To the Editor:

A letter to the editor last week from a certain writer put forth grossly inaccurate information about the new senior center building, which received overwhelming approval from the voters in March.

The writer alleged that the new senior center building will be 3,000 square feet in size and that seniors "will have to settle for a very small annex" to the new community center building. That is totally false. The new senior center building space will be 9,451 square feet in size, more than three times larger than what the writer stated.

The writer also alleged that there were "negative consequences in the current design that ignores functionality," but he does not say what they are. Nor has that writer, to our knowledge, ever attended, or spoken up at, any of the numerous meetings that have been held with the architects to discuss the layout and functionality of the new senior center building. Because of the input of Newtown seniors and the Newtown Commission on Aging, the design of the new senior center building, its layout of rooms and spaces and their designation of critical uses, with attention to health, fitness, and social interaction, is very well done.

The writer also intimated that the senior center building, and its approved bond appropriation, will be highjacked by "prominent powerful voices" who support the new community center. The truth is, that cannot happen. First, no one in support of the community center has ever remotely suggested such a thing. Secondly, and most importantly, the senior center building project has its own bonded amount of $3.0 million that cannot, by law, be used for the community center building. The senior center building has its own separate parking and separate entrances and exits. And no supporter of the community center has ever tried to limit, criticize, or change the design of the senior center. In fact, it is very clear to us on the Commission on Aging that the senior center bond proposal had the support of more than just senior citizens last March. It had strong townwide support, for which we are very grateful.

Anna Wiedemann, Chairman, Commission on Aging

13 Clearview Drive, Newtown

George Guidera, Vice Chairman, Commission on Aging

24 Equestrian Ridge, Newtown         July 25, 2017