East Haddam School Building Committee Meeting

February 2, 2005

Adopted March 2, 2005

Call to Order

 

The meeting was called to order by Todd Moss at 7:05 p.m. at the Nathan Hale High School – Room 117.

 

      Roll Call    

 

Attendance

 

Members present:           

            Todd Moss                            Melissa Ziobron 

            Mary Beth Mordecai                         Kerri Willis Budzik

John Gibson                        David LaFemina- arrived 7:41 p.m.

Denise Gable                           Dana Barnes -arrived 7:19 p.m.

 

Members absent:

            Craig Parker

 

Others present:

David King, KBA

Robert Carroll, Central Office, Board of Education Business Manager

Roy Parker, Nathan Hale Ray Middle School teacher and Athletic Coordinator

 

Approval of Minutes

 

Motion by Melissa Ziobron to approve the minutes of the December 1st  , 2004 meeting.  Seconded by John Gibson and unanimously passed. 

 

Motion by Mrs. Ziobron to approve the minutes of the December 8th , 2004 meeting.  Seconded by John Gibson and unanimously passed. 

 

Audience of Citizens

 

Roy Parker introduced himself as a Hale Ray Middle School Teacher and as the current Athletic Coordinator.  He distributed and discussed the following documentation:

·        A two page document titled Athletic fields/gymnasiums.    The document includes specifications for the following:  Soccer, Baseball/Softball, Field Storage, Multiple Use Fields, Gymnasium/Auxiliary Gymnasium, Locker Rooms/Coaches’ Office and Field Security/ Parking Area. 

 

Mrs. Ziobron questioned as to the appropriate distance between soccer fields to which Roy Parker responded 25 yards side by side.  Mr. Moss stated that the larger gymnasium would provide for many of the specifications listed.  Kerri Budzik inquired if the specifications identified were currently included in the cost of the construction?  Roy Parker responded that many of the specifications were listed from the educational specifications.  Mr. Moss stated that most of the items listed, which are attached, would be covered under the construction costs and that portable bleachers would not be included in the construction costs.  Roy Parker stressed the importance of the coaches’ office having access into the locker room with a door and a window.  Ms. Mordecai questioned Roy Parker based on his experience, if there is something that is typically missed, preventing maximum use of the fields?  Roy Parker responded that it would be beneficial for the town to make the fields multi-use.  Denise Gable questioned Dave King as to the current field development?  He responded that the field development is an ongoing process with preliminary lay-outs.  He stated that Roy Parker’s comments would be taken into consideration.  He stated that when it is time for the design process, they would meet with the Athletic Directors, staff to determine how to best lay out the fields.  Roy Parker urged consideration for future expansion of the fields.  He stated that the current elementary school building is too close to the field, posing safety issues.  Committee members thanked him for his suggestions and requested his assistance in the future. 

 

Old Business

 

Robert Carroll distributed and discussed the following documentation:

·        A two- page document titled Connecticut State Department of Education Office of School Facilities.  The document consists of a table of 2005 School Building project priority category lists, December 15, 2004(as amended January 6, 2005).  The category lists are district name, project number, facility name, priority category (A – C), Estimated Project Costs, As Submitted by School District, Reimbursement Rate and Estimated Grant.  East Haddam Public Schools is listed under the priority Category list of A (top priority), Estimated Project Costs of $24,830,000, Reimbursement Rate of 48.93% and an Estimated Grant of $12,149,319.

 

Mr. King informed the Committee that the land survey was complete.  He stated that it revealed a small vernal pool that would pose no significant problems.  He also informed the Committee that a small piece of the surveyed land is located in East Hampton.  The next step for Kaestle Boos would be to determination the best location for the septic based on the survey.  He informed the Committee that the location of the septic drives the placement of the school.  A civil engineer will be retained to establish monitor wells for use in determining drainage.  Timing in coordination with the spring thaw was noted.  To date, five quotes from engineering firms have been received, all of whom they have experience with.  Mrs. Ziobron questioned if the vernal pool sited was the same as the anomaly from initial surveys?  Mr. King responded that he did not know.  Mrs. Ziobron stated concern that Milone and MacBroom were doing a lot of work in town and that she would like to see as many bids as possible.  Mrs. Budzik inquired who were the current Civil bidders.  Mr. King responded, Milone and MacBroom, VHB Survey, CLA, WMC, Newfield Construction and Cival1.  Mr. Moss stated that these would be consultants working directly with KBA.  Mrs. Ziobron questioned if the School Building Committee wanted to attain the services of an environmental specialist to observe the vernal pool?  Mr. Gibson stated that Wendy Goodfriend could review the vernal pool and provide a certified report.  Mrs. Ziobron inquired how the wells would be monitored.  Mr. King advised that small perforated pipes would be inserted into the ground for monitoring ground water only and not drinking water.                  

 

                  Survey

 

Committee Members reviewed the survey.  Mr. Gibson suggested that a copy of the survey should be available at the Town Hall. 

 

Mrs. Ziobron distributed and discussed the following documentation:

·        A folder of documentation titled School Construction Projects, Before-During-After, 17th Annual School Facility Conference. 

 

She informed the Committee that she attended the meeting and that she had the opportunity to speak with Don Fudge from NEEP (North East Energy Partnership) and that Mr. Fudge offered to speak with the School Building Committee. She stated that the NEEP ideas were interesting and could be beneficial for the School Building Committee.  Mr. Moss responded that it would be best to invite Mr. Fudge to speak to the Committee after June or July.  Committee members discussed the importance of establishing an energy efficient school.  Mrs. Ziobron informed the committee that Cindy Deming’s husband had passed away.  She informed the committee that Mrs. Deming would like to continue to stay active with the plans of building the new school.  Committee member’s expressed sadness for her loss. 

 

Public relation efforts were discussed.  Committee members discussed the importance of neighborhood input in the development of the land in reference to preserving important vistas and trees.  

   

New Business

 

Ms. Mordecai suggested that the Committee consider a fundraiser such as buy a brick to help fund projects not provided by grant monies.  Mr. Moss suggested that the PTO be asked to help coordinate such a project.  Mr. Moss informed the Committee that he met with Mary-Jane Plude and Brad Parker to discuss finances.  He stated that he would be making a cash flow chart for the project prior to the start of construction.  He stated that Newfield Construction would also be required to keep a cash flow chart in an effort for the Town to have a better idea how to issue bonds for the project.  

                                   

 

Determination of Next Meetings

                       

Motion by Mrs. Ziobron to have the next regular scheduled meetings March 2nd,  2005 and March 30th,  2005 at 7:00 p.m. at the Nathan Hale High School – Room 117.  Seconded by Mr.  Gibson and unanimously passed.     

 

Other Discussion

 

Motion by Mr. Barnes to enter into Executive session at 8:10 p.m, for purposes of discussing the property acquisition.  Seconded by Ms. Mordecai and unanimously passed.

Motion made by Mr. LaFemina to come out of executive session at 8:40p.m.  Seconded by Mr. Barnes and unanimously passed.      

 

No action was taken or decisions made.

 

Adjournment

 

Motion by Mrs. Ziobron at 8:45p.m. to adjourn.  Seconded by Mr. Barnes and unanimously passed.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

E. Ruth Ziobron

 

Filed at Selectman’s office

 

Attendance

 

A two page document titled Athletic fields/gymnasiums

 

A two page document titled Connecticut State Department of Education Office of School Facilities

 

A folder of documentation titled School Construction Projects, Before-During-After, 17th Annual School Facility Conference.