During the meeting, the committee deliberated on the evolution of the senior center working group’s role in developing a complete package that outlines the staffing requirements and associated costs for a new senior center. This package would be pivotal in the presentation of a coherent report during town meetings, aimed at consolidating information from visits to other senior centers. The timing of these efforts was scrutinized, especially in relation to the findings of the Aging assessment study, which could potentially influence the committee’s recommendations.

The committee’s ongoing visits to other senior centers were also a point of emphasis, as these excursions provided valuable insights and data that could inform the decision-making process. Members expressed optimism about the potential benefits of the information gathered during these visits.

A significant part of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the submission of an RFI to the town hall, which sought to gather information on space availability, leasing options, and other details important to identifying potential sites for the new senior center. The status of the FAQ section on the committee’s website was addressed, with a commitment to providing comprehensive and relevant information to the community through updates.

The draft structure of the senior center committee report to the select board was another major topic. This report would outline the progress made, including details such as the approval of the charter, leadership and membership, meeting schedules, and reference documents from working groups. The report would also delve into financing options, short-term lease options, and the evaluation and ranking of potential sites for the senior center.

Furthermore, the meeting highlighted the distinction between the short-term and long-term plans for the senior center. There was a consensus on the need for a cost-effective and manageable senior center that could also appeal to a broader audience. To achieve this, there was a suggestion to rebrand the concept as a Center for Active Living, which would not only avoid the potential stigma associated with the term “senior center” but also enhance marketability.

The committee recognized a gap in their reporting related to the Aging assessment and committed to providing updates as information became available. In preparation for the upcoming meeting with the select board, members discussed the importance of clearly explaining the committee’s actions and the necessity to gain the board’s support for moving forward with the project, especially considering previous reluctance to fund the study. There was also talk of potentially adjusting the timing of the special town meeting in light of the release of the UMass study.

The committee expressed confidence in the knowledge gained from completed surveys and focus groups, emphasizing that the UMass study was unlikely to reveal new information regarding the need for a larger space.

Additionally, the committee discussed financial considerations for the proposed lease and feasibility study in anticipation of the fall town meeting. The need to clearly differentiate between short-term and long-term plans for the senior center project was stressed, as was the issue of funding and the potential confusion over the exact dollar amount required for the lease. Members advocated for a creative solution to secure funding and considered seeking major donors to support the project.

The meeting concluded with the scheduling of future dates for remote meetings on June 20 and July 11, and a hybrid meeting on July 25. The meeting adjourned at 8:12 PM.