We're thrilled that Article 20 passed unanimously! The work is far from over however! The Steering Committee members will begin getting nominations to the Select Board to form and begin holding regular meetings to study the Decas Community Center. Support our nominees and share your ideas!
Yes! The Selectmen voted 1-4-0 and the Finance Committee voted 1-5-1
not to recommend the Decas Article to voters at town meeting. HOWEVER, the Decas article is still on the agenda for the October 25th Town Meeting and voters will have the final say on whether or not it is approved. Use your voice and vote Yes on Article 20!
No! Request a tour to see for yourself. Two of the most expensive repairs (roof and boiler system) were completed less than 5 years ago.
Asbestos was mitigated during the roof/boiler work in 2017. It is our understanding that there is less than 1% asbestos in some ceiling tiles that do not need to be replaced. Additionally, there is one fire door containing asbestos that can be replaced at modest cost.
Only .06% of the Town's budget goes to seniors even though they make up 21% of Wareham's population. Only .00142% of the budget goes to veterans and only .00056% goes to those with disabilities (13% of the population).
We recommend you read the study for yourself. The study only offers solutions that involve razing the building and none that repurpose it for existing community needs. In addition, the study promises new jobs and tax revenue. There is no guarantee new jobs would go to Wareham citizens and we have a history of achieving less tax revenue than we bargain for.
Operating costs for the entire Decas building are approximately $100K/yr and can be met through a combination of grants, fundraising, rental funds from leasing space to like-minded community organizations and town funding.
Yes it would, and that's one reason to oppose selling Decas. According to the SRPEED Report commissioned by the Wareham Redevelopment Authority, the site is currently zoned Multi-Family Residential (MR-30) and would need to be re-zoned to Business Development Overlay District (BDOD).
Rezoning the Decas School property as a Business Development Overlay District (BDOD) would allow the following uses in a traditionally residential neighborhood:
- Business, professional, medical and administrative offices, research and development laboratories and facilities and other high technology and similar use
- Light manufacturing, processing and assembling
- Retail and convenience uses
And by special permit...
- A public transportation center - Hotel, motel, conference center - Restaurant with drive-through
We are a diverse grassroots coalition of your neighbors and collectively we are:
- former and current elected town officials
- former and current town board members
- community volunteers
- range in age from 20 to 80+
-students, working people & retirees
Many of our names are listed as signatories on the Citizen's Petition. We are volunteering our time and resources to make Wareham a better place for all of us to live.
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Even before a vote two organizations have submitted letters of intent expressing their desire to rent in Decas and run vital programs: Damien's Food Pantry and South Shore Community Action Council.
See the letters here.
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