The purpose of this document is to give consolidated answers to questions that have been frequently brought up regarding the Senior/Community Center project.
What is the charge of the Community Facilities Building Committee from the Town Council?
“The Community Facilities Building Committee is hereby formed to develop options to create up-to-date, useful, and cost-effective spaces for a Senior and Community Center to better serve the community. The committee shall consider the use of potential new construction and Town-owned properties as locations for said Senior and Community Center.”
Why is this facility called a Senior/Community Center as opposed to just a Senior Center?
There is a great need in town for meeting and gathering spaces and some additional recreation spaces. Community use of the Senior Center, both after regular Senior Center hours and during regular hours when space allows, will be a benefit to many residents by providing spaces for meetings of town boards and commissions and various community groups, as well as recreation programs, including those for seniors who work during the day. It is important to note that the building is designed as a Senior Center, containing all the elements that comprise a modern Senior Center. If the building were not used by the community after normal Senior Center hours, the footprint of the building would be the same.
What are the issues with the current Senior Center at Priscilla Place? What will happen to that property if a new facility is built elsewhere?
The existing facility at Priscilla Place has been recognized as exceeding functional life expectancy, being more than 100 years old. Extensive capital investment and expansion would be required to extend its useful life. The limited parking at the current center restricts programming options. The Town will determine the future use of this property.
What sites were researched for a Senior/Community Center location?
The following town-owned properties were vetted and scored on their suitability for this project: Wagner Tree Farm (Trumbull Nature & Arts Center property), Long Hill Administration Building, Upper Church Hill Road, Indian Ledge Park, Priscilla Place/Senior Center, 1445 Huntington Turnpike, Hardy Lane, Island Brook Park, Unity Park, Twin Brooks Park, Old Mine Park, and Tashua Knolls Recreation Area. When the town purchased the Grace Church property at 5958 Main Street the committee was asked to explore its feasibility.
Why did the town purchase the Grace Church property?
The town became aware that the site was being considered by a major developer who wanted to build multi-unit housing on that property. The town purchased the property in 2024 to control the future use of the property.
If the Senior/Community center is not built at 5958 Main Street what will be done with the property?
If the Senior/Community Center is not built on the Grace Church property, the site will be considered for other uses.
What is the environmental impact of the proposed facility on the river and the watershed as well as on the Valley and Trail? Are there wetlands concerns? What plans are there for water containment?
The proposed facility will actually have a positive environmental impact as it will present an opportunity to clean up the property as well as capture and treat any storm and surface water that would run into the watershed and beyond. There are laws in place to protect areas such as the Valley that are being stringently followed. Much attention is being given to any environmental concerns by the architects and site engineers. The next phase of the project will identify the best method for water catchment. The Inland Wetland Agent in the Town’s Engineering Department reviewed the project and confirmed that no proposed activity falls within 100 feet of wetlands, which is the regulated area.
What improvements did the Traffic Study recommend?
When in the process is state approval and recommendations sought
out?
A professionally conducted Traffic Study was conducted by Tighe & Bond in January 2025. Based on the results of the analysis, it is the professional opinion of Tighe & Bond that the additional traffic expected to be generated by the potential Trumbull Senior/Community Center at 5958 Main Street is not expected to have a significant impact on traffic operations within the study area.The results of the traffic study were presented to the committee at its meeting on February 12, 2025, as well as the Police Commission, which is the town’s traffic authority, at its meeting on February 18, 2025. Approvals from the Office of the State Traffic Administration (OSTA) will be sought during the construction document phase.
What is the plan for parking? Will there be sufficient spaces for Senior Center use and Community Center use?
The current plan shows approximately 100 hard fixed parking spaces with potential overflow options for approximately 40-50 more cars. These numbers will be fine-tuned as design plans progress. The fixed spaces will more than accommodate daily use, as current usage and projected usage falls below that number. The overflow spaces will only be used for rare high-capacity events.
What efficiencies are being considered to help with conserving energy costs?
The building is intended as a beacon of sustainability. The envelope of the building and the roof will be well insulated, the windows will be high performing, the skin will be very durable, and the mechanical systems will be highly efficient. Just meeting code meets U.S. Green Building LEED Silver standards with many of the proposed efficiencies edging towards Gold standards. Alternative sources of energy will more than likely be used where possible.
Who will manage the Senior/Community Center day-to-day operations, maintenance, and activity coordination?
The Priscilla Place facility will be replaced by the proposed Main Street facility. The Director of Human Services and her staff will oversee the complete operational requirements of the Senior Center just as is done today. The Parks and Recreation staff will have a small office at the center and will oversee recreational programming. The office of the First Selectman will coordinate other community activity.
Who decides whether the Senior/Community Center will be built at 5958 Main Street?
Ultimately, the voters of Trumbull will decide via referendum if this Senior/Community Center is built at this location. There have been numerous studies and approvals to get to this point. The Community Facilities Building Committee unanimously approved the conceptual plans for the new facility at 5958 Main Street. Approval of the traffic study by the Police Commission (2/18/25) and 8-24 approval by the Planning & Zoning Commission (2/19/25) followed. The Board of Finance authorized the bonding (3/27/25). The Town Council, after a design adjustment, authorized the bonding and directed the Town Clerk to prepare explanatory text for the referendum question (7/10/25). If the voters approve the bonding at a referendum election, then the project would move forward to construction. The Town will then look to secure federal and state grants to offset a portion of the cost of the project.
How can I view the current senior center?
SENIOR CENTER TOURS
Monday, September 29th 6:30-7:30 pm
Tuesday, September 30th 10:30-11:30 am
Tuesday, October 7th 6:30-7:30 pm
Tuesday, October 21st 10:30-11:30 pm
Can’t make these dates? Call the Center for a tour. 203 452-5199
What is the estimated cost and what is the tax impact for Trumbull
residents?
The estimated cost of the 27,500 square foot building is $27,115,000. The Town Council approved a bonding authorization not to exceed that number. The tax impact of the proposed bond authorization would be an average of $30 per $100,000 of assessed home value (not market value) per year for the life of the bond. Residents can find their home’s assessed value online at Vision Government Solutions. https://gis.vgsi.com/trumbullct/Search.aspx