They're going to ask for any video footage that people might have from Saturday night. Well, today President Trump was asked why it's been so difficult to find the shooter. Listen, this was a a school problem. They had their own uh guards.
They had their my bag on my laptop sleeve and it was empty. >> I didn't have to get up. I just >> I have the chance to walk. >> Can everyone hear us on Zoom? >> Yes. >> Marvelous.
>> Yes. So, no one else in there is. Oh, let me see if I can change the literally. >> Okay, that's good. Yeah, >> I'd like to call the
December 15 council on aging meeting to order. We move these roll calls. So John, please mute. You're on mute, John. >> Give me a second. Uh yeah, I'm here
amazingly emotary here. >> Tony Leonetta, >> Ron Powell, Harington here. She is here. and Nancy Black here
>> and their meeting tonight. We have a joint meeting of the recreation committee. I'm so glad you're here. >> Yeah, thank you for inviting us. It's great to be here. So, good evening everybody. My name is Rich Han. I'm the chairman of the rec committee and I'll have our uh committee introduce
themselves uh to the team here. So, I got to call the meeting to order. Um it is at um 6:05. Um, so I'll call the meeting to order and now we'll introduce ourselves. >> Roll call. >> Roll call. >> Roll. Yeah. Roll call. >> Laura Nan,
>> Eric Bamer, >> uh, Kate Camer, >> Jeppi, >> and Eric >> Eric Aen. I'm on Zoom. Sorry about that, everybody. >> Nick Pestoro. Nick Pestorro. We're battling the flu in this house. So,
>> all right. >> Thank you. I'll turn the meeting over to share my screen here. >> All right. Usually when I go full screen, uh, it goes a little crazy. So,
I'm just going to keep it like this for now. So, if anyone has trouble seeing on Zoom or in person, just let me know. Um, but thank you all for coming tonight. >> Jane, >> Jenna, can you hear me? Yeah, I'm sorry to interrupt. Um, the select board also has a quorum here tonight, so they may
want to call themselves to order. >> I don't know that we've been posted. >> I don't think we're posted. >> Okay, >> we'll just listen. >> Just listen. Just so you know. >> Thank you for coming and your interest in in this particular topic. It's a very
important topic. Um, for anyone watching on Zoom, I'm Jenna Wood. I'm the community services director. With me today on the operations working group, we have Jim Sullivan, the recreation administrator, Emily Sison, and John Sasso. So, we've been working on the
program space policy for probably the past four or five months um internally and the team has been doing a lot of the behind the scenes work on the on the programming and trying to figure out
what what's going to be the model for this building that supports the current mission and vision statement that supports what we presented at town meeting. so inclusive to all members of our community, but also realizing that 60 plus is really the priority in this
building. So, we wanted to come up with a policy and we're so glad that Emily and John joined in the task force and also Jane Wellman's on our operating group, our time assistant town manager. Sorry Jane, she's amazing. She's been really helpful too. So adding them to
this um working group has been really great because we started to form something a little bit more comprehensive than what the staff had come up with. So it's really great having people who have been involved in wreck in elder services. Um John Sasso
was a driving force behind recal was on um the rec committee for several years and now um is on fin. So, there's a lot of talent on the team and we're really excited to present this tonight to both the Wreck and the Council on Aging. And
again, this is a draft. This is um our first go at it. So, we want everyone to be open-minded and stay positive and ask any questions that you may have. Um and then obviously after if there's any questions that come up, feel free to
come to any of us. We're all open books, ready to talk, ready to work together to make sure that this building is what our mission statement, our vision statement and our guiding principles are all about. So I will start with the first slide.
Um just the purpose of the um policy aligning with our mission to create an inclusive community space for all residents while ensuring that the 60 plus within the community have access to appropriate programming and resources that promote well-being, social
engagement, physical activity and lifelong learning. Our 60 plus population spans an approximate window of 40 years. So creating spaces that allow for various interests and preferences is extremely important to ensure we're bringing as many 60 plus
residents into this building. And the policy um outlines the priority given to the 60 plus and accessing the recal building um and its services. So this policy applies to all programs and activities offered at the recal and it's
designed to ensure again that ages 60 plus are prioritized for participation in spaces inside of the building. So priority plus programs for the 60 plus um their health and wellness programs, social and recreational activities,
educational workshops, and 60 plus services. And these are just some of the things that are included, but there's certainly so many other things that are offered at the current center and things that maybe aren't on this list that we want to bring in. But this is just
generally speaking the programs that we saw as a staff as being the priority programs at this time in the recal center. And then I'm going to hand it over to Jim to get into the scheduling and availability. >> Hi, I'm Jim Sullivan. I'm the recreation
administrator for the town. um scheduling and availability. General schedule guidance. The core operating hours of the facility will be established as defined as when the building is staffed. This may change over time and the programming team will address that in the planning of the
building. Each room including those that are dedicated 60 plus or not in the walking track will be mapped out on a calendar format. The multi-purpose room may be mapped as the full room or the room split. There'll be a divider in that room that can split that room into two. Um, it'll also include
differentiations of the kitchen area as well. That is right off the multi-purpose area. Programs will be slotted into those map times with program times to be defined to include setup and tear down activities included in the program time.
Gym programming will be managed separately with slotting to be defined by use type or the ability to have multiple programs running simultaneously. The gym will have a divider that can drop down from the ceiling. So it could be split up into two areas to be utilized at once. Requests for the room rentals outside of
our core operating hours will have to be managed on a case-byase basis, meaning nights and weekends when it's typically not staffed. Next slide. Scheduling and availability. Programming meeting and prioritization.
Um the first section is the programming meeting with town staff. So the town staff meetings will be held to set and review the program schedule in advance. Representatives from elder and human services and recreation will lead the programming meeting and be responsible for bringing program requests to that
meeting. Meeting is expected to plan out at least a three-month window ahead of time. Weekly review may result in adjustments to the schedule within that two-month or three-month period. Prioritization of the space will be as
follows. 60 plus programs, elder and human services. First, recreation and veterans. Other town department requests, this could be fire, library, other town departments. Town committee meeting requests, COA, wreck, could be conservation, CBDC, things like that.
And then followed by room rental requests, which would be outside organizations, could be youth sports programs, other youth communities, Cub Scouts, things like that. Priority programs will also be given to ongoing programs, meaning those that have a history of being run at that time and
location on a regular basis. Um, conflicts in programming that cannot be resolved by the programming team will be raised to the community service director for resolution. Um, a copy of the three-month schedule will be available also at the front desk of the recal
center for anyone to view whenever they would like. I think that's it for me. Okay. So, um actually just before we jump off that slide, I just want to want to know a couple quick things. Um did everybody get a copy of the actual
policy that got sent out as well? Okay. Um so, just a couple uh notes that um um there was a question that came up about, you know, the meeting frequencies for that prioritization. Um that's really going to be something that's going to be determined based on need. Uh we had originally thought maybe it would start
out as an every two week meeting. Um it kind of really is going to depend on how um the priorities come in to the to the to town staff. Um the other thing is that in that programming um policy there's an attachment in there which is
a programming form um which really is something that town staff will be filling out and creating and bringing to the programming meeting. But it's certainly something that's where both wreck and COA will have an important input into that so that that information can get brought forward. And I so I just
think it's important to just remember those two because I know those were two very important questions that came up during our conversation. Um so I just want to mention obviously as part of the um recal um program um there was a lot of conversation about ensuring that there there were spaces in
in the center that were going to be dedicated designated to 60 plus. And so there is this concept of the senior hub on the first floor um that really is going to incorporate the lounge spaces, the coffee bar, the card game room, there's a flex program room, the group
exercise room, which is not the fitness equipment room, it's the the Zumba yoga room, and then the downstairs pario. So th those particular rooms are in fact intended to be dedicated to 60 plus. Um, I guess it doesn't necessarily mean that
there can't be other activities, but the this is the priority for that and those are the dedicated spaces that have been identified and we're going to adhere to that as part of the programming policy. Um, and so uh you I won't read the bottom line, but basically the intention
is what that um it's really programs geared for 60 plus residents uh and non-residents. Um we talked about the uh the whole process of key tagging and and uh registration earlier in one of our conversations. So that'll all feed into
how uh one signs up for programs and how programs are managed within the uh within the center. Uh next slide >> just a little floor plan here. So, um, the first floor, so basically
all of that area there on the first floor floor, the where the tables are, the patio, and then the flex room and the Zumba room, all on the bottom first floor. Okay. Yeah. So, I'm back up. Uh, apologies. I
let the flying blind here, but um Emily said, as Jenna mentioned, I sat on W for a long time and probably sit on this team. So, I'm happy to be here and chat with you guys. Um so, kind of building off what John said. You know, I've had a couple of really good
conversations with residents as we're kind of building out this plan a little bit. Um and you know we we've heard the concern and like you know this you know we have a senior center now this can be a community center like where's the space for 60 plus John mentioned there's a whole dedicated area that is the
priority that is what's kind of big this just kind of describes the the other areas where there's some overlap with an emphasis on you know programming priority to services first then
right um so the fitness equipment which is different than the sort of exercise room I forget volume. Um so that'll be on the second floor along with the walk back and these are going to be open during normal operating hours to health community with some a
restrictions that we're still bouncing around and brought back a couple of months ago and we've had some really good feedback about the biggest room policy this group being COA we brought to you guys too. So, um, and then, um, and we're still
kind of figuring out the final thing about like how do you get access to the fitness room and how do you get a separate tag for that? That'll be be a little bit safely. And then the gym, which will also be kind of open to community, as John mentioned, we'll be scheduling meetings and schedule the gym
will also be closing. So, you'll know, okay, this time is open play. This time is 60 plus activity X. This time is after school program Y. Right? So you'll be able to see and know what is the availability, what is the time um you
know that we're going to. Um, and I know a question that has come up in prior meetings about the fitness equipment earning the block is um, we can have programming in there as well
that's specific to 60 plus specific to um, the youth or an adult class. we could have an adult like weightlifting class um that we bring in or a 60 plus weightlifting class that we bring in in the morning or the evening. So um those
are how like if we want a specific program that's catered specifically to an age group, we can accommodate that. But these spaces in recal, the walking track and the fitness equipment room um
have been always since town meeting and before in our public forums open to our whole community. But I just wanted to point that out that there is opportunity to do separate programming through community services and we're going to do that.
>> Thanks Emily. I think just yeah um you know a lot of the goal here with developing this programming policy like how are we going to staff this how are we going to program this how are we going to decide what's the priority I think the most important thing is we're
doing things in advance but in small chunks two months you know maybe three months whatever it happens to work out so you're never going to feel ambushed right you're not going to show up to the 3000 center without an idea of what's going on there that day Um, and so, you
know, we'll have programming. There'll be dedicated space for seniors at all times in the, you know, senior pub area. Um, but if you are, you know, worried about an after school programming like being too crazy for like your, you know,
lounge and relaxing with your friends, you'll know it's going to like all these schedules will be posted and they'll be available people to, you know, kind of you're never going to walk in there and be surprised by what's going on there that they can, which I think is great.
Um, and as this is going, you know, this we're this is a new building, a new do stuff. Um, and we're here to like work together regular evaluations from with our feedback particularly from, you know, COA especially, you know, in most
areas, how you feel it's going. Um, we'll converse with Brex and as things go, you know, we're going to kind of build the plane as we fly a little bit. If something isn't working, we're open to changing and working to get that. Making sure that we're priorit
prioritizing the needs of 60 plus community also really the whole community. >> There's never a happy medium. >> Oh my goodness. >> Um, so I'm going to just wrap with the timeline. We switched it ever so
slightly. um programming policy was supposed to be last month, but it got pushed to this month and in January, we would love to revisit and discuss open items from the draft policies that we've presented. So,
the council on aging had some feedback from the fitness equipment room packet and then just gave us some more feedback. So, the operations group would love to um look at that feedback and come up with some responses to that feedback or come back and say, "Hey,
we're not quite sure yet what we want to do. What are your thoughts?" Um and then we're hoping to also start to dive into the operational um plan with everyone in February. So hopefully we can get that
in front of you all at that time. and also to the select board because they've been wanting some numbers for the operational costs moving forward as well as some of our projected revenue. And then um in March, we're hoping to come
forward with a transportation model and some possible future needs. We did apply for a um regional transportation grant. Um Andrew McNichol and Community Development was nice enough to help with that. So, thank you Andrew. So, we'll be
finding out hopefully around the new year if we get that transportation grant or not. And I can talk more offline with folks about that. But that's going to be a really great opportunity if we do get that. And then hopefully we'll be having community presentations and another full
comprehensive um overall everything that we've been going through to the select board that just dives into everything that we've been going over with the Council on Aging and Repeat up until this point. So Jane, any comments from you out there
or >> I think you're doing a great job. I would like to just express my gratitude >> to our staff and to um John and Emily for working so hard on this so far. Uh there's there's much more work to go,
but I think this is a really strong start. And I'm really grateful for the Council on Aging and the Recreation Committee to come together tonight and to start sharing their thoughts on on these policies um as we go forward. We're open to the input. We're very
excited about this building. Um and I'm I'm really pleased with the work so far, particularly with the senior hub and the way that that has um that has been built out um in our policy. Thank you. Guess we'll open it up to any questions
or comments. I thank you so much for this presentation and presentation. We really appreciate you presenting us with the program that we can explore. But I I'm sure that
has some events that they'd like to share and opening it up. Yes, I could. You mentioned the first floor is a dedicated space to seniors 60 plus. What's happening with the building
room and the makers room on the second floor? Are they going to be having senior space there on a continuum basis? So, in those particular spaces, those are priority program spaces. So, just like the multi-purpose room and the
multi-purpose room, the billiard's room, the gym, the arts and crafts room, the maker space, those are all um priority programs for the 60 plus. But if you're not using that space during a given time, then recreation can program it.
But priority will always be the 60 plus. My other concern is the walking track is going to be open for all ages. I have a lot of concerns with that with the 60 plus of those that are
older and then you have someone using the track with young toddlers running track. If you have a senior perhaps that is with a cane, that is concerning to me.
for safety purposes. So has any thought been given to certain hours for seniors? >> Yes. So like I said and this has come up with conversations I think in the past at the council on aging meetings that certainly we can have a programming a
programming a weekly program that says okay from 10 to 12 the ramblers come in and um walk the walking track and it's 60 plus only and we post that. Um, so it would have to be a program and also what we did with the walking track policy,
which I'm not sure I know you guys received, but I'm not sure if you like really dived in. Um, there are specific lanes. So if you have a stroller or um if you're in a wheelchair, there's certain lanes that you should be in to
accommodate, you know, what you're doing. But certainly there's not going to be like 25 moms in there with strollers at a given time. Um, you know, meeting up. Um, but again, if stroller moms did want to come in and book a weekly program just like the 60 plus
would like to, we can also do that. Um, so we can I think we can all coexist very nicely. Um, and if these issues do arise where we're we're noticing that it's very busy and you know we're
running into accidents or conflicts, then we can revisit at that time. >> I have a question. When you say that the gym is one of the spaces that priority will be given to the 60 plus community, do you mean like if it wanted to be
booked by two different groups at the same time, you mean priority would be given to the 60 plus? Is that what you mean? or do you mean most of the time the whole gym is going to be blocked off for 60 quests? I just want to make sure that I understand what you're saying. >> Yeah. So, this the gym is huge, right?
You can split it up into three sections. But if the 60 plus are able to program that space hypothetically, you know, all day and all night, then they would get priority. However, we know that that's not going to happen.
>> How do you know that? We have to get >> I mean that'd be a lot of programming. >> But you have your policy set up for that loophole or or problem for wreck. >> Well, we've done a lot of research with other communities who have similar
buildings and predominantly the 60 plus programs do happen during the day from 9 to 4. There are obviously nighttime evening programs, but you'll notice that a lot of the 60 plus programs stop at 400 pm and then the younger groups will
go in or the adult groups. And then at that time, even the 60 plus that come at night who are working, they integrate into the adult programs rather than just the 60 plus programs at a lot of these other centers. So, we think that there's
enough room to for everyone to use these spaces. Um, based on our research and what we currently offer now, there's no way that we would probably have enough like money and resources to program 60 plus programs like the whole entire day.
I'm wondering >> since this is just a draft. >> Yeah. if if that specific room could be not included in the >> in the this is priority given to 60 plus because wreck I think has lots of of
plans for that and I think that when the community voted for that I think that people that are under 60 plus were voting for that thinking oh this gym would be great for wreck for freeing up other other gym spaces or just people using it um I that's the only thing that
stuck out to me as being a potential concern. >> Nancy, >> um I I I agree with that and I also think it's very important to understand in programming that the sixth plus day
does not end at 3:00 in the afternoon. So and so we are looking one of the reasons that a new center was needed was because program needed to be expanded
and service not only the afternoon uh clients but also uh uh clients that um or participants that are working. So, we've got a number of people that don't
participate because this place closes essentially at 3:00. Um, no programs are scheduled later than 3:00. So, one of the things that the senior population is looking for is more programming in the
afternoon. So that, you know, paired with the uh uh, you know, need to schedule a 40. So I I hear where you're coming from, too. >> So well, is it right to assume that
everyone agrees that the gym shouldn't be prioritized for the 60 plus? That's with >> I don't know that we have >> Okay. All right. Um, and my comment was, and I forget exactly the way you just
phrased it few sentences ago, Jenna, but what I heard was the assumption that because currently everything ends at 4:00. There's no need for anything past that.
And and that's a part of my concern about the statement in here that the hours will be defined once you have the staff because again part of the reason why this center operates the way it does
is because that's the way the staff has been operating and >> we already know that that's not serving the needs of the entire 60 plus community. So when you build a whole
programming philosophy on the assumption that you're going to continue doing what you've done, >> right, >> then you're continuing to say we're not going to get better at serving the full needs of the 60 plus community. And
that's one of the questions that I have in reading these was what in here makes you feel like you've taken steps towards better serving the full needs of the 60 plus community
in a way that we're not doing now. >> Yeah, absolutely. I think that at town meeting we did a really great job of showing all of the increases of all of the programs that will be going into this building. And I'm sorry that I came across to say that there wouldn't be any
60 plus programs going on after 4 p.m. I don't think I said that. I think that I said that the majority of the 60 plus programming does happen during the day based on research from other communities that have similar buildings right now. But certainly the point of this building
is to offer nighttime services. So we have morning shine appointments but offering them for someone who's about to retire but still working and they're going to go at night and find these resources. Um nighttime bereavement groups a nighttime Zumba class. So all these things will be offered in the
evening for the 60 plus but they may or may not take off. And that's where we need you. We and that's where we're going to be coming up with like surveys and interactive talks with you know the 60 plus to see what the needs are in the building. Um because certainly when the
space isn't being used for the 60 plus we want to maximize the rental income and we want to maximize the programming for wreck um so that we can bring income into the building and offer opportunities for other age groups. So,
um, sorry if I came across as to say that the 60 plus wouldn't be doing anything after 4 p.m. because I'm a big advocate for those who still work or those who don't who would prefer to come at night because they're watching their grandkids during the day or um they have
other things going on. So, um I think that the approach that we have in this programming policy is very thoughtful to the increase in programming and services for our 60 plus. Marilyn was gonna enjoy >> in terms of the gym. I appreciate what
you're saying. Totally. Um, but it's also on balance. The decision was made that the program rooms are no bigger at most than roughly this room. This room is not currently big enough to accommodate all the people who would
like to be in line dancing, all the people who like to be in the balance program and so forth. We've got two options to address that. one of which we could be doing here but it doesn't happen for a whole series of reasons is more sessions of the same thing but the
answer we kept hearing in the discussion was ah but we've got that big gym we can just move it over to that big gym and I think that's going to happen a lot um so it's just it's funny there's strong competition with also a whole lot of what we heard and we all hear what
interests us most and kind of grab on to it but I think it's a very real thing I see a lot of these classes moving into the gym because the biggest room we've got we know is not even big enough to accommodate all the people for line dancing example that the teacher would be comfortable with. It's just that the
room is too small. So I I think there's a lot of interest on all ages for that gym and I think it will go into the evening as well. >> We also do have the multi-purpose room um that can be used for for that that as
well. on the bed flooring. >> See, that's the other question is the flooring. >> Well, the gym the gym flooring is different from the fitness room flooring. >> So, that presents an issue. I'm sorry to interrupt, but that presents an issue of
where you can have continuous classes or multiclasses going on at the same time with this different flooring. I I I think that evenings are needed for the 60 plus as well as Saturdays. So, we
just can't go into this building thinking just because we're offering programs as we are right now to see if it grows. It's going to grow. So, we need to think ahead and plan definite programs, not the wait and see.
>> Yeah. And also, you have to take into consideration that these programs do have limits. So instructors that run line dancing or run Zumba, they're probably not going to want more than like 25 to 30 people in the class. >> And then, you know, is there opportunity
for a Zumba class to go on on one portion of the gym, but then also in another portion of the gym have, you know, a basketball clinic or something going on like maybe um but no, I see your point with with the flooring and things like that. Well, will some of the
programs be offered say during the day and an early evening on a different same program but different times? So those who are working during the day can attend the one early evening. >> Yeah, I would say that that's definitely a possibility. So, you know, maybe
there's a Zumba on Monday at 2:30, but then there's a Zumba on Thursday at 6:30. >> Yes, that's what I mean. >> But that won't have an impact on operational cost, >> right? Well, no, because we'll have um staff and then the if the staff leaves,
we have a program supervisor that will be paid through the recreation fund or the other human services revolving fund to offset the cost. Rosemary, I have a couple thoughts. They're different subjects, but I'm going to
throw them out. First of all, at night time, Rose Rose, could you speak up? It's hard to hear in this. >> Hi Nancy. >> Will the 60 plus area be locked down at night? And is there a separate entrance for people who are going to be using the
gym area at night going in and out or are they going to be walking through the 60 plus area? That's one question I have. >> Uh for dancing, for flooring, you definitely need a special floor to dance on. This is the worst thing we've been dancing on for years. at this moment has
had more than 30 people in it for ZA and it refilled from front front to back. Um staff and we talk about staff needed for daytime and nighttime. We're going to have two different sets of staff.
>> So your first question, can you repeat the first question? Let me see if I remember >> access to the senior house access and All of the program room doors after 8:00 p.m. will be locked because if
anything's happening after 8:00 p.m., it's going to be a rental. So, um, we could certainly rent out one of the program room spaces. Um, if it's a smaller conference room, but we'll tend to probably rent that multi-purpose room
out for a smaller meeting or something like that. But if rooms are not being utilized by the 60 plus, the building closes at 8. Um those rooms will be locked, but obviously the lounges are open spaces. So there's no way to make
sure that like um those are locked on the first floor. >> Yep. >> And people are going to be coming in the entrance. >> So people because of access control, people will be coming in and out of that front entrance only. there will be a
program supervisor or a custodian that will let the rentals in um and be there until they leave. >> Marilyn, um two things. One is a door certainly has been discussed several times to the
loungers and a door could be we've heard a control put in to block off the loungers, but that's not my primary question. Um, I just want to go back and I know you said this isn't a comprehensive list, but I hear a shift in the language in this document. We're
talking about prior priority programs as opposed to a priority age group. I mean, you could have a whole array of programs that 60 plus might like, but that doesn't translate directly into are we
serving the broader audience that we don't currently serve. Do we have enough of it? isn't a big enough room, is it, you know, fostering the kind of inclusion that we don't currently achieve for a whole host of reasons. And
it it's a subtle shift, but it's like we didn't ask for priority programs. We asked for priority space to deal with what the 60 plus need. And along that line, there are things that are I wouldn't call them programs like um
spontaneous self-directed meetings. And one of the reasons that the lounge area is so important and I would say when it's not booked for something else very much the multi-purpose room as well because you see this in other centers people meet and they say hey want to
play cards for half an hour or something and they do and they make friends. Building social relationships is more and more important as you get older because we lose them. We die. Our children move away. I mean, all these
things happen. And a really, really important thing that a senior center does is create an environment where you know you're welcome. You know, you're going to run into and neat people who aren't just there to buzz into a specific program and out out again. Um,
who have similar experiences, someone that knows why to take this Medicare Advantage plan instead of that Medicare Advantage. It's that spontaneous conversation that goes on in unstructured time as opposed to these
programs slots. And they're good things, but it's not the whole picture for what seniors need by any means. Um, if you look at statistics from the National Council on Aging, the average person over 60 who goes to a senior center does
it at least three times a week and they stay for at least three hours. We need space where they could sit down. If they brought a yogurt, they can sit and eat their yogurt because their next thing isn't for an hour or they found someone else who brought their yogurt and they want to sit and talk. That
that's the essence of what I would say the senior center is top priority about is fostering that. It's not just a I don't mean to minimize by saying just, but it's not primarily an adult education kind of environment. It's
primarily a place to foster inclusion and um assistance for people who are 60 plus. So I'm a little worried that this language is so focused on that. So that's my two cents worth.
I just um I'm hearing over and over um how they how this community really wants priority space um and they want it all hours of the day and they want a change from what they have now um and that's
important to them and I think that having this hub where they have specific rooms and nobody else can go in I think it's all a great idea. Um, but with the stress that I'm hearing over and over on space, space space space, I cannot stress enough that removing the gym from that list is so important because wreck,
we've had so many meetings talking about what we could do with that space. And those conversations were had with the whole community prior to voting, too. So, I think that a lot of the town that voted for this um voted for it with the
space of gym being used for all equally. Um so, I just want to advocate again that the gym just not be included and that's the only room that I think that's on that list should be removed from it. That's it. So, so some of what's confusing me in
this conversation is the idea of the senior hub which you list in here what areas those are inclusive of. And then there's this line designated spaces
which the senior hub is. it's called a designated space mean that opportunities for programs are limited to clients aged 60 plus. >> So I'm trying to understand that sense.
So programs in these dedicated spaces will be limited to 60 plus people and and and is that saying that no programs or any other age group would be held in
this space? >> That's right. Unless otherwise approved by the division heads and >> and myself. But there's so many other spaces in that building that can be programmed by wreck and veterans that
we're confident that those spaces can stay 60 plus predominantly all of the time. Um, right Jim. >> Correct. >> Can can you just explain a little bit more about that? What other spaces do
you see >> as far as I'm sorry, what's >> We've got a list of um So, is it basically the gym and the multi-purpose room? >> Yes. >> The fitness room, the track, what what
what else? The maker space, the arts and crafts. >> Are you talking about for for other programs to be available in? >> Yes. >> What what Kate is talking about? >> Yep. So other programs certainly can we can run adult classes in the arts and
crafts room. We can run kids classes in the arts and crafts room. We can run a middle school dropin program in the gym and then maybe they want to play billiards once a week at, you know, from, you know, 4:30 to 5 and then go to the gym from 5:30 to 6. Um, but again,
we're not going to come in guns blazing with like all these programming ideas. We need to get into the building and see what's popular on what days and see if, you know, the veterans come in at 4:30 p.m. to play in the billiards game or
see if the 60 plus want to play in the afternoon and do that first. But then definitely create opportunities for other people in our community for these spaces. You know, our teens and our middle school kids um deserve spaces to go in as well. This is um you know, a
community building. So, you know, we have to maximize opportunities where we can for everyone if it's available. >> How about multi-generational? >> Yeah, absolutely. There's some crazy statistic. It was on the news about intergenerational families and people
who live with like parents and kids and it's a it's a crazy number like over 50% of like families are now inter generational living and um I know several people in this community who take care of their grandkids. So, wouldn't it be great if we've talked
about this as a team if you know once or twice a week there's um mom mommy and me or grandparent and me um class that they can participate in or there's a class that they can drop their little toddler off at a music class and they can go do
a Zumba class. Um so we have thought of that as well. >> It adds to your concern with St. gym. At one time, at the very beginning when this AMB concept began, there was to be
a specific door near the gym that that gym could be used after hours. The seniors have used it and that has been eliminated. So there's >> What do you mean after hours?
>> There at first when this all started, it was going to be the seniors would have the building say from 8 to 3 and then there would be a entrance in the evening so they wouldn't have to go through the senior center so Jim could
be accessible to those that wanted to use that has since changed but my concern is we this wait and see I think we need to go into this new building with definite programs
new programs programs. We're lacking a lot right now here at the 60 plus community there. There could be multiple classes going on at the same time. We could do Saturday classes. We need to start with
programming, expanding the program, not the wait and see. Well, no. I'm I'm not saying wait and see about the programming because the programming we can schedule for sure, but we don't know if people are going to show up to the programs that we schedule. So, that's
the wait and see. Well, yeah. And we will. And just um to that point too when you're um talking about you know folks who drop in or things like that that's also a wait and see because I don't know if like Kate's gonna come in and you
know go play pickle ball at drop in time at from 3 to 4 at I I don't know. I don't know. That's a bad example. She plays tennis. Um but you know we don't know. and speaking with Sandwich and again um
Newton's another community that just opened and Pemrook and other places and just learning from other communities. They say the same thing. They say, you know, yeah, you go in there and you have your new programs that are added to your existing programs, but we can't go in
there and coordinate like hundreds and hundreds of programs and not know if they're going to run because that's like a lot of work on us on the back end. So that's why we're going to create surveys, get some feedback from the community, but a lot of it is kind of like you have to get in there and see
what works and see when people are coming. >> I personally think you need to go in with new programs to begin with. >> Yes. And we will need to offer them. I think you need to check with Winchester to see how they have their programs of
concerts, of lectures on evenings and on Saturdays. And with all due respect, this place is packed. There's several programs going on here. These like the rooms, there's like a lecture going on down here. There's yoga going on upstairs. There's cards going on in
another room. So, this room is utilized to its absolute capacity. So, of course, we're going to be offering more at the new center because we're going to have more room to offer it. But again, we have to see what takes off. Okay, I speak and then Kate and then Marilyn.
So, one of the things I I hope that we can all keep in mind is what drove this whole building was the need for a new senior center. This is what drove this whole process. And so, we are very concerned that the 60 plus needs are met
as a priority right from the beginning. And going back to your point, Marilyn, I can you bring up um slide seven. Um the one of the things if you look at the space like what we're calling the dedicated space, which is actually on
the left, the bottom area of the lounge in those two rooms that is actually I don't think even as big as this building. So I think that that's something that we need to keep in mind. I'd be interested to hear why we're not considering the multi-purpose room as
dedicated space because going back to your point Marilyn I think the welcoming environment though I went to Wilmington and they had an event in the their very large multi-purpose room and there were some just that a variety of different
groups within that space that just fluidly evolved into activities on their own and I think that welcoming I mean I I hear about the programming, but I also think it's important as a drop-in space for socialization because as you said,
Marilyn, and I actually talked with somebody today, her 94 year old mother goes to five different every day spends a day in a senior center in a community and spends the day there. So, that's the other thing that we want to keep in mind. It's not just about programming.
It's about how we're using the space and that it's a welcoming, inviting environment. So I would be interested to hear how the multi-purpose room is being considered as that open area because we do do lunches. We do look do lunch and learns. We have a variety of lectures
that can happen in the multi-purpose room. So I'd like to hear a little bit more about how that is being considered for dedicated space or because if you really make the square footage of that dedicated space at the bottom, it's not even as much as this building here. So,
I just don't want to throw out that idea. >> Yeah, I understand that comment. Um, for socialization, you do have two 1,000 square foot lounges that are dedicated to you in perpetuity as well as the outdoor patio that's also dedicated
socialization space. >> That those two spaces on the bottom are what? >> Can you circle? >> Yep. So, they're right here on the right here on your little 3D images. This is one lounge with a coffee bar. And then on the other side there's another lounge
where you could easily play cards, you know, have, you know, lunch or whatever it may be. And then there's an outdoor patio as well. >> And outdoor patio is seasonal. >> Okay. Yeah, fair enough.
>> And both of those rooms together are 1,000 square ft. So, how how big they are not they are not individually 1,000 square feet. >> Well, I I'll have to double check, but they're they're pretty big spaces, guys.
Um, and then the multi-purpose room, just to touch base on that, that can't be a a dedicated space or a designated space because that's going to be a big driver in our rentals. Um, so we can't guarantee that we're not going to rent
that out during the day if it's not being used for a meeting or something like that. That's like a big income driver to sustain our building. Um, but also again, there is priority program programming in that room. So, Monday, we
know from 9 to 12, bingo's going to be in there and lunch is going to be there. We know on Tuesdays um oh actually we won't need the multi-purpose room for that because we have an arts and crafts room. So um Steve Greco will be upstairs in our arts and crafts room on Tuesdays
now for a couple hours. But I'm sure we'll fill the multi-purpose room with something else on that day. So if the elder and human services team needs that space to program, then they can use that space to program. And again, if the
lounge areas or the patio or any of those spaces become too little, we can revisit and, you know, look to the multi-purpose room to have some type of drop in opportunities for socialization or an extra game. But again, that room
is huge. Um, it's it's almost double the size of this room and it can be split into two rooms for for meetings. So, there's a maximum of 125 people you can fit in that room. So, um that doesn't make sense to
dedicate a space that large to one um population. But again, during the day and in the evenings, that'll be a priority space for our 60 plus. >> Yeah. Okay. I'm sorry, Kate. And then >> Well, I forgotten my origin. I'm sorry. But
one of the things that I do want to say is I am very concerned um about what's in here around programming and the programming meeting and the clear implication that programming continues
to be done solely by town staff because it is very difficult to plan programs. It is very it particularly the type of programs run out of this senior center. It's wreck has its own
difficulties in planning programming in terms of sports and stuff but you have to come up with an idea. You've got to research that idea. You've got to find people to do it. You've got to do all this booking and everything. You got one person in charge of that and they can do
that when there's less space right now. when we have more space and we're looking for more programming, we ought to welcome a concept that would get more people involved. And I heard you say something at the select board meeting
the other week on the budget discussion about bringing in volunteers around programming as well. And I think there should be a group, a program advisory group that meets with town staff that is willing to do a lot of the leg work
around programming. I do programming for a different group here in town that programs for seniors. And one, I know how much work it is to get those programs to fruition. And two,
there's a ton of ideas that we're not making happen in our schedule this year. And I can't give them to some to Anna because she's overwhelmed programming for the amount of time that they have right here. I just think you've got to
think differently about getting the programming ideas and getting it done in this new building to really build out a program calendar that successfully serves the needs of the 60 plus.
>> Sure. And that's a great point. I think the great part of this building and um is the fact that we're going to have 11 full-time staff in it. So Jim was a program coordinator before he's been in his director role. I started off as an
intern and wreck and then went into a program coordinator role. So we've been programming like pretty much our whole entire careers. Um Anna's been doing this for a few few years now. So and we have Ed right here too, our program
coordinator. And before his role now he's been with us two years now. and before that he was programming in his last job. So probably has like five to six years of programming experience. So I think all of us collectively in the building we have so much talent and
we'll have a lot of these comprehensive conversations on a week weekly monthly basis as needed and we all work extremely well together. So, uh, I think that's a great idea. If folks want to create a programming advisory committee
where you come in and give us ideas, I think that's part of what we're going to be doing um, within the next six months is creating that survey and creating these meetings to get feedback on programming. But if you want to see something or you want to see a program happen, I think that that's completely
reasonable and that's something that you could bring to any member of the team. Maryland's can I just make jump in here on this real quick because um you know that's actually one of the things we talked about that and again I go back to the to the policy at the bottom at the end of that policy
there's a form that was created and the intention of that was for folks like COA and wreck and other folks in the community to kind of come up with those ideas and and research them and say hey we think this would be a good program here's how we it could be run here's an idea of who might be interested and then
hand that to staff because staff is the one that's going to be responsible for managing this that there needs to be some management of the of the process and and maybe that'll get expand over time, but to start there's going to be a lot of competing interests and we've obviously heard that tonight from from the community and so there there are
going to be the needs to make some decisions about those priorities and we've obviously established that we want the 60 plus community to have the priority programmings they need but there are there are going to be other comm considerations as as Jenna said or maybe we have to rent this to get certain income Maybe there are other um
issues with the with regards to how the center needs to run on a certain day, what the access is for it. Those things are all going to have to be considered. And I think initially the intention, at least when we had this discussion, is that folks from Wreck or COA or any other um group in the in the community could present ideas about, hey, I want
to run this program. I need to use I want to have a an evening meeting for CPDC or whatever. And these could be information that could get generated and brought to the program committee so they could make decisions about about scheduling. And I think that's really what we had intended and certainly think
that is absolutely you know to your point Marilyn coming up with those ideas. You don't have to schedule the the the the um the lobby or the excuse me the lounge 247. That's not the intention. You know if you want it to be dropping hours for most of the day you can do that. So
those are the types of things you can bring forward to um from a from the perspective of a committee to how you want to see this programmed and then and then that's really up to them to figure out how to how to manage that. And and I think there needs to be some responsibility for that and maybe over
time there are other things but to start I think it's really important that you start with a baseline of things that you want to see happen both existing and new. Um but but you know to to Jenna's point, we do need to be somewhat realistic about what this is going to look like. You're you're going to have
like how what eight major program rooms including the multi-purpose room available. So you know there's a there's a fair amount there that that I think will be tough to really schedule you know 8 10 hours a day 5 days a week eight program rooms that you know do the
math. I mean there's a lot there and I'm not suggesting that you would even want to do that for that matter but you should have some process in place and I think that's what we were trying to come up with is get that process in place so that you can actually have in to it. >> Um of course six more questions will
come up on one pity is something we should look at closely they rely heavily on volunteers to run their programming and it's something like 40,000 square feet and that place is hopping in many rooms. So, it's a great model. Um,
>> back on um the prioritization of programming, something that I No, that's not the right. So, priority programs for 60 plus, communal dining on a regular basis, lunch every day, possibly breakfasts are really popular in a lot
of the senior centers. Again, um again, this is a really great social opportunity. It doesn't necessarily have to be a lunch learn, but it's a meal that's decent that brings people together. You meet people and especially where they're going to be kind of off in
the middle of nowhere. If they want a sandwich and they didn't bring it, they've got to get in their car and drive downtown or home and then come back again. It's going to be really important to have nutritious food available every day that we're open all
day. Um, and again, I've noticed and heard in several centers I've been to lately that breakfast is actually becoming even more popular than lunch. That's kind of easier to prepare. Um, and I probably just forgot my six other things, which is fine because I'll let
the floor go. Oh, I know. Quick question. You've got two lounges and a coffee bar cafe listed on here. To my eye, there are two rooms, not three, right? >> Two, >> right? The coffee bar is kind of on the side of the lounge,
>> but it's part of the lounge. It's on the lounge. >> It's the lounge two. >> So, so those descriptions need to be edited. >> Yes. >> Strongly >> suggest that >> on
schematic here for the layout. I believe it was the second room. One, two. the second room. And I'm not sure if I if that was like a conference table with chairs around it.
>> Oh, you mean the pictures of the flex? >> It's the flex room. That was a um >> Sorry, I have to just pull it up again. >> So, you want me to go to the floor plan? >> Yes, please. Yeah.
>> Still gets close. I don't think it'll >> right. If the one two the second one in is that cons is that's >> it showing like a conference table with chairs. >> I'm sorry. What? This this room right there. >> Right. That room right there. Oh, yep.
That's um that's a programming room. It does have it will have chairs and tables, but you can also put those away and make that something else if you wanted to. >> This is my question. >> When we were in the workshop design group, we were told that there were
going to be certain flooring and each three different types of floors and one particular room was designated for chairs and tables only. and the other rooms could not adequately support for
the type of floor chairs and tables. >> Yeah, I think this is that's a little off topic right now, but I can I can explain >> eliminating a space for conferences or classes. >> No, no. Um that's not correct. Any of
these rooms could have tables and chairs on them according to Joel. Um, >> so I'm gonna hold you to that, Jenna, because we have yet to receive that in writing. >> You're being recorded. >> So,
>> yeah, I thought we already had this conversation many times, but I I could be wrong. Don't quote me. >> Well, um, >> that question has been asked specifically in feedback to the PVC, but >> yeah, >> we don't have an answer yet. From what I
understand, the big part of the Zumba room specifically was that you wanted the capabilities to be able to put tables and chairs in there. So Joel accommodated that and said, "Yeah, of course you could put tables and chairs in there, but I think we would probably
avoid that at all costs because, you know, that and that room's probably going to be one of the busiest rooms and the most programmed rooms and we're going to have several other spaces that we could have meetings in. So why would we want to put tables and chairs in there?" So
>> can I leave a question? I just a general question to and a a statement and support kind of circling back to what Wreck is hearing here. And I kind of want to give a history lesson here.
Karen said, "Oh, well, we got presented the center." I just pulled up here the swack charge in the survey and what the community wanted to members sitting in the
meetings. What was the number one priority? Twothirds was recreation. Next was open space and next was senior center. I displace needs to be fixed. You need to
deal with the programming, but we also have to need listen to the needs of the entire community and everyone in it. I hear you. And as a rec committee member, I don't, you know, I got involved back in the day
because of the opportunity for SWAK, because of my daughter possibly needing another pool to swim in. And I was asked by the previous administration, hey, would you be willing to help out? Yeah, sure. Here you go. I I think you could do that.
Remember back in the day sitting in the meetings, Karen, you were there for the what's the survey going to look like? >> What is and then we came back with all this info and then it changes, which is understandable. the
presentations of what was going in for rec committee and everything probably didn't match our needs or money and now we see an opportunity here and I sense that the opportunity is let's grab it
and throw everything at it without taking a step back and saying okay is this beneficial to the entire community as as well because
Jim and Jenna here are feeling a lot of questions on programming when I've sat in meetings and I basically want to hear about you know how the ski program's going. I mean, this is very high level stuff
for us as a rec committee to sit there and representing everybody as a whole and it's and it and I hear the needs. I got you loud and clear. It's going to change.
I guarantee everything that you're you're hoping for and seeing comparing to other communities may not fit the needs of ready. Who knows? And let's
it it's just it's going to it's going to reach a point of I'm seeing here and hearing here that we need this, we need that, we want yes, the community may have needs for other
stuff too and access uh to that gym and you guys didn't really address it to put stuff around it and to hamstring it is
it just it's not feasible. It's not fair to the community and from what I'm hearing too. It's also the community didn't vote for that. Yes, they voted for it and approved it. I think under the assumption that there would be
>> a little bit more access. I think there definitely needs to be a give and take. And again, yeah, this place physically sinks. Got it. Check. I I used to drive by Sudbur's community
center. Beautiful. Took him 15 years to build that thing. And I I just want to pump the brakes a little bit to give the history. I hear you. I hear the if as a person and I'm
supporting my colleague to be like let's let's move forward with the guidance right this of uh the rec professionals
with your input but understand there's some out there who are a little like okay but what about me What about this access? What about that? And it just seems to me a little bit of balance
and and history. I don't know. I uh rest my colleagues on wreck. I >> think I think you're right. I think it has to be a balance, right? Because the community voted for this, right? both from a senior standpoint, recreation standpoint, and on the recreation, you know, there's a lot of needs as well in
terms of space to run programs for the community um that we currently can't run today. And I think this is an opportunity for both of us to share um programming for the community as a whole. And that's, you know, I think one thing we're looking at it through our
lens and you're looking through your lens and we have to have it together, you know, because we're here not separate. We're here together, right? As as a community and we have to serve both
community. And I think this meeting is what's exciting is that we're working together. That's what we have to do. And >> I certainly don't mean it to be adversarial. It just it it it is just Karen, you remember those meetings? It's
just sitting there like, okay, you know, what does everyone want >> to put it in there? And if we continue down that path, Richard, I think that's what you're saying. >> Every six months or before that even so, that's going to be changed for us. So we
appreciate I mean we were really looking forward to having this joint meeting because I think it's so important for everybody to hear the same thing and we appreciate what you're saying. The things you keep in mind though we are losing this building once once recal opens. So we will no longer have
dedicated space whereas you will be gaining things which is awesome. I mean it's going to be a big community building but this is only this will be the only place where there is funds um this and so we say yes and we don't want
to you know we the ones that are speaking our role members is to speak to the advocate of the community >> and so you know yes I really see that ref is going to really gain some great program going to age program 60 plus
activities too. But keep in mind we are losing this space and so we this is the 60 plus of the community which is 60 to 100. it's 40 years. And so we just want to make sure that our voices are heard,
that there's dedicated space where there's opportunities for socialization. And I agree, we're going to have to give and take. Absolutely. >> I know we all have comments. Want everybody to remember that back when this was being discussed at town meeting
and when this was being discussed like on the streets and everyone was talking about it, there were a lot of people, myself included, that was trying to make everybody think um this building wasn't fitting the need of the senior population and
that a new senior center 100% needed to be had and they needed to have it all to themselves and it needed to only be a senior center and it needed to not be what we have now. I was one of the people that was saying this is too big. It needs to be scaled down a little bit.
Let's vote this version down and send it back so that it's a little bit smaller and it's dedicated for seniors. And then there was all the meetings and there was all the presentations and no, don't think that way. It's going to be for everybody. Please vote for us. It's going to be for everybody. And that's what was built to the community. And
then I lost. I didn't vote for this. And this is what we have. and that's great. This is what we have. This is what we're going to do. So, when I sit in a meeting where people say, "But it needs to be just for seniors." I just I'm having a hard time swallowing that because I
wanted it to be just for seniors and be a little bit smaller. And and I lost. So, this is what we have. So, now everybody needs to share it. And if I may, and I understand where you're coming from because when I met you the building concept, there was
supposed to be one building with two different age brackets for wreck and for senior. So somehow that changed, >> right? >> And that's why as the council on aging member, we're advocating because what I
am hearing not just in meetings etc. I'm hearing from the community that they think the seniors have been forgotten, that this space that we have now, we're really not going to gain anything. So,
that is my concern. But if I may make a suggestion, maybe we should have representatives from RECK and the Council of Aging working together, both committees and voicing their concerns and then presenting them to the
tenant. >> Well, that's kind of what we're doing right now. >> I'm talking a formal committee, >> right? Different because you'll express your concerns or however you do it on your committee. will express ours.
>> Well, maybe we should just do these types of meetings every so often. >> I don't think recreation has concerns. I think we're kind of like I think well I think we support the professionals here and it's kind of like okay when you guys figure it out tell us what we get.
>> Right. Well, I think that's what's exciting too is you think about get Jenna guys working together in and they're in the same department, you know, which is which is great. >> Jim and I just give us some space
support this building fully. >> Seriously, that's all we want >> for someone who's been involved in this town in in elder services for probably four years now. But I have been involved in senior centers. I have gone to senior
centers. I've volunteered with the elderly. Um Jim has years of experience. He was in a center that was both 60 plus and recreation. This building is the way of the future.
60 plus aging is different. Norwell is exploring this model. There's several other people who have this model because folks who there's folks who don't want to go to senior centers and this
building is going to p bring in more of the 60 plus and the existing 60 plus are still going to go like Rosemary goes every day. Are you going to keep going Rosemary? Of course you are. So you know you're bringing in more. You're offering more to your community. You're off.
We're going to be creating therapeutic recreation programs and hiring a therapeutic recreation specialist to create more special needs programs and kids for with disabilities. Like that it's phenomenal. This building is going to be so great. It's going to be so
inclusive. We're all so excited about it and I think we want you all to be just as excited about it. And I don't get that vibe fully tonight, but I think we can get there with more conversations. But the staff really believes in it and we believe that we can deliver
great programming for everyone in this space. Um, and Jim, I want you to chime in. >> No, I just wanted to jump in a few things, not much. Going off the So, we don't have dedicated space right now. I know I've talked about how recreation works here going to schools and we are like priority free. They get the school
programs, high school programs, and then rec whatever is left over and we're constantly getting pushed out. this summer where new space because they're redoing the coolage floor. So, we got to find a new spot for our summer program. So, we don't have dedicated space. We have dedicated offices right now in the
basement of town hall um that we're in. And then just talking about someone brought up the multi-purpose room nine months of the year, majority of the group we reach, they're in school from 8:00 to 4:00. I'm not going to be able to bring in a ton of programs during those hours. So those rooms are going to
be pretty much open for use of the COA throughout those nine months of the year. Will there be some little pop-in programs potentially, but that will be hard for you to program. And I also want to just emphasize like recreation doesn't stop at 60 plus like we do 60 plus programming as well. And with more
space, I'd love to do more stuff with working with the COA who's got more experience as well. But just because you know we're recreation, it's not just childbased. There's the young adults that I know at town meeting said, "I'd love to go to this building. I'd love to." The 55 year olds that want to join
a pickup basketball league, bad mitten, like this will get me in the door and I will roll with this building, too. So, I heard those comments. Um, and then a lot of things that I'm hearing from the most recent select board, too, is the operations of this building. We need to bring in recreation. We do bring in revenue right now. I know that the COA
is looking into start charge some fees for programming. All of our programming is based to make money. we don't lose money by running programs. So that's a big aspect of this building to make sure that the lights are going to be turned on every week. You know that we are bringing programs whether they're 60
plus or it's the younger kids. So there's a lot of pressure that's going to be on Jenna myself and Lor's working with the COA to make sure that this building operates the way that the town wants it to operate and is fiscally responsible. So I just don't want that to get lost.
If I may, thank you Jim because that was a great way of explaining it >> to all of us. But is there any way that the COA whoever on the ref or whoever could be a representative
maybe sit in on one of your meetings periodically so we know if people ask us questions or concerns there is some comfort in knowing yes they're thinking about the seniors because I think right now the
general feeling is it's just going to be a rec center. The seniors are being on the bottom. >> See, I feel the other way. I feel like it's just going to be senior center. But no, 100% I'd be on board. I'd make a vote tonight. Have someone do that. >> I We've worked years ago together with
programs. >> I think that might be a good thing to do to kind of include and just sit and say this is what's going on. So, as representatives and advocates for the
elderly, we're comfortable. >> John, you would like to speak? We haven't heard from you yet. >> Yes. Um, a couple of things. Uh, I wish people would identify themselves when they speak. I recognize some of the voices, but not all of them.
And I also wish people wouldn't keep talking over each other because it's very very hard to hear when you when you're this um when you're on Zoom. And I'm I'm thinking in the back of my head, would have any of this happened would any of this even started three years ago
if the main need wasn't that we needed a senior center because what we had was just unacceptable. That's it. >> Thank you, John. >> Eric. Yeah. Hi, and I apologize for the background noise here. Um, I I just I
just wanted to voice my uh incredible support for Jenna and for Jim and the uh the work that they do consistently for elder services as well as for the recreation. >> Could I ask who you are? >> Yep. Sorry, John. This is Eric Gaffen.
Uh I'm on the recreation committee. Um and I I appreciate all the work that has gone in from so many sides of the community. Um this is a fantastic project. We are incredibly fortunate
that we have this um that we have these problems quote unquote problems in front of us um to figure out exactly how to allocate all of the resources and all of the opportunities that we have. Um, I have the utmost faith that um that you
know, Jenna and Jim kind of stole my thunder in talking about their background and talking about all the different programs that they've created in the past uh across multi-generational uh offerings and I just have the utmost faith that they're going to get it
figured out. Um I think it's important that everybody be flexible, everybody be adaptable. um know that there's going to be so many amazing things that comes out of this project that is beneficial for
everybody in town. And ultimately the town town meeting that voted for it voted for it as a multigenerational uh community center essentially activity center. Um, and we need to make sure that we are listening consistently to
all sides and everybody who has opportunities to take advantage of the space. Um, and it will be a learning curve. Um, you know, whatever we come up with first, whatever is first presented and first starts out, there's going to be adjustments. Um, uh, there's going to
be some great dedicated space for seniors. there's going to be some some great space for a recreation committee to do some fantastic programming. Um, and you know that that's it. I'll uh I'll stop talking now. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Because we we've been dominating. >> I just want to say um cost has come up and um of course we got to think about cost. I'm really worried about cost frankly. Um most many people who are over 60 feel they cannot afford the Y
and a monthly membership there is less if you if you apply for aid which they've got is less than4 $45 a month. That might not seem like much but if you're in a fixed income and
it's one of the low ones they can't handle it. So I I just need information about what are we thinking on the pricing what it used to be here. My understanding it's before my time playing here but there was a bucket and basically people were encouraged to
donate a couple of dollars when they went to something. Not everybody did and there were no hard feelings about it. Some black people would throw a 20 in, but it was much more what can you do and pay as you go. And if you were someone that you didn't have a spare 20 to $40 a
month and that meant you couldn't go, you wouldn't go. And I'm worried that we may not understand that part of our audience well enough yet. And if that proves to be as significant as a fear, um, is that going to push us into a
situation where we have to rent out so much space that we're getting back into. Did we really get all that much more space? I I I'm a numbers person. I need to start seeing some ballpark parameters on how this is going to play out. Um,
also I I appreciate all of your experience in wreck. I just continue with my refrain. There's specialists in the 60 plus generation. There's specialists in arthritis, which is probably at least 50% of us. There's
specialists that need to bring their perspective on the kinds of activities that are needed into this because I would venture to say to a lot of people that don't come here, it's because it's diff and actually the public um health study showed a lot of this. There are lots of people that are not
participating in things in towns because of mobility issues. They're not disabled to the point that they can't be doing things. It's just not welcoming to it. And there's expertise that goes with that that's beyond just all of our sort
of common experience. And I would love to see someone in that category as part of that team as well as the rest of you. >> Yeah. Well, there are current staff at the senior center who are specialists. Like Anna's been doing programming for a few years and Carrie's been here for 13
>> in arthritis >> as our social ser Oh, I'm thought you were just talking about programming. >> But there are a lot of people here who are very well-versed in aging and the 60 plus that are working but there are specialists in this and I just would
like to see some of that input. um gerontologists, arthritis special. The wife used to have a fabulous person who was certified by the arthritis foundation. When you took a a water aerobics class with her, every single move you made, she was like, "If this is
bothering you, don't do this, do that instead." I just I would like that kind of perspective. >> Well, we've had physical therapists come in here. We we have a podiatrist come in here. There's >> I'm talking about instructure. >> Okay, we can talk about that offline. I just wanted to touch base really quick about the ARPA funding. Um, obviously
that is running out. Um, we've been running programs for the past few years with ARPA funds. So, the plan is to start charging in a few months. Um, again, I mentioned this at the select board that we are implementing a new software. So, until we implement that
new software, we won't be charging people. But before that, people were charged. It wasn't a donation. They were charged for Zumba. They were charged for best. They would come in and they would give the $5 directly to the instructor. Nancy, I don't know why you're shaking your head. I was here. I've been here.
>> I was, too. >> And Rosemary, you you gave the $5 for each class. You would come in and you would pay. >> Yes. >> So, you know, it's no different to what was happening before. Several other communities pay fees. However, there are other options that we can look into. We
have hefty trust funds that can supplement programming. I know Marilyn doesn't agree with that because her interpretation of the trust funds and how they're expended are different from mine, but my interpretation is that you can expend the trust funds for programming. And Rosemary agrees with me on that one.
>> One of the trust has like $37,000 in interest alone. Yeah, >> we should be spending that. They were talking about cutting back on the lunches. You cannot cut back on lunches. Lunches in any type of food program bring people together. You sit down over
food. you sit down over a cup of coffee and you exchange your ideas and and the needs that you have. You need to have lunches or breakfast. I don't care. But I don't know, some people aren't morning people. They might not get out. Uh so I say use these trust funds. We have them.
Use them. And definitely the interest for one thing. Another thought I want to throw out to you is reaching the citizens of Reading. I think we should think about putting a mailing into the tax bills that go out, the water bill, the electric bill to update the
community on what's going to happen here. Maybe even get feedback on from them on what else they would like to see in our new building. But overall, the community doesn't know what's going on with the building, how we're progressing, when we're going to be in
the building, and what is offered. People do not buy the newspaper. they don't want to spend money for the newspaper. Maybe they'll look at it online occasionally, but overall the community does not know what we're planning and what's going to happen here. And I just wanted to touch on your
last point about um the lowincome folks and how we're going to help them. Well, right now we have a scholarship program. Jim must have went to the bathroom um for wreck and I've been working with Kerry Valley very closely. Newton has a policy, too. So anyone who is below a
certain income threshold would can apply for financial assistance to come to any of our programs. It might not be like in perpetuity every single program. It could be two, it could be three. Um but we can look into creating scholarship programs for opportunities for people
who are low income. And Carrie's working with that with me. >> I would just say go along with what Rosemary was saying, there's not a lot of information about that outside yet. I'm worried and and I think others are and I'm I'll be happy to be shown that I have no reason to be concerned but
there's just not much information yet. I know you're figuring it out but a little bit more information flow I think would help. >> Yeah, it was mentioned in the draft policies as something that we were working on but it's behind the scenes and I said you know if anyone wants to come to me and chat with me on that or
work with me on that I'm more than open. So >> work on what what are you working tonight? >> Um well several other things but therapeutic w programming um forms >> talking about getting information out to the community. >> Oh, so we are planning a talk here at
the center. I think it's January 29th. Anna helped me schedule that to update the 60 plus on, you know, everything that's been going on with the project. Yep. Coming during the day. I think it's after one of like the lunch and learns or something like that. So maybe
>> Could I possibly chime in again? Yes, John. >> Yeah. Um Chris has always called me the uh pleasant street kermagin, so I guess I have to fill that role. Um everybody is still talking without putting up their hands. People are not identifying
themselves and I think we're getting off topic for an awful lot of these u >> conversations. >> Okay, thanks. Yep. >> Um, are you are you retaking public comment? >> It's up to the chairs.
>> Yes. >> And so you're done because now we can take I mean is let's just see if there's anything new that we want to contribute that hasn't already been said. >> No, >> I just want to make two points if I can to Jenna's most recent.
>> Okay. a scholarship idea is tremendous except there's a great deal of sometimes resistance to applying for something like that. So it can be helpful if not be because of all those kinds of issues
that arise. A and I want to reiterate what Marilyn and others have said. This is a really tough time to decide you're launching a new building with new programming and creating a budget for this and everything and and and you know
I don't know how things are going to fall out. I really don't. I'm I'm looking at the spot we're in and I'm thinking you're proposing membership fees and I can see members of the community sitting there saying we just paid $28 million for this building. What
do you mean I have to pay to now come in and use it? Because they're not going to get the whole thing. >> The gym. >> Well, the gym in other places even, you know, the gym's the only. >> So, there's there's there's, >> you know, there's going to be issues around that and there's going to be issues around simply raising the funds
in the same year most likely that you're asking for an override to provide those funds to do. And I just think yes, it behooves all of us to think of the tough spot that this is going to be to get this up and running the way we want it
to run. >> John, that was Kate. >> Yes. I'm sorry, John. I'm >> And we have somebody from um from the community who would like to speak. >> Yeah. You want >> Yeah. Um Joanne Waldridge. And
>> did you hear that, John? It's Joanne >> France. She's from France. >> Yep. and I'm a shine counselor and just wondering if the shine program have designated space
increasing the numbers people that are requesting assistance for It has increased in the vet. Not only have the number of 60 plus people uh increased and continue to win. Yes. I
think this year we've had over 50 people on our lead. We haven't had space available with two volunteers and the needed them. We can't double look because it's no space. Um but if you
need space um so I just wonder why arrangements are being made in particular for the Shine Free Insurance these days has become increasingly broad. >> Yeah. >> And difficult to understand and the
appointments used to be able to do it half with all these advantage programs people being kicked out this that they extend that. >> Yeah. So just just wondering about that
Jenna. >> Yeah, that has come up um about the private meeting spaces and the staff as a collective thinks that there will be knows that there will be space designated for those programs. So whatever days and times that the
volunteers are available, we can schedule out space for that specifically. There's plenty of space in the building to do that. Um, Liv has said that we could use her office for those programs because she's only there during certain hours of the week because
we share her. Um, Will has said that the veterans lounge could be utilized. That's a private space um with a TV. It's very and and we will set up um >> you need printers. Yeah.
whatever space that >> the maker space will have computers too um and a printer. So I think that there's several spaces that could be set up for that times with the offices be open
>> for the shine appointments. We're hoping so, but we need the volunteers to >> No, that's okay. Do better at night if >> but yeah, that is the goal to offer nighttime shine programs. Nighttime tax prep. Um,
all of that. >> Yeah. >> And thank you for your volunteers. All three of you. >> Yeah. That is one of the things too that you are all the programs that are confidential shine the social service
and things like that. So the dedicated space is needed for that. >> All right. I think um hopefully this has been helpful to everyone. >> Well, just so everybody knows, the space
being used for Shine right now is what we call the computer room. So when Shane Shine uses that area for the couple of months that they process the applications for people, we have no computer. So, they definitely need a
confidential area because right now downstairs this the area they're using the walls don't even go to the ceiling. It is not confidential down there. You can be standing outside and know everybody's business on.
>> So, they need a confidential area to the ceiling. Thank you. >> Thanks everyone. >> Roll call, please. >> Laura, yes. Hi, >> Eric. >> Hi.
Eric >> driving if he's even still Yeah.