Here is some information in response to questions asked during this exchange:
Commons The Commons is a senior citizen community located in Lincoln. Space at the Commons are generally not open to the public. In response to COVID, and the high-risk population that lives there, the Commons restricts access to people who live there, family, friends, employees, and support staff. There buildings are designed to serve the people who live there and not as public space. Schools The Lincoln Schools for security and other reasons require staff to be in the complex when its buildings are used. This means that any organization using the buildings are weekend must pay a custodian to be at the schools. This cost can add up quickly for any group that needs regular weekend access. Pierce House The layout of Pierce House is okay for some events but not for offices nor for most Bemis Events. Personal Note I and the Lincoln Organization I am in are probably one of the heaver non-Government users of Bemis Hall. The weekend use of Bemis is increasing forcing the rescheduling or cancelling of planned events due to lack of availability. The limited parking prevents the use of Bemis for some events. Bemis and street parking can only support small events preventing the use of Bemis for medium and large events when the Church is having an event since we need to use the Church Parking . Backing out of the Bemis lot can be difficult during the day when there is traffic on Bedford Rd. My feeling is that we have limped along using Bemis and need something additional, and better, space for the COA, other Government, and non-Government Organizations. While the COA’s, Rec Dept and maybe other Town Government Offices will be in the building, there must be no, or very low, cost space that Town Organizations can reserve and use on weeknights and on weekends. One last thought: I worked with Jim Cunningham on several events, and he supported some of the events I organized. The Town owes him a lot of gratitude for his, sometime single handed, efforts with the Cable Advisory Committee and videoing Town events and meetings. He is a great example of the ‘Lincoln Way’ (tradition) of experts donating their time to the Town saving the Town a lot of money. Regards, Andy From: Lincoln <lincoln-boun...@lincolntalk.org> On Behalf Of Andrew Scheff via Lincoln Sent: Friday, October 28, 2022 3:43 PM To: 'Lincoln Talk' <lincoln@lincolntalk.org> Subject: Re: [LincolnTalk] community center Bemis Hall is used by the Council on Aging & Human Services, other Town Government Organizations, Lincoln (non-Government) Organizations and is rented for private events. Demand for it use is increasing as we recover from the COVID isolation. Many days are booked a long time in advance. Parking is limited. The First Parish Church allows users to park in their parking lot, IF it is not being used for a Church event. Pulling out of the Bemis Parking spaces requires backing into Bedford Road. Lincoln has been talking about a community space for many decades. Many creative ideas were discussed and then rejected due to security, legal and/or liability issues. The last Community Center Committee investigated, and presented, many options. Several were discussed at Town Meeting and the Meeting decided on building a Community Center on the School’s Campus but delay the final design and construction until the completion of the School Building Project. The current Community Center Committee was task to continue this effort. We do not have enough space for Town Government and non-profit organizations to hold events. Peirce House has limited space. The schools can be used when the custodiams are there (weekdays only), or the user pays their overtime. And Bemis Hall. Lincoln needs more meeting and event space and we have been discussing the need for more community space for decades. It is time to make a decision. Andy From: Lincoln <lincoln-boun...@lincolntalk.org <mailto:lincoln-boun...@lincolntalk.org> > On Behalf Of llas902551--- via Lincoln Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2022 4:28 PM To: rosen...@gmail.com <mailto:rosen...@gmail.com> ; DJCP <djcp0...@gmail.com <mailto:djcp0...@gmail.com> > Cc: Lincoln Talk <lincoln@lincolntalk.org <mailto:lincoln@lincolntalk.org> > Subject: Re: [LincolnTalk] community center Hi Mr Rosen, Thank you for your remarks re: the Community Center. Bemis is used for many things. Including but not limited to exercise. The COA& HS director Abigail Butt, is very involved with obtaining many many social benefits for ages 60+. The Bemis Hall is also used for outside events. Sent from the all new AOL app for Android <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aol.mobile.aolapp> On Wed, Oct 26, 2022 at 11:47 AM, Seth Rosen <rosen...@gmail.com <mailto:rosen...@gmail.com> > wrote: -- The LincolnTalk mailing list. 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