Deliberations over the gym’s inclusion revealed a divide among the committee members. Some advocated for the benefits it would offer the senior community, especially in fostering intergenerational activities, while others voiced concerns about the trade-offs in space and associated costs. The emphasis remained on reaching a unified recommendation to the Select Board, taking into account the critical factors and potential compromises entailed.

Further exploration into the proposed center’s scope was a focal point of the meeting. The committee’s discussion highlighted the importance of the center not being limited to a senior center but serving as a hub for active living for the entire community. Concerns about the building’s size were weighed against the need for dedicated activity spaces and the allocation of office areas for various departments. Members stressed the importance of a clear and unified recommendation to garner support from the town and its voters.

Governance of program rooms also occupied the committee’s attention. They underscored the necessity for dialogue with the Council on Aging and the Recreation Department, particularly regarding the design of the Pleasant Street Center and the need for larger multi-purpose spaces. Residents’ concerns about the potential neighborhood disruptions due to site work, including traffic impacts and lack of sidewalks, were acknowledged. The committee recognized the need to solicit feedback from the abutters and ensure their concerns are considered in the decision-making process.

The committee’s discussions were not limited to space and community impact—they also delved into the financial aspects of the project. A analysis of the costs associated with constructing a parking garage and the additional expenses of incorporating a gym were debated, with figures ranging from five to twenty-six million dollars being scrutinized. Members sought to equalize program space across all locations while balancing the financial implications. The importance of clear cost breakdowns and transparent explanations was a recurring theme.

In addition to space and financial planning, the committee addressed procedural aspects. There was a focus on the need for clarity in the evaluation process for site options, including the correction of an error in the evaluation criteria for wetlands and flood plains. The necessity for detailed studies to inform the evaluation and the urgency of reaching decisions before the committee’s expiration were also discussed. The potential formation of a building committee to take the project forward was on the agenda.

Lastly, the committee considered the logistics of upcoming meetings, particularly the importance of convening before the town meeting and the possibility of a joint meeting with the Council on Aging. Ensuring alignment and unified opinions between the two groups was deemed critical for moving forward with recommendations and action steps.