Dear Lynn, Thank you so much for thoughtfully describing your perspective. I was also wondering about improving upon preexisting buildings as an alternative. I am in complete agreement with what you’ve shared here. I appreciate you willing to serve on behalf of other residents who feel the same way.
Becca > On Sep 13, 2023, at 10:29 AM, Lynn DeLisi, M.D. via Lincoln > <lincoln@lincolntalk.org> wrote: > > > Wednesday September 13, 2023 > > Dear LT, > > I am posting my personal views, not as a member of the Town Planning Board, > but as one resident of this unique town. I want to thank the Community Center > Building Committee and the Architects for their hard work for our Town over > the last several months. However, after listening to the Community Center > Building Committee’s Forum last evening, it has become very clear to me that > the Town’s vision to improve facilities for the COA cannot be accomplished on > the school site as “selected” by residents of the Town a few years ago. We > hired excellent architects who have listened to the committee and the public > now for several months and have come up with 3+ major plans, recommending the > middle priced one that is at 75% the original very expensive estimate given > to us last year. The lowest price option was shown to be inadequate for COA > activities and would be only as one person said “moving the COA from one > deficient site to another”. > > It was also clear that remaining on the school site means we “must”, > according to the committee leadership, include in our community center > renovating or rebuilding space for the after school program called “LEAP”, > despite many residents giving input that this program is the school’s > responsibility and not that of a Community Center. In addition there are > safety issues related to traffic patterns, increased cars and children > walking or on bikes to get to and from school and activities. > > Furthermore, it was clear from the lack of discussion on the topic last > night, that there was no SERIOUS consideration by the committee of other > sites throughout Town that could be appropriate for a community center, > particularly COA functions. While Bemis Hall and the Pierce House have been > visited, no details about what it would take to renovate them have been > presented, nor has anyone taken the time to investigate whether the Town > could use other buildings or space, historic or otherwise, along Lincoln Rd > or nearby and renovate any of them for a community center that at least > houses the COA. Mainly, the committee remains on the school campus because it > is the best place for Parks and Rec to be and many people want to mix > generations in a “Community Center for All”. > > I would like to propose that a new Town Committee be formed of concerned > residents, who would still like to see the Town have a safe and up-to-date > improved space for a COA, to conduct activities, but do not want taxes raised > any further, and be a committee that SERIOUSLY examines existing sites that > could be renovated, even if it means the cost of purchasing them for the > Town. I would be happy to serve on such a committee. In the mean time until > this committee does its work, we should put the Building Committee and > architects on hold and not have a special Town Meeting to vote on the School > site options in December. When Town’s residents selected the school site as > the “best” for a community center, they did not know what we know now. > > Lynn DeLisi > > 125 South Great Rd > > > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >
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