June 18, 2026 By Carol Britton Meyer
Citizens had an opportunity to share their ideas regarding the future of the proposed new Center for Active Living (CAL) following a recent discussion about next steps after the project failed to pass by the required two-thirds majority at the recent town meeting.
Numerous residents shared their thoughts with the select board via a special email address provided for that purpose. “We received about 60 messages reflecting different themes,” Chair Liz Klein reported this week. “We’re still in the phase of figuring out short-term needs and actions, and then longer-term solutions.”
In the meantime, Town Administrator Tom Mayo is working with CAL Director Jennifer Young to make “short-term fixes” to the existing senior center space at town hall.
“This isn’t what a lot of people were hoping or looking for, but we’ve been neglecting that space thinking [the Center] would be moving [to the proposed Bare Cove Park Drive location] and we’ll make some short-term improvements to the outside of the building by the entrance and spruce up the courtyard at little cost to the town.”
In response to parking issues, Mayo said “we’re looking at scheduling changes that could open up one day a week, with dedicated parking for seniors,” which is currently under discussion.
Board member Julie Strehle noted that some of the feedback related to holding programs at the CAL on Fridays when the town hall staff is not in the building “to free up parking spaces. That would be one short-term solution.”
Other parking solutions possible
Mayo noted that there are other parking solutions under consideration, “but they need to be socialized first” before sharing.
Klein made brief remarks regarding a consolidated summary of the public feedback that was in the select board’s meeting packet, organized by major themes that appeared throughout the comments.
Overall public input submitted to the board most recently reflects broad support for senior services, but “substantially less support for a large, standalone facility on the previously proposed Bare Cove Park Drive site. Most of those who commented favored adaptive reuse, lower-cost alternatives, and broader community engagement” before advancing another major capital project, according to the summary.
While support for a new Center for Active Living concept was in the minority, a “notable group supported a new facility” – including resubmitting the proposal with modifications; continuing with planning efforts; improving communication about the project’s benefits; and considering alternative locations.
Using existing buildings a frequent theme
The most frequently cited theme related to using existing buildings rather than new construction – such as the former police station at Town Hall – with potential reconfigured parking, overflow parking at Haley Field, shuttle service and/or phased improvements – the vacant Hitchcock Shoe building on Beal Street; South Shore Country Club to make use of the existing amenities; Plymouth River School; the Armory on Central Street; vacant office buildings; Lincoln School Apartments; and library facilities.
There is significant opposition to building in the Bare Cove Park area due to loss of open space, wildlife habitat, trees, and environmental impacts.
The most criticized location was the original proposed CAL site on Bare Cove Park Drive, showing a lack of support for new construction on undeveloped land.
Among the concerns is cost and taxpayer affordability.
Other suggestions submitted to the board related to operational changes at the current senior center at town hall and remaining open Fridays and Saturdays when the town hall offices are closed; the need for a better assessment of senior needs; that possibly offering increased services is more important than a larger facility; and rejection by a number of citizens of the claim that the defeat of the warrant article resulted in part from misinformation.
Based on the volume and frequency of comments, the strongest consensus themes, in order of rank, related to using existing buildings before constructing a new facility; avoiding development on Bare Cove open space; reducing project cost and tax impact; revisiting the Town Hall/police station expansion option; exploring the Hitchcock Shoe building site at 225 Beal St.; consideration of a broader community/multi-generational center; improving parking and operations at the current CAL; conducting additional public engagement and needs assessment; improving transportation and senior services; and considering a smaller, phased, or delayed approach.
There were no public comments related to the future of the CAL at the meeting.
Klein ended this part of the agenda with, “There’s more to come. We need a solution for our seniors.”