Facilities Steering Committee
Meeting minutes for 1/9/18
5:30 pm at town hall annex
Attending for the committee: Chris Conway, Karen Cruise, Steve Mirick, Larry Todd,
Mary Jo Wojtusik
Attending for the town: Edith Morgan, BOS and Judy Dino, advisory committee.
Karen opened the meeting at 5:30 pm
There were a number of new people attend the meeting, including the library director, Mary Barroll and the chair of the library trustees, Jane Weisman.
Karen gave a brief introduction to the work of the committee for those who were new to the meetings.
The minutes of the 1/2/18 meeting were approved.
Margo Jones and Kristian Whitsett presented a review of previous information and new information based on changes requested at previous meetings. Margo gave an idea of possible phases to the recommended work, with estimated costs:
Basic repairs to Bagg Hall
Work on the annex to make it useable as a community/senior center (temporary ?)
A design for a public safety building.
She also showed an option for doing several projects at once, including the public safety building and renovation/addition to Bagg Hall.
There were questions from those in attendance but Karen asked the questions be held until the presentation by JWA was finished.
Kristian reviewed details of the proposed work to Bagg Hall without an addition and showed them as priority A or B. There was some discussion about moving some of the details from B to A, giving them greater priority.
Kristian then reviewed proposed floor plans for the 3 addition options presented at an earlier meeting.
1. Minimal addition to provide access to 2nd floor, including elevator.
2. Slightly larger addition, including elevator.
3. Larger addition with space on 1st floor for senior/ community activity, elevator.
He again showed estimated costs for the 3 options.
Next was a review of proposed work on the annex to make it useable as a senior/community area. Details were shown for interior and exterior work and estimated cost.
Last was a brief review of the proposals for public safety and a quick review of some noted deficiencies of the existing location.
He also mentioned as a option a 3500 sq ft community center on the site of the annex, estimated cost of $1.5 mil.
There followed discussion of options for the council on aging.
Nina gave us an update on possible state grants for public safety but there is no short term support available at this time.
Karen opened the meeting for public comment and questions.
Member of the art society spoke and said their group should be considered as we look at space needs; their present space is not adequate. The art society is an important part of the community.
The library noted they have concerns about parking and meeting space. They frequently have programs which cannot fit in their building; they favor the larger Bagg Hall addition, if that is the route we take.
Someone commented we need a complete community center, not just a place for seniors.
There was discussion regarding finances and what the town can afford and what the voters will approve.
The committee turned to the upcoming public meeting scheduled for Saturday, Feb 3, snow date Feb 10.
Margo said JWA will present with powerpoint a review of the process and several options we could present to the community:
- The whole package, new public safety building, addition to Bagg Hall, new community center - $15 million
- New public safety, basic repair to Bagg Hall - $10 million
- Bagg Hall repairs, work on annex for community use, minor work on public safety
$ ???
There were comments from the public that $6-$8 million is the maximum the community can handle. Discussion of impact on tax rate, but no hard figures.
The committee asked JWA to come up with a proposal for public safety in the price range of $6-$7 million.
The public presentation will be on Saturday, Feb 3; 9:30 meet and tour the public safety complex and Bagg Hall, 10:30 to 12 presentation, questions, discussion in the annex.
The next meeting with Jones Whitsett will be on January 23, 5:30pm in the annex.
The committee approved the payment of the 2nd invoice from JWA for $20,000.
Next week there will be a joint meeting of the Facilities Steering Committee with the board of selectmen and the advisory board; 1/16/18, 7pm in the annex.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 pm.
Submitted by Larry Todd, secretary
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