By JOSEPH FITZGERALD

BURRILLVILLE — Even though they insist the proposed senior center  project is still on track, the Town Council wants to meet with the Senior Center Task Force, Planning Board and other town departments to hash out concerns and issues surrounding the projected $4 million project.

“We want to have this workshop so we can work this out,” Town Council President Nancy F. Binns said at a council meeting Wednesday night. “We want to get this moving. We have limited time and we need to all be on the same page.”
A year ago, the Town Council gave its support to the Senior Center Task Force’s recommendation to build the new senior center on the north corner of a seven-acre parcel to the left of the police station on Victory Highway. The task force is recommending building a centrally located, single-story building with ample parking that would include a dining room large enough to accommodate 100 people, a multi-purpose meeting room and classroom space for senior activities.
Since then, there has been some survey work performed at the site and the town’s $3.9 million capital improvement project budget for fiscal 2009 includes $30,000 for schematic design and programming costs for the project. At the same time, however, the town is considering the possible expansion of the adjacent police station.
Binns is calling for the workshop, tentatively scheduled for April 28, because there has apparently been some miscommunication between some town
departments, including the Planning Board, on the project timetable and the proposed site as it relates to zoning and the town’s village center plans and comprehensive plan.
“There has been some miscommunication and we need to have this meeting,” said Councilman Norman Mainville, who met recently with planners.
Town Manager Michael C. Wood addressed members of the task force and other seniors in the audience, saying the town remains committed toward the project, but that issues and concerns need to be brought to the table and addressed.
“Everyone needs to take a step back,” he said. “We’re still on track, but this is not an easy site and there are issues that need to be addressed. The Planning Board has concerns and there are options that need to be looked at so we can do this right.”
Wood said there is still time get the project to the Legislature in terms of a bond request, even if it isn’t until late into the legsialtive session.
Councilman Kevin Blais expressed frustration at the the slow progress of the project, saying it was his hope it would be further along by now.
“We’re almost a year-and-a-half into this,” he said. “Personally, I’m disassapopinted at how slow this has moved.”
The workshop is tentatively slated for April 28, although that date could change to accomodate members of the task force and other seniors who have requested a different date.
The Senior Center Task Force came up with its recommendations after two years of work, which included visiting senior centers around the state, including the new Glocester Senior Center that opened in 2006. Task force members, appointed by the Town Council in 2004, include Ronald Blanchard, Shirley Hodson, Albert Lapierre, Raymond Menard and Mona Minutelli.