The meeting prominently featured discussions about the outreach strategy for the proposed senior center, which has been a focal point for community engagement initiatives. The committee has been working to inform and involve residents, particularly through events such as the Newton Street Festival and interactions at the local transfer station. These efforts have included distributing flyers, organizing public information sessions, and utilizing electronic signage to broaden awareness of the project and its benefits.

The outreach strategy also involved direct engagement with residents to address concerns and provide information about the senior center’s potential impact on taxes and community services. Some committee members highlighted the need for clear communication, especially regarding the project’s tax implications, which were estimated to result in a $143 increase for residents. The importance of maintaining transparency and dispelling misconceptions about broader tax burdens was emphasized as a way to gain support ahead of the town meeting.

Concerns about misinformation and the effectiveness of public engagement were also addressed. The committee discussed the challenges of ensuring that all representatives, including those from the Friends of the Senior Center, were providing accurate information to the public. Suggestions were made to develop a “cheat sheet” for volunteers to use during interactions, although some members expressed skepticism about its sufficiency. The committee stressed the importance of separating official committee members from volunteer groups to maintain clarity and avoid potential legal issues related to endorsing votes.

The logistics of managing outreach events were planned, with committee members coordinating volunteer schedules and materials needed for booths at various locations. The significance of maintaining visibility at these events was underscored, with an acknowledgment that while repeated exposure might reach overlapping audiences, it was necessary to ensure ongoing engagement and information dissemination. Strategies included using innovative methods, such as stabilizing posters with camping chairs, to effectively present information despite potential challenges like windy conditions.

As part of their outreach efforts, the committee also explored the idea of utilizing video content to engage the community. A video presentation highlighting the current inadequacies of the existing senior center and featuring testimonials from seniors was discussed. The plan was to make this video available online to reach a broader audience, with the hope that visual content would resonate more effectively than traditional written materials.

The upcoming town meeting was another point of discussion, with preparations in full swing to ensure the committee is ready to present the senior center project to the community. The town manager’s anticipated attendance at future meetings was noted, as was the importance of clear communication about the rules and etiquette for town meeting participation.