HEATH — Selectboard Chair Robyn Provost-Carlson described trying to rename the building at 18 Jacobs Road for the second time as trying to point out a cat without being able to use the word “cat.”
“It’s hard to come up with a name,” Provost-Carlson said at this week’s Selectboard meeting. “This building is very much a community building.”
During the meeting, the Selectboard took a list of more than 40 potential names submitted by residents and narrowed it down to seven. Members plan to pick a final name at the next meeting on Tuesday, March 14, at 6 p.m.
After the Selectboard decided on Nov. 29 to name the former school building — which now houses the library, municipal offices, senior center activities and more — the “Heath Community Center,” the board received a barrage of emails from residents denouncing the decision. The board decided to rescind its decision in early January and solicited input from residents.
The building is a 10-minute drive from Heath’s historic town center that includes, among other buildings, Sawyer Hall, Heath Union Church and Community Hall, the latter of which recently celebrated its 150th anniversary. Many who wrote to the Selectboard were concerned that having the word “center” in the name would confuse people into thinking the municipal building is part of the town center. Others said the word “community” could lead people to confuse the building with Community Hall.
Residents were also upset over the disinvestment in the town’s more historic buildings as many activities have been moved to 18 Jacobs Road.
“This is really challenging for me,” Selectboard member Sue Lively said about choosing a new name.
The Selectboard decided not to name the building in honor of any specific person. Members also opted not to use the word “school” or any related word, such as “campus,” in the name. Many names with the words “community” and “center” remain in the shortened list of potential names. “Heath Community Center” is also included on the short list.
“I never suggested this building is the center; it is a center,” Provost-Carlson said at Tuesday’s meeting.
Also on the list is “Heath Commons,” which officials acknowledged may lead to the same issue as before, considering the town common is a 10-minute drive away from the former school building. However, Selectboard members pointed out that the town common and commons have different meanings.
The Selectboard hopes to encompass all the functions of the multipurpose space in the final name. Members find that the suggested word “municipal” does not encapsulate what goes on at 18 Jacobs Road, but is certainly one of the functions of the building.
“I don’t think we will find another location for accessibility, security, safety and openness,” Provost-Carlson added.
Bella Levavi can be reached at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.