Draft Copy

 

East Haddam School Building Committee Meeting

June 2, 2004

Adopted June 17, 2004

            Call to Order

 

The meeting was called to order by Todd Moss at 7:04 p.m. at the Nathan Hale High School – Home Economics room.

 

            Roll Call

 

            Attendance

 

Members present:

 

Todd Moss                              Mary Beth Mordecai                                                                           Craig Parker                              Dana Barnes-departed 850pm

            Kerri Willis Budzik                   David LaFemina

            Melissa Ziobron                        John Gibson-Alternate

Denise Gable-Alternate

 

Others present:

 

Robert Carroll, Central Office, Committee of Education Business Manager

Scot Mackinnon – arrived 8:00p.m.

        

            Approval of Minutes

 

Motion by Mrs. Ziobron to approve the minutes of May 26th, 2004 meeting amended as follows:

 

·        2nd page, 2nd bullet, after “Clark Gates Road”, insert “(thru parcel E)”.

·        4th page, 5th line, strike “Boards” and replace with “Board of Selectman”.

·        4th page, last paragraph, 4th line, strike “of preferring not to acquire land through the eminent domain process”.

·        5th page, 1st paragraph, 8th line, strike “post-referendum” and replace with “with KBA”.

·        5th page, 2nd paragraph, 16th line, after “project” insert “/budget” and strike “any left over moneys would be used”.

·        6th page, 1st motion strike “budgeting” and replace with “Financial and budgeting issues”.

·        5th page, 2nd paragraph, 9th line, after “costs” insert “for such projects”.

 

Seconded by Mrs. Mordecai and carried by unanimous vote. 

 

            Audience of Citizens

 

There was no Audience of Citizens.

 

Old Business

 

            Sub Committee / Liaison Report

 

Mr. Moss and Craig Parker informed the Committee that they had attended a Board of Finance meeting.  Craig Parker relayed informed the Committee that although the Board of Finance spoke favorably about the new preliminary school proposal. that Tthey requested the Committee to “sharpen the pencils”.  Craig Parker informed the committee that he had spoken with KBA to see where reductions could be made in the preliminaryproposed contract and of their commitment to the project.  Craig Parker stated that he personally respected the quality of KBA’s work.  He discussed KBA’s willingness to contract negotiationswillingness to negotiate contract.  Mr. Barnes expressed the need to continue with contract negotiations.

 

Melissa Ziobron informed the Committee of her visit to the Senior Center.  She stated that the reception was favorable and that they requested the Committee to consider construction of the 4th and 5th grades as a two story wing.  She stated that through neighborhood reach programs, Mr. and Mrs. Braun had requested if it would be possible to move the school or adjacent sports fields about 100 feet from their property line.  Mrs. Ziobron stated that she had been in contact with the Lion’s club and that they agreed to have material’smaterials available to their members on site.  She informed the Committee that the Lake Hayward Forum had been scheduled for June 10th, 2004.  She advised the Committee that she had been in contact with Ginger Rutledge from the Ambulance association and was advised that they would like to see emergency access off of Sillimanville Rd.  Mrs. Ziobron advised informed the Committee that State Trooper Mike Hassat the state trooper had been contacted, however, he had not responded to date.   but that had not commented to date  Also, and that a message was left at the Fire Department,Department; however,  and that they had not returned the call to date.  

 

Mr. Gibson informed the Committee that the Conservation Committee had voted for the complete support of the project.

 

Mrs. Ziobron informed the Committee that the 4-8 Pac group had formulated bus ride data.  Mrs. Ziobron also requested that the FAQ be revised for residents.

 

                        Milone & MacBroom Update

 

Mr. Moss informed the Committee that Milone & MacBroom was performing the required traffic and environmental studstudiessies and that reports and that they would be ready to submit to the Planning and Zoning Board. 

                       

KBA Update Newfield Update

 

Craig Parker informed the Committee that there was still room for contract negotiations.

 

                        Appraisal Update

 

Mr. Barnes informed the Committee that the Board of Finance had requested another appraisal, which was currently being performed.  Tax consequences related to eminent domain were discussed.  

 

Preparation for Public Hearing

 

Committee members discussed how they would present the Public Hearing on June 3rd at 8pm in the High School Auditorium. 

 

New Business

 

Mr. Moss distributed and discussed the following documentation:

 

·        A draft copy titled Town of East Haddam, Notes re New Grades 4-8 Middle School Project.

·        A draft copy titled East Haddam 4 – 8 School Budget Detail.

 

 

Mr. Moss reiterated the meeting with the Board of Finance.  He stated that the items that the Board of Finance requested the following to be addressed are as follows:

1.      That the Architect/Engineer Fee not exceedexceeds 7% of the construction and FF&E budget. (what is sFF&EFurniture, Fixtures and Equipment)

2.      That the School Building Committee definedefines the Owners Contingency.

3.      That the School Building Committee agreeagrees to report expenditures of the first 50% of the Owners Contingency to the Board of Finance.

4.      That the School Building Committee agreeagrees to request informal authorization to expend the second 50% of the Owners Contingency.

5.      That the School Building Committee reviewreviews the budget and presentpresents a budget that was under $25,000,000.

 

It was stated that the purpose of purchasing site E in its entirety would be to prevent development, for the designation of a driveway instead of a road and limiting access through A and B to adjacent parcels. Mrs. Ziobron requested the Committee to question KBA to change the layout of the fields in order to increase the buffer to adjacent property owners.  The Committee discussed a two story design for the 4th and 5th graders.  The Committee agreed that the two story configuration would be more expensive and did not fit the traditional 4th and 5th grade layout.

 

Discussion ensued about meeting the Board of Finance requirements.  Committee members agreed to the following: Mr. Moss would draft a letter in response addressed to Selectman Parker to be sent to the Board of Finance.  It was stated that the School Building Committee did not reach agreement on item 4, and reached on contrary agreement regarding item 5.  In regards to item 5, the School Building Committee felt that additional information and definition would be required on this item prior to making a decision regarding this issue. 

 

Motion by Mrs. Mordecai stating “We the School Building Committee agree to send forward a project cost that meets Board of Finance requirements,requirements; therefore we agree to adopt a budget of $25,325,000 with the understanding that this amount includes land above the 65 acres requested for this project”.  Seconded by Mrs. Ziobron and passed unanimously.

 

Motion by Mr. Moss to have a 2nd question on the referendum regarding a regulation tournament size gym. Mr. Moss agreed to get an estimate from KBA and Newfield Construction and forward it to Selectman Parker for inclusion as a second referendum question.  Seconded by Mr. Gibson.

 

Discussion ensued about the price of the tournament size gym.  Mrs. Mordecai stated that she would prefer to see the extra money go into core areas instead of a new gym.  It was stated that regardless of personal opinion, it was best to let the option of a tournament size gymnasium be the choice of the voters. 

 

Favor:  Budzik, LaFemina, Parker, Ziobron, Gibson

Opposed:  Mordecai, Moss

Motion Carried

    

            Determination of Next Meeting

                       

                        Next Regular Meeting 6-9-04

 

Other Discussions

 

Mr. Moss distributed and discussed the following documentation:

 

·        Document sent to Todd Moss from the Selectman’s office by Kerry L. Johnson dated June 1, 2004.  The letter expressed voices her support for the building of the new school.

·        Document sent to Todd Moss from the Selectman’s office by Cindy Hughson, PTO Co-President, EHES dated June 2, 2004.  The letter conveyed voices her support for the building of the new school.

 

            Adjournment

 

Motion by Mr. Moss at 10:44 p.m. to adjourn.  Seconded by Mrs. Ziobron and passed unanimously.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

E. Ruth Ziobron

 

Filed at Selectman’s office

Attendance Sheet

 

Town of East Haddam Notes re New Grades 4-8 Middle School Project

 

East Haddam 4-8 School Budget Detail

 

Letter from Kerry Johnson

 

Letter from Cindy Hughson