A 30-minute update about design details for the community center mentioned nonslip surfaces, sound-dampening measures, carpeting or possible tiling in the lobby and multipurpose rooms and/or common spaces, among other features under consideration for the new facility.

During the brief Community Center/Senior Center Design Team & Advisory Committee meeting November 28, chairman Kinga Walsh held a list of questions for ‎the Quisenberry Arcari Architect team. She inquired if one room was kiln-ready, and asked about kitchen layout and locations specifically of a refrigerator and freezer. The community center could see large stainless-steel appliances installed, while a second kitchen is going into the adjoining senior center.

Looking at the architect's floor plans, Ms Walsh noted the appliances, and work and wash zones. She then asked to be "more in the loop" regarding design decisions.

Sliding the design sheets closer, Ms Walsh, along with member Carla Kron, looked at the proposed handicap roll-in showers in the locker room, designed with a wheelchair's turning radius in mind.

Locker rooms also include adult changing tables that can fold up to the wall and can get wet. Other electric models can raise and lower to accommodate users, but cannot get wet. Ms Kron asked for a website link to look at different models.

Ms Walsh asked about floor surfaces. Plans call for porcelain nonslip tiles. Surfaces will have a slight abrasion, said architect Rusty Malik. Nonslip tiles are planned for the pool area, but small and with many grout lines - another nonslip feature.

Mr Malik explained that product selection is based on "what we can afford."

Ms Kron had thought the advisory committee would have had more input. Material decisions can be changed at a later time, came the reply.

Some community center spaces could be carpeted, such as offices and possibly the large multipurpose rooms. Carpeting is good for softening acoustics. Regarding the multipurpose room that could also serve as a banquet/gathering space and possibly host dances, Ms Walsh asked if carpeting was the best flooring. A portable dance floor could solve the problem of creating a dancing area. Mr Malik said architects can "design for priority," and figure out the rest. Ms Kron could picture the banquet room, and said, "I can picture tile in there."

And what about storage [for the dance floor]? Ms Kron asked. If they needed a dance floor monthly, they might need storage onsite, but if the floor was needed only twice a year, storing it in the

Municipal Center basement is a possibility. Both the Municipal Center and community center will face one another across the street in Fairfield Hills.

Although solar panels are not intended for the upcoming construction, the roof will be prepped to accommodate them in the future. Various roofs are sloped to the south.

Architects have also considered how to reduce the rainwater runoff on a location so close to the Pootatuck Watershed. Measures will be in place to diffuse the water. Mr Malik mentioned bioswales, where water is slowed and cooled.

Pointing to various spots on the plans, Ms Walsh asked about water fountains in the building, which are also intended to be bottle filling stations.

Sitework has recently begun for the new community center, planned over past years as a multipurpose, multigenerational space to serve the community. It will include a pool, art and programming space, a kitchen and banquet area, offices, common space, and more. An adjoining senior center will offer seniors their own space including separate kitchen, and pool access.