Submitted by: Westford Board of Selectmen
Contact: Steve Ledoux: (978) 692-5500
On September 4, 2007, Westford residents will be asked to vote on whether or not funds should be raised to renovate and expand the Cameron Senior Center. The following information is provided by the Westford Board of Selectmen in an effort to help educate residents so they may make an educated decision on the upcoming ballot question.
1. What does this ballot question do? This ballot question, if passed, allows the Town to borrow funds to renovate and expand the current Cameron Senior Center. These funds would be used for the design and engineering, construction and furnishing of the facility. Town Meeting approval is also required to spend the funds. At the Annual Town Meeting in May of 2007, Town Meeting approved the expenditure of $385,000 for the design of the Senior Center, contingent upon the approval of this ballot question. If this ballot question passes, the design of the Senior Center will be completed and at a future Town Meeting, the design and final cost figures will be presented for appropriation, prior to the start of any construction. If Town Meeting does not pass the appropriation, the renovations/expansion
will not occur.
2. When is the election? The election is on September 4, 2007. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
3. What is the cost of this project? It is the Permanent Town Building Committees’ goal to renovate the Cameron Senior Center for no more than 4.0 million dollars. Once the Architectural and Engineering work is completed, the final design and cost will be available.
4. What impact will this project have on my tax bill? Based on issuing a bond for 20 years, the average increase on the first years tax bill will be .73% or an additional $44.94 per year. This estimate is based on the average assessed value of a single family home in Westford, which is $470,337. As principal and interest are paid on the bond, the yearly tax impact will decline and will completely be eliminated when the bond is paid off in 20 years.
5. Why are renovations to the Senior Center needed and what is the plan for the new center? The current Senior Center needs basic repairs to ensure it meets current building codes, addresses heating issues, provides appropriate office space for our employees and is in need of improved program space for our Seniors. Currently there is no confidential area for our residents to meet with our Social Service staff members, the current building cannot accommodate large functions for the Seniors, and it is difficult for those Seniors with wheel chairs or walkers to get around the facility. Please reference the feasibility study mentioned below for more details on the deficiencies of the current facility.
The proposed renovations will address these needs, upgrade the facility, ensure code compliance, add a 6000 square foot addition to the back of the building and add additional parking.
6. Why renovate and add an addition rather than build a new Senior Center? For the past several years the Council of Aging and the Friends of the Senior Center have been trying to find a new location to build a larger Senior Center without success. Originally, expansion was not an option because part of the parcel was under a Conservation Restriction, however the 2005 Special Town Meeting voted to remove the parcel from the Conservation Restriction. The Council on Aging is now able to renovate and add on to the existing Senior Center to address their needs. The existing building is also in dire need of repairs and maintenance, which will be addressed with this project.
7. Does the new center address our long-term needs for the Seniors? According to the MISER (Massachusetts Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Massachusetts, Amherst) statistics, Westford’s Senior (60 years old +) population is expected to increase from 14% of our Town’s population in 2006 to 22% in 2020. The proposed renovations are expected to meet the needs of the senior population at least through the year 2020, with the exception of the Adult Supportive Day Care needs, which may be met through expansion at the current site on Tadmuck Road.
8. Money has been appropriated three times by Town Meeting for repairs, how has it been used? These funds were used to paint the exterior of the building, install a new roof and install a new septic system. All have been completed with the exception of the new septic system.
9. What is the difference between a debt exclusion and an override? A debt exclusion increases an individual’s property tax for the life of the bond taken out for a particular purpose. This increase is eliminated when the debt is paid off. An override increases an individual’s property tax permanently.
10. What is the timeline for the project should the ballot question pass? The Permanent Town Building Committee hopes to have the Architectural & Engineering work completed and present the final design and cost for approval at the 2008 Annual Town Meeting. Assuming this date is met and Town Meeting passes the article requesting the funds, construction is expected to begin in the Fall of 2008 and be completed 1 year thereafter. This is a best-case scenario.
11. Where can I learn more about this proposal? The feasibility study, which assessed if the current Senior Center could accommodate the growing needs of our Seniors may be viewed at www.westfordma.gov/coa/study and can also be found at the J.V. Fletcher Library. The public is also welcome to visit the current building any weekday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.. In addition, two open houses will be held for the public to see the building. They will be held on Monday, August 13 and Thursday August 23 from 3 – 7 p.m.. The Cameron Senior Center is located at 20 Pleasant Street. The open houses are sponsored by The Friends of the Cameron Senior Center.
12. Who should people call with questions on the ballot question? Residents with additional questions should call Tom Mahanna, a member of the Permanent Town Building Committee. Tom can be reached at (978) 692-1332. Residents may always contact the Selectmen through the Town web site or Town Manager’s office.
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