The Board of Selectmen created the Burgess School Committee in 2005 to develop a plan and oversee construction of improvements to Burgess Elementary School, including the potential for the construction of a new school building.
The Committee members are:
Angela Cheng-Cimini, Chair
Katherine Alexander
Charles Blanchard
William Chamberland
William Emrich
Sandra Gibson Quigley
Holly O'Neil Turley
David Travinski
Alicynn Wilson
James Malloy
Ex - Officio:
Daniel Durgin, Superintendent
Daniel Carlson, Principal
BURGESS SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
BURGESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – MEDIA CENTER
MARCH 26, 2008
6:30PM
Att: Charles, Holly, Angela, Dan, Jim M, Alicynn, Sandra, Carl F and Cal from DRA, Dave T and Bill E
· Quick review of committees and group met with regarding executive summary
· Discussion of Fin Comm vote regarding the proposal of the elementary school. Jim sending textbook of the vote discussion
* Continue to pursue through SBA, get a better idea of “list” and our placement
· SBA meeting tomorrow with Richard Gill at 2:00pm
o Determining realistic chances of funding
o Discussion of their currently mechanism of funding
o Our desire to be on their March 31st meeting
· Bringing the feasibility study, Executive summary, Option I and Enrollment #s
· Final Board for presentation is planning board
· Discussion of Town Meeting - 7:00pm April 28th
· Points to hit:
o enrollment/is the school big enough
o Physical conditions/state testing
o Accessibility issues
o PT Area
o Environmental factors re: ADD/ADHD
· Activities Leading up to the Town Meeting
o Public/Community Meeting on April 10th 7:00pm Quick Presentation and Tours
o Election Day – April 14th tours available every 30 minutes from 3:00pm – 5:00pm (inform Lorraine)
o FAQ is the towns news papers – Town Common, Villager, Southbridge Evening News
NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING
April 9th at 6:30pm to recap the SBA Meeting
BURGESS SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
BURGESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – MEDIA CENTER
JANUARY 23, 2008
· Communication/PR reviewed for Board of Selection Meeting of February 4th
o Reviewed the Executive Summary,
o Power Point
o Inclusion of Photos of the condition of building, ex, roof, bathrooms, overcrowding
· Discussion of Communication to Public
o Final Draft of Executive Summary to be posted all public locations - ex. Library, election facility, town hall, website, etc
o Pamphlet given with thumbnail pictures @ public meetings
o Possible mailing out to all homes between town meeting and debt exclusion vote
· Finalize the Executive Summary
o All member review and e-mail suggestions, question to Angela by Jan 28th
o Charlie B will answer FAQ outlined in prior meeting
Scheduled February Presentations
2/4/08
3:15 pm – Faculty Meeting @ Burgess/Media Center
6:30 pm – Board of Selectman with DRA in attendance
2/5/08
1:00 pm – Sturbridge Senior Center
7:00 pm – PTO @ Burgess/Media Ctr
notification by ConnectEd
2/12/08
3:30 pm – Public Meeting @ Burgess with DRA in attendance
2/13/08
7:00 pm – Public Meeting/Open Community with DRA in Attendance
Burgess Cafeteria
Possible March Presentations
3/11/08
6:30 pm – Planning Board
To Be Scheduled
– Department Head Meeting i.e., conservation, building inspection,
– Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, Dept of Recreation
- Possible Tours of Burgess Elementary School
Next Meeting February 13rd
7:50pm - Adjourn
BURGESS SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
BURGESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – MEDIA CENTER
FEBRUARY 27, 2008
6:30PM
Dan
Angela
Charles
Jim
Sandra
Alicynn
Cal – DRA
· Review of Katherine Craven’s e-mail response to C. Blanchard’s e-mail. Are we still in the running? Should we wait one year? Is there still a push from SBA re: regionalization? The next SBA meeting is March 31st. Agreement that we should be in attendance if possible (w/sen Brewer & Rep. Smola). Get a better idea of what SBA’s time line and our position.
· Agreement that we should continue to move in both directions. Keep moving towards the Town Meeting and Option D and Work on the SBA.
· Reviewed the Executive Summary from DRA and Power Point Presentation. Power Point with cover to send to B.O.Selectmen in order to answer any questions with regard to Katherine Craven and SBA.
NEXT MEETINGS:
2/28 – Finance Committee at 7:15pm at the Senior Center
3/3 – Recreation Committee at 6:15pm
3/10 – Rotary at 7:30pm Publick House (?)
Still working on the Planning Board meeting.
No Meeting on March 12th. Next Meeting March 26th
BURGESS SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
BURGESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – MEDIA CENTER
JANUARY 9, 2008
6:30PM
1. Call to Order at 6:33 PM
· Present for the Committee: Blanchard, Carlson, Cheng-Cimini, Durgin, Emrich, Malloy, O’Neil Turley, Quigley-Gibson, Travinski
Others: Franceschi (DRA), Olson (DRA), Steeves (Southbridge Evening News)
2. Review of Communications
· Between Malloy and Katherine Craven (SBA)
3. Review of Draft Presentation to School Committee
· Edits made
· Additional literature should be produced, will be taken from Executive Summary of report to be prepared by DRA
4. Brainstorming of FAQs
· When is the HS paid off?
· Impact to my taxes?
· What happens if we do nothing?
· What does “brand new” look like?
· How were enrollment projections derived?
· What is our status with the MSBA?
· What is the added educational value gained for $40 million?
5. Calendar for Public meetings/PR Campaign
· Burgess Faculty Meeting: February 4th at 3:30 PM
· Board of Selectman/Fincomm: Feburary 4th at 6:30 PM
· Senior Center: February 5th at 1:00 PM
· PTO: February 5th at 7:00 PM
· Public Meeting: February 12th at 3:30 (Burgess Media Center)
· Women in Business (contact Irene Garand)
· Rotary
· Chamber of Commerce
· BNI
· TED Foundation (contact Kate Alexander)
· Recreation Committee
6. Motion to approve warrant article language as drafted by C. Blanchard
· Motion passes 6 – 1
· Article D will be presented before Article H at Town Meeting
7. Adjournment at 7:58 PM
· Next meeting on January 23rd at 6:30 PM
BURGESS SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
BURGESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – MEDIA CENTER
OCTOBER 10, 2007
6:30PM
Jim Malloy – not in attendance
Charlie Blanchard provided information from Jim regarding the tax burden and tax options for the various cost of this project. Discussion regarding a fixed or steady payment as opposed to an adjusted payments was reviewed. The fixed payment through the 20 – 40 years would remain the same but adjustable payment would have the higher amts paid up front while at the end of the loan the payments would be nominal. They may allow for future projects. Typically the life of this type of loan/debt would be 20 – 30 years but special development loans from the Mass Leg. Can be obtains to have the life of the loan be 40 years. We may have to show that the building would last 40 years as they are typically rural or agricultural loans.
Review of the Southbridge Evening News article regarding SBA list of school and needs. Angela reviewed the list of the SBA and we are one of the largest elementary schools and one of the smallest in square footage. But noted that we are rate a 2. 1786 reports were filed and 415 are rated 3 & 4.
October 1st Enrollment numbers reviewed.
Preschool Numbers are huge. Both our individual numbers and in comparison with other communities of the same size. Preschool may be put on the school committee agenda for further review.
DRA Agenda:
Amt of $
Amt of Renovation/New
Amt of Variables/Value: Certain Options to Certain Sections of the Building/Highest Value
All options are 135,000 sq ft Current building – 109,000 sq ft
Option A – Most Renovation, Saves most of the building, Requires temp classrooms
Option B – demolish older wing/renovation 2 story piece. Some modulars but wing could be built without disruption
Option C – more demo, “retain “box”, 2 stories and & new gym
Option D – 2 stories, create new two story wing and retain newest section of the building could be built without disruption or modulars
Option E – all new construction
A & B require modulars and C could be done with phasing
Costs were reviewed and DRA noted that the options for the renovation could be “dialed backed” and adjusted – there were min and max to everything. For example the sq footage could be adjust – 15%.
Start date could be 2009 and completion 2011
Option D was reviewed and all members agreed that it was the option to present to the community as it has good phasing, fast construction and no modular classrooms. Determined that 15% reduction of sq ft should be heavily considered to bring costs down.
Next Community Meeting:
Walk through options, discussion of D. Discussion of Sq footage Issue
Identify Needs: Growing Class # and most reasonable smallest size under $40Million
Provide status report, Split into smaller groups to provide feedback and inform public of direction.
Tuesday October 23rd North Cafeteria of B.E..School
All papers to be notified, Flyers to be put up around town and local groups to be notified.
BURGESS SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
BURGESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – MEDIA CENTER
SEPTEMBER 12, 2007
6:30PM
Additional Attendees:
Carl F & Cal Olson from DRA
Options A – G reviewed again.
Student Number is 915
2 Preschool Classes
883 w/out Preschool – Just K – 6
Options reviewed broken out into classroom & square footage all approximately the same except for possible gym expansion. We determined need for 2 gyms. Renovations will allow for adjustment
Approximately range is $38 million - $48million
Jim M – noted possible do some renovation now and get on list
Determine debt capacity – Prop 2 ½%
We are looking at $34million for everything
*Operating Cost – We need more efficiency
Looking at a lot of community participation for the April Vote
SBA – questions if we are on any list? Where on the list?
We have gotten no commitment on anything from them
If we must go on our own we must follow their guidelines – would they be happy to help with project? SBA could help with the architect
Determined next Community Meeting to be October 23rd
BURGESS SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
BURGESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – MEDIA CENTER
JULY 25, 2007
6:30PM
DRA PROVIDED OPTIONS FOR REVIEW.
BURGESS SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
BURGESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – MEDIA CENTER
JUNE 13, 2007
6:30PM
Note in Attendance: Jim Malloy & Holly O’Neil Turley
Discussion of a signed contract with D.R.A.
The architect firm currently working with us to develop several plans for new/renovation project.
Discussion of SBA personnel of Sue Cahill, Sean Walsh & Amy Laning – Audit Project Analyst. They reviewed the Burgess Elementary School regarding the issue of overcrowding. Other Teams were in place for the structural issues of the school.
Dan Carlson advised that it wasn’t the best day but they still got a full tour of the building. Took approximately 45 minutes for the entire tour.
They will not be sharing any information at this time. The Next Step: Structural engineering team and Enrollment Projects.
Community Meeting Review
Agenda:
Demographic: Enrollment Projections and Consideration of Pre-K
**Get comfortable with established enrollment projects – What is the number!
Building Expansion
Flexibility of the Building
Existing Building:
DRA – bringing engineers to Burgess
Space Needs Discussion:
900-1000 students
current open classroom – currently 700
Range of Options:
Pre-K & K – possibility to OSV or other Town Building, Old Ames Building, etc
Need 10 – 12K sq feet minimum
*Update Costs for Options in the Feasibility Study
Retro Fitting costs may be higher than redo/new
Portable Classroom – $60,000 - $70,000 per year
Rebates($50,000 - $100,000)/Green Grants from Mass
Next Meeting: July 25th at 6:30pm
BURGESS SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
BURGESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – MEDIA CENTER
MAY 9, 2007
6:30PM
Carl F of DRA Associates
Provided Updated Feasibility Study
*New Numbers for the Cost
*New Numbers for the Enrollment
*Housing Development
*Educational Program
Detailed Cost Estimate to be provided for the One Option going to the Town Meeting
Breakdown of the Project Budget - for the Town Warrant of January 2008 for Town Meeting of April 2008.
Community Workshops – 4 Pre Town Meeting –
3 Options to be generated – Not all to be new Construction
Traffic Flow, Safety During Construction to be addressed
It takes approximately 8 months to 1 year to develop a full set of plans to go out to bid. We are looking at construction to potentially start July of 2009.
New construction takes approximately 18 months to complete. Renovation/New may take a little longer due to working around the school year.
Proposal to Enter into Agreement with DRA. Charlie made the motion and all agreed.
Agenda for the May 23rd Community Meeting
Advertisement:
Southbridge News
T & G
Cable/Public Access
Notice to all Boards and Town Offices
Town Website
Sandra noted that we could potentially set ourselves as a website on the town website so that everyone was aware of meeting and current status.
We were to meet at 6:30pm in the Burgess School Cafeteria and Meeting to start at 7:00- 8:15pm. Handouts and Boards for Viewing
Introduction of Carl F and Go from there to Presentation from DRA
Breakdown into Groups
“What’s important to you” groups - Site Issues
Physical Environment
Educational Issues
Enrollment Projects
Cost
Needs Not Solutions
Note: Carl noted that there may be some discussion by the School Committee regarding Target Average Class Size. Consider a policy.
Calendar:
Community Meeting – May 23rd 6:30 – 8:15 Burgess Cafeteria
June 13th – 6:30 – Media Room – Review of Community Meeting
July 25th - 6:30 – Media Room –
September 26th – 2nd Community Meeting – 6:30 – 8:15 Burgess Cafeteria
Starting in September every 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 6:30 pm in Media Room
BURGESS SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
BURGESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – MEDIA CENTER
FEBRUARY 28, 2007
6:30PM
Jim
Bill
Kate Not in Attendance
Holly
Dave
Meeting held with Rep. Todd Smola
Discovered that the MSBA will take approximately 6 – 7 years to make a decision.
We discussed that we should probably do it on our own and then consider requesting the SBA to reimburse, at least partially. Also, discussed any Grants or other $ coming our way, ex; Governors’ Greener Grant.
We determined that there were would be no help from the SBA. Our next meeting would be with Carl F of DRA associates to discussed Renovation/New Construction. Looking at an expense of $25 - $20 million.
BURGESS SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
BURGESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – MEDIA CENTER
APRIL 22, 2006
6:30PM
Carl F of DRA Associates in attendance
Reviewed the SBA Application and Rep. Todd Smola’s comments
There are approximately 180 statements of interests that have been forwarded to the MSBA this year.
MSBA: requires their involvement and will/may preclude them from paying anything because they weren’t involved from the beginning.
MSBA will not provide a list of acceptable contracts, architects, etc: professionals because they want to choose the RFP and Architect.
We were thinking of involving the MSBA in the selection – not monetarily; but if we go it alone we get to make our own decisions.
We decided to contact the MSBA one final time to see if we get any response from them. Requesting that the Superintendents office contact the SBA in order to get a response. If we get nothing we go forward to attempting this on our own.
2006-2007 current enrollment is 891.
Got to DRA to update the feasibility study
· Update enrollment projections
· No major changes made to the building since their last inspection
· Refine the options to see what the final product is
· Go to the first of several community meetings
Meetings
Next meeting: May 9th 6:30pm
1st Community Meeting: May 23rd 6:30 pm
Follow-up BSBC Meeting: June 13th 6:30pm.
BURGESS SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
BURGESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – MEDIA CENTER
MARCH 18, 2006
6:30PM
Meeting came to order at 7:00pm
Joann was not in attendance
Review of the February 2006 meeting with Kathleen Craven of the Massachusetts School Building Authority. Also in attendance were Rep Smola and Senator Brewer.
She recommended that we complete the Statement of Interest. They send out the assessors and then building the solution with us. They are not formally accepting the applications until June of 2006.
So we should fill out the State of Interest now and the Chairs of the School Committee, Board of Selectmen and Superintendent has to sign the form. Requires a vote of the School committee and the Board of Selectmen.
There are eight (8) priorities and we to have three or more.
Charlie Blanchard will provide the chart for the enrollment projections noting that we are adding preschool.
Priority 1) Replacement of building..unstructurally sound…
Ex: asbestos
Dan Carlson and William Chamberland
Priority 2) Elimination of severe overcrowding…
Ex: sq footage/population
Can’t do all day kindergarten
OT was kitchen
PT and Daycare
Foreign language teachers have to travel.
Holly O’Neil Turley
Priority 3) N/A
Priority 4) Severe overcrowding….
Ex: housing starts
Charlie and Kate Alexander
Priority 5) Modernization of heating system…
Building projects, last 3 years, window/door, wall thickness, roof insulation
Angela Cheng-Cimini
Priority 6) Short-Term Enrollment Growths
N/A
Priority 7) Replacement/Obsolete Building
Doesn’t meet minimums, modular classrooms, section 4 of feasibility studies.
James Malloy
Priority 8) N/A
REFINEMENT OF THE STATEMENT OF INTEREST AND SENT TO MSBA. AWAITING RESPONSE. Adjustments and corrections are contained in binder.
BURGESS SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
BURGESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – MEDIA CENTER
JANUARY 18, 2006
6:30PM
Meeting came to order at 7:00pm
Charles Blanchard was not in attendance
SBA issued new guidelines and regulation. See exhibit A pg 7 & 8
According to the SBA the project has to be approved before Project manager and Architect.
We believe that we need to get a project manager to get us to focus on what we need to do for this facility.
Then go for the SBA approval of our project
Hire a P.M.
Architect, etc
Start the process – CH 30B – Procurement Project – We have some funds to do this mow.
James Malloy noted that Pat Landers should come out and speak with us for some clear direction regarding the SBA and this project. But the first order of business is to decided what we need done and to work with a professional.
The SBA has $500 million building cap. No regulations are expected by July 1, 2006.
Conclusions:
1. We need to get Pat Landers in early February in order to get some direction from SBA.
2. We need start the RFP to hire a project manager to review our options, updated costs, etc.
We then took a tour of the school…
Open classroom design. Noted that ADHD and ADD do not succeed in an open classroom atmosphere because of the carry over sound. The original building was done in 1949 and had 4 additions – the most recent was 1972. Essentially the building is wearing out and we are lacking square footage for the amount of children.
BURGESS SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
BURGESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – MEDIA CENTER
DECEMBER 14, 2005
6:30PM
Meeting came to order at 7:00pm. All members were in attendance
Rep Todd Smola attended meeting in order to discuss and assist with this project as it relates to the M.S.B.A. He noted the following issues:
· Renovation looked favorably
· Long term expenditures are looked at favorably since it is making an investment.
· Education space is important – science labs are more favorable than a new gymnasium. Focus is education
· We need to have all our information together. It is better to wait than not be prepared.
· There is a lot of competition as everyone wants to be on the list
· Reimbursements have changed – It was 80%-90% but is have dropped dramatically to 31%-80%
Dan Carlson noted that SBA already audited Burgess approximately 2 weeks ago. SBA has to go out to every school in the state in order to complete this massive overhaul in this department. It is expected that the audits/final assessments will be completed with Spring of 2006. They are pushing in order to show that they are getting things moving.
It appears that there are two people on the MSBA that Town of Sturbridge has been involved in and this may be favorable to our project.
Tim Cahill – Construction Mgr for SBA
Pat Landers – from Palmer, used to rep Sturbridge
Looking at an invitation for Pat Landers to attend our meeting to give us a better idea of the SBA
Issues to Address
· Student enrollment
· Costs associated with two schools/one school
· Education needs
C.B. noted that the Owner’s project Mgr should be hired first
S.G. questioned the possibility of what we can afford ourselves. Deal with the issues as if there is no reimbursement.
Possible two plans:
1) What we can afford alone
2) What we can afford with reimbursement
Come up with plan and bring to the SBA. Do the best we can be flexible to design a new project if we have to fund it ourselves.
A.C. suggested and moved on a subcommittee to come up with population/enrollment numbers we can rely on for the project so that we can move forward
Subcommittee members:
· Charlie Blanchard
· Dan Carlson
· James Malloy
Possible discussion with Jeff Wolfsun at the DOE for an analysis of Sturbridge
Next Meeting: Tour of Burgess Elementary
Discussion of Hire a Project Mgr or Architect
Enrollment
Scope/Needs of the Building
Next Meeting: January 18th Wednesday 7:00pm. Ongoing meetings will be 2nd Wednesday of the month.
BURGESS SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
BURGESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – MEDIA CENTER
NOVEMBER 9, 2005
6:30PM
Meeting came to order at 7:00pm.
All previous listed participants were in attendance, additionally William Emrich
Noted that Senator Brewer and Rep. Smola were unavailable for today
Carl Francheschi from D.R.A. attended and reviewed the procedure and research regarding feasibility study and the four options outlined.
Overview of the Feasibility Study noted:
a. Existing Condition – Physical Building Needs
b. Enrollment Projections – 10 year window is the state requirements, demonstration of the factors effecting K – 6
c. Education Space Needs – Programs
1. Media
2. Library
3. Special Needs
Reviewed Options Developed:
A. Review of the Burgess School noted:
1. Maintenance
2. Small Spaces
3. Traffic/Outside Concerns
4. Play structures
5. Drainage Concerns
6. Where Can We Build
· MSBA - New Requirements and new spacing needs, etc are due in Jan 2006
· Open classroom idea is undersized and there are missing classrooms.
· We are the largest facilities in the state which may make us a priority under the expected new guidelines
Option A
A. Renovation & Addition to the School
B. Only Accommodates the Current Enrollment of approx 870 students
C. In 2004 dollars the cost is approximately $25 million to renovate all systems to extend life of the school approximately 30 years.
D. Noted that it does note accommodate all expected future students
Option B
A. Renovation, Addition and Demolish
B. Expected to Accommodate all Expected Future Student
C. In 2004 Dollars - $41 million project
Option C
A. All New Construction
B. Could be Constructed Outside Current Building
C. Cost is $43 million is 2004 numbers
Option D
A. All New Construction
B. Two Separate Schools
C. Project Cost is $48 million is 2004 numbers
D. May be Considered Two (2) Separate Structures for reimbursement under the number MSBA guidelines
Option E
A. Two Separate Sites. Ex. One located near the town sporting fields, DPW.
B. Cost is approximately $50 million in 2004 numbers
At this point there was an open discussion among participants regarding enrollment projects, reimbursement expectations from the state, and participation from the town.
James Malloy outlined the financial burden the homeowners would have to carry if we have zero, 35% and 65% reimbursement from the state. (See TABLE A)
Charles Blanchard provided outlines and expectation of the enrollment (See TABLE B & Attachment 1)
After open discussion the group decided that we needed to develop the right questions and brainstorm answers regarding ongoing concerns before a building option can be chosen or developed in order to approach the parents, homeowner and Board of Selectmen with a plan with expected successful passage.
We agreed that the next meeting would be a brainstorming event in order to address various problems such as:
A. Enrollment expectation/projections
B. What can we do for the cost that we can sell
a. Voters
b. Taxpayers
c. Children
d. MSBA
e. BOS
C. We need to determine the plan that is the best environment for our children
D. What is the exact true cost of our plan – adjusted to inflation
E. What is our cost if we wait or if we cannot get this passed?
Next Meeting:
We need to complete the RFP. Angela Cheng-Cimini provided copies of examples of RFP we need to develop our own and start the hiring process for a project manager
Expected to have Senator Brewer and Rep Smola speak regarding any legislative assistance we may receive. Pat Landers from Palmer, MA regarding MSBA.
Discuss the Debt Schedule of the Town of Sturbridge. What is out there, what is paid, etc.
BURGESS SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 20, 2005
7:00PM – 8:30 PM
TOWN HALL
PARTICIPANTS:
Sandra Gibson-Quigley
Charles Blanchard
William Chamberland
Holly O’Neil Turley
Angela Cheng-Cimini
Daniel Carlson
James Malloy
David Travinski
Katherine Alexander
First order of business at the meeting was the election of President and Vice President. Nomination was given and unanimous vote for Angela Cheng-Cimini as President and Charles Blanchard for Vice President.
Schedule for future meeting was decided for 2nd Wednesday of every month at 7:00pm and new meeting location will be Burgess Elementary School.
Angela Cheng-Cimini provided the following information in order to provide current status of available money and conclusion of Feasibility Study. (Attached)
It was noted that there is currently $350,000 available to hire a construction manger in order to start site work in order to start the new school as outlined in Option D of the Feasibility Study. It was also noted that there is some confusion regarding which organization had final authority over this money (Board of Selectmen or Building Committee).
Angela Cheng-Cimini invited Senator Brewer, Rep. Todd Smola and Carl Francheschi (DRA – primary architect for the Tantasqua Regional High School) to speak at our next meeting. It was concluded that Senator Brewer and Smola might provide the necessary political influence we may need in order to push this project through Massachusetts School Building Authority.
Invited to Next Meeting: Senator Brewer 7 – 8 pm
Todd Smola 7 – 8 pm
Carl Francheschi 8 – 8:30 pm
Angela Cheng-Cimini provided the new requirements and procedures from the Massachusetts School Building Authority in order to get this project passed.
It was concluded that the architect and project manager should be hired as soon as possible (James Malloy noted that the Town Counsel provided legal opinion that it should be immediate) and a draft for the position should be completed by November or December Meeting.
At this point the meeting various questions and concerns were raised:
Katherine Alexander questioned what were going to do with the current school until the new schools are completed. The Feasibility Study was referred to and maintenance issues were listed for the next 3 – 5 years.
Mr. Malloy and Mr. Chamberland questioned the need for two schools in an effort to review the feasibility studies and review some of the problems associated with the option of two small schools. There is the cost of operating two separate schools and does it require two applications to the Massachusetts School Building Authority. It was noted that the option D (two schools is academically and socially better as well as conforms to the state regulations)
This discussion led to an involved conversation regarding why we are tearing down the old school. How do explain to the Board of Selectmen as well as the community the costs associated with tearing down the school verses remodeling the school.
It was noted that Carl Francheschi should review with this committee and the Board of Selectmen how we get the figures and how we accomplish this goal. We need to confirm all of the number provided regarding enrollment, costs associated with repair/maintenance of Burgess and the costs associated with construction and operation of two schools.
The apparent hurdle was community education and action. Voting record within this town showed that the senior citizen vote was very strong. We need to educate the senior citizens regarding the elementary school condition as well as activate the other homeowners in this town. Suggestions such as open houses at the school, web site, providing information through local newspaper were provided. We need involvement from all members of the community to pass this project.
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