HomeMy WebLinkAboutTown & School Needs Comm. 04/01/2024Town and School Needs Assessment Committee Meeting Minutes
April 1, 2024
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Present: Diana Bren, Maureen R. Doherty, Melinda Tarsi, Walter Wilk, Jennifer Walshl 6d'.S#eve SCfiobi Ve��1 E
Also Present: Kevin Dumas, Matt Violette, Teresa Murphy and Ed Donoghue c ��
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1. Open Meeting
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Kevin Dumas 6:01PM. S
2. Organize as a Committee — Chair, Vice -Chair, and Clerk
Mr. Dumas asked for nominations for Chair and Ms. Doherty asked for a review of the charge and scope of
the committee before taking nominations. Mr. Dumas agreed to take this out of order and read what the
scope and charge of the commit was. The Committee members then went around and introduced
themselves and which Board/Committee they are on.
Mr. Schoonveld nominated Ms. Doherty for Chair. Ms. Walsh nominated Mr. Wilk for Chair. Ms. Doherty
stated that she would concede and let Mr. Wilk be the Chair. The Committee then voted and it was
unanimously passed 5-0 to have Mr. Wilk as Chair.
Mr, Wilk then asked for nominations of Vice -Chair. Ms. Bren nominated Ms. Doherty. There were no other
nominations and Ms. Doherty accepted and the committee unanimously voted 5-0 for Ms. Doherty to be
Vice -Chair.
Mr. Wilk then asked for nominations for Clerk. Ms. Bren nominated Mr. Schoonveld. There were no other
nominations and the committee voted unanimously voted 5-0 for Mr. Schoonveld as Clerk.
3. Review Charge and Scope of Committee
This item was taken out of order and done as part of agenda item number one.
4. Review and Discussion of Town Needs Information
Mr. Dumas began stating that he sent the memo from Mr. Ahern for upcoming capital costs and
considerations on the Town side. He stated that there were seven projects listed that go above the normal
building maintenance and some of the items have been on the capital improvement plan. Mr. Dumas went
through and explained each of the projects and committee members asked a few questions.
Ms. Tarsi arrived at 6:07PM.
Mr. Schoonveld stated that the committee needs to look broadly and that it is a matter of prioritization of
the projects. Mr. Wilk commented that there have been new boilers added to the Middle School and it
would not make sense to replace the building after a significant investment like the boilers.
S. Review and Discussion of School Needs Assessment Materials
Ms. Murphy stated that the Schools has a formal 20-year plan completed by TBA Architects. Ms. Murphy
went through the Executive Summary of that plan that was provided and noted that the cost estimates
were as of July 2023 and she anticipates that the costs have already increased. Ms. Murphy also noted
that she had them add a 51h option for the high school of a new building based on what she has heard
but it was not recommended by TBA Architects to build a new high school. She believed the highest
priority items were Roland Green and the Robinson Schools. Ms. Murphy also noted that Massachusetts
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School Building Authority (MSBA) would not consider a pre-school program unless it is connected to
another school. The MSBA paths for Roland Green would be option four or five. She noted that the study
also placed the Jordan Jackson School as the lowest priority and that she agreed that it would be the
lowest priority and it is the newest of the school buildings.
Mr. Wilk asked if the schools are handling the amount of students. Ms. Murphy responded that she
thinks they were although over the years there are more students with special needs that remain in the
district where in years past they would have been sent out of district. It was further noted that the
school population is stabilizing. Mr. Donoghue noted that the Qualter's Middle School modular
classrooms are recommended to be replaced by TBA Architects but he thinks they can be eliminated. Mr.
Donoghue also felt that the high school could use a good refresh and that the shell of all the buildings
are in great shape. Ms. Murphy thinks the science labs/classrooms would also be a priority at the High
School and that air conditioning is also a priority.
Ms. Bren asked if the costs include relocating students during the time of construction and Ms. Murphy
responded that it was not a consideration in the study. Mr. Wilk stated that it will be important to
bundle the projects together and go to Town Meeting once for a debt exclusion or override. Ms. Tarsi
asked some questions about the MSBA process and this was explained by Mr. Donoghue and Mr. Dumas.
6. Discussion of Next Steps
Mr. Wilk summarized that at the next meeting the committee should prioritize projects and review bond
schedules and rates.
7. Establish Next Meeting Date(s)
Ms. Walsh and Mr. Schoonveld will be meeting with Ms. Murphy and Mr. Donoghue to further discuss the
projects and bring to full School Committee for consideration. Ms. Doherty offered to call a contact she
has at MSBA and set up a call with Mr. Dumas, Mr. Violette, Ms. Murphy and Mr. Donoghue. The
committee agreed to have their next meeting after Town Meeting and chose Monday, June 17th at 613M.
B. Any Items Not Known within 48 Hours
There were no items.
9. Adjourn
Motion: To adjourn the Town and School Needs Assessment Committee meeting of April 1, 2024 at
7:1513M. (Bren/Doherty)
Passes 6:0
Signature Date
Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne