Councilors Back Research into ‘Community Resource Coordinator’; mixed views on buying Drown Road facility
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Summary
Councilors asked town staff to gather information on converting the Drown Road site and on an alternative ‘community resource coordinator’ model presented by Brian Sites of Volunteers of America; members favored researching a coordinator position while expressing mixed support for acquiring and operating a care facility.
Councilors at the Nov. 10 workshop asked town staff to gather facts about two responses to local senior‑care needs: a possible conversion of the Drown Road facility into transitional housing and a lower‑cost alternative involving a community resource coordinator.
Bob, who introduced the Drown Road proposal, asked the council to “give Matt the direction to begin a conversation with the people that manage the Drown Road facility” to explore conversion or acquisition. He framed the effort as long‑term planning to expand local options for aging residents.
Brian Sites, who identified himself as a resident and as vice president of business development for Volunteers of America, presented a nonmedical model he described as a “firehouse” or community resource coordinator. “You could literally cover 500 homes with one individual,” Sites said, describing a role that connects high‑utilizers with services, reduces social isolation and can limit expensive emergency responses.
The council’s response was mixed. Several members supported researching and budgeting for a community coordinator position and exploring joint arrangements with neighboring communities or the county to share costs. Others said they were reluctant to put the town into the assisted‑living or rental business without a business plan and clear funding sources. Multiple councilors emphasized aligning any next steps with the town’s comprehensive plan and waiting for expected state changes (referred to as LD 1829) before making major commitments.
Town Manager Matt and other staff were asked to return with a list of specific questions for the Drown Road owner (referred to in the discussion as the Bateman property), estimates of costs and funding options, and a recommendation about convening either town staff, a housing committee or a volunteer working group to run financial scenarios.
The next procedural step is for staff to gather that information and report back; no acquisition or funding decision was made at the meeting.