Litchfield Schools Building Committee

Meeting Minutes

LOCATION                                                                   Litchfield Intermediate School Cafeteria   

DATE OF MEETING                                                     June 21, 2007   

TIME MEETING STARTED                                           7:04 PM

PERSON PREPARING THE MINUTES                          Marianne Arancio Stilson

MEMBERS PRESENT

1.  Stacie Kavle, Vice Chair                               2.  William J. Buckley, Jr.

3.  Gary Waugh - BOE Representative              4.  Jeff Zullo, Treasurer & BOF Representative

5.  Mac Bramley                                                 6.  Kent Gilyard arrives at 8:26 PM

MEMBERS ABSENT

1.  Lynn Chapman                                              2.  Bob Blazek

3.  Jack Healy, Chair & BOS Representative

OTHERS PRESENT

Peggy Perusse, George Graikoski O&G, Tony Crowe, Winnie Harrison, Betsey Glassman and Richard Munday of Herbert S. Newman arrives at 7:10 PM.

QUORUM PRESENT                                                     Yes    

1.  CALL TO ORDER

Stacie Kavle, Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM.  

2.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Stacie Kavle tables the approval of the June 7, 2007 meeting minutes until next meeting because there is not a quorum of those members present this evening.

Jeff Zullo makes a point of order.

Motion:  Jeff Zullo moved to add an Executive Session as agenda item 9A.

Discussion:  Mac Bramley asks for what purpose the executive session is needed.  Jeff Zullo responds for a pending legal matter.

So moved.  Seconded:  Gary Waugh

Discussion:   William Buckley feels that you need identify the item in the motion.

Motion Withdrawn.    Seconded Withdrawn.

Amended Motion:  Jeff Zullo moved to add agenda item 9A to discuss a pending legal item in Executive Session.

So moved.  Seconded:  Gary Waugh

Discussion: none.

Vote:  Abstention:  Stacie Kavle    

Opposed: none.

Absent:  Lynn Chapman, Bob Blazek & Jack Healy

All ayes.  Motion passed.

3.  PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Winnie Harrison states that she did not see the minutes of the last meeting at town clerk’s office and believes it is because it had not been approved.  She reads from the minutes that “Mr. Buckley wants to see at least 100 people at the P&Z meeting supporting the parking lot.”  She states that “Perhaps she blinked.  She didn’t see one.”  She further states that perhaps people don’t feel strongly about it at this point except for the money which is what she keeps hearing about.  She is curious about the sinks in the science room and that Mr. Healy said in the minutes “to put the sinks back in is outside the scope of the project and should be paid for out of the Board of Ed budget,” but she comments that the Building Committee can afford a parking lot that was not planned and she doesn’t understand that.   She shares an email and states it is one of many comments she has gotten and quotes, “Winnie you should say something about all this glass being used especially after the Virginia Tech massacre, Columbine, etc.  It’s scary so exposed in the LHS cafeteria. Also the price of heating is up, up and away and my understanding has always been that glass doesn’t insulate as well as traditional hot when hot, cold when cold.”   She states that she also has had a lot of comments about the size of this cafeteria because the entire class can’t sit together as they were doing in the Center School.  She states that it does not affect her life but that she just thought she would pass this information along.

Betsey Glassman wants to make a request that she made at the Planning and Zoning meeting from Mr. Buckley.  She states that DEP gave the green light on the parking lot and signed off on it, etc. and that he had said the same thing at the P&Z pre-meeting and she asked him for the documents that showed this and she thought he said it was in the Inlands Wetlands file but she may have misunderstood that and as an Intervener, she would like to read this document and find out what file that document is in.  She has looked in the Inland and Wetlands file and did not find it.  Also, that Mr. Buckley stated there was a Bond Council approval and she would like to have that document also.   She states that she hasn’t seen it in the minutes she read.    She would also like anything from the State Department of Education regarding the parking lot.

4.  COMMUNICATION

Report from Jeff Zullo on BOF Communication

Jeff Zullo reports that at the meeting on June 11^th, he conveyed the current project status, went over the budget and contingency and went over the parking lot application that was initiated and the planning of that and conveyed the firm proposal from the site contractor, Richards for $297,000.00 complete and reports that that is still being worked on with George Graikoski of O&G.  He reports that the BOF is very pleased with the activity and told the Committee to keep doing what they are doing.

Report from Gary Waugh on BOE Communication

Gary Waugh reported to the Board of Ed on Wednesday the 13^th and they discussed the prioritizing of the punch list and updated them on the parking lot estimate and also brought the wishes of this Committee to that group that the BOE should stay involved in the process and come to meetings and speak if they feel it is appropriate.

Mac Bramley brought to the member’s attention the meeting minutes of the BOE and Gary’s report to them and that they put down in their minutes that there is a surplus in the project of $700,000.00 and requests that the Chairman make the appropriate communication to the BOE to correct that information.  Gary Waugh reports that the working number for the contingency was that number.  Discussion ensued.  Stacie Kavle, Vice Chair will speak to Jack Healy, Chair to get in touch with the BOE and let him know that that is erroneous and not clear and that it should be corrected.

Report from Jack Healy on BOS Communication

None discussed.  Jack Healy not present this evening.

5.  ARCHITECT/CONSTRUCTION MANAGER UPDATES

Budget (O&G)

George Graikoski makes a presentation to the Committee and supplies the members with the Litchfield High/Middle School and the Intermediate School Construction Monthly Progress Report No. 8, dated May 2007 which includes the Construction Manager’s Monthly Cost Control Reports; Change Orders by Trade Contractor Reports; Payment Applications Summary for the Month of May Reports and Commentary and Phasing Plan Summer 2007 Schedule Reports.   These reports are discussed at length with the Committee members and George Graikoski. 

George reports that he didn’t send the letter to the contractor or the bonding company but that the metal siding work has picked up and the courtyard areas had some details that had to be finalized before they could continue, including window heads, firewalls and expansion joint issues.  He states that these issues have been worked out with Peter and Allied yesterday. He states that there is only a week to a week and a half left for this to be completed.   William J. Buckley, Jr. states that the Committee voted at the last meeting on June 7th to send a letter to the contractor with a copy to the bonding company notifying them that the Committee would hold them responsible for any delays that were suffered as a result of the work not being completed on time.  He is not happy that the letter was not sent out as directed by the Committee at the last meeting.  He states that the Building Committee is in charge of this project.  He questions George as to whether he went back to the Chairman and if the Chairman decided not to do this.  He responded that he did not go back or speak to the Chairman on this issue.   William J. Buckley, Jr. states that this is not the first time the Committee had to write to this contractor for their lack of performance and that their bonding company came up from Long Island and then there was some work done for about a month.  He states that there is still exposed insulation and that it doesn’t look like a lot of work has been done.  William J. Buckley, Jr. reminds George Graikoski that there is a motion pending and that the people who are working for the Committee should do what they tell them to do when they tell them to do it.  He states that there is also a motion for a company to come in and recertify the insulation because of concerns of heat and moisture and replace the insulation if it is needed.  George Graikoski states that they have not done that and that the last time they came to inspect was in late April.  William J. Buckley, Jr. states that work is being completed without the insulation being examined first.  Both Jeff Zullo and Stacie Kavle agree with William J. Buckley, Jr. and are concerned about this issue.  George Graikoski claims that there are extenuating circumstances but that he will send out the letter.  William J. Buckley, Jr. reads the motion out loud from last meeting.  William J. Buckley, Jr. questions Richard Munday of Herbert S. Newman about this issue and his concerns.   Richard Munday states that he notified the Committee a few months ago about this issue and the exposed insulation.  He feels that there is a need for someone to come back and make a determination if they can warrant the material.   William J. Buckley, Jr. states that he is concerned that five years from now if something goes wrong and the material was inspected in April and was not covered for several months after that it will be too late to do anything about it.  Stacie Kavle states that she will let Jack Healy, Chair know that George Graikoski will be setting up the inspection next week.  George Graikoski states that he will send the letter out on Monday to the contractor and the bonding company and set up the inspection for next week and let Jack Healy, Chair know when the inspection is scheduled.

William J. Buckley, Jr. inquires about the Media Center letters that were also suppose to be sent out.  George Graikoski reports that he did not send out those letters either.  Stacie Kavle reminds him that a motion was made at last meeting and that this needs to be done on Monday as well.   William J. Buckley, Jr. reads the motion out loud and the paragraph concerning the media center.   Jeff Zullo reports that he looked at the media center before the meeting and looked at it two weeks ago with Stacie Kavle and that nothing has been done in the media center in that time period.   He states that he is very concerned about the schedule and the dates promised for its completion.  He states that the Intermediate School was reported at the last meeting that it would be done by the end of June and by the looks of this building it will not be done by next week.   He tells George Graikoski that the letters have to get done on Monday and that he would like him to keep the completion dates that he’s forecasting to the Committee.  He feels that completion dates are being given at the meetings and the job is not being completed by those dates.  George Graikoski reports on the high school classrooms and the science labs.  He reports that the grading prep around the north parking lot has started and they have started to do pavement.  He also reports that the cafeteria and library are moving well.  Jeff Zullo asks about the 90% listed for LHS and wants to know what remains to be done.  George Graikoski reports that the library, carpeting and linoleum work, bookcases, the art room, heating and plumbing, the windows have been replaced, the faculty dining room and the vestibules still need to be completed.  He projects a finish date of middle to end of July for all of this work. 

Schedule Update (O&G)

This agenda item was discussed in Budget (O&G) above.  Commentary and Phasing Plan Summer 2007 Schedule Reports. 

Credit Update (O&G)

This agenda item was discussed in Budget (O&G) above.   Change Orders by Trade Contractor Reports.  Mac Bramley wants to know if there are other trades involved in the irrigation of fields on Page 30 of the Change Orders by Trade Contractor Report.  George Graikoski reports that it is under plumbing on Page 28.  George Graikoski states that all the credits are in the reports but that some are still being reviewed and will be updated.  He states that he sat down last week with the painters and that credits will be due from them from the lockers that were not painted.  Mac Bramley would like to see a change in the report and see a list of any credits that are not being reflected in this report.  George Graikoski will do this by the next meeting.

Soft Cost Budget (Jeff Zullo & O&G)

Jeff Zullo reports that the spreadsheet is still being carried and that the sub-committee is working on the invoice tracking with Peg Peruse and with George Graikoski and will discuss this under the Finance Committee portion of the agenda.

Issues List Review (HSN)

Richard Munday reports that he does not have a list tonight.  He states that he spoke to Jack Healy, Chair about how to best work in a way that is cost effective and efficient and that they are still discussing this issue.  He states that he is looking for a process that doesn’t involve them going backwards and forwards looking to see what work has been done or not done.  He wants a more streamlined process.  He states that a number of the items on the list have been resolved.  He feels there is progress.  He can not specify exactly what the issues are that have been resolved and asks George Graikoski if he knows what has been resolved.  William J. Buckley, Jr. asks Richard Munday if he has an updated list and he responds that he does not.  George Graikoski states that there is not a current list.  Stacie Kavle would like an updated list done and emailed to all the members by the next meeting.   William J. Buckley, Jr. reads out loud the minutes of the June 7^th meeting that involve the list being done by this meeting and the concerns that the Committee has with the showstoppers list.  William J. Buckley, Jr. is upset that nothing that is asked for at the meetings is being done.  George Graikoski reports that Peter Bowman sends him an email that he will not talk about the showstopper list because it is too confrontational every time he tried to discuss it.  He also reports that it is not being discussed at this time and that he is not getting updates from Peter Bowman.  He further states that when he asks Peter Bowman to come to a meeting to talk about these issues or when Jack asks him, he won’t do it.   George Graikoski states that the list will not be updated because Herbert S. Newman does not want to talk about the list.  William J. Buckley, Jr. reports that just some of the issues are the door panel and the 7^th and 8^th grade wing deflection and that he still doesn’t know how these issues are being resolved and further states that they have been on the list since March 1^st.  He reports that the Intermediate School had five items on it in March, six items on it in April and twenty-five items on it in May and that the lists are not going in the right direction.  He states that these lists are increasing instead of decreasing.  Stacie Kavle tells George Graikoski that the Committee would like to know what has been resolved by the next meeting.  Mac Bramley responds that that is not George’s role and states that the list is an architect’s list of what would cause them to not sign off on this project.   William J. Buckley, Jr. agrees.  Richard Munday states that what Jack Healy, Chair and he are talking about is how to accommodate this request in the scope of the services that they have been contracted to provide the Committee in the contract.   He feels that the process of the review of the work is described in their agreement and is incorporated into the normal architectural process that involves construction communications between the architect and the construction manager.   He states that all the items on that list come from the architect’s field reports and that they are notifications to the construction manager of issues.  They also feel that this is the appropriate organ for communicating these items to the construction manager.  The items are put on the list and the list is forwarded to the Committee as you requested.  He states that they are not going to engage in a process of coming back to the job again and again to see if those items have been corrected or addressed.  He states that that is not the process.  The process is for the construction manager to organize to have that work addressed in the course of the construction process.  When the construction manager is ready, he will issue them a punch list and they will come to the site with the purpose of reviewing the punch list and determine what has been done, what has to be done and add it to the list if they see incomplete items.  He states that that is the process that they are contracted to provide and that it is a time tested process and the only one that will work and that they will not reinvent the nature of their relationship with the construction process for this project.  He states that they are not going to do that.  They are going to do it in accordance with the project.   Mac Bramley responds that he is not asking for a solution but asking for communication from their employees, Herbert S. Newman and O&G.  He states that he wants to know that the list that the Committee has is inclusive.  He is concerned that if something falls off the list that has not been resolved that it does not cause a three or four month delay and penalties.  Richard Munday states that they are not going to control that and that it’s not the nature of the work that they do. He states that they are not obligated to pick up everything the moment something appears.   He states that they will see it when they see it and that there is regular process of coming to the site and reviewing the work and that it is not an inspection process or a certification process.  Mac Bramley states that they are then just a design architect and not a supervisory architect.   Richard Munday states that they are not a supervisory architect and that they are not supervising the project.  Stacie Kavle agrees with Richard Munday.  Mac Bramley asks why they do not have a supervisory architect and Stacie Kavle responds that it is because they have a construction manager.  Jeff Zullo understands and wants to follow the process as contracted but he is concerned about what George Graikoski said about Peter Bowman not wanting to look at these issues because they are “too confrontational”.  He also states that the issues list is a Newman document on their letterhead, and that the Committee needs updates on a report that they started.  Richard Munday responds that he will respond to the information that is provided to them by the construction manager.  He states that the construction manager must tell them when work has been done.  George Graikoski responds that it is list of work that hasn’t been done, or changes to the scope of the contract or change orders that have to be approved and then the work has to be done.  He states that it is not a simple list of just items that have been done and it is a dynamic list that needs the architect’s attention to some details.  George Graikoski doesn’t see why he can’t spend time with Peter Bowman before the change order request meeting and go down this list to see if they have done what they need to do to go forward.  Richard Munday says that the way it is now being characterized, there is no problem with that because that is the way the process is supposed to work.  Richard Munday recommends that he and George Graikoski have a conference call tomorrow to work this out and resolve the issue.  Gary Waugh states that on the tour that he and Jeff Zullo took tonight, it appears that there is major progress on working on items on that list.  He feels that the forces are working together and getting things resolved.  William J. Buckley, Jr. states that in order for him to have the same level of comfort, he would like to have an updated list from the architect that has the showstoppers on it. Richard Munday states that he is not required to make inspections and that they are not inspectors.  William J. Buckley, Jr. states that under the contract they have the authority to reject work in paragraph 610.  Richard Munday responds that they do.    William J. Buckley, Jr. states that they also have the authority to inspect, review, approve and take other appropriate action as per the contract.   Richard Munday states that they do not have the full supervisory functions under the terms of this contract and that they could provide those services for project representation but they are not providing it at this time for this project.  William J. Buckley, Jr. responds that although they might not have full responsibilities, they certainly have some responsibilities to inspect the work and to do a report for the owner.  Richard Munday states that they certainly have responsibilities.  William J. Buckley, Jr. goes on to read the contract “The architect shall have the authority to reject work that does not conform to the contract documents,” and that all the Building Committee is asking them to do is report that.  If they are rejecting work and work is not being performed that is considered a showstopper since they will not be signing off on that work and that will have to be resolved.  He responds that the Building Committee wants to know what that work is.  Richard Munday states that he feels that they do provide that information but that George Graikoski and he will talk about the process to make that information come to the Committee in an expedited way.  William J. Buckley, Jr. again reads from the contract, “The architect assisted by the construction manager shall conduct inspections to determine the date and dates of substantial completion.”   He wants to know what is standing in the way of substantial completion.  Richard Munday states that they are not at substantial completion at this point. 

Intermediate School Media Center & Cafeteria Completion (O&G)

This agenda item was discussed in Budget (O&G) above.  

Entrance to 7^th & 8^th Wing updates (O&G and HSN)

Richard Munday states that a solution has been worked out and it’s being reviewed now by the construction engineer for certification.  William J. Buckley, Jr. asks about the cost of that correction.  George Graikoski states that they are adding two columns right behind the jams/doors and putting a header above that to support the roof structure and then extending the width of the soffit so it will hide all that.   He feels it will be five or six thousand dollars.   Jeff Zullo asks if they have evaluated or analyzed the design for any other areas that this may occur in the building.  Richard Munday states that there was to be a process of identifying other areas by O&G.  George Graikoski does not believe there are any other areas that it is needed.

Wall Panel Update (O&G and HSN)

Gary Waugh wants to know if it is practical to use the cladding that is being used surrounding the glass.  Jeff Zullo states that it is the flashback and that it degrades the CMU and degrades the foundation and that in three years it will be a mess.  Richard Munday states that he had talked about putting a diverter at the beam line.  He doesn’t know if that was rejected as a concept but it is a cost effective way of approaching it.  His understanding was that there was no drainage along that wall and that it was one of the factors of why it is getting wet.   He does not feel that the fish tails will help and that it is water that is wicking up from the ground because the ground is getting very wet.  Richard Munday also states that a gutter could be put up.  This is discussed in detail.  Gary Waugh states that he is concerned about the fact that all around the buildings they are cladding the soffits and there is an area in the back that faces 202 where the science rooms are and there is a long piece of wooden soffit because it stands out from the rest of the building.  Richard Munday states that he noticed it tonight and he does not know the answer to it but will look into it.  Richard Munday reports to Gary on the door issue and states that no one understands why there was no door put there and that there should be a door there and an ASI will be issued for a door and frame.  Gary Waugh is very happy to hear this news.  Jeff Zullo reports to the Committee that on the walk around, George Graikoski pointed out significant progress in the reblocking, pointing and replacement of the damaged CMI.  He states that it’s extensive work and that it’s been done well.  Gary Waugh would like to know if the ventilator duct work on the ceiling on the roof of the gym has been modernized in the industry and if they are made now with a lower profile than those that are there.   Richard Munday reports that they are called mushrooms and are still about the same as what it up now.

LHS Ceiling Replacement, Noise Attenuation and Noise Levels (HSN)

Richard Munday states that he gave the Committee a proposal for an acoustical engineer to test the classrooms.  He feels that the fact that the classrooms are empty now is better.  He states that the proposal that they got included a report and a design concept for providing more attenuation in those rooms.   A spray on material is being proposed between the joists.  He states that he has not been directed to do the work and that it is a three day process to do that.  What was discussed at prior meetings is discussed in detail amongst the members of the Committee.   Gary Waugh is concerned that this issue will not be resolved by the time the students return in the Fall.  Jeff Zullo states that there was a motion regarding this issue from the June 7^th meeting minutes.  He reads the motion out loud to the members and asks Stacie Kavle, Vice Chair to emphasize the need to get this done with Jack Healy, Chair.  Further discussion ensued.

Kent Gilyard arrives at 8:26 PM.

Motion:  Gary Waugh moved to authorize the Chairman to spend up to $3,500 for the commission of a study for sound attenuation.

So moved.  Seconded:  Jeff Zullo

Discussion:   William J. Buckley, Jr. states that when the email came around months ago regarding this that he supported hiring the person for $3,500 and feels that he was in the minority at that time.  The members state that it never came to a vote before the Committee.   He felt that getting an independent person in to do the study was a good idea.  Now, he is voting no because he feels that there was a motion made at the last meeting and that it wasn’t done and now what the Committee is doing is responding by saying that since nobody listened to that motion, now we’ll make another motion and see if somebody listens to this one.  He states that he supports the intent of the motion to resolve this, but thinks that the motion was made last time with the understanding that it was not going to cost anything and since Jack Healy, Chair is not here, he’s not sure what has been done in regard to this issue.  Stacie Kavle states that she is in agreement with Gary Waugh and that this is a critical issue that needs to be resolved quickly.  Kent Gilyard wants to know why the Committee needs someone to tell them there is a problem when all you have to do is stand there and you can see there is a problem.  Stacie Kavle states that the Committee needs to understand the degree of the problem to come up with a solution and that’s why this study is needed.   Further discussion ensued on this issue.  Richard Munday states that they wanted to have a quantitative assessment done.   He states that they can as the architect, provide information that O&G can use for providing attenuation for those classrooms.  He states that ordinarily for a classroom they would not engage a consultant to provide them with acoustic advice on attenuation.  He states that there are products that can provide attenuation.  He states that he can specify these products and they can be installed.  Mac Bramley states that he is going to vote no for two reasons because of what he just heard and because the problem can be solved by George being directed to cost this out and then give the Committee an idea of what the attenuation will cost and also because he does not believe that Jack Healy, Chair did not have any discussions with anyone about this issue and because he will not incur any more costs because the position of the Chairman is not to incur any extras until the finances are resolved.  Further discussion of the study ensued.   Richard Munday states that the study will tell you what the sound pressure levels are in the room and what is required to achieve another level.  State guidelines are discussed.  William J. Buckley, Jr. states that what the Committee was trying to do was to see if what was put in and provided met with the level of sound that they intended and designed to achieve.  He states that the wording at the last meeting was that the Committee was asking the architect to evaluate their design to be sure that what they (the contractors) provided was what the Committee paid for.  The Committee is trying to find out if they achieved the number that they were looking at achieving.  He feels that before the Committee pays someone to make it better, was what it was designed for get accomplished.  Gary Waugh thinks that that is a valid point but that the rooms still don’t work even if they have achieved their number.  William J. Buckley, Jr. states that if it doesn’t meet the design expectation, why should the Committee pay for the study to get it back to the design expectation.  Further discussion ensued.  Richard Munday states that at the time that the project was designed, there was no sound attenuation for any of the rooms because the estimates were indicating that they were millions of dollars over budget and the sound attenuation was removed from the budget.  William J. Buckley, Jr. feels that the acoustic attenuation should be put back in instead of studying this.  Richard Munday states that it is typical to put in acoustic tiles and to put acoustic materials between the beams and that it was taken out to save money because it was millions of dollars over budget.  He states that he has spoken to an estatition about spraying acoustic attenuation material between the joists.  Further discussion ensued between George Graikoski and Richard Munday.  Further discussion amongst the members ensued on this issue.  Richard Munday has no objection to providing O&G with a drawing to see what it would cost.  Further discussion ensued.

Vote: Abstention:  none.    

Ayes:  Gary Waugh, Stacie Kavle & Jeff Zullo

Opposed: Kent Gilyard, William Buckley, Jr. and Mac Bramley.

Absent:  Lynn Chapman, Bob Blazek & Jack Healy

3/3 - No Action

Stacie Kavle will talk to Jack Healy, Chair about the discussion this evening.  Gary Waugh does  not want to be talking about this at the next meeting and wants to see a course of action underway and if it involves not spending money on a survey fine but he wants to get this done quickly.  Stacie Kavle will find out how Jack Healy, Chair is handling this and express Gary Waugh’s concerns as well as her own.

Parking Lot Update (Jeff Zullo & Bill Buckley)

Jeff Zullo reports that they received the wetland approval in June which was unanimous and that P&Z voted to accept the application and go to a public hearing in July.  He states that P&Z asked for updates from a soil scientists.  He also states that three interveners were there.  He reports that the estimate is still being carried from Richards and that George Graikoski did a scope review and that there might be a possibility of further reductions.  George Graikoski reports that Kennedy gave an estimate of $44,000.00 to do the lighting and that two more poles were added.  A power upgrade was discussed that is included in the price.  George Graikoski also discussed that the estimate was for steel poles with double head lights and that there are more economical solutions that can be discussed and priced.  He also states that there are credits coming from Richards that still need to be finalized and that will make the price lower.  Jeff Zullo also states that there has been a lot of misrepresentations and that the Committee is doing this out of turn and that the issue of the number of spaces has come up and he wants to make it clear that by the board of education rules and regulations and state statutes, the Building Committee has full authority to do this and that this was confirmed by both the bond council and Mike Rybeck, Esquire.  Jeff Zullo asks Richard Munday for a copy of the early concept plan in which one of the schematics was for a parking lot.   He asks Richard Munday to reproduce that early concept plan and forward to Jack Healy, Chair before the July 16^th public hearing.  He states that the original concept was to put a parking lot in.  He wants to be sure that the zoning commission hears that this was planned and that they were forced by funding issues to make cuts.  William J. Buckley, Jr. states that there were three interveners and that the burden is on the petitioner to demonstrate that there is no negative environmental impact associated with the proposal and that he is concerned that he is not a lawyer and does not know what is required of the Committee as an applicant to satisfy the intervener status and he would not like to have an appeal to a decision by P&Z for failure to follow a procedure.

Motion:  William J. Buckley, Jr.  moved to authorize the Chairman to hire an attorney to represent the Committee in going before the P&Z and to assist the Committee for preparation for the public hearings.

So moved.  Seconded:  Jeffrey Zullo

Discussion:   Jack Healy, Chair asks if he wants to put a name on it.  William J. Buckley, Jr. states that it is up to the Chair.  He wants to be sure that the Committee does not foul up procedurally.  He feels that he can answer the environmental questions.  He feels he does not want to be responsible for procedures because it’s not his field of expertise.  He does feel that the burden is on the petitioner.  Gary Waugh thinks that the legal counsel that the Committee used last time served the Committee well but he feels it is unfortunate that the expense of hiring that kind of counsel could be used for other elements of the project as opposed to this particular use but he feels it may be necessary and will be money well spent.  William J. Buckley, Jr. refers to an 8-24 referral and that he questioned that in front of the Commission and that they responded that it was “necessary and required”.  He is very familiar with the process and it is discussed in detail.   Kent is upset that this is money is being spent for frivolous intervention and that he has to go along with the fact that an attorney is needed but he is upset that this is a frivolous intervention at the tax payers expense and that it’s taking something out of this school and that every dollar is something that is coming physically out of this project.  William J. Buckley, Jr. reminds everyone that they have a right to file as an intervener.   He states that if their intent is to protect the drinking water, that the Committee will be able to demonstrate that the drinking water will not be impacted or affected in anyway but that it may be affected in a positive way in what they are proposing.   He feels that it’s important for the Committee not to trip up on a procedural mistake that would cause an appeal and cause the Committee to have to go through this again.  He asks the members for their support on this motion and respects their opinion but feels that the Committee needs to protect themselves as the applicant.  Mac Bramley states that he is in an impossible situation for him because he stood up and testified before Planning and Zoning in the initial consideration of this project when the Committee was accused of building the parking lot, the interveners utilized it as one of the arguments against this project and he stood up and said that they the Committee was not going to build the parking lot nor would they build a parking lot and he feels that that statement which was not refuted by any of the other members of the Committee who were in the room contributed to the approval of this project.  He further states that he has a terrible conflict of interest particularly voting for money in order to go back to Planning and Zoning now for a parking lot that he said was never going to happen as part of this project.  He feels that this should not be part of this project.  It should be maybe a town project.  He states that he believes he would have to testify before Planning and Zoning on this matter and apologize to them for his testimony.  Jeff Zullo asks if he was speaking as part of the Building Committee.  Mac Bramley states that he was.  Jeff Zullo states that the Committee never made any motions regarding this issue and again asks Mac Bramley if he was speaking as an individual or representing the majority of the Building Committee.  He states that he was speaking as an individual.  Jeff Zullo states that it was his individual opinion only.  He states that this Building Committee has never said that the parking lot was not going to be included in the project.  He also challenges that Mac Bramley was speaking for the Building Committee.  William J. Buckley, Jr. feels that things happen and opinions change.  He feels that the parking lot is needed and that it’s a legitimate expense.  Mac Bramley questions whether there can be justification of need in the presentation and that although it may be needed, there has been no formal exploration of other areas on this campus for parking.   He also questions the fact that there has been no Board of Education discussion about any kind of a restrictive parking policy based on merit, age or need.  He feels that this has become the right of every sixteen year old in Litchfield to drive a car to a Litchfield school when our busses are running thirty percent full and he feels that there is something wrong with that.  Stacie Kavle agrees with Mac Bramley but the issue is that the Committee is going forward with the parking lot and that at this time; Bill is requesting the services of an attorney.  Kent Gilyard feels that they are not going to restrict the number of cars and that when there are events, the parking is needed.  He also feels that the lighting is also necessary.  Further discussion of the parking problem for events ensued.

Vote: Abstention:  Stacie Kavle    

Ayes: Kent Gilyard, Gary Waugh, Jeff Zullo, William J. Buckley, Jr.,

Opposed: Mac Bramley

Absent:  Lynn Chapman, Bob Blazek & Jack Healy

Motion passed.

Maintenance Building

William J. Buckley, Jr. states that this will be kept on the agenda and discussed if there are sufficient funds to address this issue in the future.

Alternative Options List Review (Lynn Chapman)

None discussed.  Lynn Chapman is not present this evening.

6.  FINANCE COMMITTEE – Take actions as needed

Approval of Invoices

Jeff Zullo takes over the roll as Chairman since Stacie Kavle left the room.

Motion:  William J. Buckley, Jr. moved that the following invoices be forwarded to the Chairman for approval subject to his review to make sure that the proper certifications are in place.