Chatham Select Board Hears Pitch for New Donated-Site Senior Center

CHATHAM -- April 1, 2021, Chatham officials build momentum for a new Council on Aging facility on a donated Main Street site. At the April 1 Select Board meeting, COA Director Mandy Speakman presented data showing the department served approximately 300 first-time users during the pandemic year while operating entirely through drive-through events, bus deliveries, and virtual programming. Fire Chief Dave DePasquale, Deputy Police Chief Mike Anderson, and Health Agent Judith Georgio all testified to the COA's role as an indispensable public safety partner, with Anderson calling the department's cross-sector Elder Working Group "a model for other towns." The project architect outlined a proposed two-story building at 1610 Main Street, described as a donated parcel, eliminating land acquisition costs, featuring a 2,000-square-foot multipurpose room, air purification systems capable of a full air exchange every 30 minutes, and a drive-through parking loop purpose-built for outdoor programming. At least one board member called for a formal site-selection vote, saying "it is the right site."