This year’s Hildreth House proposal is both reasonable and needed.
It’s been dramatically downsized from previous proposals. Three years ago a $5.5 million expansion of Harvard’s senior center was floated. Then a smaller $3.6 million expansion was proposed. Now, rather than an expansion, the Council on Aging has focused its proposal on making Hildreth House accessible and safe. Even this focused proposal has been downsized, as five months ago it was $1.7 million, and now the cost is down to $1.26 million. And just this week a grant of $119,249 was secured, which further lowers the price tag, although a portion of this latest decrease may go away if a final expert cost review by the town’s new OPM (owners project manager) recommends any increase in the project budget.
While the price has come down a lot, the proposal delivers much needed accessibility and safety improvements. A small addition on the back would house an enclosed lift to make the second floor accessible, doubling the accessible square footage. All four doors would be made accessible, instead of just one. A bathroom would be made accessible. The porch would be leveled and expanded around back. Major site improvements would add handicapped parking spaces, safer parking and driveway and tasteful lighting. As a by-product, the building would gain a little more space and be more open to its back yard.
As a member of the Board of Selectmen and the capital committee, and the latter’s liaison to the Council on Aging, I have looked at this proposal very closely. While both boards have supported it and the capital committee has rated it first among all of this year’s requests, this letter is my own and is not written on behalf of either committee. I encourage you to vote for the Hildreth House accessibility improvements at both Town Meeting and the April 7 election.
Ken Swanton
Fairbank Street
