Input Invited on Next Branford Senior Center

Public input-especially from seniors-on a proposed plan for a new senior center is what First Selectman Anthony "Unk" DaRos seeks at a special meeting this Friday, Aug. 27, at the Canoe Brook Senior Center.

DaRos announced the meeting during last week's Board of Selectmen (BOS) meeting, saying he also wants to "just clear up some things" about what's being proposed.

DaRos said the Aug. 27 meeting will be an opportunity to "look at what the seniors want in a building and I want to show them potential of the [North Main Street] building."

The plan's been a subject of some debate since DaRos formally introduced it at a June BOS meeting. It calls for additions and renovations to an existing building at 175 North Main Street, currently owned by Branford's Queach Development Corp. To obtain that building, the town would swap its current Board of Education (BOE) building in the former town post office (1111 Main Street) with Queach. The BOE would move into the current Canoe Brook Senior Center on Cherry Street, renovated to double the BOE's current office space. (See related stories to the right).

The town currently has on file plans and drawings showing proposed additions and renovations by Quisenberry Arcari Architects, LLC (Farmington). The proposed center includes an exercise room, fitness space, spa/wellness center, media center, arcade, four activity rooms, lounge, café, kitchen, and a multipurpose room with public seating for 135. An administrative section includes offices, a social services section, and room for future growth. Outdoor spaces along two sides of the building include a patio and green space/bocce court. The main entrance fronts a large parking lot and includes a pick-up/drop-off area, sitting area, and canopied entrance.

Although the estimated debt for the plan is $4.5 million, DaRos said it's expected to cost in the neighborhood of $3.7 million when completed, based on a professional assessment of needs of the town.

"The estimated debt is at $4.5 million. We know it's not going to cost that," DaRos said.

Some seniors have already spoken out against the idea, particularly at an RTM Ways and Means Committee meeting in June (see the related story online).

At the Aug. 18 BOS meeting, Third Selectman John Opie said he felt there were other options the town should consider, as well.

Saying the North Main Street site "is an opportunity, I don't think in any way it's the only opportunity," said Opie, adding he felt Branford should be "polling seniors to determine where they want to be."

Opie also noted, "We just built a brand-new YMCA; they lack a cafeteria and kitchen center to be a [senior] facility…Rather than build a new building, [maybe] we could add a wing on it."

Another recommendation from Opie was to consider networking with North Branford, which he characterized as being on "shaky" ground with its senior center. Recently, North Branford began discussing the idea of moving its senior center from a small hall on Foxon Road into the former Stanley T. Williams School in Northford.

"They may want to go in with us. It's an opportunity to do more than just for Branford. It is time to do something, but let's do something really smart," said Opie.

The proposed center on North Main Street would support the needs of Branford's senior population for at least the next 35 to 40 years, according to the professional assessment, DaRos said.

Speaking at the Aug. 18 BOS meeting, held at the Canoe Brook Senior Center, DaRos added, "Somewhere along the line, you'd better get started on a senior center because this place is not fulfilling the need."

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