Wareham Selectmen now support Decas School reuse article at town meeting

WAREHAM – Selectmen changed their minds and voted Tuesday to recommend an article at the Oct. 25 town meeting that would repurpose the Decas School “to benefit the community” when it’s replaced by the East Wareham Elementary School in 2020.

The board voted 4-1 against recommending it at last week’s meeting with Selectman Jim Munise casting the lone OK vote.

The vote was unanimous this week, however, to endorse the article after some fine tuning with proponents of the citizens’ petition, including Leslie Edwards Davis, who presented the petition to the board both weeks, and Town Administrator Derek Sullivan and Select board Chair Judith Whiteside.

There had been questions about how the first article was written, including wording that made it appear it would amend a prior town meeting vote, but the wording was re-worked.

The first version also created a committee of seven made up of the first seven signatories on the petition that made it possibly appear they were being rewarded for bringing the petition forward.

That language was also changed. The new seven-person steering committee would consist of seven residents appointed by Selectmen, with three appointed from among nominations made from the petitioners, one made from among nominations from the Council on Aging, one from among Capital Planning Committee nominations, one from among Community Preservation Committee nominations, and one made from Selectmen nominations.

The town administrator, Council on Aging director, and one selectman will also be ex officio, non-voting members.

The committee shall provide recommendations on the use of space in the Decas building “that may include but shall not be limited to council-on-aging and associated programming, a senior center, municipal meeting space, adult education, public library, training and enrichment programs, veterans’ services, senior affordable housing, passive and active recreation, youth programming and sports, daycare, co-working flex space, health and wellness services or other such uses to benefit the Wareham community.”

The modified article will be reviewed by Town Moderator Claire Smith and Town Counsel Rich Bowen this week to make sure it’s in proper order.

Smith also recommended during the meeting that those wishing to participate in town meeting Monday, Oct. 25, at the Wareham High School auditorium, scheduled at 7 p.m., arrive early to be signed in and expedite the process.

She also noted during the meeting that she and husband Howard had just returned from Wareham, England. They had been voted to serve as goodwill ambassadors during the visit.

Smith said their reception was “absolutely wonderful,” and they met various officials. They also received two invitations to return. She promised to provide the board with a more complete report, including pictures.

School Superintendent Kimberly Shaver-Hood also addressed the board Tuesday, saying the school district’s central offices will be moving from the Multiservice Center to the East School, which will free up space for the Council on Aging and senior programs.

“It’s a process,” she said, but added one room has already been freed up for a COA exercise program. She said the school district had outgrown the space.