Present:Committee members S. Heinrich, W. Morrison, T. Koenig, and C. Morrison. Superintendent J. O'Neil, MMS Principal T. Levesque and Keyes Associates B. Christopher and B. Vogel. M. Morrison and School Board liaison P. McGrath arrived late.
Excused: J. Heinrich

S. Heinrich called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM. He asked all present to introduce themselves. Then he explained the purpose of the meeting was start a dialog with the architects and he asked each person present to offer comments and questions for the architects. J. O'Neil told the committee that the architects had received copies of both the Preliminary Report and first Draft of the Final Report.

S. Heinrich started off the discussion by explaining that Keyes had been involved with the new Campbell High in Litchfield. For comparison purposes, the entire project cost $107 million (or about $100@ square foot) with an actual construction cost of $86 million. He asked the architects the differences between fixing undersized rooms and redesigning Mastricola Middle School. He noted that town sewer and water are nearer the Buker site than in past years and that there are some water problems due to tree removal.

T. Koenig asked for information about the different infrastructure requirements between an elementary, middle and high school. He asked about building a multi-story building now as opposed to adding a second floor later. The architects indicated it is probably better to build multi-story building the first time.

T. Levesque listed several areas in MMS that might need to be looked at for renovations: doors between classrooms, second exits, science areas, speciality areas, technology, sprinklers, handicapped accessibility, faculty/office and nurse areas, SPED areas, varied classroom sizes, heating and ventilation.

C. Morrison wanted to be sure that the entire Buker site is surveyed to include conservation issues, water issues, soil definitions, topol, as well as metes and bounds. She hoped that the complete survey would determine how much of Buker can be used for school purposes. She noted that the survey of the first third of Buker seems to be detailed and accurate. The architects indicated that a middle school for 1,000 students needs 20 usable acres in order to ensure adequate building, parking and field space. J. O'Neil noted that state aid will cover installation of sewer on school owned property. The architects indicated they would contact Meridian to get whatever information is available about Buker in order to find out what else is needed. C. Morrison indicated that the PBC is considering Timmins as a potential site for another elementary at a future date.

B. Vogel and B. Christopher told the committee they need an idea of the schedule for this project. They were told that the PBC needs a cost estimate, to include site development costs as well as estimated costs for any renovations to MMS, by November to give to the School Board to present to the Budget Committee. B. Vogel asked for a technology plan to explain what types of technology the district is planning to use, an education plan to explain what types and numbers of classrooms a new school would need, and a power plan to explain the energy requirement for heating and ventilation. They also wanted to know if the renovations to MMS should bring the building up to "comparable with new construction."

W. Morrison wanted to be sure that the core facilities at any new building can be built with a plan toward meeting future needs. He suggested they be overbuilt for current need or be designed to be expandable.

P. McGrath wanted to be sure that safety issues were a consideration in the overall design. The architects explained that having local police and other law enforcement groups look at plans is now part of their standard design protocol. P. McGrath suggested that the architects might want to consider what the future of technology is rather than the past as technology is still rapidly developing and changing. He brought up the Maintenance department which is currently housed at MMS. It may need to be expanded, renovated or re-located with this new building plan. He mentioned several passive things that can be done to improve heating and ventilation, for example - thermopane windows, additional insulation, and sunscreens.

C. Morrison brought up the safety issue of the entries at MMS, MES and the Smith Gym. The issue of surveillance cameras was also brought up.

S. Heinrich asked about materials that might be high initial cost but lower long term cost to maintain. He noted that T. Levesque would like a building with some large class "meeting" areas. He asked about the potential for movable walls. The architects indicated that movable walls can be done but are not cost efficient unless there is a definite need and plan for using the large spaces on a regular, rather than occasional, basis. They also indicated they prefer to make the building as simple as possible.

The architects took turns displaying and discussing several diagrams of other projects they have been involved in. They suggested the PBC might visit some of their middle school projects. Maynard, MA and Belmont, MA. were suggested) They also indicated they need to do a walk-through of MMS with T. Levesque and other key building staff. They asked about including an auditorium. PBC members suggested it might be included as a separate warrant article or as a future addition to the high school. The architects suggested a possible complete cost for a new middle school to house 900 students of $14 - 16 million. That cost does not include any renovations to MMS. There was discussion about how long renovations at MMS would take, including renovations to MMS as phase 2 of a two year plan to solve middle school space issues, making the renovated MMS an upper elementary (grade 5 - 6) school rather than a middle (grade 5 - 6) school, and dividing proposed renovations at the MMS into two lists: those we need to have (minimal) and those we should have (optimal). T. Levesque will work with the architects to facilitate a walk-through and provide an ed. plan.

Kindergarten was brought up. J. O'Neil told the committee to plan on 85% of all eligible students attending the first year public kindergarten is available. He projected 400 students would be eligible: 85% would equal 340 students. Further, he noted that the space requirement for kindergarten is classrooms of 1,000 square feet or 50 square feet per student. This would mean a maximum of 18 students per classroom based on the size of the current rooms at the elementary schools. As a result, the district would need 12 classrooms to house kindergarten. J. O'Neil reminded everyone that the state will re-imburse 75% building aid for the costs of kindergarten space only and will pay $750 toward each student enrolled in the first year of implementation of the program.

Finally, the architects told the PBC that building a new high school to accomodate our projected needs would cost $38,000,000.

S. Heinrich thanked B. Vogel and B. Christopher for coming to meet with the committee. On a motion from M. Morrison, seconded by everybody, the committee voted unanimously to adjourn at 10 PM.

Last Updated: July 22, 2000 by Wayne Morrison