1:01 PORTSMOUTH Decision time is coming for the future of the Portsmouth Senior Center, which has been located in the former Anne Hutchinson Elementary School for about 40 years. "Register for our Fall Senior Workshop today by clicking this link: https://t.co/Kp0Q0bd2nv" What happens when a community doesn't meet the 10% affordable housing requirement? The Drop in Lounge is open for free coffee/tea, wifi, and conversation. Pick up between 11am-noon. I dont favor keeping the Coggeshall school though its not historical like the Anne Hutchinson building is., More:Portsmouth to open COVID vaccination center at Raytheon facility. Howard said the Friends drafted the memorandum of understanding at the request of the Town Council. I dont think the board was going to blindside you that quickly.. Donate Our Locations We serve community luncheons and prepare home delivery out of 12 locations in Rockingham Country. If the council approves the memorandum Monday night and later approves the plan with Church Community Housing, the town would enter a long-term lease of the land to the organization for $1 a year under the proposal, Rainer said. Town Solicitor Kevin Gavin has since reviewed the proposed memorandum and issued an opinion on March 26. Martin said Wednesdayshe stands by her statement. October is a wonderful time for sports fans. NEWPORT--The AARP Foundation, Tax Aide Program will offer free income tax preparation at the Portsmouth Senior Center, Thursdays 10-1 and Fridays 10-1, beginning Feb 6 And what are we asking for? Search MapQuest. How I miss those days. PDF Senior Center Hours TBD Director s Message Passing Question No. If the council approves entering into an agreement with Church Community Housing, the project will follow the same course as any other planned development, as required (planning board, zoning board, design review board), Rainer explained. - fundraise, apply for grants and other funding sources to assist the Portsmouth Senior Center in their operations. The Thrift Shop is open Monday - Friday 10:00-1:00 p.m. 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. While the town kicked in an initial $34,000for operating expenses and has continued with a yearly allocation, volunteers helped rehabilitate the former elementary school, reupholstering furniture and offering plumbing or electrical expertise. They have vilified Biden, calling him terrible names and claiming his presidency is illegitimate. Mark Ryan. Before the town and its preferred developer could begin the process of redeveloping the site, they needed voter approval. 0:57. 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. Jim Seveney,Senator, District 11 (Portsmouth, Bristol, Tiverton). 4. 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. to develop a plan to create a new senior center and housing units at the former Anne Hutchinson School site. 1 review of Portsmouth Multi Purpose Senior Center "This place has one fine thrift shop. Portsmouth Senior Center | Alcoholics Anonymous NH Happening in town:Retired Portsmouth fire captain sues the town, claiming retaliation after work injury, But, I think in the near future," Belden said. The new Friends group feels it can do betterby raising the moneyto havethe sprinklers installed at its cost, so larger assemblies can again take place at the center. This just didnt happen out of the blue, he said. Cradock Recreation Center. 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. The CCH proposal will add more than 50 new affordable housing units for seniors, increasing our affordable housing stock by 60%. Redevelopment of Portsmouth Senior Center a benefit to town. The 95-year-old building has multiple other problems. The memorandum has an end date of Dec. 31, 2025, unless it is extended by mutual agreement of the parties. CCH has successfully implemented this business model in many communities around the state. We focus on activities that offer fitness, enrichment, socializations, entertainment, and resources. All rights reserved. Worse, Trump and his ilk are intentionally following a strategy to claim fraud for any election they do not win. 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. Grocery. Portsmouth Senior Center - Accueil - Facebook Church Community Housing has talked about several options more recently, including building a new community/senior centeror rehabilitating the Anne Hutchinson building. 90 personnes taient ici. The memorandum would extend until the end of February 2026. Development of the plan would be no at cost to the town. It could reduce our renovation costs later on, he said. Rainer told the council in late February: This allows the Senior Center to continue using the building for another year. PORTSMOUTH City officials cut the ribbon for the new Senior Activity Center, while noting the pandemic has limited its use to physically distanced and remote classes, as well as a recent . "I dont see why it wouldnt be within the next couple of months or sooner.. Portsmouth Senior Center faces uncertain future - The Providence Journal Portsmouth Senior Center: 'Don't quit on us' - EastBayRI.com Our Calendar. Besides the fire sprinklers, another one of the many changes the state fire marshal wants to see is increasing the height of the front door. As a result, membership has grown over the years, at one point peaking around 800. This organization has no active opportunities. Clements Market contributes 1% of all the receipt totals to our Senior Center. 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 Ann Hutchinson School property into 50-plusunits of affordable senior housing, and a brand-new Senior Center to replace the existing code non-compliant 95-year-old facility. I dont favor the Anne Hutchinson building being torn down. Portsmouth Senior Center - Home - Facebook There is a lack of affordable housing in town, which does not comeclose to the state requirement that 10% of housing units in each community be affordable. Friends of Portsmouth Senior Center was incorporated as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation. This issue affects Portsmouthand our entire state. The AARP uses the center to help prepare taxes for free; the Visiting Nurse Association offers a flu clinic;Child & Familybrings in counselors to assist Medicare recipients in selecting supplemental insurance plans; reduced-price hot lunches before the pandemic were available five days a week before going to box lunch pickup during the pandemic; a thrift shop helps raise $8,000 to $10,000 annually to support the centers activities; and before the pandemic, quarterly dances also helped raise $1,000 per event. All rights reserved. Redevelopment of Portsmouth Senior Center a benefit to town. PORTSMOUTH If the unofficial results stand, Portsmouth will have a new senior center and elderly affordable housing. It has received an architectural proposal from Union Studio Architecture & Community Design of Providence to do the architectural study and a proposal from Fuss & ONeill of Providence to do the engineering study. Portsmouth Senior Center is a non-profit 501(c)3. The project could be financed through several channels, Belden said. A key to making the projects financially feasible is that the town would be providing the land to Church Community under a long-term lease ata nominal cost, like $1 a year. Nancy Howard has another suggestion: use some of the towns allocation of federal COVID money to install sprinklers right away at the Anne Hutchinson building. Services Available to Members In addition to the Thrift Shop, the Pool Room, Library and Craft/Lab Room is open. After the 2019 inspection found that the center was improperly using the second floor, Rainer and the towns fire chief met with the Rhode Island Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal & Review in February 2020. More:What happens when a community doesn't meet the 10% affordable housing requirement? The center also serves as a town polling place. The 90-year-old Anne Hutchinson Building's days may be numbered, as the state has ruled the building must be vacated by June 30 if three outstanding fire code violations a $400,000-plus sprinkler system being the most expensive are not addressed by . The former school, which now serves as the Portsmouth Multi-Purpose . JE Parker Recreation Center. Seniors are our most vulnerable population and should be protected. 1998-2023 VolunteerMatch. Redevelopment of Portsmouth senior a benefit to town: Letters Portsmouth Senior Center is a non-profit 501(c)3. Senior Station. Theres never been a conversation with the senior center, the Friends of the Senior Center and the town, she said. 2023 www.newportri.com. Please call the office or stop by to get the monthly list of activities. On March 23, Ford sent Rainer a plan, developed in consultation with the fire marshal within his department: the center could allow a maximum of 33 people in the building, in small groups spread across multiple rooms. Since there is no sewerage connections to the two properties and septic systems must be used, the number of housing units created ateach site will be limited, Belden said. The favored teams do not always win. The former Anne Hutchinson School at 110 Bristol Ferry Road currently serves as the Portsmouth Multi-Purpose Senior Center, but its been functioning with limited capacity because of the poor condition of the building. Donations by appointment only. Address 127 Parrott Avenue, 2 Portsmouth , New Hampshire , 03801 Phone 603-431-8677 Fax 515-263-9853 Map of Portsmouth Senior Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire View map of Portsmouth Senior Center, and get driving directions from your location. Town Administrator Rainer said it is very difficult to find a location in town that has the needed size, office space and adequate parking for a senior center and thatis also affordable for the town. Portsmouth Senior Center: New Activities If people found out that an organization would come in and build a community center at no cost to the town and I ignored it I would be equally criticized.. There are several concerns with this suggestion, wrote Martin in her letter to the editor. He felt like [the fire board] could have closed us up that day. Belden told the council that his organization especially requiresthe memorandum sotheycan apply for funding with investors or other organizations to pay for thearchitectural and engineering studies needed to develop a masterplan. Church Community was also asked by the town to develop a plan for the former Coggeshall School on East Main Road. For a number of reasons, it would not be appropriate for the Town to relinquish its authority and control over a Town-owned building, and essentially turn the building over to your organization to perform a public works construction project., Martins response during a recent interview: My concern is that [the town] is going to dismantle the senior center, and its going to dissolve.. The Friends of the Portsmouth Senior Center wants to work with the town and the senior center to repair fire code violations in order to keep the former Anne Hutchinson Building open as a place of assembly. Mathieu takes issue with Rainers voluntarily offering in early 2020 to close the building in 18 months without consulting with the senior center. The company asked if there was any land in Portsmouth available. The Thrift Shop is open Monday - Friday 10:00-1:00 p.m. Resident Larry Fitzmorris saidhe believes if the town is disposing of more than two acres of land and the Coggeshall property is seven acres the residents must vote on the proposal, according to the town charter. The waiver, which followed a state inspection, came with a condition: that the center not use the second floor of the 15,000-square-foot building. However, when it was presented to the council in March, the council continued the matter and did not hear a presentation from the Friends. We are an information and a referral for our senio Question #2 offers a cost-effective alternative to Portsmouth that will solve two critical issues. 90 were here. I believe that the concept behind your proposed MOU between the Town and Friends is fundamentally and fatally flawed, from both legal and practical standpoints, Gavin wrote. PORTSMOUTH The first in-person Town Council meeting in 15 months was, ostensibly, a public hearing on the provisional budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year. More:Portsmouth Senior Center must close, but plan is in the works for its revival. For its past projects, Church Community also has worked with private fundraisers, obtained private funding, and were helped by corporate donors, Belden said. Christian Beldin, executive director of Church Community, sees no conflict with the Friends'goal of putting in a sprinkler system. 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. Mathieu said the center has explored renting space in other facilities in Portsmouth and neighboring communities to help in the meantime. Current proposed solutions from the town have suggested that Portsmouth senior citizens commute to Middletown for the next 3-5 years while long term plans and solutions are developed. The former school, which now serves as the Portsmouth Multi-Purpose Senior Center, must be vacated by June 30 because of the poor condition of the 95-year-old building. Food. We avoid any town borrowing, we repurpose unused land, this new development goes onto the property tax rolls, make a long-term fix for our senior center, and increase our desperately needed housing stock. A 501(C)(3) Organization. If you are over 60 and your income is at or below the guidelines (call 866-306-0270 for Great Bay Bridge Club Plus we offer an adventure club program where we rock wall climb, snow shoe, kayak, walk, play at the beach, and more. Together we embrace the power of aging and provide a facility that can support and empower the aging population of Portsmouth. Town Administrator Rich Rainer also said recently he sees no conflict between Church Communitys goal for the property and what the Friends are doing. They wanted to meet all of the needs: social, education, anything that was needed.. If anything, weve done as much or more as any organization to try and fix this. Portsmouth is responsible for major repairs, but the center pays for its own utilities and has raised money over the years to do minor fix-ups, like painting. A previous model created all affordable housing units at different sites, but research has shown it is not good to concentrate this type of housing, especially for children, he said. Find Best Western Hotels & Resorts nearby Sponsored. Find volunteer opportunities from thousands of organizations that need your help. We would do well to participate fully and to honor vote counts that have historically been free, fair, and highly accurate. But the games are won and lost by points or runs. Howard is concerned the Friendshavenot been heard at Town Council meetings. If we do pursue family housing at either of these sites, it will be in the Communities of Opportunity format, Beldin said. Government Websites by . Mary Ellen Martin, a Massachusetts attorney who grew up in Portsmouth, has also been working on behalf of the Friends of the Portsmouth Senior Center. Portsmouth Senior Center must close, but plan is in the works for its revival, Portsmouth to explore creating housing at two school properties, plus a new senior center, 'Changed my whole way of life': As they get vaccines, Newport Co. seniors reflect on the year, 'Isolation was devastating': Newport County senior center leaders witness COVID aftermath, Vaccination gives 107-year-old Portsmouth woman a chance to see great-grandchildren again. Grieb said past quotes for the work have been between $308,000 and $422,000. Retired Portsmouth fire captain sues the town, claiming retaliation after work injury, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. We are an information and a. 1-877-929-9222 125 Portsmouth Blvd, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3P 2M3 Front Desk: (204) 284-5432 From the moment you arrive at Portsmouth retirement home in Winnipeg, you'll be welcomed like family. Grieb and Howard noted that Beldin has said low- and moderate income affordable housing could be included at both sites. But there are a lot of people in town really upset about the senior center being closed down like this. Whats clear is that a new building is years away; and renovations that include sprinklers are at least a year or two away, should the town go that route. Senior Station | Portsmouth Parks, VA - Official Website The proposals for Bristol Ferry Road call for the renovation or creation of a new senior center on that site, in addition developing it for housing, with elderly housing being theprimary housing type the town islooking to pursue there. I can tell you first-hand we have a severe shortage of senior housing in town. They wanted it to be a multipurpose building, not just a place where elderly people visit or sit around, Mathieu said. Of course we have a responsibility to our seniors. While putting a plan together, Church Community would work with a group of Portsmouth stakeholders that include senior center and board members, as well as elected and public officials, who would consult with them on the needs that must be met. The undersigned Portsmouth, RI resident hereby requests Portsmouth Town Council grant permission for Friends of Portsmouth Senior Center, non-profit organization, 501 (c) (3); which will allow the following: - make needed repairs to the current location of the Portsmouth Senior Center located at the Anne Hutchinson School building, 110 Bristol Ferry Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871, to allow the Senior Center to continue to operate at this location throughout the time Church Community Housing (CCH) has completed their work at this location. 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. Our Calendar is available in PDF format. The Portsmouth Senior Activity Center is a vibrant hub for adults ages 50+ focusing on healthy aging. Portsmouth Senior Activity Center - VolunteerMatch To put in that amountto allow the seniors to have a place to go for the next five years seems like a pretty darn good deal.. He thought the chances of the state continuing to grant a sprinkler waiver were slim. The town, for whatever reason, is not going to put the sprinkler system in, said Tom Grieb, who is affiliated with the group that doesnt have a formal relationship. Use the New Member Form to join us or renew your membership with the Membership Renewal Form now! Politics is different. 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. tax-deductible gift helps us connect He and his most ardent supporters have not just opposed Joe Bidens policies. She drafted a one-page memorandum of understanding for sprinklers that was ultimately rejected by the town solicitor. Games start at 10:30 am (please seat yourselves by 10:20 am). Grieb was talking about being in the building for a limited amount of timebecause the Portsmouth Town Council in February unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the Church Community Housing Corp. of Newport. Our priority is always to save a building if it can be saved. Remember the squads of lawyers and the hanging chads from a few punch out ballots? Thats for both properties.. The plan would be dependent on architectural and engineering studies Church Community wouldundertake at the organizations cost. He and other members hope to see a master plan developed in about a years time so that seniors do not have to wait too many yearsfor the new senior center. Portsmouth Senior Activity Center 125 Cottage Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801 603-610-4433 February News We have added a few new events in February. Neighborhood Facility. But the founders envisioned more than just a social club.
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