Council on Aging files $200,000 warrant article for Fairbank A/V upgrades

SUDBURY — January 26, 2023 — Council on Aging files $200,000 warrant article to add hearing-assist and hybrid A/V systems at Fairbank Community Center. Chairman Jeff Levine told members the building's existing $350,000 audiovisual budget — a $50,000 base plus $300,000 added at the May 2022 town meeting — covers only minimum ADA and Massachusetts Architectural Access Board requirements and omits assisted listening, speech enhancement and remote-learning systems in senior center program rooms. The board voted unanimously twice: first to empower Levine to file the article, then to approve language seeking "$200,000, or any other sum or sums" for equipment, design and installation. Member Carmine Gentile moved the article, saying, "When you start something, you want to have a good start." Resident Jack Ryan submitted identical language to the Select Board, which tabled action until Monday; if the board sponsors it, the council will not file separately before the 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31 deadline.