The board’s primary focus was on the senior center’s potential layout and services, which included an extensive review of a site Matrix from Catelyn Architecture. This document, color-coded for clarity, outlined the various spaces and their intended uses within the senior center. The Matrix sparked debates on the allocation of space for different uses, such as administrative areas, a veterans agent room, and storage for equipment available for loan. Members grappled with the need for additional space to accommodate future staffing and the importance of areas for confidential conversations, particularly for a social worker.

The conversation extended to the design and function of the public spaces within the senior center, including a lounge, library, cafe area, and a multipurpose room envisioned to host large events, lunch services, fitness classes, and movies. The layout of these areas was scrutinized, with emphasis on creating a comfortable and open environment while considering the practicalities of space allocation and the potential for future adjustments based on operational needs and public input.

The potential inclusion of indoor pickleball courts, billiard tables in a game room, and a card and conference room was also a notable topic. The size and use of these amenities sparked discussions, balancing the desire to offer a range of activities against the constraints of space and cost. The necessity and functionality of a commercial kitchen were debated, with the board considering whether the senior center should include a large dishwashing line and consulting a kitchen design expert to optimize the space.

A significant part of the meeting revolved around the senior center’s capability to function as an emergency shelter. Discussions on this topic covered the necessity of group toilets and companion toilets with showers, as well as the need for a housekeeper and maintenance staff. The board members scrutinized the floor plan details, questioning the accuracy of measurements and the placement of facilities within the building.

The guidelines for shelter capacity and the challenges of regional shelter space were also discussed, situating the senior center as a infrastructure in the town’s emergency response framework.

In addition to the emergency shelter aspect, the board acknowledged the need for a robust IT infrastructure for the new building, debating the inclusion of an audiovisual storage room and a server room. Concerns were raised about the integration of the new building’s network with the town’s existing infrastructure and the associated costs.

The committee also discussed the evaluation of potential building sites for the senior center, weighing the criteria for scoring each site and the feasibility of conducting studies on them. There was some disagreement about whether all three potential sites should undergo a feasibility study or if one should be dropped from consideration based on preliminary ratings.

The need for interim updates to the select board and the frequency of reporting back was addressed. Furthermore, the suggestion of exploring a swimming pool to generate revenue for the senior center and the town was debated.