Residents Get Final Look at Building Projects

On Tuesday evening, Ellington residents once again had the chance to hear about and discuss the , and the .

Board of Education Chairman Dan Keune talked a little bit about the need for the school project, and then turned it over to architect Hugh Pearson who explained the project.

Currently, has 29,600 square feet and the two-story addition would add approximately 18,350 more square feet. The school is currently a K-4 school, but it would be made a K-6 school.

The classrooms would be improved, some spaces would be moved around within the building, and everything would be upgraded. A couple of the goals on the site would be to separate the bus and car loading zones, respond to poor sight lines, and improve and expand the parking.

With this proposal, would see some alterations. There would be no additions or site work – with the exception of perhaps a pre-kindergarten playground. The alterations would include changing classrooms around to better suit the grade that is in it, using current space more efficiently, and improving toilet and storage facilities.

After hearing about the project, residents got the chance to ask questions or make comments.

One resident said that he was representing a group of parents who supported the project.

“I applaud your attempts with this referendum to avoid second rate solutions to what would be among our first rate priorities,” he said. “Thank you for acting now and sending this to referendum while our regrets are limited to not having acted sooner.”

Another resident said that she attended Crystal Lake in the 1970s, and some of the things that were a problem then, are still a problem. She also supports the project.

“I thank you for taking the action,” she said.

Next up was the Senior Center project. Susan Hannigan, Vice Chair of the Senior Center Steering Committee, talked about the merits of the project and architect Anwar Hossain talked specifics.

The proposed new would be approximately 10,600 square feet. The committee has set out to get a new center for the town because they don’t feel the current center adequately serves the needs of the town’s seniors (residents over age 60) – or prepares for future growth in the number of seniors.

The current center is small, doesn’t have an ideal location or the best amenities, and costs $3,339 a month to rent.

Once again, residents had the chance to discuss the project.

One approached the microphone and said that he hadn’t seen the presentation before and that he supported the seniors having the new facility. However, he had a question. He wondered where the funding will come from to run the new center on a day to day basis.

Human Services Director Doris Crayton talked a little bit about the estimated yearly operating costs, which were given to the committee by the Suffield Senior Center because it is of similar size.

Crayton said that it is not expected that there will be any additional administrative costs except for kitchen staff since the current center doesn’t have a lunch program now.

“We’ll either hire or contract out for a lunch program,” she said. “We don’t have an idea on what the cost will be. However, the cost would be offset by the fee or charge that we would have for lunch.”

As for the heating, electrical, and other costs, she said that those numbers are only guesstimates and that more firm numbers will be determined later.

As for the answer to where the funding will come from, Crayton said, “Presently our budget is town funded and I would anticipate that it would continue to be town funded and that our operating budget would be funded by the town.”

Both projects will go to referendum on Feb. 14. Residents can vote from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. at .