WELLINGTON SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
MINUTES
February 9, 2006
Chenery Middle School – 7:00 PM
Meeting # 22
Committee members attending: John Bowe, Pat Brusch, Phil Curtis, Mark Haley, Joel Mooney, Greg Poulos, Karen Pressey, Lucy Pullen, Rob Wollner and Laurie Graham, Disability Access Commission.
Absent: Mary McHugh
School Department: Amy Wagner, Gerry Missal
Also attending: Jonathan Levi, Diane Ozellius, Matt LaRue, Dick Amster, and Gary Stirgwolt
Guests: Six
Pat Brusch called the meeting to order since Mark Haley was delayed.
The following Minutes were approved unanimously as amended on a motion offered by Karen Pressey seconded by John Bowe:
January 26, 2006 Meeting #21
The following invoices were approved unanimously on a motion by Rob Wollner seconded by Pat Brusch:
$56,000 Jonathan Levi December 16 through February 9, 2006
Completion of Schematic Design
$37.50 David Hawkins January 1, 2006
Pat reminded the members of the MSBA Hearing on their draft regulations and Dick mentioned that he had heard it was moved from February 15, 2006 to February 22, 2006 at the State House. He thought it was scheduled for 6:00 PM. We still do not have a confirmed time or exact location.
Jonathan reviewed the new School Street rendering and other boards he used for parent meetings and/or the administrative breakout meeting.
He indicated that some parents and neighbors had anxiety about open space, the location of the “P” drive, loss of the play field on School Street and children crossing traffic. Jonathan felt that the addition of the pedestrian path just prior to the curb cut addressed the issue of safe passage for children who walk to school. He indicated that the issues of open space, adequate parking and site location of the building resulted in competing priorities and some people would favor one over another. In an effort to graphically show a number of different options he reviewed a board of six options based on his response to different suggestions he heard from administrators and staff:
A. His original proposal with 68 spaces, a drop off and parking area off of Orchard Street and bus parking on a one way access along the St. Joseph’s parking area.
B. A proposal to widen Orchard Street on both sides to create parent drop off spaces for about 20 cars.
C. Bus drop off from Orchard Street and in front of the Gym on School Street. Provides direct sight lines to buses and reduces travel distance.
D. Move classroom wing closer to School Street. Provides larger play space and slightly more parking - 70 Spaces but puts more paving in front of school making it appear more urban.
E. Locate additional parking on the School Street side and eliminate play area on School Street.
F. Maximum parking option – 100 spaces – Provide parking on School Street, Along St. Joseph’s area and on Orchard Street in front of lower school.
Dick noted that options A,C,D, and E were similar in their ratio of play space to parking space. Option F has 30 more parking spaces and the cost impact would be $200,000 or more.
Further work on site issues will take place in Design Development (DD) to include: a detailed traffic study and a detailed analysis of the number of staff assigned to the building and whether they would require full day parking or would be visiting for shorter periods of time.
Jonathan then reviewed the Administrative discussion concerning locating the Library on the second floor and moving the Teacher’s Lunch Room and the Multipurpose Room to the first floor. He felt the Library on the second floor could be a beautiful space and provide convenient passage from one wing to the other. The Teachers Lunch Room would be more convenient on the first floor. Administrators felt that the Library on the second floor would provide a focus for students on that floor and relieve the extensive movement of students which had been concentrated on the first floor. There would be two small terrace areas rather than one large area. Jonathan indicated that he would have further work to do in DD to redesign stairwells and elevator shafts. On a motion by Joel, seconded by Pat with the understanding that this would not entail any
major cost issues, the committee voted to endorse this move.
The next issue that arose at the Administrative discussion was the exterior jogs in the design which they felt would present some security issues at times when children leave the building without permission. Jonathan indicated that financial savings would be minor – no more than $200,000 and reducing the foot print would also be minor. He did feel that this could be revisited in DD. On a motion Joel, seconded by Phil, the committee voted unanimously to defer a final decision to DD.
Dick Amster then presented the DRAFT budget. (See attached) There will be several changes to this estimate, some of them substantial. They should be available before the Mega meeting.
Total Project Costs (1st qtr, 2006) $40,111,000
Escalation
7/1/06
Construction proceeds on 9/07 $48,189,035
Escalation
7/1/07
Construction proceeds on 9/08 $51,080,035
Escalation
7/1/08
Construction proceeds on 9/09 $54,145,199
Mark asked Dick to review the escalation formula and he said he would do so. The committee asked that cost highlighted as “Allowances” for the following items be incorporated into the budget”
Removal and disposal of debris in the former basement $1,500,000
Hazmat Abatement 450,000
Widen Orchard Street 250,000
Synthetic Turf @ Play area 60,000
Jonathan made the following observations:
· They have reduced the grossing factor from 1.42 to 1:37
· The palette of building materials is very similar to those used at the Chenery
· A number of sustainable design initiatives should dramatically reduce operating costs that otherwise would have resulted in the large of a building.
· Per square foot cost of 220 per sf have risen to 233 per sf because of escalation in the market. There has been a 20% to 25% escalation in the market over the past two years.
The inflation factor included is 8% in 06, 8% in 07 and 6% thereafter. The inflationary impact is about $3 Million each year the project is delayed.
Jonathan indicated that this would be a three year process to complete a new structure:
· 12 months for DD
· 2 months for the bid process
· 2 months for turn over
· 2 months for closeout
Total 36 months or 3 years
A Mega Meeting is scheduled for March 6, 2006. They will be hearing presentations on the Highway Feasibility Study and the Wellington School. Our presentation will begin around 7:45 PM. Members should be there by 7:30 PM.
Phil reviewed a request from the Warrant Committee to provide specific information prior to the presentation. The committee will try to cover all points required in the presentation and provide as much backup as possible by February 27, 2006.
The presentation to the Mega meeting will include an introduction by the School Committee regarding program and enrollment, followed by a presentation by Jonathan about the design and the site and ending with a presentation by Dick of the cost estimate. Mark will take care of written material to be submitted in advance.
If we are not able to finish all the discussion necessary at this meeting there will be another meeting called for March 8, 2006.
A brief discussion was held regarding Dick Amster’s contract. Phil will review Pat’s suggestions. Mark will clarify any additional services we may require before DD begins.
Rob Wollner reported that he anticipates approximately $28,000 will be left from our $350,000 appropriation when we close out this phase with JLA and Turner.
The meeting adjourned at 9:50 PM on a motion by Phil Curtis seconded by Pat Brusch.
The next meeting:
Mega Meeting: Monday, March, 2006 at 7:00 PM Chenery Middle School
No further meetings of the Wellington School Building Committee are scheduled until we arrive at some clarity around State funding, the cost implications of any delay and discussion of funding for DD.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen Pressey
Karen Pressey, Secretary
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