The council members underscored the importance of clear messaging regarding the necessity for a new Senior Center. Specifically, they debated the creation of a fact sheet drawing from the 2017 US Boston survey to effectively communicate the challenges currently faced by the Pleasant Street Center. It was recognized that hard data would fortify their message and the dissemination of this information could be aided by engaging a marketing group.

The successful turnout at recent open houses was acknowledged, with commendation given to the engaging and informative nature of the events, particularly the architect’s presence and the informative posters that were displayed. These events spurred active conversations. Building on this momentum, the council considered hosting another open house, possibly on a Saturday, to attract a greater number of residents.

The council discussed various methods to enhance their outreach, including engaging with local newspapers, utilizing social media more effectively, and inviting residents for tours and informational sessions at the current center. Suggestions to collaborate with the Kilbuilding Committee and the school district were also brought to the table, emphasizing the potential benefits of joint communication efforts. There was also a proposal to leverage existing school databases for outreach and the potential need for a dedicated press person to manage these efforts.

Deliberations ensued regarding the logistics of an upcoming open house event. The council members weighed several factors such as conflicting town events, availability of the media person, and potential attendance. Concerns were raised about the challenges of estimating attendance, particularly in relation to catering needs, and whether an RSVP system should be implemented. Additionally, the idea of positioning individuals outside the building to invite passersby into the event was considered.

In the realm of financial management, there was a discussion about the need for a detailed spreadsheet to track expenses related to open house events, akin to the recording of ARPA fund expenditures. A consensus was reached for a follow-up meeting before the next open house to finalize the details. Furthermore, the topic of reimbursement for purchased items and the use of tax exemption forms for future procurements was brought up.

The schematic design of the new building also featured in the meeting’s agenda. Members were presented with a layout plan and were encouraged to consider the suitability of suggested rooms and spaces for community needs. A debate emerged over whether it was premature to discuss the interior design before the final site selection. While some members voiced concerns about discussing the building design process too early, others emphasized the importance of being well-prepared for such conversations.