Public Building Minutes

         Public Building Committe    

June 2, 2014

Chairman Ostop called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Board of Education Conference Room in Simsbury Town Hall.

Present – Boardman, Cortes, Derr, Dragulski, Kelly, Laureno, Ostop, Patrina, Salvatore

Absent  -  no one

Guests  -  LaClair, Shea, Cook

1.  Minutes – March 3, 2014

Mr. Kelly moved, Mr. Salvatore seconded, to approve the minutes as presented and the motion carried unanimously.

2.  Public Audience – There was no one present.

3,  Update of Senior Center

Chairman Ostop addressed the directive to Mr. Shea by the Board of Selectman, passed at their meeting May 29, 2014, following a Public Hearing, requesting further study and recommendation by the PBC based on the following: (1) rejection of the option of building a new Senior Center at the intersection of Bushy Hill and Stratton Brook Road (2) further evaluation of the feasibility of renovation of Eno Memorial Hall including accessibility issues presented by the existing structure (3) the feasibility of a “distributive model” which would retain some functions at Eno Memorial Hall and relocate other functions to existing or newly built facilities and (4) requested a specific recommendation for a new site for the Senior Center in the downtown area of Simsbury.  The BOS requested that Mr. Shea communicate the above directive to the PBC and to the Senior Center/Eno Memorial SubCommittee.  The directive also requested Mr. Shea to work with the PBC to identify the most appropriate site for the Senior Center and to extend thanks to both committees.

Chairman Ostop suggested that the PBC invite Ms. Marshall, Senior Center Director and Ms. LeCours Beck, Director of Social Services to discuss specific issues and requests. It was also suggested that

Ed LaMontagne, chairman of the Aging and Disability Commission be invited. There was discussion re numerous facets of the project and of properties.  Mr. Ostop reported having contacted some property owners with no positive responses.  Scheduling issues and parking issues were noted to be very important.  Mr. Shea was requested to obtain a copy of a previous Aging and Disability Commission report for input.

4.  Schools – Upcoming Projects

Mr. LaClair provided copies of background handouts for and spoke to two proposed projects.

(1) Henry James Middle School main entrance lobby and a reception area with a budget of $775,000..  Ms. Cook raised a concern to assure staff visual capability of anyone entering the building.                                         

Mr. Derr moved, Mr. Kelly seconded, to authorize Mr. Shea to advertise for architectural Statements of Qualification with responses required within two weeks. The motion passed unanimously.                     

(2) Squadron Line main office is in the planning stages with a controlled entrance and general waiting room.  Two budgets were provided:  one million fifty thousand dollars and nine hundred thirty thousand

PBC                                                        - 2 -                                                                       06/02/2014

dollars.  Ms. Patrina moved, Mr. Boardman seconded, to authorize Mr. Shea to advertise for architectural Statement of Qualifications and the motion passed unanimously.

Both projects are eligible for partial State Grants.  Chairman Ostop said the committee would appreciate receiving the responses to the projects prior to the next PBC meeting.

5.  Old Business – There was none.

6.  New Business – There was none.

7.  Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Laureno, a second by Mr. Salvatore and a unanimously favorable vote.

Mary Lou Patrina

Secretary