Dear City Councilors and School Committee Members,
At the most recent Council on Aging monthly meeting, City Manager, George Proakis discussed some of the capital projects he is recommending for funding approval by the City Council. The complete report was shared on January 27, 2026, and this letter will focus only on the short-term recommendations as outlined in the document labelled “Fiscal Year 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program” (CIP) which directly impact the Watertown Senior Center.
The Council on Aging recognizes that there are many competing capital projects in Watertown. Among the projects funded by the capital budget are the upkeep, replacement and renovations of all city owned buildings and other property. Residents are well-aware that Watertown recently either replaced or significantly renovated the three elementary schools and is nearing completion of the new high school. A number of the parks have been or currently are being renovated. Because these projects are not done yearly, but have a start and end date, they are considered capital improvement projects and are funded by a capital budget. These projects can be very expensive so planning to make sure funding will be available is important. The Senior Center/Recreation Center is identified as one of the five lead projects designated for funding in the CIP.
BACKGROUND: SPACE CHALLENGES AT THE SENIOR CENTER
The Council on Aging has determined that space, or a lack thereof, is one of the most important challenges currently impacting the Senior Center. The building was opened in the early 1990’s and was built to meet the needs of Watertown seniors at that time. Since its opening, the Senior Center has greatly expanded its programming and offers more robust services including the addition of a case worker. Most people have seen news reports that isolation and loneliness are problems for many in American society and this includes seniors. The Senior Center designed for seniors’ needs in 1990 does not necessarily meet the specific needs of today’s seniors. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, persons age 65 and over in Watertown equal 18.3% of the total population. While a new Senior Center is the ultimate goal, in the short-term, what can be done to improve the current space?
POSSIBLE SHORT-TERM SOLUTIONS
Phillips School Building
Given that additional space is the most pressing need, the City Manager has worked to find a creative short-term solution. The first of his recommendations is to move the Phillips School Building from the School section of the CIP to the City Buildings which ultimately changes both the funding as well as administrative responsibility for the building. The Phillips School Building currently is used by multiple city departments including the School Administration offices, the Senior Center and several high school programs. Once the new high school is open this fall, the city would be able to reallocate some of the space in the Phillips Building vacated by the School Department as some of the School Administrators and school programs will move to the new high school.
Gymnasium in the Phillips School Building
Currently, this is a shared space with the high school. The short-term plan as outlined by the City Manager would assign this space to the Senior Center for use during the hours when the Center is open.
Multi-Purpose Room in the Phillips School Building
Similar to the gymnasium, this space would be designated for use of the Senior Center. There is some Senior Center programming, such as an AARP sponsored program which helps seniors with tax preparation or some health assessments like blood pressure screenings, which require privacy. As the Senior Center is currently designed, there is no space designed for privacy and small programs. Having these additional spaces also allows for greater socialization. Often programs are booked back-to-back resulting in the need to empty a room so that the next program can begin. The additional space would allow for a greater sense of community and socialization such that attendees could interact before or after a program.
Parking
Currently, there are limited spaces assigned for use by seniors using the Senior Center. The parking lot is shared by the Senior Center staff and seniors and staff working in the Phillips School Building. The new high school building will offer underground parking so many school administrators can use the high school parking thus freeing up space in the shared lot.
The Council on Aging believes the ideas outlined by the City Manager will significantly improve the current challenges with space, parking and greater socialization and hopes that they will be adopted by the City Council. While the ultimate goal is a new Center designed with an understanding of the needs of today’s seniors, adoption of the above recommendations would go a long way toward making the current Senior Center workable for today’s programs and needs.
Sincerely,
Watertown COA (Council on Aging)
Helen Dempsey, Chair; Russ Arico, Gina Brennan, Alison Clapp, Ryan Nicholson, James O’Connor, Arlene Smith, Dan Unsworth, Board Members