A Public Hearing of the City Council was held in the Council Chamber on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 at 7:00 P.M. for the purpose of discussing the proposed new Council on Aging site and any future plans for the current location at 5 Broad Street. Notice of this hearing was posted on October 6, 2006 at 9:36 A.M., and advertised in the Salem Evening news on October 3, 2006.
Councillor Lovely was recorded as arriving at 7:30 P.M. All other Councillors were present.
President Jean M. Pelletier presided.
Council President suspended the rules to allow Mayor Driscoll to address the City Council regarding the project.
Mayor Driscoll stated that the first floor proposed 18,000 square feet would be the Community Life Center. She stated that she has been to a number of meetings and she is passionate about this project and the need for a new Senior Center. Many sites were proposed going back a number of years. We currently have 8,000 plus seniors in this community. Not all seniors utilize the programs but the frail population does utilize some of the programs such as meals on wheels. The younger senior population takes part in most of the programs regarding computer programs. The Community Life Center will be a priority for the seniors. We believe after hours the center could be used for teenagers when the building is not being used by the seniors. The Park across the street, Lafayette Park, could be renovated and utilized. The intersection
needs improvements. The developer hired a Traffic Consultant. The Developer will maintain the upkeep of the Park. Homeowners living on the site will benefit. New owners bring to light any problems and people who care about what activities go on in their neighborhood. It’s a chance to invest in the Community.
The Funding/Financing for 18,000 square feet is in the 3-4 million dollar range. It will be funded by a grant, TOD Grant (Transient Oriented Development).
An owner would receive a 1 year MBTA pass. Development Improvement Financing – Real Estate Tax revenue for use would be $200,000 a year in tax revenue.
The existing Senior Center would be sold. The value is $1 million.
Councillor O’Keefe questioned what the time frame would be.
Mayor Driscoll stated it would be a short-term project. The Developers need to wait due to the appeal.
Councillor Furey stated most of us are card carrying members of the AARP. Change is not easy. He is an advocate of this project. This location is close to Senior Housing, Banks and downtown. He believes the new Senior Center is a step in the right direction.
Councillor Lovely arrived at 7:30 P.M.
Councillor Blair thanked the Mayor for attending this meeting.
Councillor Prevey asked if the city qualifies for grants? Are we confident that we qualify?
Mayor Driscoll stated that we don’t know yet, worse case scenario we would do Bond funding. Part of the cost is due to private housing.
Regarding Parking 97 units on the site, 47 dedicated spaces for the senior center, the current senior center only has 20 spaces. Plus there will be parking on the street.
Councillor Lovely asked that a survey be done on the Senior population.
Mayor stated that the Council on Aging Board and Doug Bollen are working on a survey.
Councillor Sargent stated his concern for density and what again would the price be?
Mayor replied 3-4 million dollars.
Councillor Sargent asked what are we getting for our money? Will there be a condo fee?
Mayor stated that the building will be 3 feet higher than the original building. Leasing may be an option.
APPEARING IN FAVOR WERE THE FOLLOWING:
William Legault – 7 Ropes St. #3 – supports this project. He stated that the longer St. Josephs Church sits the worse it will get.
Cynthia McCrea-Pretorius - 32 Ward St. – stated she is in favor. She stated the area has a lot of potential. If you have a fear of violence it’s a chance to change it.
Pauline Alexander – 12 Clark St. – stated she didn’t see what the problem with the area is. She is in favor.
Ellen Galligan of Catholic Charities – stated she is very much in favor of this project. Catholic Charities has been serving this Community of Salem for 90 years. She stated she looks forward to working with the Community Life Center. And as a resident of 22 Cleveland Rd. in Salem she looks forward in participating as a senior.
Polly Wilburt – stated that there is information needed regarding the transition, facts on the space and details. She is in support of the new Senior Center and stated that the housing will be valuable to the seniors as affordable housing or rentals and that it’s an opportunity for safe senior housing.
Mr. Leoncio Viscano – 58 Beaver Street unit 2, runs a business and works 8-8. He stated that he has seen many problems in this proposed area. He has seen 2 people dead and another person who got hit. There are accidents in this area, he is in favor of the project if they solve the problems of the area.
Ms. Gomez – 107 Congress St. stated that she is in favor of project. If they put young people and old people together it will teach the young people. Gangs start at 6 years old not teenagers.
Marianne McCabe – 117 Lafayette St. stated she is in favor of this project and she has lived 3 years in this neighborhood.
Kathleen Wilkinson – 208 Lafayette St. stated that she is in favor, she stated she has lived in Salem her whole life and remembers as a child Lafayette Park being beautiful. She has worked as an assistant to the Council on Aging Director. Seniors deserve much, much better. She stated she has been newly appointed to the Board of the Council on Aging and she believes that the problems can be worked out.
Nestor Grullon – 14 Porter St., supports new center, it is the right place for all of you seniors. There’s a lot for the seniors, youth and housing. We need to work together as a family.
Linda Sarris – 98 Lafayette St., runs Cyber Space Café and has been here 5 years and never felt unsafe. They are open from 9 AM to 8 PM. She stated she believes this is a wonderful opportunity for Salem and is in favor.
David Pabich – stated that Salem is a community of inclusion. Young and old will get more benefit out of this new location.
APPEARING IN OPPOSITION WERE THE FOLLOWING:
Rita M. Downing – 1002 Paradise Rd., Swampscott, stated she was born in Salem now lives in Swampscott but is not in favor and would like the Senior’s to stay on Broad Street or build something new for the Seniors.
David Goggin – Wisteria Street, Mr. Goggin stated that Broad Street has become a home for the elderly. We shouldn’t waste City funds. We need taxable income. In 1790 there was a separation of Church and State this is next judicial issue.
Beverly McSwiggin – 30 Japonica Street, asked is the cost 2 or 3 million? Is there a cap? If seniors don’t want it there will it still be there? She asked how the Councillors feel about this location?
Anna Dellamonica – 18 Prescott Street, stated she doesn’t know if this meeting is to inform the seniors or to evict the seniors from 5 Broad Street. It’s appalling if seniors have no choice. This is a violation of zoning. Seniors like Broad Street because it’s quiet. This is disrespectful to seniors.
Teasie Goggin – 9 Wisteria Street, stated that this is Senior’s inheritance, there is grant money waiting. Seniors in Salem have waited 40 years for a new senior center. Does the City Coucnil have last say on this issue? She stated that Senior’s are a sleeping giant.
Sylvia Flynn – 5 Oakland Street, stated location, location, location, Seniors will be evicted from a beautiful neighborhood to a busy unsafe location. She pleaded please listen to the Seniors.
Doug Sabin – 34 Northey Street, stated that he is against this project. We should not move the Senior Center to Lafayette Street. The Senior Center needs to be open at night. Seniors don’t go to bed at 5 PM. The center doesn’t need to be downtown.
Roslyn Brown – 12 Pope Street, stated that she was raised on ward Street and she has been going to the senior center for 9 years, she is a golden tone and a volunteer for anything that is needed at the center. She stated that there are 3,000 seniors that go to the Senior Center every week. Broad Street could be rehabbed. Lafayette Street is out of the way.
Michael Blatty – 5 Winthrop St. #2, stated he is a neighbor of Broad Street and thanked the Seniors for being good neighbors. He stated he came tonight to find out what the seniors wanted. It appears the seniors have strong feelings about it but don’t speak up. For years they have hoped for a new center and have been disappointed. I think they need their own place. Traffic will be a nightmare on Lafayette Street. This Mayor is doing everything to get us out of debt and move forward. But is this good for the seniors? If you sell 5 Broad Street he believes that one million is a low estimate for the building.
Joan Sweeney – 22 Silver Street, stated that her parents went to the center for many years and they had a vision of an independent building. She now frequents the senior center and believes that parking will be an issue at Lafayette Street. The old building (5 Broad Street) could be remodeled. She stated she wants to remain at Broad Street.
Unidentified resident of Salem stated that she is against the project and would like to know how the Council feels. Are they for or against?
Shirley Beauvais – 10 Fort Avenue, Asked if the proposed site is 18,000 square feet how much of this is for the seniors seeing that you want the kids to be there also. She asked if the money – grants needs Council approval? Those who paid said they wanted this weren’t seniors. Seniors have been promised a senior center for just the seniors. Put condos and community center there, but leave seniors alone.
Irene Connell – 60 Collins Street, stated that seniors are afraid to speak about the subject of crime in this area. There are gangs with weapons, seniors are afraid to speak about it. (Ms. Connell showed a board of newspaper article regarding crime in this area of the proposed new site)
Joan Zabkar – 6 Phelps Street, response that crime is in the area but the Mayor’s response was to develop the area and it will change the neighborhood. She stated that she will provide the Council with a study regarding parents leaving Salem when kids reach school age.
James Willis – 386 Essex Street, stated he supports housing at the new site. It will be an asset to the neighborhood, but can’t support this site as a senior center. Parking is a major issue.
Councillor O’Keefe asked for a show of hands from the audience on how many are in favor and opposed. The show of hands was the majority were opposed.
Councillor Corchado – Ward Councillor for the proposed new site, thanked the people for coming out and speaking. She read out loud a letter from Claudia Chuber of White Street and previous Councillor of this ward. Her letter stated that crime is everywhere not just in this area. There is no choice but to develop this site. The Church was closed.
Councillor O’Keefe – asked to give the Mayor dialogue.
Councillor Blair – requested this meeting for information. We are not yet at the point in this to vote on anything, we wanted an idea from the public if they are for or against this project. This may never officially reach the Council.
Councillor Prevey – stated as much as he knows he’s for the housing and community center but concerned with the parking. What I want today as a 39 year old man would be different at 69. It’s important to keep open minds and listen to the seniors. He stated he appreciated the dialogue that was going on tonight.
Councillor Veno – Thanked everyone for coming out tonight. He stated that he believes in the process. He spoke in favor, but we owe the seniors a state of the art center. He stated that he has heard the seniors concerns. There’s a lot more we need to learn about this and there’s been traffic studies. Also this will cost money. What it comes down to is fear.
Councillor Sosnowski – stated that 3 years ago he was appointed the Council liason to the Council on Aging. He stated that he is opposed to this project. His first issue is density. Also they went by the Church steeple to come up with the height of the proposed buildings. He stated that he is in favor of affordable housing but does not want a senior center there. Also he is opposed to the sale of Broad Street no matter what. Surrounding communities are in favor of separate facilities. Seniors prefer programs over facility.
Councillor Lovely – stated that months ago the Council on Aging Director asked that it be more inclusive. She stated that she will be using the facility someday and with all the baby boomers coming up in age. We should find out from the present and future senior population what they want for programs.
Councillor Sargent – stated he is concerned with the density but we let the project go through. He thought with what the city allowed our center would be free but that’s not the case. Seniors wanting their own space that’s fine. They don’t have 30 or 40 years to wait. And as for Broad Street this should remain as City property.
Councillor O’Leary – credited Mayor Driscoll for trying to do something for the seniors. We’re assuming we’re going to get grants. He stated that he’s not against affordable housing but believes seniors should have their own place. We can’t afford this right now.
Mayor Driscoll – stated the estimates are 3-4 million based on square footage. As for survey results we are looking into it and professionals at the college will be doing the study. Senior services we’re looking for support services we look forward to input and welcome it. She stated she believed that we can find a way to make it work, but it does involve all of us to work on it.
Councillor Veno moved that the hearing be closed. It was so voted.
Councillor Veno moved that the matter be referred to the Committee of the Whole. It was so voted.
On the motion of Councillor O’Keefe the hearing was adjourned at 9: 25 P.M.
ATTEST: CHERYL A. LAPOINTE
CITY CLERK
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