Simsbury, CT - Selectmen Mintues

Mary Margaret Girgenti, BOE Chairman, called the Special Meeting of the Board of Education, Board of Finance, and Board of Selectmen to order at 7:40 p.m. in the Old Court Room 002 at Eno Memorial Hall. The following board members were present: Mary Porter Wright, Dominique Avery, Robert Moran, John O'Neil, Paul Henault, Peter Askham, James Belfiore, Michael Wade, Anita Mielert, Joel Mandell, John Romano, Thomas Vincent and Madeleine Gilkey. Ms. Glassman arrived at 8:05 p.m. Also present were Kevin Kane, Finance Director, Joseph Townsley, Superintendent of Schools, David Holden, Business Manager, Paul Fetherston, Assistant to the First Selectman, Richard Sawitzke, Town Engineer and Richard Ostop, Chairman Public Building Committee, and other interested parties.

Ms. Girgenti stated that the BOE unanimously voted to approve the plan for the Simsbury High School new construction project. She noted that architects have been working on both a plan for a new high school and a plan for the modernization of the existing high school, at the request of the BOF.

Dan Davis, Design Architect, presented the 1,850 student scenario involving the expansion of the existing high school. He stated that the high school would be renovated like new construction and therefore would be entitled to the full state reimbursement rate. Mr. Davis reviewed the floor plans. He noted that the core facility can provide for 2,000 students and two wings could be added to this design at a later date. Mr. Davis reviewed the construction timetable and stated that the new construction could be completed in 20-24 months. He noted that there would be two phases to renovate the existing building which would each run 10-12 months. He stated that the total time for the renovation would be 40-48 months. Mr. Davis noted that the existing high school is 203,000 square feet and the addition would be 150,000 square feet.

Barry Blaise, Landscape Architect, reviewed the site plan included the traffic circulation within the site. He stated that the plan includes 804 parking spaces. Mr. Blaise noted that the stadium and tennis courts would remain and the existing athletic fields would be reconfigured. He stated that an estimate has been provided for the cost of additional athletic fields at another location. In response to Mr. Mandell, Mr. Blaise stated that this plan includes a revamp of the track and football field. Dr. Townsley stated that 6 fields would need to be replaced due to the increase in the number of students and the increased parking on the site.

Ms. Mielert questioned whether an increase of 200 parking spaces is required by the regulations. Dr. Townsley stated that the parking is necessary for the 1,850 students and the 40 buses. Mr. Mandell questioned how the amount of $5.5 million was determined as the cost for off-site fields. Dr. Townsley stated that an equal comparison was done of the renovation and the new school and the renovation plan has 6 fewer multi-use fields and 3 fewer softball/baseball fields. He noted that 25-50 acres is necessary to accommodate for wetlands and parking on the site. Mr. Askham expressed his concern with the increase in the cost for the renovation proposal.

Dean Ober, Architect, presented the design for the new high school and noted the prominent entryway and the 25 foot corridor. He stated that the brick and glass materials provide a modern formation which is warm and humane. Mr. Solawida noted that the size of the school is 322,825 square feet, which is the allowable state

In response to Mr. Askham, Mr. Solawida stated that the school could be expanded by adding two wings. Mr. Ober stated that the core facility is designed for 1,850 students, but supports 2,000 students. Mr. Solawida noted that a pool has not been included in the design. Mr. Ober pointed out the community use areas and stated that

the building would be air conditioned. He stated that the auditorium supports 1,000 students. In response to Mr. Henault, Mr. Ober stated that they have worked on high school projects in New Hartford, East Lyme, Guilford, Cornwall and New Britain.

Bill Yocum, Landscape Architect, reviewed the site plan which includes 153 acres. He described the site design and traffic circulation. He noted the locations for the athletic facilities, the school and the parking. In response to Mr. Askham, Mr. Yocum stated that roadwork would be necessary at the intersection of County Road and Hoskins Road to provide easy access. He noted that the cost has been included in the estimate.

Mr. Askham questioned whether there is contamination on the site. Mr. Sawitzke stated that the Phase I study has been completed and there are limited problems in the farmed tobacco areas. He stated that, assuming a worst case scenario, the environmental hot spots would be removed to a remediation facility and the rest would be encapsulated on the site. He noted that the cost for this remediation has been included in the estimate. Mr. Yocum stated that this area is in the location of the parking and fields. Mr. Sawitzke stated that in these areas you would remove the topsoil anyway.

Mr. Henault noted that this site is zoned industrial and he questioned what the land is suited for. Mr. Sawitzke stated that all but 5 acres is I2 zone which includes a wide range of uses under the regulations. He pointed out that the question would be what use is acceptable to the community? Mr. Sawitzke stated that the parcels on Hopmeadow Street would be left open for industrial use and would not be purchased by the Town. In response to Mr. Askham, Mr. Sawitzke stated that of the 900 acres of industrial land in town, 100 acres is available.

Mr. Ostop stated that a Construction Manager was hired for this project to provide budgets for both the renovation and the new high school plans. He stated that O&G Industries was hired to provide a preliminary concept design estimate. Mr. Ostop reviewed the figures provided by O&G and the reimbursement factor. He conclude that the cost difference, to the town, between a new and renovated high school is $11 million.

Mr. Askham questioned why there is an escalation cost. Reese Hoben, ONG Industries, stated that this is due to the 50 month phased project. Mr. Henault questioned the result if the project was approached from the view that they have $35 million to spend. Mr. Ostop pointed out that if they reconstruct the entire building and renovate as new the town will receive a higher reimbursement. He noted that the 31.3% reimbursement rate stays the same, but the level of eligibility is less. Mr. Holden stated that the renovations at the existing schools involved a minor reduction in eligibility for those items which were considered routine maintenance.

Mr. Askham questioned what the current estimate is to renovate the existing high school into a middle school. Ms. Girgenti suggested that another joint meeting be held to discuss the overall school system. Mr. Henault questioned what would happen if the cost ends up being higher than the estimate. Mr. Ostop stated that they hired a Construction Manager to get good numbers and the previous estimates were done without having much information. In response to Mr. Henault, Dr. Townsley stated that the current K-12 enrollment is 4,852 and the current high school enrollment is 1,380. He noted that Dr. Chung expects a 40% increase over the next 10 years, not including Griffin's proposal for 350 homes.

Mr. Vincent suggested that the renovation square footage be reduced to avoid the reimbursement penalty. Mr. Hoben stated that reducing the square footage to the state allowable amount would save the town $4.2 million. Mr. Vincent noted that the cost to remodel is $16 square feet more than new construction. Mr. Ostop stated that this is because the space is more efficient in new construction. Mr. Vincent also noted that the site development cost is higher for the renovation plan. Mr. Ostop stated that this is because there is old blacktop and they would need new fields.

Mr. Henault requested information on the cost to renovate the existing high school into a middle school. He also questioned the operating expenses for the new school and the renovation of the existing high school into a middle school. He questioned what would need to be done with the existing elementary schools if a renovation plan, instead of a new high school, were approved.

Dr. Townsley suggested that O&G determine an estimate for converting the existing high school to a middle school. He requested that representatives from each board meet to create a criteria list from which answers can be provided.

Ms. Mielert reviewed the revised tentative time table. Mr. Askham questioned why this project is not following the regular capital project cycle. Dr. Townsley stated that the BOE wants a referendum before May so that they can come forward with an alternative in May if the plan is not passed at referendum.