Plainville Community Schoosl
Steering Committee Agendas & Minutes

April 13, 2005 Minutes

PLAINVILLE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Committee Minutes

Committee: Plainville Community Schools’ Steering Committee

Date: April 13, 2005

Time: 7:00 pm

Attendees: Robert Ciotto, Dan Dube, Richard Ireland, Kate Lawson, Jack Mastrianni, Ron Pavano, Bill Petit, Jay Steeves, Becky Tyrrell, Barbara Willard

Absent: Michael Sileo, Tom Wazorko

Also Present: Kathy Binkowski, Lynn Logoyke, Patrick Ringrose, Greg Ziogas,
JCJ: Dave Jepson, Bill Mead, Town Council Representatives: Tom Arcari, Robert Michalik, Chris Wazorko, Facilities: Steve Busel, Mel Masse

Chairman Bill Petit called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm.

RON PAVANO MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 10, 2005 MEETING. JACK MASTRIANNI SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 9 YES,
1 ABSTENTION. Richard Ireland abstained from voting.

Bill Petit then turned the meeting over to Bill Mead from JCJ to speak to the issue of not being able to achieve ‘renovation status’ for the schools based on the decision by the Town Council to cut funds for the projects. Mr. Mead has provided information which provides estimates of what the town might expect for reimbursement on the reduced scope projects if renovation status were not granted. If the projects do not get renovation status they will not receive funding from the state and this will cost the Town of Plainville more money. Bill Mead went into detail regarding this issue and discussion continued.

Bill Petit then handed out a memo sent by Town Manager, Robert E. Lee. The memo is as follows:

From: Robert E. Lee
Subject: School Building Project
To: Tom Arcari
Andy Grandbois
Chris Wazorko
Edward Rapacky
Helen Bergenty
Kathy Pugliese
Rob Michalik
Cc: Lisa Metayer
Shirley Osle
Bcc: Kathy Binkowski

I met with Bill Mead, Dave Jepson. Kathy Binkowski, Alan Schutz and Bob Metcalf to review the revised budget for both the Toffolon Project ($15 million) and the High School project ($40 million).

JCJ had made some adjustments to the Toffolon project and I feel relatively comfortable that “like new” renovation status can be achieved. This would include lowering the new construction amount from 13,600 SF to 8,000 SF and eliminating the lower level parking area (that would be bid as an alternate). This will be discussed with the Steering Committee this evening. The meeting begins at 7:00 pm at Linden Street
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School. Some compromises have been made and there will be less “new space” but the project can move forward at the amount approved by the Town Council. It remains to be seen if the Steering committee and the BOE will endorse the project as amended. I am hopeful that they will.

The High School project is a little more complicated because there was very little “new” construction planned for. JCJ reviewed a potential budget based upon the amount that was approved by the Council. The small addition that was planned has been eliminated and the plan was to move the renovations of the high School forward (begin next summer) would reduce some escalation costs. We also spoke about moving the BOE administration into the lower level of the Municipal Center on a temporary basis to avoid leasing modular space. Additionally, some savings would accrue from the auditorium project being voted on separately. Even with all these adjustments the square foot estimate for renovations is at a level that
causes all of us great concern whether or not “like new” status can be achieved. We may not find the definitive answer to this question until bids are received and we would be too far down the line to stop moving forward. JCJ indicated that an additional $2 million (to $42 million) would take a certain portion of that risk away. I am in strong agreement that the project amount should be increased by $2 million to better insure that “like new” renovation status can be obtained. If the intent of the Town Council is to appoint a permanent building committee and fill the vacancies with construction professionals, the additional $2 million will not be wasted if the project comes in under budget. Again, based upon the unknowns that are before us, especially items like inflation, we are most likely going to need the additional money to gain the “like new” status. It is a compromise and it should be embraced.

Again, the Steering Committee and the BOE also need to endorse the concept if we are to have any chance of having the projects approved in June. Please remember that Plainville’s reimbursement rate is expected to decrease by over 2% next year so there are some immediate advantages to getting an approved project before the end of the fiscal year. Plus, by moving the High School project forward a year we will have a good amount of savings as a result of less escalation costs. This is a good plan. Also remember that with this compromise (if everyone goes along with it) the total project was reduced by approximately $7 million.
Robert

The committee members voiced their concerns regarding:
• Preparing the schools for the future. Not being able to meet the needs of the students.
• Having an influx of young families with all the new construction in Plainville.
• The critical parking problem at Toffolon.
• Reduction of expansion plans from 13, 000 square feet 8,000 square feet.
• The inability to add programs due to lack of space.
Examples: Universal Pre-K, All Day Kindergarten

Tom Arcari was asked to explain his experience estimating school renovations. Mr. Arcari was one of the Town Council members that voted to reduce the amount of funding for the projects.
High School: Original funds $46, 995,000
Reduced funds $40,000,000
Toffolon: Original funds $17,865,000
Reduced funds $15,000,000

Mr. Arcari stated that he had over 40 years of experience in the construction field and is comfortable with the reduced figures. He feels that Toffolon School does need expansion, just not as much. Mr. Arcari told the committee that the council is planning to put together a Permanent Building Committee and send the project out for RFP. He also feels that redistricting will help to solve the problem. Discussion continued regarding the Town Council’s decision to cut funds.

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RON PAVANO MADE A MOTION TO PAY JCJ FOR INVOICE #3 DATED APRIL 11, 2005 FOR ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FROM MARCH 7, 2005 TO APRIL 10, 2005 THE AMOUNT OF $6,854.81. ROBERT CIOTTO SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Richard Ireland is concerned about selling the project to the voters.

Mr. Petit asked Mr. Arcari if the Town Council would restore funding to the project. Mr. Arcari said there was some ‘wiggle room’ and possibly a compromise, but in his opinion, he didn’t feel the council would restore funding to the original amounts. He told the committee to speak with the other members.

Robert Michalik feels that the Town Council will not restore the original funding, but if both sides are willing to compromise, the project could move forward.

There were several citizens in the audience who feel that quality is very important, put a little more money in now because the cost of construction is escalating. Do it right and do it now!
It is a mistake to cut costs now; we need to plan for the future.
Look into maintenance issues for the next 10-12 years. This needs to be taken into consideration.
There was a concern that all the Town Council members were not available at the meeting to hear from the experts regarding the project.

The Town Council will schedule a public hearing regarding the projects. Mr. Petit will confirm the meeting schedule with Carol Skultety, Town Clerk. A target date for the referendum is June 21, 2005. If at all possible, Bill Mead would like the referendum a little earlier so it doesn’t conflict with the last day of school. There is not a lot of time left.

Dan Dube has great concerns for the children of Plainville. “All you want to do is something good. You want your children to get the best possible upbringing. That’s all you want to do regardless of whether you have children in the system or not. It is your moral responsible as a citizen of this town to provide for the children. The children will suffer, they are the future”.

Mr. Petit spoke to the committee about the next step. Discussion continued. They all agreed that there was not a lot of time and they want to do the right thing.

JACK MASTRIANNI MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. BECKY TYRRELL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 pm.

The meeting scheduled for April 21, 2005 has been canceled.

Respectfully Submitted,

Tina Gryguc
Recording Secretary

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MOTIONS MADE AT THE
PLAINVILLE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS’ STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2005

RON PAVANO MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 10, 2005 MEETING. JACK MASTRIANNI SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 9 YES,
1 OBSTENTION.

RON PAVANO MADE A MOTION TO PAY JCJ FOR INVOICE #3 DATED APRIL 11, 2005 FOR ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FROM MARCH 7, 2005 TO APRIL 10, 2005 THE AMOUNT OF $6,854.81. ROBERT CIOTTO SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

JACK MASTRIANNI MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. BECKY TYRRELL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

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