Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMBC Minutes 2/7/2006TOWN OF MANSFIELD Municipal Building Committee Workshop Meeting Minutes of February 7, 2006 Members Present: William Moore, Chairman, Kenneth Gay, James Liddick, David Young and Eleanor McCarter, Secretary MBC Meeting Commenced at 7:50 P. M. SCHOOL FEASIBILITY STUDY Field Spuee Evaluation - School Superintendent John Moretti held an independent meeting at the Mansfield High School this evening to discuss potential solutions to address a future demand on field space. Member David Young accepted an invitation by the School Department to attend, this meeting as a representative of the MBC. Member Young joined the regular MBC Meeting at 8:00 P.M. • Issue was raised at the School Meeting that if a future Town Meeting votes favorably in support of moving forward with a new high school addition and renovation project under consideration, the existing multipurpose field located adjacent to the high school parking lot would be eliminated. • The Mansfield School Committee is currently evaluating whether to request funding for this project Spring 2006, based on results of a School Feasibility Study prepared by DRA Associates. • The School Superintendent suggests that losing an existing playing field would create a strain on the remaining fields used by school sports programs both during and after construction. • Attendees at the School Meeting explored possible options to utilize field space at Memorial Park on Hope Street in Mansfield to offset the Department's need. Member Young reported that in that discussion, a suggestion was made to replace one (or two) of the natural grass football fields with synthetic turf fields. Construction of turf fields could maximize field usage for both School and Town supported programs. The Memorial Park property is owned and maintained by the Town of Mansfield. A turf field project on this property is not likely to be eligible for State Building Authority (SBA) reimbursement. • School Department continues to research various options to address future field space needs. MBC Meetings —Meeting minutes of January 24, 2006 were distributed to members for review and comment. Approval is pending. Water Treatment Facility Project Project Status: On Nov. 22, 2005, MBC Chairman Jim Liddick issued a memo to Water Operations Manager, Kurt Gaffney stating that the Dustin & Prescott Water Treatment Facility Project is complete, and identified an overall project cost savings of $69,046.06. A copy of this same memo was also given to the Town Manager and Department of Public Works Director. Miscellaneous Project Costs: MBC discussed a final funding request from the Water Operations Manager to offset the cost of office furnishings and miscellaneous equipment related to the recent building project. MBC needs to evaluate whether the expenses are appropriate to the project and if they would be eligible for State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan reimbursement. SRFLoan: MBC Secretary was asked to follow up with Water Operations Manager Kurt Gaffiiey and ask Woodard & Curran to prepare and submit a request with the back -up documentation provided by the Water Division to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for funding approval. MBC members expect Woodard & Curran to notify the Committee regarding the funding eligibility status once a determination is made by DEP. Bo» owing: The MBC Secretary inquired in the Town Accountant's office about the status of available project funds earlier this week. Town Accountant responded that based on the wording of the original article appropriation, firrther investigation on her part would be required. MBC Secretary will work with Town Accountant to clarify whether the funds borrowed by the Town ($600,000) for the Water Treatment Project were intended for construction project and design, or design only. Town Accountant is seeking a legal opinion from Town Counsel. If the amount borrowed by the Town was intended for design & construction, there are remaining Rinds available in the Project budget, which could be applied to offset miscellaneous project costs. Mansfield School Projects School Projects Budget: Jim Liddick reviewed an existing school budget spreadsheet and suggested the MBC needs to update the numbers in preparation for the final school project audit. It is important that MBC's budget figures agree with what the Accounting Department has on their record. Member David Young asked the MBC Secretary to request an up -to -date print out from the Town Accountant's office for all school renovation projects to show the total spent -to- date items for fiscal year 2006. RegrnestforFundingAssistcurce: MBC is waiting for the School Dept. to provide backup documentation to support a prior request for fimding assistance ($83,000) to offset various school facilities needs. Fisher Richardson House Project • Schedule to proceed with retraining upgrades (exterior door & electrical) —No action. • Budget Status —Members discussed turning over remaining budget to the Historical Commission to proceed with remaining upgrades. Litigation Update Secretary questioned Town Counsel as to how long the Town would be required to set aside funds for Keyes Associates. The Town has not been informed of any payment claims against the Town, since their original notification of bankruptcy. Town Counsel Susan Jacobs responded that all matters related to the bankruptcy trust representing Keyes Associates are now closed. According to e -mail from Attorney Susan Jacobs, the Town would not be responsible for any future claims for payment by Keyes Associates and /or their bankruptcy trust. DCAM Evaluation/Hart Engineering — MBC Secretary to draft response for members review and final comment. Annual Town Meeting • MBC Secretary pointed out that the deadline to submit articles for the Town Meeting warrant is March 1, 2006. • MBC supported a suggestion to request the School Department to submit a warrant article at the Annual Town Meeting to transfer the remaining balance of funds in the Jordan Jackson School Project Account to another appropriate account to allow the MBC to close the budget on the original Jordan Jackson School construction Project. • MBC supported a suggestion to request the Board of Selectman (or whoever appropriate) to submit a warrant article at Town Meeting to transfer the balance of fiends in the Police Station Project to the General fund to allow MBC to close this budget. OTHER A Special Election is taking place today at the Mansfield High School to fill a State Representative position formerly held by Mike Coppola who passed away last fall from colon cancer. This position represents Precinct 1, Precinct 3 and Precinct 6 in Mansfield. Polls are open 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Next MBC Meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, February 28, 2006. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Eleanor McCarter, Secretary Ja es Liddick, Clerk &1-6 _�D Date L?