Present: All members, Matt Shevenell - Business Administrator and Bill Davidson of Meridian Services
W. Morrison called the meeting to order at 7:07 P.M.
The committee discussed the following with B. Davidson and M. Shevenell regarding the new school on the Buker property: The building is being located where it it because this area is large and relatively flat. There is a need for a better traffic flow pattern, more parking, a method of access from the school to the playing fields for PE classes, and the need for a field of some kind near the future elementary school at the back of the property. There was some concern regarding the need for and placement of sidewalks.
There is sewer line in the Meadowlands development which is 1/4 mile from Baboosic Lake Rd. intersection and there will need to be 3,000 feet of sewer line down the access road to the new school. A sewer discharge permit will be needed. A site specific permit from the Department of Environmental Services will be needed as well. The NH Wetlands permit will need preliminary approval from the Merrimack Conservation Commission. A permit will also be needed from the Army Corps of Engineers. The permits are good for 5 years once received. Members of the committee suggested that the permit process be started as soon as possible. M. Shevenell told the committee that the School Board has approved funds to begin the permitting process. He estimated a cost of $30,000.
The committee felt the school should have core facilities for a student population of 1,200 students and they suggested a three story building be considered. Further, they decided not to update the entire November 2000 space report, but rather focus on the middle school project pieces within the report. The committee asked for copies of any revisions made to the plan as a result of the survey, the Buker walk and this discussion.
C. Morrison presented copies of a suggested maintenance facility that Shirley Lemay had Matt Freeman of Merrimack High School design. The design called for a building of 40' X 60', with a finished work area on the bottom floor with 2 or 3 garage type doors and offices, bathrooms and break area on the other floor. The projected cost is $250,000 which is the figure that appears in the Town Capital Improvement Plan. The committee had several questions: What activities need to be done in the maintenance area, what is the minimum square footage needed for each activity, what other uses/offices might be located on the top floor, why blueprints couldn't be viewed in the Maintenance Director's office and what additional activities the Maintenance Department will be able to do with the new space that can't be done at present. It was decided to ask S. Lemay to come to a meeting on November 7th to discuss the plan further.
M. Shevenell presented "worst case" scenarios for costs to renovate the middle school. Costs included developing the new main office suite; asbestos removal; bringing the electrical, plumbing, sprinkler systems up to code; renovating the current maintenance area; new finishes; equipment and technology; and 25% soft costs; to come to around 3.9 million dollars. He noted that they focus will be on what must be done now with a plan to do the rest later. The object is to try to keep the total bond under twenty million dollars.
The committee set a meeting schedule of November 14th, 20th, 28th (with Technology Committee), and December 5th, 12th in order to finish the report for the School Board by the deadline. W. Morrison will contact the building principals to attend one of these meetings and also to discuss parking plans for Thorntons Ferry School.
On a motion from S. Heinrich, seconded by C. Morrison, the committee voted unanimously to adjourn at 10:04 P.M.
Last Updated: March 27, 2003 by Wayne Morrison