East Haddam School Building Committee Meeting

Public Hearing

High School Auditorium

June 3, 2004

Adopted June 17, 2004

            Attendance

 

Members present:

 

Todd Moss                              Mary Beth Mordecai                                                                           Craig Parker                              Dana Barnes

            Kerri Willis Budzik                   David LaFemina

            Melissa Ziobron                       

Denise Gable-Alternate

 

Members absent:

            John Gibson-Alternate

           

Others present:

 

            Approximately 57 people attended the Public Hearing.

           

The following documents were distributed and discussed:

 

·        Schematic Plan 2, Grades 4-8 Middle School East Haddam, Connecticut by Kaestle Boos Associates, Inc dated 6/01/04.  A site plan and the proposed layout for the new school with a map illustrating the site for the proposed building, sports fields, septic area, sidewalk, road, wetlands and buffers, water bodies, flood zone, existing buildings and test pits.  Mr. Moss stated that the site was located at the corner of Sillimanville Road and North Moodus Road.  He informed the audience that the school would be located on parcel’s A and B with access from Clark Gates Rd (thru parcel E). 

·        A mailer by the Board of Education titled Grade 4 through 8 School Building Project Frequently questioned Questions.

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

 

Selectman Parker thanked the audience for their attendance.  Todd Moss and the Committee members briefly introduced themselves to the audience.  He informed the audience that questions would be taken after the presentation. 

 

Dr. Durham briefly discussed the following:

 

June 1999

•The original grant application for a new elementary school in East Haddam.

Four Previous Elementary School Referendums

•Referendum #1:  PK-2 - January 2002

•Referendum #2: K-2 - June 2002

•Referendum #3: K-2 - October 2002

•Referendum #4: 3-5 - June 2003

Board of Education Activities following the Last Referendum
in June 2003

•Long Range Planning Committee met ten times between June 2003 and March 2004 to continue planning for another school building project.

July 2003

•Board received a proposal from interested East Haddam citizens to expand the East Haddam Elementary School.

•Discussed short-term and long-term interventions.

August  2003

•Reviewed student enrollment and class size data.

•Discussed feasibility of expanding East Haddam Elementary School and building new middle school.

•Discussed renovating existing middle school per the recommendations contained in the Middle School Facilities Report.

•Requested an engineering study of the elementary school site for sewage capacity.

September 2003

•Milone & MacBroom Engineering report indicates that the elementary school site septic capacity can accommodate approximately 600 students.

October 2003

•Discussed a K-3 school at EHES.

•Grades 4 and 5 at the middle school combined with municipal use.

•Build a new 6-8 school.

•Debated the merits of a three vs. four school system.

•Developed two options for further consideration.

November / December 2003

•New school options were reviewed along with estimated construction costs.

•Enrollment figures and student capacities for each school were reviewed.

January 2004

•Presentation by Center for Social Research

•Superintendent presented a three-school proposal to BOE:

–PK-3 (EHES)

–4-8 (New Middle School)

–9-12 (High School)

•Board of Education votes to request change to ESBC charge to include middle grades.

•BOE directs Superintendent to develop educational specification for 4-8 school.

Supporting Data

•1997 - School Building Committee Report

•2000 - Middle School Facilities Study

•2002 - EH Community Survey of Registered Voters

•2003 - Ad Hoc School Space Research Study Report

•2003 - School Site Investigation Report

•2003 - Joint Meeting of Rep. from all Town Boards

•2003 - EHES Sewage Disposal Feasibility Report

 

Mr. Moss briefly discussed the following:

 

Rationale for 4-8 School

•Keeps district at three schools.

•Project includes the middle grades.

•Discontinues use of NHRMS as educational facility.

•Alleviates overcrowding at both the elementary school and middle school.

•Eliminates the need for an addition of EHES.

•No interruptions to school programs for renovations.

•Addresses all district needs with one project.

•Serve’s the Towns educational needs into future.

February / March 2004

•February 9 - Town meeting to amend charge to School Building Committee

•February 10 - East Haddam Board of Education approves educational specifications for a new 4-8 school.

•March 17 - Educational specifications conveyed to new building committee.

 

Number of Students ………………….            618

SFU Allowable Building Area ………  95,790

Board of Education Requested ……… 95,841

Proposed Building Area …………….  95,834

Maximum Reimbursement ………….   48.93%

Estimated Reimbursement …………..  48.93%

 

Site Map

 

Terri Larson, the town’s Financial Advisor briefly discussed the Mill rate impact.

 

Public comments:

 

Dr. John Piani stated that that the plan was reasonable and questioned the differences of a standard verses tournament size gymnasium.  Mr. Moss stated that the size difference would be approximately 2,000 sq ft.  He stated that the gym in the current High School was approved for athletic events, however not large enough to host a tournament; consequently if the School’s basketball team were to make a playoff, the current gym could not serve as host.  He stated that a tournament size gym would allow for additional size and end widths and area for seating and that the proposed addition would add space for approximately 250 seats in retractable bleachers. 

 

An audience member from Clark Gates Road questioned the condition of the road and needed improvements as well as the environmental impact to the wild life in the area.  Mr. Moss informed him of a preliminary report from an environmentalist who had walked the site identifying habitat, wetland locations and stated that a final report was due Friday.  Mrs. Ziobron advised that the Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Commission would have that jurisdiction and would likely require certain procedures for the protection of wild life.  Mr. Moss stated that Milone & MacBroom had completed preliminary traffic analysis which the Committee had reviewed.  He stated that the Committee would be presenting the findings of the preliminary traffic report, environmental/biologists report, soil and septic conditions to the Planning and Zoning meeting June 8th, 2004 for their approval.

 

Mr. Clarence Braun stated that he lived adjacent to the site near the proposed softball field and raised concern to the school’s proximity.  He requested the Committee consider moving the school slightly.  He also raised concern with the proposed school impacting his well water and septic.  Mr. Moss stated that he had phoned David King, from Kaestle Boos Associates, Inc the architect, requesting to reconfigure the school.  He also stated that the Committee had discussed the proximity of the fields/school to Mr. Braun’s land at their last meeting and of moving them.  Mr. King stated that this stage of the design process was preliminary and that a more concise design plan would be available prior to referendum.  He stated that Mr. Braun’s concerns had been noted and they would make appropriate changes, dependant upon test pit analysis for the septic. 

 

Mr. Jim Bielot questioned if the property owner’s on the proposed site had been contacted and if negotiations had been started for the purchase of the property.  Selectman Parker stated that the town attorney had started the negotiation process based on appraisals and that a commitment and the acquisition costs would be known prior to referendum.  Mr. Bielot questioned if the construction costs on Clark Gates Road had been included in the proposal.  Mr. Moss responded affirmatively and that the road improvements would be implemented with consideration to the residents in the area.  Mr. Bielot questioned the consideration of access through Sillimanville Road.  Mr. Moss stated that the Committee had considered access through Sillimanville Road but that Milone and MacBroom’s report indicated it more costly due to wetlands, slope and off site costs.  He stated that having access through Sillimanville Road would cost the town approximately $250,000 more in road improvements.  Mr. Moss stated that access through Andrew’s Road appears more cost effective. 

 

Mr. Roger McNelly questioned the length of the road to the school and accompanying costs.  Mr. Moss responded that the new road would be approximately 2500 ft and that the cost would be approximately $500,000 all of which is reimbursable.  It was stated that the proposal was for the town to purchase lots A,B and E and that by the town owning parcel E, a driveway would be built and not a public road, eliminating development on adjacent properties.  Selectman Parker reiterated that the town attorney was currently under negations with the property owners of the desired land.

 

June Bahn voiced concern with the road conditions on Sillimanville Road.  An audience member questioned what the municipal space would be used for and how it would impact the people that live on the road.  The Committee members responded that having the town own the space would help eliminate future housing development.  It was stated that another school if needed or community centers could be placed on municipal but not open space.  Vince Nelly questioned how the drainage of water would be designed from the school.  Mr. Moss stated that the proposed school would be built on top of the hill allowing for the equal distribution of water down the slope of the hill.  It was stated that approximately 24 busses would travel daily to the proposed site. 

 

Roy Perkins questioned the capacity of the school and its ability to accommodate the children of the community in the future.  Mr. Moss responded that the school would not be at full capacity the first year.  It is being designed for 618 students with projected enrollment of 575 students. He stated that the Committee may project enrollment for 8 years.  He stated that the school is being designed with wings that can be expanded and with a current septic system that would allow for expansion approximately 700 students. 

 

Dr. Durham stated that the highest population for the school in the 8 year period for which it can project is estimated at 618 students. Projections indicate that after the 5th year, the student population will decrease.  He added that a school built to accommodate more than 618 student capacity would be ineligible for full reimbursement.  He stated that the growth would be steady but not systematic.  An audience member questioned the number of acres needed for the school.  It was stated that the school would require approximately 21 acres and that the other parcels of land would be municipal or open space.  It was stated that lights on the fields was not reimbursable and had not been considered by the Board of Education.  An audience member expressed concern with the conditions of the roads.  Mr. Moss reiterated the Milone & MacBroom traffic report. 

 

Another Audience member questioned the funds needed to purchase the property.   Craig Parker stated that the Committee felt that in order to be responsive to their charge, it was not in the best interest of the town or the Committee to take just the required land, through the eminent domain process, leaving the property owner wetlands.  He stated that based on past referendums, it was important to negotiate with the property owner.  Craig Parker stated that it was the Committee’s charge to place the school on land which would be most economical and viable in order to maximize the reimbursement rate.  He stated that the Selectman had decided that it would be in the Town’s best interest to have the adjacent land purchased for the use of municipal and open space.  Mrs. Ziobron read the School Site Investigation, Town of East Haddam, May 2003 prepared by Milone& MacBroom pages 8-9.

 

David Carpenter thanked the Committee for their commitment and hard work.  He stated that they should not vote down Open Space and that short sited thinking would not benefit the town. 

 

Nancy Mackinnon reiterated the importance of purchasing enough land for all of the Town’s future needs and not duplicating mistakes from the past.    Shirley Judge commended the Committee on their sensitivity to the neighbors adjacent to the proposed site.  She thanked them for the work they already had accomplished.  Todd Gelston briefly introduced himself.  He stated that he was in favor of a 4 – 8 Middle school but questioned the Committee’s proposed site selection.  The Committee members reiterated their derived criteria and how it eliminated other properties from consideration.

 

Mr. Moss thanked the audience for their attendance. 

 

Motion by Mr. Moss to strike “requirement” on the June 2nd minute meeting, page 4, first motion and replace with “requested”.  Seconded by Mr. LaFemina and passed unanimously.

 

Motion by Mr. Moss for adjournment at 10:22 p.m.  Seconded by Mrs. Ziobron and passed unanimously

    

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

E. Ruth Ziobron

 

Filed at Selectman’s office

Schematic Plan 2, Grades 4-8 Middle School East Haddam, Connecticut by Kaestle Boos Associates, Inc dated 6/01/04

 

A mailer by the Board of Education titled Grade 4 through 8 School Building Project Frequently questioned Questions.

 

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