Corrected MINUTES
LITCHFIELD SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
LITCHFIELD INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL LIBRARY
OCTOBER 16, 2003
A meeting of the Litchfield
School Building Committee was held on Thursday, October 16, 2003, at 7:00 p.m.
in the Intermediate School Library.
Present were: S. Kavle, Acting Chairman, L. Chapman; J. Zullo, J.
Mullen, M. Bramley, K, Gilyard, G. Waugh
Also Present: Tim Callahan, Architect of Herbert S. Newman &
Partners, Maurice Hoben of O&G, J. Tindall-Gibson, Superintendent, P.
Perusse, Business Manager, Diane Knox, BOE Chairman, Harold Fairchild, BOE
Member, Jerry Zinn, First Selectman, Tim
Breslin, Principal LHS, David Wilson, Town Treasurer, Public and the Press.
Motion made by L. Chapman to accept the minutes of the October 2nd
meeting, seconded by J. Mullen – Motion Carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Motion made by M. Bramley to accept the minutes of the October 9TH
meeting, seconded by L. Chapman – Motion Carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Public Participation None
Communication
A letter was received by David Wedge, the State of
CT - Education Dept School Facilities Unit, Manager. Motion was made by J. Zullo to table
discussion on this letter until more committee members were in attendance,
seconded by Lynn Chapman.
Motion carried. All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
M. Bramley asked about the Chairman’s status letter for newspaper. He also noted that this letter does not
always have to be written by Chairman, the committee member can take turns
writing the letter.
Discussion about ED 049R Submission
Tim Callahan, Architect of Herbert S. Newman and
Partners distributed copies and reviewed the following Information:
Priority Summary
Construct,
Alter and Renovate Building Area to Meet Education Needs
Stabilize
the Existing Buildings (Safe/Functional/Sound)
Optimize
Reimbursement
Limit
Site Development to Safety and Security Issues
BOE Priority List
1. Stabilize
Infrastructure
2. Technology
Infrastructure & instructional opportunities
3. Expanded
& modernized science labs
4. Expanded
fine arts & performing arts capacity
5. Improved
athletic fields
6. Improved
traffic & safety
7. Communication
& security
8. Interior
finishes and classroom learning environment upgrades
9. Staff
work areas
10. A
plan to manage the minimizing of the disruption to the
learning
process throughout the renovation process
Flexibility
with New
Construction (i.e. the LIS and LHS Auditorium)
with Existing Alterations (renovate as new or
Target renovations)
with State Reimbursement
Channel
Alterations down the right path
New
Construction
Program
Renovations
Energy
Conservation
Code
Updates
Mechanical
Upgrades
Hazardous
Material Abatement
Rebates
Private
Funding
Projects Costs & Project Financing
Maurice
Hoben of O & G Industries reviewed the cost and compared the cost of
Renovate as New and Targeted Renovation for both Litchfield Intermediate School
and Litchfield High School with eligible reimbursement from the State. See Attached.
A preliminary conceptual estimate of with specific
cost for both Renovate “As New” and Targeted Renovation was also handed out and
explained by Mr. Hoben
Committee members discussed costs for different
projects including the Auditorium expansion or renovation as new in the
Intermediate School, upgrading capacity, the replacement of seats, stage and
wing expansion, handicap access or whether the space should be transformed to a
Library and Cafeteria.
Committee members also discussed the capacity of the
proposed High School Auditorium and whether the cost can be reduced by
decreasing the square footage & number of proposed seats.
Motion was made by J. Zullo to reduce furniture,
equipment and technology costs to $1,500,000, seconded by M. Bramley. Motion was then amended to $1,000,000
deferring to Superintendent’s recommendation.
G. Waugh asked J. Tindall-Gibson
what the premise he is basing that recommendation on and also pointed out that
O & G was hired to work these numbers and he believes committee should go
with their expertise.
M. Bramley Amended
motion to add $500,000 to J. Zullo’s original motion, seconded by J.
Zullo. Motion Carried. All
votes were in the affirmative. There
were no abstentions.
Motion to reduce Furniture, Equipment and Technology
costs to $1,500,000.00.
Motion Carried.
All votes were in the affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Superintendent
J. Tindall-Gibson pointed out that the Town voted on a $33,000,000 Gross
Plan not Net Plan.
Committee discussed the calculation of construction
interest and understood that the construction interest will be in the project
budget. Committee asked Selectman Jerry Zinn to develop bond number
on $22,000,000 beginning July 2005 over two years and a short term
interest number
Mr. Hoben pointed out that Targeted Renovation there
in no obligation to do code upgrades or bring parking lots and sidewalks to
20-year life.
Committee discussed the ED 049R for Administrative
Space.
Motion was made by J. Zullo to abandon the ED049R for
administrator office work. Seconded by
M. Bramley. Administrative Space means
the office for the Superintendent and his staff in the front of the
Intermediate School. Tim Callahan
reported that the central administration area is not part of the project scope
the therefore would note be required to bring up to code.
Once again a Motion was made by J. Zullo to abandon
the ED 049R for administrative space.
Motion Carried.
All votes were in the affirmative except
L. Chapman and G. Waugh who voted in the negative. There were no abstentions.
Committee discussed whether they could consider the
renovation as new with the confines of the $33,000,000. Budget. The First Selectman J. Zinn suggested that
the committee have a public hearing.
Motion was made by L. Chapman to call a Public Hearing
on October 27, 2003. Seconded by J. Zullo.
Committee discussed the that the people who attend
public hearings do not represent the actual voter and considered a referendum
or a non-binding referendum. Also
talked about targeting small community groups to discuss proposals. A mass mailing was proposed. Again the discussion of the cap of
$33,000,000 was discussed the fact that the proposal must be submitted to the
state on October 31, 2003. A decision on the proposal can not be made at a
public hearing and committee discussed only submitting the $33,000,000 (gross)
proposal to the State.
Motion Carried
All votes were in the affirmative except M. Bramley who voted in the
negative. There were no abstentions.
Motion was made by J. Zullo that the Building
Committee limit the ED 049R to a total
value of $33,000,000, seconded by M. Bramley.
Motion was withdrawn after Committee discussion about indecision on
School Auditoriums.
Motion was made by M. Bramley that the Building
Committee limit the ED 049R to a total
value of $33,000,000, seconded by J.
Zullo.
J. Zullo stated that decision on the submission to the
State can be made next week. M. Bramley
reminded Committee that it was sworn to the $33,000,000 cap.
Motion Carried. All votes were in the
affirmative. There were no abstentions.
Financial Items
J. Zullo needs to revise budget. Questions if committee can squeeze in another
mailing. A discussion ensued about the
$50,000.00 committee budget. If additional funds are needed for mailing
will the town take care of the cost? J.
Zinn suggested Committee ask the Board of Finance. He also advised committee to invite the
press to the Public Hearing on October 27, 2003 and suggested that committee
prep the press about what they are going to hear about at the meeting.
Future Agendas
Vote on the content of the ED049R
Vote on the type of Renovation to each School
Motion was made by L. Chapman and seconded by M.
Bramley to adjourn the meeting at 9:30PM.
Motion Carried. All votes were in
the affirmative except M. Bramley who voted in the negative. There were no abstentions.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kelli L. Green, Recording Secretary