COA chair responds to criticisms surrounding K of C building

Dear Editor:

I read with interest some recent letters from Ms. Alice Brown. She is quite articulate, and like many seniors in Canton is upset about the issues surrounding the former Knights of Columbus building at 500 Pleasant Street. A little history is in order for clarity’s sake, and I must also clarify a couple of points. In January of 2012 the Council on Aging voted to ask the Board of Selectmen for assistance in acquiring the property that we heard may be coming up for sale. The BOS notified us in February that they would assist us with our request. The property was purchased from the K of C for $450,000 by the BOS. An independent appraiser evaluated the property, and his estimate came in at the same general price range that the town purchased the property for — a very fair price to the town.

Upon completion of the sale, the building was transferred from the limited jurisdiction of the COA to the Building Renovations Committee (BRC). When the COA director and I, along with the full COA board, visited the property in September for a final review of our vision for renovations to the property, we smelled an odor of gas. The director notified the BRC chairman of our concern, and he notified us that the gas was being turned off, the water had been turned off, and the water pipes had been drained. Basically, we were told the building had been winterized.

I would agree with Ms. Brown that someone is at fault for the current mess and the insurance company not willing to pay for the damage. I would not agree with her that she would be “loathe to vote for more funds” to make the building habitable. That is short-sighted. Because someone in Canton did not do their job and we have all this damage does not mean we should not go forward. The structure is sound. The 5,200 elders over the age of 60 in Canton deserve this building and land, with 88 parking spaces and the great location. We have 11 parking spaces at our current location. The elders did not cause this mess and should not be penalized. I presume that our leaders will find out who is responsible for the error in judgment and hold them accountable.

I hope Ms. Brown and her many friends do not try to hold up funding at annual town meeting for the renovation of this property. It is needed and it’s about time the seniors have a facility that is larger than the “cellar” we currently occupy and with substantial parking. Help us, Ms. Brown, and please don’t hinder the herculean efforts to date of your Council on Aging.

Sincerely,

John J. Friel

Chairman, Council on Aging

Share This Post

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=19116