Hopkinton selectmen agreed on a policy for renting out the Slusser Senior Center, a method that could potentially earn money for the building’s operating costs.

During a Monday, Feb. 3, Board of Selectmen meeting, board members decided that from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. the building will remain a senior center, but after hours and on holidays it can be rented out to the general public.

“That’s been a thorny issue because there are some in town that think it should be available to the general public. That’s not the idea that the donor gave. It needs to be a senior center,” said Selectman George Langwasser.

“It’s not a community center as some people would want to designate it. On the other hand, it’s a public building and should be available to the public.”

The approved plan was one presented to the selectmen by recreation director Justin La Vigne.

“I think it’s a good thing,” said La Vigne. “I think it’s great for the community. I’m glad the selectmen agree that it should be a drop-in senior center first.”

A warrant article still being developed would ask voters to approve the creation of a revolving fund to deposit the rental fees into.

“The revolving fund will hopefully build up to a point where certain portions of the operating expenses can be taken out of there,” said Langwasser. “To create that, it has to be approved by the town.”

Although La Vigne said it will be good to have the money going toward the Slusser Center, he said that isn’t the only reason for the resolution.

“We’ll have to see after a year or two how much money comes in,” said La Vigne. “It isn’t about the money, it’s about utilizing the building for the community.”

Debate in town has centered on the building and whether it should be used as a general community building or remain a senior center.

Langwasser and La Vigne both said this plan is a good way to keep the building as a senior center, but also have the entire community be able to use it.

“When there’s a conflict, the seniors win out because it is a senior center,” said Langwasser. “On the other side of the coin, to have a building sitting there that could be rented out when the seniors aren’t there, this accommodates that.”

Also at the selectmen meeting, board members discussed proposed warrant articles that could ask the town to approve the sale of Columbia Hall.

“At this point we haven’t had a real good debate about that to decide how that will be written,” said Langwasser. “We want to decide what to do with it, whether to fix it up or sell it. It can’t just sit there and deteriorate, it is a town asset.”

Another warrant article discussed would, if passed, mean all residents would be required to pay for ambulance services, even uninsured residents.

“Traditionally, in the town of Hopkinton, if someone does not have insurance, the town does not charge the individual for transportation,” Langwasser said.