think if if these kind of initial for all of these, if the
deadline is the end of May to get all these plans in place, these kind of final drafts of these, it gives June, July, and August for any thing you run into that you need to change, fix, whatever, but to get people moving into the space that need to be moved in or
fully transitioned in or, you know, fix whatever needs to be done with like the CAC, for example. I mean, it would just be great to just get them in there and, you know, have um that full transition done and over with. So, I do appreciate this format of these updates just as kind of as I did last month, too. I do
kind of want to follow up though, like now that I've seen from the first update to the second, now this is the third. I do have kind of a request of how >> of of how to follow up moving forward on things we talked about in the last update that we didn't like address in this update. And so I I'll follow up
with an email to you just kind of being like, hey, like >> this is kind of the format I want to request going here on out now that we've done this and I have an idea of how it goes. >> Um so I'll I'll send that to you. That' >> be great. >> Um >> and I just did want to follow up from the last update though too. There was trades week.
>> Yes. >> Was there anything from that that you can update us on? Yeah. >> Because we were kind of in the >> we met at after it was over but there was still some carryover because there's some things that happened that weren't really expected. So like can you just give a synopsis of that? >> Yeah, absolutely. So the the pressure
testing has been completed on the head units for the mini splits. That was really the biggest uh you know thing that they were still working on which we expected there to be still that that we knew that was going to take around 2 to 3 weeks to do all the full pressurized systems uh testing on each of the units. Uh that has been completed right now. So
they're working on closing up all of the uh the wiring containers for the mini splits throughout the building. >> Okay. Um, and so was was it like was trade week successfully completed? Was all of the things that needed to be done done besides the mini splits piece? >> Yes.
>> Everything was done. >> Yes. The uh the only caveat I'd say to that is that in order to fix one of the flushometers when we put in the plumbing for the uh one of the toilets in the first story first floor of the twotory wing, uh one of the bricks had to be removed. So the mason is coming next
week to put the brick back in. Um and that was really it. I mean really it was a very su very successful just having everyone in there working together at once. >> Okay. And the HVAC system? >> Yes. >> Was everything tested and >> that was the pressurizing of the >> Yeah. >> Um
Okay. And then was there anything else with like the electrical connections? I know there's like refrigeration and all those kinds of things. Was there anything else with that? Like is electrical work done? >> Electrical work is done from what we heard from the um the contractors and the inspectors.
>> Okay. So the so the contractors are done. They have no need in the building anymore for that piece. >> For that piece >> and it's been inspected. >> Yes. >> Okay. Is there any other inspections that are pending or anything like that? >> The once once everything is cover uh you know covered up, they'll do a final
inspection on all the plumbing. Uh they they've done all the rough inspections that have to be done. Once the um the mini split covers are put in, they'll do a an final inspection of those, once they test them to make sure everything's uh plumbed and wired the right way just for those just to make sure they're operational. >> Um and then they'll finish the full
building inspection of the work that was done after all of that is completed. >> And once that happens, does that mean that the building can be moved into and occupied? Is that does that issue a certificate of occupancy? like what how how >> so that that would uh set the ground for the first stage in order to get a full
certificate of occupancy. You get the temporary first um while they undertake the final review which is considered a chapter 34 review which basically a review that's outlined in the general laws to make sure that the fire escape plans are all set, the fire uh extinguishers are all upgraded and goes through the various sections of the fire building and health code just to make
sure everything's good for a final occupancy certificate. >> Okay. >> Okay. Any other questions or comments on that piece? >> It's quite a job. Um that we have on our hands. >> Seems like um it's coming along very well. >> Okay. >> And hopefully by, you know, the end of
the summer, a lot of them will be in here by then. >> Hopefully. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. I appreciate this. I I would um >> I just think these these deadlines and due dates are really important. We want to have a clear idea of when people are going to be in there. Um I hope the
Waterford conversation ends in 2026 in terms of who's getting in where and where they can be. But also once they get in there, the conversation stays open to get other tenants and, you know, leases signed to be helping to pay for the expenses. As as much as we do want
to accommodate our own um, you know, our own senior center and our own commissions and all the people uh, who are associated with those things are going to benefit from having those spaces. Uh, having growing places is huge for that space as we know. and um
you know having the CAC in there as well like it has really come together very well but um if we can find another you know lease paying body to get into the space that makes sense for the community um we want those conversations to clearly continue it's part of um
economic development it's it's part of you know holding our community standards as high as we do in gardener so I would like to see that continue but I um I think you know as as soon as we can get everyone in there as complete and safely as possible is going to benefit all of
us for a lot of different reasons. Um, so I do want that to continue, but I appreciate the progress that's been done. Um, and I think we're doing ourselves a favor by saying this is the date that we're going to get this final draft and this plan is going to, you know, dictate the next 90 days after
that and there's a plan for that as well. So, um I appreciate this and um I am going to invite the council on aging via email to um the next meeting where we have one of these updates cuz I think it would be helpful for them. I'm glad like the disability commission's here um
historical commission has been here before as they have something to do with the building. But I would like to invite them just to let them know that you know we have these monthly updates I think could be helpful so everyone's getting the same information in the same place all at once. So, I will be um I will be
doing that. Again, nothing formal, but just to say to let them know and make them aware that we do have these updates and that's all I have. Anything further? >> Not on my end. >> Okay. Um so, that I will entertain a motion to place this item on file. >> Make a motion to place
this on file. >> Second. Motion made and seconded. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed, no. Motion passes. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate you. Uh, okay. Item in subcommittee item 11454, a report on the investigation of
the Magic Park project. Director Stevens, good morning and welcome. >> Morning. Um, so for this, I know last I discussed we were responding to the notice of violations that was issued from the architectural access board. Um,
I had wrote written up the response letter uh for that notice of violations which was reviewed um both by myself and the building commissioner Melissa McDonald's is the two approving bodies before those letters are sent off and those were sent to the architectural
access board on April 1st. It was accepted on April 8th and given a timeline until April 28th to complete the remaining work um for the stipulated order. So the April 8th was when the stipulated order from the architectural access board came in for us to then
label out what work needs to be done uh for the for the site. Um high level the three items that they highlighted were on 521 CMR 17.2.1 and that's for accessible seating. The
response on that was that there is both our accessible seating in terms of passive recreational use. So just traditional tabletop seating as well as the tabletop seating that incorporates the uh checkerboard pattern on top. So all facilities activities uh including
passive recreation and game use allow currently allow uh and have accessible seating within the park itself. So that order is actually uh null and void. Um, so we were able to get that one squared away with the response with the spec sheet that labels out the accessible
seating that was going to be incorporated into the park following this um, additional work. The second one was 521 CMR 20.1 and that's for the accessible route. They asked us to remove uh and replace or actually uh move the location of the bike racks that
are placed on the first level uh that spread across the concrete path that kind of go throughout leading up to the ramp. Um just cuz in their mind it makes a more acceptable route through the park of
following the concrete to the to the ramp. Um, so we had DPW crew go out um for this and the following item, but in terms of uh the accessible route, it was their um prerogative that the secondary
place that we were looking to put the bike racks would also potentially pose a challenge with the way that certain bike bikes would stick out from that um replaced uh moved bike uh um bike rack. So, we ended up actually just removing
the bike rack from the park and allowing um bikes to be placed. There's a wooden fence post around the first level of the park, which has the ability to rack your bikes up on that as well. Um so, we'll look at alternatives in terms of
alternative bike rack design um in the future that might allow for us to have uh still an accessible path along that concrete area uh but still have a place for for a bike rack. But as of right now, we're focusing on making sure that
the park's ADA compliant and and responding to all the notices of violation issued from the AAB. So that's 20.1. And then 29.1 is the surface conditions um and compaction um of which
we responded with the spec sheet going over the uh compacted stone dust. So this is again about the um compacted stone dust that most of the park uses as the compliant surface. So we responded again with the spec order um from mass
broken stone as well as the compaction testing following the completion of the project originally as well as having DPWs go out and do annual maintenance on recompaction for those stone dust surfaces. So, I responded um as it's the 29th, I responded on the 27th uh with
our rep over at the AAB, Victor Machado, um with more of a question of how like whether it's a more formal letter of a response for the stipulated um the the stipulated order or basically how does the city properly respond to that um
saying that this is the work that's been completed. you know, we already had their accessible seating figured out. And this is what we've done for 20.1 and 29.1 for the accessible route as well as the surface conditions. Um, I've not heard back from him, so I'm not sure if the email suffices as a response to the
stipulated order or whether or not a formal letter needs to be submitted, but they're at least notified um directly to the AAB on the work that's been done as well as the materials that were sent along with that email. um on the again the items that I I mentioned the
compaction testing, the spec sheets um and the um the uh notices from mass broken stone on those stone dust surfaces. Um, so all materials have been sent over to them and I just need to hear back from them in terms of whether that's a sufficient
response to the stipulated order and then they can close out the um violation order for Mackie Park and then by all intents and purposes the park would be closed um in terms of discussions for for this and open for the public as it
already has been. >> So th this is as we've talked before so any of the con the construction pieces those are closed out. We're done with those paid. >> This is the last very last piece that we are waiting on to meet to close out anything else having to do with the
park. And then Mackie Park is Mackie Park. >> Mackie Park's Mackie Park. >> Okay. >> Okay. Uh and you've had ongoing discussions also with the disability commission on that as well. Um was there any updates there? Can you just speak to that a little bit? Yeah, last I went in front of the disability commission might
have been earlier this year or late last year when the response was on we we were discussing in the same way with this committee um the work on the ramp um the uh compaction for those those surfaces
to make sure that they're accessible um and properly compacted as well as a proper accessible route through the park. Um, so I don't know if any of the members of the commission have had a chance to go out and and see the park. Um, but if uh >> we've all done that.
>> Yeah. So, um, >> yeah, >> I think that does I do appreciate that again kind of collaboration on that too because I think it does speak to in the future. I mean, this project, as we've said numerous times in these meetings, has been a project for you that you basically inherited and had to fix, and
now we're kind of like about, you know, a year later, but this would be our first full season with it, and it all got fixed and complete, and hopefully we're on our way to having it done. And should there be anything any future projects I like that you've established the relationship so that you will
consider you know the your department and your role considers the disability commission what they have to bring to it and I think we all realize that could have been avoided all this whole thing could have been avoided um had that been done initially along with a lot of other things um that was in the report from
councelor Tyrros but at the time but um not to go back but to move forward I appreciate the relationship that's been established and that you we learn and we move on and I think it the city benefits from that. So, thank you for your work on that. >> And again, by all intents and purposes,
the the stipulated order labels out the exact work that we have to do. So, the work that's been labeled out has it word for word been completed. So, I expect to receive nothing but a response in the affirmative that they can close out the the violations order. Um and hopefully
at our next meeting have that response, have the order closed um and be able to say we can take this item off the agenda unless there's any >> there's a light there's been a light at the end of the tunnel and again in time for some great weather. So that's that's
awesome. >> Absolutely. Yeah, we were originally planning on having the master plan open house there. Uh but just the the wind and having boards uh like you know just poster boards, they're going to fly out if uh so um but yeah, we're looking forward to having more community events
there in the future when weather allows. >> Thank you. Anything else from >> I just want to um speak to the two ladies sitting out there on the disability commission. I want to thank you. Um it takes um a lot of people out in our community don't realize how many
people are disabled. I myself have a son that I've taken care of for like five years and I commend you. Um, big hearts. Um, and thank you for all you do. >> Thank you. Anything further on that item? Okay. Uh, we will, if there's no
objection, we will keep that item on the agenda until we can thoroughly close it out further. >> Um, okay. Item 11746, upcoming community development projects. Is there any significant upcoming? >> The only items that I will will mention
are for the rear main project. Um the expected the anticipated completion date originally for that was May 31st. We are looking for an extension of uh 2 months now to July 31st. Um the intent with
that is for us to still be able there there are some hurdles that were unexpected within the main street businesses as there are electrical teams within uh many of the businesses uh working jointly uh in order to actually
move the uh electrical service to meters outside of uh their basement units. Um, so there there are some uh there is some creativity that has to be involved, but we've had some really great working relationships with all the businesses.
Um, and I I commend the electrical team and the construction team, uh, contractor team, um, in terms of their coordination so that all of the main street businesses know of, um, you know, any potential shutdowns come June, um,
and, uh, amicable towards working with them to make sure that this work can get done. So, I thank them for that. Um, the also intent is for the the site itself for the uh park um/parking area uh to be
completed around June 10th um and properly opened um and powered on June 31st. There is some work that has to get done around 58 Main Street towards Priscilla's Candy Shop where an additional conduit unit has to be put in
on the sidewalk there. Um, but that work will take roughly uh three additional weeks following the completion of the parking area. Um, we're still going back and forth on on whether or not to have the parking lot open while unpowered um due to safety concerns. So, it's likely
that we would just put notices out um and signs from the city that the parking lot is going to stay closed for for three weeks because just due to the safety concerns with overnight parking while the site is unpowered and unlit, we want to make sure that people are parking there and can know that their
their vehicles are going to be um safe there and don't want to lead to any um unnecessary circumstances with a large unlit parking area. Um, so with that, um, that was all I have for the rear
main project. Um, was hoping to stay with the May 31st deadline, but I think two extra months. The city's wait long waited long enough with this project. So, it's two extra months and there's been very significant progress out there. If anyone's been able to drive on Derby Drive and see the progress made
out there, it's it's really quite significant. I would say on this phase of the project, there's been more progress in the last 6 months there has been the last six years. So I I will take it. Um and I have two questions. Uh so I'll
start with the parking area. Um just for the public watching, is the parking going to be metered? Is it free? Can we just talk about what that's going to mean for the community and the businesses that it serves? >> Is it is going to be free unmetered parking um >> overnight? overnight. Um, in order to
have the full overnight free parking too, there's a section of the ordinance code that requires acceptance of the parking lot as a public parking lot by the city council. So once the project's done, we'd be putting that up as an ordinance change as well. >> Thank you. >> Uh, and then and so we want to time that
in a a way that because it has to sit for a minute, it has to go to the appropriate committee and then it has to sit with the council. So um, we'd want to >> I just want to say this publicly. So, the plan would be to um have that um set
up correctly so that we don't have a parking lot that's usable sitting there that cannot be used because by ordinance it is not public yet. You know what I mean? So, we want those to line up. >> Yep. >> Yeah. Without the ordinance can be used during the day. It just can't be used as overnight. >> So, it's one of those we just want to make sure no confusion on it and get it
done. So, it's just parking. I mean, we could also too look into this probably the conversation between the council president or in the committee chair um because that would go through um public >> safety >> safety. Um but just in terms of the timing and not to get too into the weeds
about logistics, but I feel like if we we could set something as of the date, this ordinance as of blah blah blah date, but just to get it moving under whatever circulations. I don't want it to be messy. I want it to be really clean, but I >> I just don't want a parking lot sitting there. Yeah,
>> that can't can't be used because of, >> you know, we're holding it up when this is just sometimes how these things work. So, um, that timeline's important, but okay. So, that's great. >> Um, any questions on any of that? Okay. And then the 7:31 deadline, that's moved
from 5:31. Um, >> can once that extension is met at 7:31, what does that mean? Just just for the public watching as well, when you say that that completion date, what is complete at that point? It's >> open for the public to use >> and so >> powered lit. >> And so and so what what is it going to
look like? The thing is like people don't they don't know >> a central green space um with grass uh walkable roots throughout the central area, a water fountain that has the ability to be colored in different colors for different holidays. um a
shade structure with underlit um lighting so that it's um underlit and usable at night as well as during the day. Um seating um it's really just meant to be a a community uh meeting
space for people who want to take their their lunch outside. It's it's to provide additional parking um for the main street businesses because all we've heard are are that they need more parking for their customers, for their employees, um for their residents if
they run um any sort of um rental units out of out of those buildings as well. um as well as brick pavers running down Sullivan's Alley connecting up to the uh park itself as well as formalizing the utility road behind the main street
businesses to paving it um and allowing uh building concrete um dumpster pads uh for the main street businesses as well so that we have a formalized access route from Derby Drive through the the parking area um for oil deliveries,
trash pickups. Um, so there's safer service and more reliable service for the main street businesses because over the last two years, especially as we've closed down the site for the rear main project, they've faced a lot of issues uh with access because they used to have their trucks just go through the
existing site and now they have to go through the kind of roundabout back utility road next to Cumberland Farms. So formalizing that uh for uh increases that service as well movement of all of the removal and movement of all of the uh overhead wires underground for the
main street businesses as well as formalizing their uh meters um all in one central place in their basement um the exterior of their basement units. So, the hope is to provide increased foot traffic and really give the the the
businesses an incentivized um reason to really utilize those basement units. Um because just with more foot traffic, more people traveling um and parking there and traveling up Selman's Alley to to get to those um main streets, they're going to have to go buy those basement
units. and you know if they want to utilize them as as separate businesses um you know that's that's the intent is to put some um you know give some funds and really meet the main street businesses where where they need to be as well as what we've heard from residents which is that expanded parking
and you know third space for them at least during outside the winter months. >> Thank you. And um we're not touching Sullivan stairs correct? >> No. No. >> Great. And um because that's a question I have gotten before. Um
and um there and there there's table seating areas with with the seating. There's tables and things back there as well um that will complement the park area, >> EV chargers as well for electric vehicles. >> Great. Well, thank you very much for
that. Any questions, comments? Looking forward to the completion. another light at the end of the tunnel, but great great work and thank you again for that. Um, I'm assuming everything for accessibility has been met there as well. And I I know this project has been on a much different scale and scope than
we've seen from other projects cuz it is there were phases of it, but um very exciting stuff. Um, anything else on >> um just touching on the Greenwood pool and pavilion project. Um they are doing loming seating repairs to the fence cuz
we had expanded the project area to within the fencing for the Greenwood um outdoor pool. Um so those repairs are ongoing and in preparation for uh pool season this year. Um and construction
will likely start. Um, I believe we're going to be receiving the 75% design where we'll be looking to approve that and get everything get the final bid ready plans together in the next month with intention to put the item out
to bid uh around June. >> And that's for the pavilion. >> That's for the pavilion construction. >> Okay. Thank you. Any questions? >> No, that's a nice thing to see with that pavilion coming. It's been a long time coming. Yeah,
>> I think when I first came on council is when that pool was closed. So, it's not going to be nice to see. >> Uther >> only other items are the ongoing plans. I would just make mention for anyone watching, we do have uh we have expanded
the um public response period for the master plan. That plan's available on the community development website um within um plans and projects. Once you're on the community development uh subpage within the city hall website, uh you can find the plan there along with
the comment uh form and that's going to be extended till uh mid next week. Um we did already have the open house and have had good uh feedback from that residents there. Um the municipal surplus property plan is also looking to be completed um
at the same time. All these plans are have end period of June 30 June 30th. Um, so the we are having an open house for the municipal surplus property plan on May 6th at the library from 4 to 6 pm. Um, so I in I invite any local
developers, residents, um, anyone who's looking to see what vacant municipal land we're looking to um, you know, potentially market and um, you know, redevelop. um I I'd welcome them to
attend the meeting and uh learn more. We have along with that completion and we'll have the public uh comment period for both the hazard mitigation plan and the housing production plan. Um and so those will also be completed uh June
30th. Um but I've not received the the final copies of of those before we publicize them and have them open for public comment. But um lots of plans ongoing, but the the May 6th date for the municipal surplus property plan is
currently the only one we have um set in stone uh upcoming still. >> Great. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um with no objection, we'll leave we'll keep this item on the calendar as well as a regular item. Thank you. Anything further on anything on the
topics of the meeting? Okay. I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. Make a motion to adjurnn. >> Second motion made by councelor Harding, second by councelor Ginskus to adjurnn. All those in favor say I. I. Those say no. Motion passes. Meeting stands adjourned.
>> Thank you everyone.