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United Counseling Services proposes 8‑child Head Start classroom in Manchester Center
Summary
United Counseling Services asked the Development Review Board to allow conversion of roughly 440 sq. ft. of its Manchester Center building into a Head Start infant/toddler classroom for up to eight children; applicant cited high local demand and said 17 on‑site parking spaces are available with staggered drop‑off times.
Rebecca Bishop Ware, Director of the Head Start and Early Needs program in Bennington County, told the Development Review Board that United Counseling Services plans to convert approximately 439–440 square feet of its Manchester Center facility into an infant/toddler Head Start classroom serving up to eight children. “The proposal is to provide day care services for a total of 8 infants and toddlers,” Bishop Ware said, and she described a needs assessment showing “high demand in this area.”
The applicant reported 17 on‑site parking spaces and said additional spaces could be arranged if necessary, with typical drop‑off staggered between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. and departures between 2:30 and 4:00 p.m. Board members pressed staff and the applicant on safety and permitting: Tim Waker asked whether the building is sprinklered and was told it is not, but the applicant said they coordinate with the State Fire Marshal and had a state inspection scheduled. John Watanabe confirmed the maximum enrollment is fixed at eight children and that the conversion area is about 439 square feet.
The hearing was closed by motion of John Watanabe, seconded by Robert Shortsleeve; the board carried the motion 5‑0 to close the hearing. The applicant will follow up with state permit requirements identified during the discussion and return with any materials required by the DRB for final action.
