It looks like a sprinkler system could go in for as little as $300,000, he said. The Portsmouth Senior Center is a private nonprofit organization that now rents the former elementary school property for $1 a year from the town. Are you fully vaccinated? We focus on activities that offer fitness, enrichment, socializations, entertainment, and resources. The two-story, 17,159-square-foot building once had a maximum occupant load of 550 persons, according to the decision. The final plan alsowould be subject to Town Council approval. Mark Ryan. Portsmouth Senior Center must close, but plan is in works for revival He stated there is a two-step process that involves: 1) Securing a permanent replacement as the current location, Anne Hutchinson School, is no longer authorized for use as of next summer, and; 2) Finding intermediate location until permanent home is found for the . Beazley Senior Center Portsmouth, Virginia Right now, the whole second floor cannot be used, for example. Grieb and Howard noted that Beldin has said low- and moderate income affordable housing could be included at both sites. Council discussion of the memorandum took 1 hour and 42 minutes and six residents spoke during the Zoom meeting. I dont think the town understands the sentiment and the feeling of the seniors.. Yes, sports are comprised of games. Portsmouth senior center: What's next following Tuesday's vote Asked when the organization would go before the council, Belden said the referendum was still very fresh and discussions would need to be had with the development and legal teams. Friends of Portsmouth Senior Center's proposal called 'fatally flawed And what are we asking for? Al Gore and George Bush faced off for the presidency several years ago, now. Games start at 10:30 am (please seat yourselves by 10:20 am). Union Bank & Trust Pavilion. The situation highlights the complexities of a nonprofit using a municipally owned building and the challenges of trying to fix the main problem: a lack of sprinklers. That triggered a series of events over the last 18 months that have led to finger-pointing and some miscommunication about the future of the building and, ultimately, the organization. Some felt the creation of a senior center should be handled separately. We can no longer be in the building after June 30, Town Administrator Rich Rainer told The Daily News. Resident Cathleen Sheils said she is concerned about the prospect of seniors being forced to drive on narrow East Main Road to get to the center in Middletown. 2023 www.newportri.com. The center also serves as a town polling place. Le ave T his Bla * indicates a required field Portsmouth Live Meeting Stream FY2024 Adopted Budget Agendas & Minutes 2023 City Holiday Calendar I understand the concerns people have, but its been taken out of our hands, he said. As part of the City of Portsmouth's Recreation Department, the Senior Activity Center provides programs and activities Monday - Friday 9:00am-3:00pm. The State Fire Board hasruled the building cannot be occupied until a fire sprinkler system is installed and a number of other expensive changes are made. If the unofficial results stand, the next step would be for the Town Council, in open session, to approve entering into an agreement with Church Community Housing, Town Administrator Richard Rainer explained in an email on Wednesday. If anything, weve done as much or more as any organization to try and fix this. PORTSMOUTH There is a new group in town, Friends of the Portsmouth Senior Center, with a simple goal in mind: allow seniors in town to keep using the former Anne Hutchinson Elementary School on Bristol Ferry Road as their gathering place. That way there would be no land acquisition costs for the project developers. In March, with a looming deadline for closure and with no remediation in place, Rainer asked the towns fire chief, Paul Ford, if the center could operate with reduced capacity. No real debate. Second, the Church Community Housing proposal will address one of our compelling economic issues, the lack of affordable housing. Welcome to Great Bay bridge! We have no vacanciesand a long waiting list. While the town had corrected nearly two dozen lesser problems, it needed two other variances for more serious violations at the center: inadequate headroom clearance at the front door and a duct violation in the kitchen. They wanted to meet all of the needs: social, education, anything that was needed.. Christian Belden, executive director of Church Community Housing, explained Wednesday that the organization would go to the council and work on a ground lease agreement thatd provide it with site control, so the organization can apply for the funding necessary to build. Membership Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. She believes the projected costs of necessary repairs are being overstated. If you are over 60 and your income is at or below the guidelines (call 866-306-0270 for Now the town is going to allow a limited opening, up to 33 people in parts of the building, excluding the large dining area and activity room. The existing Senior Center would require more than $5 million in new investment just to keep using what currently exists, a run-down and worn-out building that wouldn't meet current building code. We are an information and a referral for our senior community. From the towns perspective, our cost is providing CCH the land to build on. Of course we have a responsibility to our seniors. Go. For more information abt the site nearest you, click below, of call us at (603) 679-2201 Derry, NH Marion Gerrish Community Center 39 West Broadway PORTSMOUTH Decision time is coming for the future of thePortsmouth Senior Center, which has been located in the former Anne Hutchinson Elementary School for about 40 years. Portsmouth Senior Center is a non-profit 501(c)3. The election was close, and the whole outcome was in doubt during the Florida recount. But the founders envisioned more than just a social club. Some Portsmouth seniorsmay not be able to travel to a neighboring town and the risk of overcrowding another center, to name a few.. And that would mean that our landlord would be Church [Community] Housing and not the Town of Portsmouth. Maybe theres a possibility for some land in Portsmouth to be developed into senior housing. PORTSMOUTH One of the most active senior centers in Rhode Island is facing an uncertain future, as fire code violations at its century-old, town-owned building have forced the center to substantially scale back activities ata time when members have been vaccinated and are ready to gather again. That is a separate project and will have its own development team when it gets underway, Beldin said. Im jazzed about the idea, but I know people are resistant to change, Rainer said. We have important elections every two years. The center has a 20-year lease that doesnt expire until 2034, with a $1 annual payment to the town for use of the old Anne Hutchinson Elementary School. Thank you. 110 Bristol Ferry RoadPO Box 202Portsmouth, RI 02871. Question 2 on the Nov. 2 ballot was approved by voters by a narrow margin with 1,880 votes cast for approval (53.88%) of a property transfer, compared to 1,609 votes rejecting the question (46.12%), according to the . PORTSMOUTH If the unofficial results stand, Portsmouth will have a new senior center and elderly affordable housing. It will serve them well for decades. October is a wonderful time for sports fans. Neighborhood Facility. But the games are won and lost by points or runs. That's what members of the Portsmouth Multi-Purpose Senior Center would like to know. Under the memorandum, Church Community also will develop a plan for housing units at the former Coggeshall School on East Main Road, where the ball fields would remain. Our Locations - Rockingham Nutrition & Meals on Wheels She fears the seniors would only be given an activity room in the new Church Community development, if it takes place. Passing Question No. Our priority is always to save a building if it can be saved. Amongst tall trees and lush greenery, our senior living home features a craft kitchen, library, gym, salon and more. That would not be easy because the top of the door frame is part of the weight-bearing structure for the facade, Rainer said. What better way to spend $400,000 than on the seniors? she said. The Friends group was formed to advocate and raise money for the senior center building, so it drafted a memorandum of understanding to formalize the relationship of the two senior center groups. In 2020, 28% of Portsmouths residents were 60 and older; 37% were 55 and older. April 2023 - click here. Senior Center. He added that there was no scenario as some in town believe where the town was looking for a way to squeeze the seniors out of their building and bring in a developer. A follow-up inspection by the local fire marshal in 2019 found the second floor being used for storage by the senior center and other groups that utilize the building in violation of the states order. 91 were here. All rights reserved. Under the proposed memorandum, the town would grant Friends permission to make the necessary repairs to the building and to work directly with contractors. Otherwise, autocrats will prevail and bring about policies to enrich themselves and their circle at the expense of everyone else. At this time, everything is subject to council approval of the [memorandum of understanding], but generally the points identified are consistent with the discussion held with the town to date, said Christian Belden, Church Community Housings executive director, when asked aboutRainers outline of the memorandum. Portsmouth NH Senior Activity Center | Portsmouth NH - Facebook Bide-A-Wee Pavilion. Resident Tom Grieb said these projects would not be free to the town. Mathieu said the center has explored renting space in other facilities in Portsmouth and neighboring communities to help in the meantime. So Rainer made a preemptive strike, proposing at the meeting that the state give the town until June 30, 2021, before closing the building. My understanding is that contractors have offered to donate time and equipment, he said. Donations by appointment only. You do not have to be a Portsmouth resident to join, but you must be 55 years or older. But we have a long track record of doing that Anthony House in Portsmouth, Mumford Manor in Newport, St. Bernards Church in North Kingstown, or Harbor House in Newport. In a typical week people can enjoy yoga, line dancing, tai chi, scrabble, mah jongg, art class, Bone Builders weight class, Strength and Balance class, movies, clubs, Zumbaand much more. Citizens group forms to support Portsmouth Senior Center Please call the office or stop by to get the monthly list of activities. This question asks Portsmouth citizens to authorize the town to enter into a long-term lease agreement with Church Community Housing Corp. (a nonprofit) to develop the former . It also will complete a market analysis of what type of mixed housing would be financially feasible there. This issue affects Portsmouthand our entire state. Portsmouth Senior Center is a non-profit 501(c)3. To those who play games with politics, by suppressing votes, by claiming fraud without evidence, or by suborning voting officials do great damage to our republic.
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