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Committee debates showers and coffee service for new Sherman senior center; decision deferred
Summary
Committee members discussed whether to include a shower in the new senior center design—supported by community feedback for warming/cooling center use—and noted Brookfield’s decision to limit coffee service due to cost and spill hazards; no final decision was made.
Committee members raised program-level items for the proposed senior center during the March 23 special meeting, focusing on whether the new facility should include a shower and how coffee service might be managed.
Carol Sperling requested discussion of a shower shown in the program materials and said her research of other Connecticut senior centers found showers are uncommon unless the facility also serves as an emergency shelter. Laura Jagodzinski said community forums and feedback indicated residents value a shower if the building will include a kitchen or serve as a warming or cooling center, allowing people who shelter there to shower.
Sperling also cited a Brookfield Senior Center visit where the director explained that a permanent coffee station was removed because the cost was high and because seniors who spill coffee can create a fall and maintenance risk; Brookfield now serves coffee only at lunchtime when guests are seated. Committee members agreed there was sufficient time to make a final decision and did not vote on program changes at the meeting.
The committee left program items open for future determination as the RFP and procurement details are finalized and instructed staff to continue gathering community input and design clarifications.
