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Commissioners vote to seek cost estimates for Walkersville senior center
Summary
Commissioners approved issuing an RFP to get cost estimates for a proposed Walkersville senior center after hearing detailed facility requirements and public comment about parking and tax impacts.
Commissioner Yoder proposed detailed facility requirements for a Walkersville senior center and the board voted to issue a request for proposals to obtain cost estimates.
Commissioner Yoder outlined the desired facility as “an all steel building” on one level with space for future expansion and full ADA access. He listed core spaces the town should require in the RFP, including a kitchen, dining area, card and game rooms, arts-and-crafts room, exercise and health-and-wellness space, storage, restrooms and a computer room. “I don't think we can go anywhere until we get a price,” he said, arguing the RFP will tell the town “what it looks like” and whether to move forward.
Residents who spoke during public comment urged caution on size and cost. Rita Hess, a Walkersville resident, said she supports the idea but worries about tax increases. She said the current groups meet in a single room and asked commissioners to consider starting smaller: “I would hate to see taxes being raised on everybody to do this,” Hess said, adding a suggestion that local donors might contribute kitchen equipment to reduce costs.
Another resident, John Miranda, pressed the board to include realistic parking and lighting requirements in the RFP. Miranda noted an RFP that omits adequate parking can produce misleading cost estimates and urged the town to require space for roughly 120 people if the facility is sized for that capacity.
Commissioners discussed likely demand and demographic context; Yoder cited U.S. Census figures and estimated that building the center could draw 80–100 seniors. After discussion, the chair recorded a motion by Commissioner Yoder to proceed with the RFP as outlined, with a short period for Commissioner Winch to suggest additions; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote, recorded as 4–0.
The vote authorizes staff to prepare and advertise an RFP using the requirements discussed; the RFP will return cost estimates for commissioners to review before any decision to build or seek grant funding.
