Plainville Community Schoosl
Steering Committee Agendas & Minutes

August 19, 2004 Minutes

PLAINVILLE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Committee Minutes

Committee: Plainville Community Schools’ Steering Committee

Date: August 19, 2004

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Attendees: Kate Lawson, Richard Ireland, Ron Pavano, Bill Petit, Michael Sileo, Jay Steeves, Becky Tyrrell, Barbard Willard

Absent: Robert Ciotto, Daniel Dube, Christina Gilbert-Dutkiewicz, Jack Mastrianni, Tom Wazorko

Also Present: Kathy Binkowski, ex officio, Dave Jepson, Robert E. Lee, Town Manager, Bill Mead, Missy Pavano

Bill Petit called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Bill Petit introduced Robert E. Lee, Town Manager, to the Plainville Community Schools’ Steering Committee.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY RON PAVANO TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 15, 2004 MEETING. JAY STEEVES SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Dave Jepson gave an overview of the Preliminary Project Schedule for the Plainville Community Schools’ – Next Step in the Long Range Plan.

Much discussion regarding The Long Range Plan followed.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DISCUSSION:

• Pre-Referendum planning should take approximately five (5) months
• Toffolon and Middle School will be packaged together.
• Becky Tyrrell asked if the Steering Committee can begin planning or will the Committee need a Building Committee in place?
• Robert Lee stated that a Building Committee would be needed when the plans were submitted to the State of Connecticut.
• Barbara Willard asked if the project does not pass referendum the first time, how long will it be before the project can go to referendum?
• Dave Jepson explained that if the referendum does not pass, the committee needs to look at the reasons why. Barbara Willard said that after the Linden project did not pass the first time, it took approximately 8 months to go to referendum again.
• Kate Lawson thinks the schools should be linked together.

Discussion continued regarding how the Long Range Plan should be implemented for the referendum.

• The town council has decided to do a feasibility study to determine life expectancy of existing mechanicals. They have concerns regarding the High School. The town council needs to approve pre-referendum costs before the project can go to referendum.
• Ron Pavano is concerned if the High School becomes the next project, what will happen to the Toffolon area that is growing with a large influx of houses.
• Bill Mead raised a question regarding the $750,000 grant the High School received for the asbestos project. If the roof is done and the asbestos is removed, will the Town Councils’ concerns regarding the Plainville High School be eliminated?
Bill Mead also informed the committee that the perception of the High School project is that all the asbestos will not be removed from the auditorium. Kathleen Binkowski, clarified this statement. She said, “It is inaccurate, when the project is completed, all asbestos will be removed from the Auditorium”.
• Bill Petit feels the Committee should move forward with the original plans.
• Becky Tyrell feels we should appoint the existing Building Committee to handle Toffolon and the Middle School projects.
• The Town Council wants to appoint a permanent Building Committee for the Town.
• Robert Lee feels the pre-referendum costs will be between $28,000-$35,000 for the Toffolon and the Middle School.

• BILL PETIT MADE A MOTION TO HAVE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION REQUEST THE TOWN COUNCIL TO HAVE $35,000 APPROVED FOR THE PRE-REFERENDUM FOR TOFFOLON AND THE MIDDLE SCHOOL. BARBARA WILLARD SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Ron Pavano gave an update on the Linden Street School project.

• Construction began on Linden Street School on August 16, 2004. Construction crews were completely on sight August 19, 2004 at 4:00 p.m. Things are going well and all safety factors will be in place for the opening of school.

BILL PETIT MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. JAY STEEVES SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Tina Gryguc
Recording Secretary