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By Rama K Ramaswamy
On May 10, Wellesley will hold a Special Town Election to consider a debt exclusion question to fund the construction of a Senior Center.
The debate, assessment and feasibility studies, in partnership with the Board of Selectmen, in collaboration with the Council on Aging (COA) via formation of a Senior Study Committee has been evaluating how the town can best meet the evolving needs of Wellesley’s seniors since early 2007.
The results of the feasibility study suggested the American Legion site, at 496 Washington Street, would readily support a two-story facility of approximately 12,400 square feet. Town Meeting members voted 157 to 42 in favor, earlier this month, of appropriating funds for the $9 million construction project.
The ballot question is, specifically as follows, “shall the Town of Wellesley be allowed to exempt from the provisions of Proposition two and one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay for the bonds issued in order to fund the plans and specifications, construction, equipping and furnishing of the Tolles-Parsons Center building at 494-496 Washington Street?”
Residents continue to debate which decision, a yes or no vote, might be better for the town and for their seniors.
Although the project was approved at the recent session of the Annual Town Meeting, concerns about the cost, construction, parking and traffic, and relocation from its existing location at 219 Washington St., the Wellesley Community Center are still abound.
Town Meeting members, such as David Himmelberger, have been vocal in favor of construction, even calling the decision, “just and right thing to do.”
Selectman Barbara Searle agreed, pointing out that Wellesley has more than 6,000 senior citizens.
According to Terri Tsagaris, former Chair and Member, Board of Selectmen and Chair, Yes For Wellesley Seniors Campaign Committee, the project began over 10 years ago, and has been evaluated by independent and objective committees and supported at Town Meetings. He toted the benefits of the project.
“The TPC will provide welcoming, comfortable and flexible spaces for seniors to connect, socialize, learn, exercise and maintain healthy and engaged lifestyles,” Tsagaris said. “The Council on Aging will be able to effectively deliver and expand its services and programs to meet the needs and interests of this growing and diverse population. This is the right project, in the right location, for the right price and at the right time.”
Virginia Ferko, former Chair, Advisory Committee, Town Meeting Member, said, “I am convinced that an inviting senior center will provide a far better atmosphere than is presently available to foster connections among seniors and among the generations, connections that are essential to our well-being at every stage of life. And when people in Wellesley come together on a regular basis, attention inevitably turns to worthwhile volunteer efforts. It is who we are as a town, no matter what our ages.”
Supporters of the Tolles-Parsons Senior Center project primarily highlight two issues: prioritizing compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act that calls for appropriate accommodations for the physically disabled and the continuous growth of the COA’s programs and membership.
“In the time that we have been deliberating over the senior center we’ve passed several other operating budget overrides and somehow only the seniors have been left out of the equation.”
Paul Criswell, Board of Public Works, Town Meeting Member said, “[the Tolles-Parsons Center] will, I believe, provide excellent and sorely needed services and programs. It will serve a large and deserving group of citizen constituents. It will be a tremendous asset to our town.”
And Ilissa Povich, Former Chair and Member, Wellesley School Committee, Town Meeting Member said, “the tax increase is modest and the potential to positively impact the lives of many is great.”
Neighbors, especially along Atwood Street, residents such as Roy Switzler and Town Meeting Members, such as Elizabeth Powell, who is also a senior, do agree that everybody wants resources for seniors, but they do not feel confident that the timing and site for the project is right for the town.
Some residents pointed out that in the 2007 Usage Study paid for by the Town of Wellesley, those polled overwhelmingly said Wellesley needed a “community based recreation complex” and “only recommended” the former American Legion site but concluded that a North 40 or Saint James multi-use facility site would better serve Wellesley’s seniors.
Stephen Scherrer, for example favors the current system.
“I would like to see the town support a space for young and old alike. Both groups are a wonderful resource in our community and I like how the Wellesley Community Center brings them together,” Scherrer said.
Those in opposition, in addition to balking at the project expense, increased traffic and shared, post-project tax impact also feel concerned that seniors will be isolated in the new, standalone facility and that they should have more options and better integrate into the community.
“I am leaning towards a ‘no’ vote,” said John Adams. “I do not understand the need to disrupt the traffic on route 16 across from the police station.”
Adams also noted that the parking situation could be impacted, and questioned the need to relocate the center.
“Socialized changes in town such as Waterstone, Belclare and North Hill are drawing-off segments of the population,” said Lorri Woodacre, an attorney that lives and practices in Wellesley. “Wellesley has always been a town where many residents have second homes and often winter in Florida. I am concerned with forced migration of older residents.”
All parties do agree however, that the May 10 vote will be their final chance to weigh in on the decision.
Wellesley polls will be open between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. at all regular polling locations in Wellesley. Residents with a Massachusetts drivers-license may register online.
Absentee ballots for this election will be available by mail or in person at the Town Clerk’s office after April 20.
Eligible Voters may apply until May 9 at noon and ballots to be mailed should be applied for by Friday May 6.
