Linsky Earmarks Funds for Sherborn Senior Center

Sherborn - The state Legislature has recently passed a number of comprehensive bond bills that, if signed by Governor Deval Patrick, will bring $100,000 to Sherborn toward designing a new senior center and $150,000 for improvements to Farm Pond.

State Rep. David Linsky, D-Natick, a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, worked with fellow committee members and state representatives to earmark funding for Sherborn in both the Environmental Bond and the General Government Bond bills.

“Sherborn has long been in need of a new senior center, and I was pleased to help secure funds so that the town can realize this project,” he said in a statement. “Additionally, Farm Pond is one of the most precious natural resources in my district; it is of the utmost importance that we give it proper funding so that it will remain one of the most pristine ponds in eastern Massachusetts.”

Although enthusiasm among town government regarding the funds is high, according to many of officials, including Sherborn Town Administrator Dan Keyes, it is still too early in the process to know what Sherborn’s next step should be.

“I had a meeting about it with my staff, but it is premature to begin any kind of large-scale discussion [about what to do with the money]; it’s not even certain that we’ll receive it,” said Keyes. “If we do, the Board of Selectmen will talk about it, and I’m sure they’ll make a decision for the best interests of the town.”

Selectman Paul DeRensis identified the Council on Aging as one of the likely town committees to be heavily involved in the potential design of a senior center, if the bills were to pass fully.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the town to finally address the pressing needs of our seniors. I intend to rely on the Council on Aging because that committee has taken the lead in looking for a senior center, and it was that committee that had asked [town government] to look for state funding,” he said in an interview.

Fellow Selectman Chris Peck was in agreement that the Council on Aging would be a part of the process, and also cited the Elderly Housing Committee as another key body.

“We don’t have a senior center building committee, so we’d likely go to the Council on Aging and the Elderly Housing Committee and have a meeting of those minds, then go from there in terms of creating a design committee,” he said.

He added that there are “many questions” remaining about a possible construction project, such as the location for it, as well as the likelihood of needing to find additional funding.

George Shea, vice chairman of the Council on Aging, and an associate member of the Kostick Property Re-Use Committee, said he felt assured that the COA “would have some input” in considerations about a senior center, but emphasized the fact that the status of the state funding is yet unclear. He also said that even if the bills were to pass, the Kostick property might not be the appropriate location for a senior center, as the town has many other needs that could be fulfilled by it.

According to Nancy Hess, chairman of the Kostick Property Re-use Committee, even though the money will potentially come in conjunction with the recent start of deliberations regarding 23 Washington St., there is no pressure for the committee to find a way to use the property as a senior center.

“We see these as two separate issues,” she said. “We have to look at the whole overall future of Sherborn, not just a senior center, and we have to take a neutral approach. A senior center is not part of our charge.

“But it’s always nice for the state to give us money,” she added, a sentiment echoed by town officials and volunteers alike.