by Brian Keaney

Despite a failed override attempt last spring, the Council on Aging is still discussing how they can move beyond the cramped quarters they are currently in and into a larger Senior Center.  Calling for “a new beginning,” the Council considered moving into ever larger spaces until they were in an ideal Senior Center.

The incremental approach was suggested at a Council meeting last week, but that wasn’t quick enough for some members.  Chairman Leanne Jasset said that moving to donated space at Traditions was supposed to be a stepping stone until a Senior Center could be built.

“It seems to be that we’ve come here, and this is as far as we can go,” Jasset said.  “We’ve come here as a stepping stone, but there’s no stone to step to after this.”

Voters rejected a debt exclusion, 55% to 45%, to build a Senior Center in June.

The incremental approach was suggested by Selectman Mike Butler, who said that in light of the defeat last spring a new strategy was needed. 

“Right now we have 2,500 square feet,” Butler said.  “Would it be reasonable to go to a 5,000 or a 7,500 square foot facility?”  He continued, “Obviously because of the good work the Council is doing and the services it offers, we have outgrown this space.  Rather than taking one giant step, maybe we should take a couple of intermediary steps.”

Councilors responded by saying that something had to be done as the space they currently have is inadequate.  “This is almost intolerable,” Jasset said.

Marie-Louise Kehoe, who was attending her first meeting as a member of the Council, commented that unless a bigger space was acquired then she questioned whether or not there was a need for the Council at all.

“If we can’t provide the services that are necessary for the seniors, I’m not sure we need to exist,” Kehoe said.  “We’re here to serve a serve a certain population.  If we can’t serve that population, then what is our mission?”

Kehoe, noting the “financial crisis” that currently exists, then endorsed the incremental approach.  “I don’t think we can ever go all the way with the voters.  It has to be building blocks,” she said.

Butler mentioned that at the Selectmen’s meeting on Thursday night possible uses for the Avery School will be discussed in case a new elementary school is built in East Dedham.  The building, or the land, could be used to house a Senior Center if a new school is built and the School Committee declares the property to be surplus. 

Others cautioned against putting too much hope in that possibility.  Councilor Russ Poole noted that the new Middle School passed by a relatively narrow margin, and in better economic times.  He said building a Community Center that the entire town could use may help build political support for the project.

Others said that the cost of a senior center was and remained a stumbling block.  There was no guaranteed state aid for a Senior Center, while Butler pointed out that the state paid for two-thirds of the Middle School.

Several said that it was seniors themselves who voted the project down.  Jasset said that many of them came from a frugal generation who didn’t want a tax increase even if it would benefit them.  Kehoe said she knew of several seniors who regularly use the programs and facilities offered by the Council, but who voted against the debt exclusion.  A majority of those voting in the election were over 60 years old.

Leasing a space was discussed as well and the empty school at St. Mary’s was put forth as an option.  The location was ideal, it was said, despite its not being “warm and fuzzy.” 

Kehoe said that she had looked at the space four years ago with Town Administrator Bill Keegan and then pastor Rev. John Dooher, but said that it would be cost prohibitive.  It would cost $2 million to $3 million to renovate either it or the Avery School for use as a Senior Center, according to Kehoe.

In other news, the senior work off program has seen a slight increase in the number of applications for the tax work off program they offer, according to Assistant Director Jessie Powers.  There are about 50 seniors currently in the program.