The meeting was called to order by S. Heinrich at 7:40 P.M.

Approval of Minutes

On a motion from D. Miller, seconded by W. Morrison the minutes of November 12, 1996 were approved four in favor with one abstention.

Old Business/Updates

1. Technology Committee: The Technology Committee was unable to meet with the PBC in December and has requested placement on the agenda for the January 14th meeting.

2. Goals and Objectives: On a motion from J. Flis, seconded by D. Miller the committee unanimously voted to add the following to the 1996-1997 list of goals and objectives:

   F. Goal: The committee will work to improve town-wide communication.
   Objectives:
   

   1. The committee will establish and maintain a Web page.
   2. The committee will explore other effective forms of communication.
   3. The committee will explore ways to improve public awareness of the committee achievements.

3. MHS Parking Lot: Parking lot reconstruction has been included in the 1997-98 budget that has been submitted to the School Board. The superintendent gave a figure of $200,000 which is the figure that the PBC recommended. D. Miller was asked to provide some back-up information for this figure. He noted that he had estimated $2 @ square foot and suggested that if the town public works department could help the school district with this project, there could be substantial savings. He felt the committee come up with a "game plan" for the project. He suggested the following:
   1. Cut down some trees.
   2. Have trees removed/stumped.
   3. Excavate area.
   4. Remove loam.
   5. Put in sub-base.
   6. Prep area for paving company
   7. Paving company puts down base and paves lot.
   8. Striping.
   9. Landscape area.
   He noted that this further information is needed: how much of the current lot can be saved? What are drainage issues? D. Miller also suggested that the final lot plan should take into consideration a potential addition at the high school. By consensus the committee decided to have D. Miller come up with drawings of the proposed project which indicated the addition suggested by the Space Needs Committee. The committee agreed to get input from Shirley Lemay and Chip Chesley for cost estimates as well. Plan A will show costs working with the town, Plan B without the town. W. Morrison noted that the committee needs to present an educated estimate which will be somewhere "in the ballpark". D. Miller indicated that he needed to have access to the high school complex survey documents. J. O'Neil needs to be consulted about the appropriate channels to be followed to request town assistance on the project.

4. Field Development: The subcommittee has been meeting to put together a request for engineering proposals. Once the request is complete and engineering proposals have been submitted, the subcommittee will select an engineering firm to draft plans for the softball/baseball fields at Mastricola Elementary and Middle School.

5. Meeting with the School Board: S. Heinrich reported that the meeting went well. The School Board has taken under advisement the committee request for complete surveys of all district owned property for which the district does not have a current complete survey. S. Heinrich also reported that the School Board will be deciding in January whether they will put articles on the School District Meeting Warrant regarding funding of the capital reserve or capital trust funds.

   The School Board has requested that the PBC look at traffic flow patterns at all schools, especially on Bishop Street. The committee discussed possible ways of accomplishing this and the background information needed. They felt that they will need to do actual observation at both opening and dismissal times and on different days. Other items to be considered: all vehicles, not just buses, bus and car interaction, number and types of buses, signage. The committee felt it needed feedback from the administration at each school. The committee also felt they needed to meet with the transportation coordinator, Dick Dumont. It was suggested that he be invited to the February committee meeting.

   The committee agreed to set aside a few minutes at the January meeting to discuss capital reserve/trust fund warrant articles and assign members different schools and times for actual observation of traffic patterns at each school.

Space Utilization Inventory and School Population Figures and Projections

Other

On a motion from J. Flis, seconded by W. Morrison, the committee voted to adjourn at 9:18 P.M.

Last Updated: February 2, 1998 by Wayne Morrison