Present: D. Miller, T. Koenig, M. Morrison, W. Morrison, B. Triolo
Excused: S. Heinrich

Assistant Chair D. Miller called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M.

Approval of Minutes

On a motion from T. Koenig, seconded by W. Morrison, the public minutes from September 23, 1997 were approved 5-0-0. On a motion from T. Koenig, seconded by M. Morrison, the non-public minutes from September 23, 1997 were approved 4-0-1.

Approval of minutes from October 14, 1997 was put off until the end of the meeting.

Traffic & Parking Recommendations

Members of the committee were joined by the following: T. Bezos from Merrimack High School, T. Levesque from Mastricola Middle School, K Custer from Mastricola Elementary School, L. Carter from Thorntons Ferry School, F. Hoell from Reeds Ferry School and P. McRoberts from National School Bus.

M. Morrison presented updated versions of the various proposals and D. Miller passed out diagrams of proposals. Discussion ensued.

• Proposal #1 (Expanded Rear Parking Lot at MES): T. Levesque was concerned that the expanded parking lot may include the UNH Forest Watch White Pine Study Area. D. Miller said he and J. Flis would look into this matter. K Custer felt the 'positives' to the plan included enlarging the parking area, bus dismissal area in the back and better public access to the new gym.
• Proposal #2 (Bus Dismissal Lane on Baboosic Lake Rd. at MMS): T. Levesque was concerned that the limited access bus lane would preclude the use of the front lawn area for various school activities. It was explained that the intent of the bus lane was to limit vehicle use to afternoon bus dismissal only which would make the area available and safe for any during school use. P. McRoberts noted that the diagram shows only 8 buses in the new bus lane and, in order to eliminate use of the 'circle,' we would need to fit 10 buses in the bus lane. (Measurement for buses: 38 feet per bus plus 5-6 feet between). T. Levesque also noted that in the winter often there is a large mound of plowed snow in area where bus lane is proposed.
• Proposal #3 (Enlarge MES circle): K. Custer expressed concern about the thirty pre-school parents who pick up their children at 2:50 P.M. and may arrive during MMS dismissal. She also expressed a concern for Bishop St. It was suggested parents use MMS driveway (School St.) for standing instead of Bishop St. P. McRoberts asked whether buses for special programs would still be allowed to line up/park in front of the Smith Gym. There was no objection to this practice. It was noted that ski buses currently use the parking lot on the side of the building, though.
• Proposals 4 & 5 (Making O'Gara Drive one way during PM bus dismissal and increased parking spaces): T. Bezos suggested that 600 parking spaces are needed. He felt that making O'Gara one way was a good suggestion as long as he could allow students to clear the area before the buses were ready to move. P. McRoberts felt that having the area one way until 2:45 P.M. would be better for buses trying to get to back parking lot at MES for 3 P.M. dismissal so they would not have to negotiate through student congestion at the front of the high school. It was also suggested that maybe some type of sign to indicate 'Do Not Enter When Flashing' might be effective on both O'Gara and McElwain Streets.
• Proposal 6 (TFS): L. Carter requested a drawing to help visualize this proposal.
• Proposal 7 (Signage): It was noted that all schools need signs and pavement painting to indicate traffic and parking patterns and education and enforcement to implement the new plans.

K. Custer told the committee that she was glad to see the high school and the Mastricola complex addressed together as one piece. The committee told her that was the plan, however, each proposal could stand alone. Even if just one proposal passed there would still be improvement in the traffic and parking problems.

The committee decided the focus of the traffic/parking proposals should be increased student safety. D. Miller thanked P. McRoberts, T. Levesque and T. Bezos for their input.

Kindergarten

D. Miller asked the elementary principals to give input on kindergarten additions at each of their buildings. All principals expressed the need for a public kindergarten. F. Hoell felt that his building and his administrative and support staff are currently at maximum use. He also felt that the addition to RFS as shown would create traffic and parking problems. K. Custer indicated that MES is overbuilt now. She felt that a kindergarten addition would take more of the little playground area she currently has. L Carter indicated that the optimum size for an elementary school is 400 - 500 students. He felt that kindergarten additions at TFS would have a negative impact on the core structure, the core staff and traffic safety.

Discussion ensued regarding a free standing kindergarten versus a new elementary school. T. Koenig indicated that the special kindergarten aid is only for kindergarten construction and, though waivers can be requested, the classrooms built using this aid must be dedicated to kindergarten for twenty years. K. Custer indicated her preference for kindergarten in the neighborhood school rather than one big free standing town-wide kindergarten. T. Koenig said that a K-5 school of reasonable size doesn't impact the quality of life for the whole school. However, additions onto the current schools are inappropriate. L. Carter stated that redistricting does affect some students, though the long term benefits outweigh the effects. He was concerned that, if a new school is proposed, people might believe that the newly built additions are being abandoned. T. Koenig indicated that a new school would need voter support and would be hard to sell. W. Morrison brought up the potential space problem at the high school. L. Carter also noted that, while it is impossible to predict enrollments exactly, they aren't going down. He felt there was a potential space problem even without kindergarten. W. Morrison felt that the committee has a responsibility to look at the 'big' picture, not just kindergarten. K. Custer asked if the committee wanted kindergarten whatever the cost. She felt the committee needed to equate the costs of building kindergarten space to the impact on quality of education received. L. Carter suggested the committee propose a plan for kindergarten within the financial limitations and with flexibility for future needs. He noted that the town will have to live with the solution for a long time. B. Triolo felt this was not a kindergarten issue, it is a long term issue. T. Koenig suggested one idea might be to change the structure of the system: High school = grades 10-12, junior high = grades 7-9, MES = grades 5-6, each of the Ferry schools and build a new school to accommodate K-4.

D. Miller thanked the elementary principals for their time and comments.

Review

On a motion from W. Morrison, seconded by B. Triolo, the minutes of October 14, 1997 were approved 3-0-2.

On a motion from M. Morrison, seconded by W. Morrison, the committee unanimously voted to adjourn at 10:30 P.M.

Last Updated: February 22, 1998 by Wayne Morrison