Mountview School Building Committee
Meeting Minutes
March 26, 2013
7PM HMLD
Present: Chairman Paul Challenger, David White, Gary Kaczmarek, Chris Lucchesi, Erik Githmark, Jacquie Kelly, Anthony Gasbarro, Mike Sherman
Others Present: Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
Others Absent: Margaret Watson, Bill Senecal, LPA, Mike Pagano, LPA
No one from the public was present at the meeting.
Mr. Kaczmarek reported that he and Mr. Gasbarro, Mr. Githmark, and Mr. Challenger had met with the MSBA to discuss project scope and budget meeting at the MSBA to discuss the 3011 budget. The MSBA also shared good news that the project reimbursement had increased: up 1.42% to overall reimbursement and a Green Engineering credit for the District’s Maintenance Plan. These two increased mean $893,500 in additional funding for the project.
Mr. Kaczmarek said the MSBA was very happy with the budget and that there were no surprises. The District continues to provide information to the MSBA regarding special education rooms and the media center. The Committee discussed the proposed SPED classroom configuration.
Mr. Gasbarro said that the SPED design submitted to the DESE is comparable to the Glenwood School in Rutland and the new middle school in Shrewsbury. He said that the proposed design (SPED classrooms at the intersections of each wing on each floor) was not radical. Mr. Kaczmarek said he was trying to set up a meeting with the MSBA (the reporting authority) and was encouraged that a compromise with the DESE would be found. Mr. White suggested that Mr. Gasbarro speak directly with the DESE. Mr. Kaczmarek said that a chain of command exists through the MSBA for communications. These pending issues have no impact on the upcoming Special Town Meeting or Ballot Election. Mr. Gasbarro and Mr. Kaczmarek will meet on March 27th to make progress on the
issue.
Mr. Githmark said that the District has agreed to hire a Media Center Librarian specific to the Media Center and this satisfied the MSBA’s concerns. T
Mr. Kaczmarek discussed a Project Funding Agreement which has been submitted to the MSBA. The MSBA has also requested and FF&E cost proposal. Mr. Kaczmarek and Mr. Githmark are currently working on a preliminary proposal for the 1.9M budget and submitted it on March 26th. The MSBA accepted the proposal.
Mr. Sherman suggested that Town Counsel review these documents. Mr. Challenger said that these documents would be reviewed by Town Counsel once the MSBA has approved them.
Mr. Kaczmarek asked the Committee to vote to amend LPA’s contract now that the Schematic Design has been filed. This includes an authorization of $4,000,095 for architectural services.
Mr. Challenger explained that the contract with LPA for the Feasibility Study has concluded.
Motion by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Sherman, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO AUTHORIZE THE TOWN MANAGER TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS WITH LPA NOT TO EXCEED $4,000,095 FOR THE PURPOSES OF HIRING LPA TO PROVIDE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FOR THE MOUNTVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL PROJECT TO COMMENCE AFTER THE SPECIAL TOWN MEETING AND BALLOT ELECTION.
Mr. White shared that a neighboring community of Holden recently had their RFP thrown out by the MSBA. This was due to a mistake by the OPM hired by the Town to develop the RFP. Mr. White said that it spoke highly of Holden’s OPM and the hard work of the Committee to bring a successful Feasibility Study and Schematic Design proposal to the MSBA. The Town has been very well served by the work generated by the Committee.
Ms. Kelly presented language for the motions in preparation for the Special Town Meeting and Ballot Election. Ms. Kelly said that the MSBA has reviewed and approved the language for these motions. The motion will vote to appropriate the entire amount of the project and vote to authorize the Town Treasurer to borrow the Town’s portion. Additionally the motion is contingent upon the positive outcome at the Ballot Election three days later. Ms. Kelly also said that both warrants have been posted and were approved by the MSBA.
Mr. Challenger said that the Finance Committee will make the motion at the Special Town Meeting. Ms. Kelly said she was surprised that the Building Committee was not making the motion. Mr. Challenger said he would speak to the Finance Committee Chair to resolve who will be the motion maker.
Mr. Challenger will make a 15-minute power point presentation at the Special Town Meeting.
The Mountview PTA will sponsor babysitting during the town meeting.
Mr. Lucchesi commended Mr. Sherman and Mr. Githmark for their work in making the presentations at the elementary schools a success. Mr. Githmark will try to reschedule the Mayo presentation which was cancelled due to snow.
Mr. White along with Ms. Kelly, Mr. Gasbarro, and Ms. Watson will attend the Senior Lunch and Council on Aging meeting on April 1st to make a small presentation and answer questions.
Ms. Kelly reported that Mr. Robinson with the Light Department has created a preliminary agreement to convert PV energy into a credit which would be applied to the school. The Committee agreed this is good news and will be a value to the school when it is operational in three years.
Mr. Lucchesi said he has been told that a citizen’s advocacy group has filed paperwork with the Town Clerk in order to fundraise for the school project. This group will use their money to place a flyer in The Landmark and purchase lawn signs for promotional/advertising purposes. This group is also running phone banks and might also have some stand-outs outside polling locations.
Motion by Mike Sherman, seconded by Dave White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE MARCH 26, 2013 MEETING AT 8:20PM.
APPROVED:
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