Proposed senior center may move
By Karen Mann

The Building Design Committee told the Board of Selectmen they would like to change the proposed site of the new senior center.

Nancy Shepherd, a member of the committee, said they would like to construct the building on the same site where Atwood Acres - a senior housing complex - is located.

The group said they do not want it to be under the control of Atwood Acres but under the control of the tow. However, it would be convenient to have the senior center next to senior housing, Shepherd said.

The property that is under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen, so the committee would have to get their permission to build on the land. Shepherd said the committee was not looking for any official approval yet because they still have a lot of work to do. She said they are eager to move forward with the project, and wanted to know if selectmen were still on board with them.

"As a board, we fully support the senior center," said Board Chairman Robert Plamondon.

The committee was previously given land located near the highway department. In the past few months, it was decided that site would not be satisfactory to house the senior center.

This is when the different committees associated with the project decided to research new locations. Shepherd said they will hold onto the land until a new site is approved.

The committee is still waiting to hear if their new idea is feasible, which includes having the land surveyed. Shepherd said they would need about three acres for the senior center.

In an unrelated project, Atwood Acres is in the process of getting permission to construct a second housing building on their lot. The committee is taking this into consideration, but thinks even with the new building there would be enough room to build the senior center there.

In other business:

 The Highway Department will be doing major roadwork on Route 13 to replace a stone culvert. Highway Superintendent Edward Kukkula said because they don't want to do a "band-aid job" Route 13 will have to be shut down on both sides while construction is done.

Kukkula proposed detouring cars coming from Townsend onto West Elm Street located next to the Old Brick Store. This street eventually turns into West Townsend Road and reconnects with Route 13 in Lunenburg. Because of this, Kukkula needs to get permission from officials in Lunenburg to use this as the detour.

He also is waiting for Police Chief Irving Marshall Jr. to give his consent. Kukkula got approval from selectmen to start the project once he ties up those loose ends.

They passed a motion giving the Highway Department the $29,000 in Chapter 90 funds it requested to replace the stone culvert. Kukkula said they are also using $55,000 in leftover grant money from a previous project.

Kukkula said he would like to start the project on August 7, so it will not interfere with school bus routes. He estimates it will take three days to finish and while under construction, the road will be closed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

 The board approved of a contract awarded to F.G Sullivan Drilling Company Inc. to build a new well at Townsend Harbor. Because of delays in approval from the state, the original price F.G. Sullivan had given the town last fall has increased by 12 percent. Selectmen agreed this was fair, because it is natural inflation. They approved a change order, which increases the contract from $67,000 to $75,000.

 The board appointed Anthony Genova to serve a one-year term as an Associate Member on the Zoning Board of Appeals. As an associate member, Genova can provide feedback during meeting, but cannot vote unless authorized by the chairman. Selectman David Chenelle, who is also a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, said it will be the first time in his 12-year tenure that this committee has had a full board.