Present: C. Morrison, S. Heinrich, W. Morrison, School Board liaison P. McGrath, Superintendent M. Chiafery, and
Business Administrator M. Shevenell. Guest: C. Keller
Excused: K. Powell, T. Koenig
Absent: M. Morrison
At 7:15 P.M. W. Morrison announced that there appeared to be no quorum possible and that no official meeting would be held. However, he asked that an informational forum would be held and a summary of the material presented would be made available to all committee members.
M. Shevenell reported on the meeting he, Bill Davidson and C. Keller had with Dr. Frank Richardson of the Department of Environmental Services (the Wetlands Board) to discuss two potential building proposals. He explained that had presented a brief history of the project, including letters from the late 1980's from both the Conservation Commission and the Wetlands Board, letters from the EPA and the Corps of Engineers regarding the suitability of the Buker site plus other documentation. He noted that Dr. Richardson preferred the original proposal due to potential run-off from the road into the wetlands. He noted that Dr. Richardson confirmed that a school district would be given a fast track during any permitting process and that Dr. Richardson will come to Merrimack on October 26th at 8 AM to walk the site to confirm the location of forested wetlands as opposed to vermal pools. Other issues in favor of approval of the plan are that the district has owned the land for a lengthy period of time and that the parcel might be used for more than one school. M. noted that members of the Conservation Commission, the EPA and the Corps of Engineers would be invited to attend the walk during which time the four corners of the proposed building would be marked. C. Keller noted that B. Davidson needs to do a grading plan to show "cuts and fills," the limit of the construction and a profile of the road on whichever scheme the district is considering going forward with. Those present felt that the original plan should be used being sure to site the athletic fields with correct sun orientation, possibly on both sides of the road and that the road to a second school (an elementary school) should be a continuation of the road to the middle school rather than a new road around the middle school. There was discussion about a meeting before the walk to review plans and discuss options. C. Keller felt that at least a week was needed to prepare the grading plan, so the meeting date was left as October 24th at 7 PM.
M. Chiafery has asked Meridian to survey the area as the Department of Transportation will not provide a traffic engineer since this is not a state owned road. A copy of the 1996 parking proposal for Thorntons Ferry was provided to C. Keller. M. Chiafery noted she is in contact with Principal L. Carter to discuss both the parking issue and why so many children are not taking the bus. She will return to the committee when further information is available. The potential for a future sewer connection was also discussed.
M. Chiafery reported that on October 15th she will be asking the School Board to approve a formal charge from the School Board to the PBC that will ask these things:
M. Chiafery suggested that the PBC could provide a middle school report by the end of November and a Maintenance Plan by the end of December.
M. Chiafery reported that the Technology Committee, chaired by Dee Gould and Pam Tinker, would like to meet with the PBC to share their Long Range Plan. They will be going to the School Board on November 5th for approval and would like PBC input on both next years budget items and their total vision. It was suggested that this would be an agenda item for November 28th. A copy of the plan will be provided to the PBC before that meeting.
There was a discussion about the necessity of revising the PBC meeting day/dates in order to ensure a quorum. K. Powell cannot attend meetings on Thursdays and S. Heinrich and T. Koenig will have Budget Committee meetings on Mondays and Wednesdays in January.
Last Updated: March 26, 2003 by Wayne Morrison