Study shows VMS as a potential senior center
By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

A proposed floor plan (above) was created as part of the feasibility study that determined the VMS Building could be used as a senior center. On Saturday, voters will see an article on the town meeting warrant that will ask for money to create a formal building design. COURTESY PHOTO

A multi-phased renovation plan for the Veterans Memorial School Building in Ashburnham was laid out during a public forum on Saturday, with more than 40 people in attendance.

The meeting hosted by Council on Aging board and Director Mary Lee Mussell, presented the details of the feasibility study on the VMS Building as a senior center.

"You have a great, old, sound structure here," said architect Ken Jadrie, of Caolo & Bieniek Associates.

He said some of the first phase of repairs would be to create a more energy-efficient building. This would include replacing all of the windows, installing a new heating and ventilation system, and a new bathroom that would be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as showers. The other costly renovations include a vertical lift and new front stairway, ramp and doorway.

The renovation would also remove many of the walls set up by the Police and Fire departments, as they used two-thirds of the existing building.

"For the most part it goes back to the original classrooms," Jadrie said.

The schematic for programming in the feasibility study was created from a survey sent to the community in their electricity bills.

The space includes an arts-and-crafts room, an exercise and aerobics room, office space, as well as couple of meeting rooms and a multi-purpose area. In the schematic sketch there are also computer stations, a main hall (in the former gym), and the kitchen area remains.

"We would be thrilled to share this with the community," Mussell said.

Not included in the first phase is the expense is the interior painting nor the repair work, as a way to keep costs down.

The exterior renovation also includes space for a covered porch, but that is not included in the first stage.

Jadrie said the review process would take place again when the final plans are drawn up, which will include meetings with a building committee, public meetings, and a final layout of the proposed area.

Dottie Munroe, an Advisory Board member who attended the meeting, said she would not want the "Veterans" portion of name of the building removed.

There was a large vocal agreement to that statement. The Veterans Memorial School was built in 1949 and named in honor of the town residents that served in World War II.

Lois Somers said the second phase of renovations would be to renovate the existing kitchen to make it commercial-sized, allowing for more large events to take place there.

Those attending asked about the ability to heat different parts of the area, as well as the ability to open up only part of the building on evenings or weekends.

Pixie Brennan, of Ashburnham, commented that the town would need meeting space and event space because of renovations to Town Hall.

Jadrie said, the HVAC system was priced to include zone heating and that the building could be designed to have security doors within it.

The COA has petitioned to have an article on the town meeting warrant to ask voters to appropriate $80,000 to get construction documents (bid ready specs) designed. The COA would like the town, with the help of the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission, to apply for a $1 million grant to fund the first phase of the renovation.

A Community Development Block Grant would allow the town to spend $800,000 on construction and the remaining money would cover grant administration and an outreach program, which is mandated by the grant, Mussell said.

"I can't tell you this (awarding of the grant) is a sure thing," Mussell said. "The worse thing that can happen is that we have to reapply. But the $80,000 is a one-time thing."

Selectman Christopher Gagnon, who attended the meeting, asked for more details on the grant.

The Selectmen and the Advisory Board are not recommending the article on the town meeting warrant. They have not identified a funding source, either.