Merrimack School District
Planning & Building Committee
Minutes of the June 13, 1995 Meeting
Present: J. Flis, M. Eberle, W. Oosterman, B. Hamm, D. Miller and S. Heinrich
(arrived late)
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 PM by Assistant Chair M. Eberle.
Approval of Minutes
On a motion from J. Flis, seconded by D. Miller the minutes of May 16, 1995
were approved four in favor (Flis, Eberle, Oosterman, Miller) and one
abstention (Hamm) with the following corrections:
- page 1, Space Needs Update, first paragraph: "J. Flis noted that the
principals said this was because areas"
- page 2, Meeting with Technology Committee, third paragraph: "eighth
graders"
- page 3, Athletic Field Update, first paragraph: "Scott Isabelle"
Public Participation
There was no public participation.
Meeting with Technology Committee
The committee set August 29, 1995 as the date of their next meeting with the
technology committee.
Space Needs Update
D. Miller and M. Eberle expressed concern that the master plan that the PBC
has prepared regarding future district space needs is being ignored by the
School Board. J. Flis expressed concern that the School Board had authorized
the expenditure of three thousand dollars for something the PBC could have
done at no cost. B. Hamm suggested going before the School Board to formally
request an open dialogue on the matter. M. Eberle stated that meeting with
them during a School Board Meeting was more of a one way presentation. She
wants a two way dialogue. B. Hamm suggested that the PBC host a joint work
session for the School Board and the PBC. This would give the PBC a chance
to explain what research they have already done, what alternatives they had
looked at and why they felt they had come up with the best, but by no means
the only, solution to the current space problem in their master plan. It will
also give the School Board a chance to tell the PBC where they are going and
how the PBC can help facilitate their work. M. Eberle want both committees
to be working together as opposed to independently on the space issue.
Members of the committee noted other concerns/ ideas that might be considered:
approach Bedford regarding a joint high school, charter schools, and the
reval. J. Flis is concerned that the district should find the right solution
and get the town to believe it rather than find an easy answer that the town
will buy. On a motion from J. Flis, seconded by B. Hamm, the committee voted
unanimously to host a space needs work session with the School Board. In
order to obtain maximum School Board participation, it was decided to ask the
School Board to set the date of the work session for sometime between August
14 and September 1.
Athletic Field Update
W. Oosterman reported that Dan Bittel had told him that worst case for water
restriction this summer would be an odd/even ban. D. Miller again brought up
the purchase of a water cannon to water the lower field. It was decided to
have the clerk, within three days, request Scott Isabelle purchase a water
cannon as soon as possible. On a motion from B. Hamm, seconded by M. Eberle,
the committee decided unanimously to declare the new field available for use
on August 14th and to have the athletic department determine how the field
will be used. The committee decided to hold a formal opening ceremony after
school opens.
D. Miller told the committee he had walked O'Neil Field with the Track &
Fields Task Force. They had expressed concern about locating a baseball field
there due to amount to space between home plate and a backstop, distance to
center field and directional placement of the field. S. Heinrich noted he had
discussed these issues with Athletic Director Joe Raycraft who felt these were
not major concerns.
The committee decided to change their July meeting date to July 18, 1995.
They also decided to meet off-site to avoid over-time janitorial expenses for
the district. The main focus of the meeting will be athletic fields. The
Merrimack Track and Fields Task Force will be invited to attend this meeting.
The committee will also invite Athletic Director Joe Raycraft, Baseball Coach
A. Shoubash and Business Administrator S. Isabelle.
D. Miller brought up the issue of watering central site fields. He would like
to know how much is spent on watering the fields at MHS and MMS during June,
July and August. The clerk was asked to also find out from S. Isabelle or
Shirley Lemay both the summer costs and the annual costs associated with
watering the fields at the these schools. D. Miller questioned whether the
district should be looking into drilling a well to use for watering these
fields. He also questioned whether the district could make use of the
abandoned water tower on Merrimack Village District land that is on McElwain
Street. It was noted that the property was for sale. D. Miller feels the
district should investigate purchasing this land as cheaply as possible...
maybe a $1 land transfer? W. Oosterman will look investigate the current
status of the water tower and try to obtain any other pertinent information
regarding this piece of property. B. Hamm felt that the district should
purchase the land as there is very little other land available in the
"central site" area. He felt it was a good plan even if the only use was a
parking lot because the high school also needs more parking space.
S. Heinrich arrived during this discussion. On a motion from J. Flis,
seconded by M. Eberle, it was unanimously voted to request the School Board
create a way to acquire the MVD property on McElwain Street rather than let
this opportunity go by.
Annual Goals & Objectives
The committee reviewed the suggested goals and objectives. They made several
additions, deletions and changes. They also decided to list the goals in
priority order. The committee will take a vote to approve their goals and
objectives at their July meeting after they have received the revised
document. (attached)
Other
The clerk was asked to request the PBC be placed on the agenda for the July
10th School Board meeting to do the following:
- Invite SB to attend a space needs work session, hosted by the PBC and
date in late August to be determined by the SB.
- Notify SB of the date the lower field will be open.
- Recommend SB look into purchasing the MVD property on McElwain Street.
On a motion from J. Flis, seconded by W. Oosterman, the committee voted
unanimously to adjourn at 9:55 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Planning & Building Committee
Merrimack School District
Last Updated: February 2, 1998 by Wayne Morrison