Mayor's Office Responds To Criticism Over Callahan Center

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The city's proposed move of the Health Department into the Callahan Center has stirred controversy over the past week and on Monday, Mayor Yvonne Spicer's office issued a statement in response to some of the questions about the move.

The seven-page statement lists frequently asked questions about the proposed move along with a detailed description of each option the city considered before settling on the Callahan Center. The statement says the lack of viable options is due to "decisions the town did not make regarding investment in our public buildings."

The Callahan Center was chosen as the most fiscally responsible option, with a connection between the Health Department and senior community, the mayor's office says. "Moving forward, the two departments can explore additional opportunities that will benefit participants of the Callahan Center. These may include fall prevention programs and services, chronic disease self- management programs, healthy eating programs and senior-specific nursing clinics as needed," the statement reads.

The Callahan Center was also the only location equip with the proper generator and wiring to meet the Health Department’s needs.

Among the options for the Health Department's move was the Perini Building, which proved to be too expensive and not handicap accessible. The statement reads, "There are 3,000 square feet available and the price was $19 per square feet or $57,000 per year just for the use of the building. That’s $57,000 on top of the expense of making the move, estimated at $65,000- $75,000 (one time) for construction costs, movers, and office furniture and technology equipment."

City Hall was listed as another option. It was deemed not feasible due to the lack of space — moving the Health Department in would kick another division out, the statement says. "A new location and accommodations would have to be found and additional expenses incurred to relocate the other division or department to be moved."

The Danforth Building was considered but is in deteriorated condition, according to the mayors office. "It would be cost prohibitive to address the environmental cleanup costs to make even a portion of the building useable," the statement reads.

The Old McAuliffe Library Building was ruled out for being too small and is being used as the Capital Projects and Facilities Division workshop and storage facility.

The Hollis Street Fire Station was also considered but currently houses the Amazing Things Art Center. "The City wants to avoid shutting down a cultural program for a building that is not well suited or cost effective to turn into a municipal office and clinical space," the statement reads.

Paying for an offsite commercial leasing space was deemed too expensive and remaining at the Fuller Middle school was deemed too dangerous, according to the mayor's office.

The mayor's office offered answers surrounding the legality of the proposed move, "There was specific discussion at the Board of Selectmen’s meeting considering this action to allow the Town to reserve its rights to allow other services, so long as the primary use remained for senior services. The Town Meeting vote will be fully complied with even after the Health Department is moved into the Callahan Center," the statement reads.

The mayor's office says claims that 1/3 of the building will be taken by the Health Department are false — in reality 2,595 square feet, or about 11% of the building will be used by the Health Department, according to the mayor's office.

The statement also addressed why the public was not informed about the move sooner, "Frankly, we were in the middle of finalizing the plan and intended to brief the Council on Aging and Callahan Center staff before announcing the decision publicly when incomplete information was released and inaccurately portrayed by those not involved in the process. We don’t regret the decision, but we do regret that people experienced worry that resulted from inaccurate information."

Read the full statement here.

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