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11/13/2012
Mountview School Building Committee
Meeting Minutes
November 13, 2012

7PM                                                                                             HMLD

Present:        Vice-Chairman David White, Gary Kaczmarek, Margaret Watson, Erik Githmark, Chris Lucchesi, Mike Sherman, Jacquie Kelly, Anthony Gasbarro

Absent: Chairman Paul Challenger, Tom Pandiscio, Nancy Galkowski

Others Present: Mike Pagano, LPA, Bill Senecal, LPA, Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary

1. Project Management/Architect Update

The Committee and LPA reviewed floor plans and a rendering of the plan in 3D.  Bill Senecal said over the last few weeks the comments from the PSR were received from the MSBA.  MSBA comments were minimal and everything has been accepted in the PSR except the Media Center.  At the request of the MSBA, some square footage from art rooms has been reduced to conform to MSBA guidelines.  No spaces and uses were eliminated in the reduction.  Approximately 1600 square feet has been removed from the original submission.  The MSBA will meet on November 14th to make a final vote on the PSR and the fate of the proposed Media Center will be determined then.

Traffic engineers firm Nitche Engineering have been on site in preparation for the meeting with neighbors and abutters on November 27th.  The flow of traffic will now move counterclockwise around the building.  The current exit onto Shrewsbury Street will move approximately 20-30 feet toward Mountview Drive to accommodate this new traffic pattern.   The driveway will be approximately 1000 feet from the street to the school.  Mr. Sherman inquired about noise abatement on site for abutters.  By moving the driveway to the right side of the property towards Mountview Drive, he expressed concern about increased traffic noise.  

There will be 60,000 square feet on the roof to accommodate the square feet of solar array panels.  Mr. White inquired what the total KW of the solar panels would be.  The Committee agreed that it will need to determine if the solar array will just meet the MA-CHPS minimum or exceed it.  Mr. White referenced a previous discussion at a green engineering meeting about these solar arrays.  Mr. Senecal will forward that information to Mr. White.  Mr. Lucchesi said he needs to understand the cost benefit of increasing beyond the minimum.  Mr. White explained how green energy credits work in the State of Massachusetts.  This decision goes beyond just meeting the minimum threshold.  LPA will complete a layout of the roof site.

There will be approximately 125 parking spaces on site.  While this will accommodate the day-to-day staff parking needs, it would be nice to offer additional parking during school events (sports/concerts etc.) to alleviate parking on the driveway which causes safety concerns.  LPA will look into additional parking options.  Parking lot lighting will also be addressed/diffused for abutters.

Mr. White commented that he felt the loading area/dock area was not appropriately sized to accommodate trash and current and future increased recycling efforts at the school.  Mr. Pagano concurred and said the LPA would reevaluate the area.

2. Neighborhood Meeting – November 27, 2012

The Committee discussed noise abatement for abutters during pick up and drop off at the school.  Mr. White commented that this period of time only occurs twice a day for 15-20 minutes at a time, 180-days a year.  Additionally, only 14 buses service the school and they are not allowed to idle.  Mr. Sherman said that the project should also consider the number of parents who drop off and pick up.  The Committee needs to be perceptive of abutters concerns, especially since the school/driveway is moving closer to Mountview Drive.  Mr. Lucchesi agreed with Mr. Sherman in that the Committee should acknowledge these concerns at the November 27th meeting.  Abutters should know that the Committee has already considered this issue and is working on it.  Mr. Sherman said that the Committee should talk about what kinds of noise abatement have been used at other schools within the District and the effectiveness of these measures.  Ms. Watson likened the noise generated by the school during these time periods to those who live near a train track; you eventually learn to accommodate and get used to it.  A school is on this site now and mostly neighbors will not have any more sound impact than they do now.  Ms. Kelly commented that the town built a sound wall at the transformer station on Bullard Street and it did not work.

LPA will make a power point presentation and also bring poster boards to highlight the building design.  Refreshments will be served.

3. Approval of Previous Minutes

Motion by Mike Sherman, seconded by Jacquie Kelly, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO
APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 31, 2012 AS PRESENTED.

Ms. Watson asked that a comment be added to these minutes to reflect that the education
subcommittee meets monthly during the year and adjusts its meeting schedule during summer
months.

Motion by Chris Lucchesi, seconded by Mike Sherman, it was VOTED TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 23, 2012 AS PRESENTED.

4. Public Comment

No one came forward to address the Committee.

5. Public Outreach

A press release of the results of the MSBA meeting will need to be issued as soon as possible.

Ms. Watson said the School Committee will meet on November 14th and she will announce the results at the meeting.

Ms. Watson recently attended the Mayo School PTO meeting.  The schools have been informed that visuals of the building plans will be available for display in school lobbies in early December.

6. New Business

Mr. White asked when the Committee could expect the next update on MA-CHPS/green engineering efforts.  Mr. Kaczmarek said it will be important to begin discussing costs associated with green energy efforts on the project and how much these will affect the total cost of the project.  While it is still early in the project, it is better to plan ahead now.

LPA reported that they are in the process of completing Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals applications for site approval.  It is a requirement of the MSBA for the next filing on February 3, 2013.

Future Meetings are November 27th and December 11th.

7. Adjournment

Motion by Mike Sherman, seconded by Chris Lucchesi, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE NOVEMER 13, 2012 MEETING AT 8:36PM.


APPROVED: