Thursday, October 18,
2007
Wayland High
School
Commons Conference
Room
Attendees
HSBC members: Lea Anderson, , Dianne Bladon, Steve Breit, Brian
Chase, Fred Knight, David
Lash, Joe Lewin, Eric Sheffels, Jennifer
Steel, Karen Talentino
Absent: Josh Bekenstein, Jim Howard, Mary Lentz, Cindy Lombardo, Steve
Tise
Ex Officio
members: Brad
Crozier, Louis Jurist, Allyson Mizoguchi, Pat Tutwiler
HMFH/Turner team:
Dick Amster
Call to order – HSBC Chairman, Lea Anderson,
called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
Community Groups and WHS
WayCam – Betsy Moyer, President of WayCam, addressed the HSBC about the board’s interest in
continuing to occupy space at Wayland High School. She said that WayCam is very happy where they are and that the space is
perfect in many ways, although they could use more space. The cable studio currently occupies about 1600 sq.
ft. in the Administration building, the most recently built (1972) permanent
building on campus. The thick walls
are very effective at keeping noise out.
She said that if the HSBC decides to renovate the Admin. building, the WayCam board would be
glad to stay where they are.
Betsy reported that WayCam airs about 70 hours per week and that WHS students
benefit from WayCam. Ken Isaacson and Richard Turner
accompanied Betsy. Ken reported
that Verizon will be installing equipment soon.
HSBC Chariman Lea Anderson said that an updated programming of
space will take place when the MSBA invites Wayland to proceed with an
application for funding. WayCam will be asked for input by the HSBC’s consultant,
HMFH Architects, at that time.
Whether WayCam space qualifies for reimbursement from the state as community use will be
determined.
Town Pool – Lea gave the
group an update on the Sept. 11, 2007 meeting with George Metzger, Steve Friedlaender and Ben Downs, a Wayland citizen interested in
building a new town pool with private funds. Ben had attended the last HSBC
meeting on June 28, 2007 to ask the HSBC’s opinion on swapping the current pool
site owned by Park & Rec. with a site on WHS property. The HSBC directed Lea
to:
1. Ask
George Metzger for his opinion on the benefits to the high school project of
trading the current pool site for another site.
2. Ask
George for his opinion on the appropriateness of other sites for a pool based on
the environmental sensitivity of the high school property.
Lea reported that
George’s initial reaction was that space could be found in two possible places –
to the west of the softball field or near the Field House, but that a detailed
study is necessary. He said that
cogeneration of energy is a possible benefit. He that there might be some benefit to
designing an entrance using the existing pool site, or that it might be used to
make up for parking space lost to a new pool site. Issues raised by HMFH at the 9/11
meeting were co-ordination of projects, very fast schedule desired by the pool
group, programmatic benefits need to be defined, understanding benefits of
integration.
Lea reported that George
had responded with an estimate for a study at $10,000. His recommendation was to do the
following:
Awaking the
Wayland planning documents
Review of a
proposed pool footprint plan and other information relating to site and parking
needs
Consideration of advantages and
disadvantages relating to the wetlands, community v. school uses, site
entrance improvements, etc.
Review of
the alternative locations and analysis of the pros and cons of
each
Some
consideration of the co-location benefits of parking and potential shared
opportunities for alternative or shared energy systems.
Development
of a proposed site plan for the HS with the pool added.
Meetings with Pool and WHS
Building Committees.
Ben
complimented HMFH for its grasp of the issues and the creative ideas around
“green” elements. He reiterated his
group’s interest in proceeding quickly – either submitting a warrant article for
2008 Annual Town Meeting to swap land or to work with the Town Center
developers. Loss of funding for the
existing pool by the end of 2009 is driving the deadlines. He said that there are benefits to a
centrally located pool near WHS.
When asked about delaying a year, he said that in addition to the WHS
team, the Junior Warriors would be without a pool.
Discussion
followed:
- Eric
Sheffels said that the two sites identified as possible locations wouldn’t hurt
flexibility of the project. The
closer to the Field House, the easier it is to share resources – showers,
lockers, septic fields.
- Steve
Breit asked about septic issues at either a high school site or town
center.
- Louis
Jurist (speaking for himself, not the WSC) said that there is a small window of
opportunity with a tremendous benefit to the town. He said that the pool programs are in
jeopardy. The current interest in
funding a pool might not last years.
He expressed concern that shoehorning a pool next to the Field House
might cause problems when construction begins and therefore he prefers the site
behind the softball field.
- Dick
Amster and Eric both said that the pool could be put next to the Field House
without jeopardizing the project.
- Dick said
that the septic system will be the pool’s toughest issue.
At this
point a “sense of the committee” vote was taken on whether the HSBC thinks it is
worthwhile for the pool group to engage HMFH to study the issue so that some of
these questions can be answered.
The vote was 9 in favor and 1 opposed. Fred Knight felt that it is too
premature.
It was
pointed out that Ben might work hard to encourage a multimillion dollar
commitment that may not happen. Ben
related his intention to hire an engineer.
HSBC members said that it will be necessary for our consultants from HMFH
to give their opinion. HMFH is not
about engineering; it is about how it fits into the school. It was agreed that the pool group’s
design/build engineer and HMFH should talk. Eric, Joe, or Brian will define what
information each side should provide.
Field
House
– Kim Keefer reported to the HSBC that there is a group of people in town
interested in improving the interior of the Field House and increasing the gym
space in town. He has been involved
with Wayland Youth Basketball and feels that the Field House floor is not
appropriate or safe for kids. He
showed the group a plan to replace the floor and make the space useful for field
sports. He also talked about a
portable basketball court floor. hanging baskets from
the ceiling, and replacing the bleachers.
Kim feels that the lockers are not savable and noted that the roof needs
replacement. These two elements are
not part of his group’s project. He
said that there is about $700,000 in potential donations.
Kim’s group is interested
in going forward but wants to do it in conjunction with the overall project to
maximize the opportunity. Their first priority is getting additional gym
space designed for high school level basketball providing a safe and
competitive atmosphere. They would like to move quickly after that
decision for an additional gym is made with the renovation of the Field House to
use during the HS construction phase.
Lea said that the HSBC
will stay in touch with Kim as we learn more from the
state.
Discussion with Pat Tutwiler – HSBC members welcomed and introduced themselves to Wayland High School Principal, Pat
Tutwiler. Pat introduced himself to
the committee and talked about his impressions of WHS. He thanked the HSBC for their work over
the years.
MSBA Update – Lea
reported that the latest information from MSBA comes from its meeting with MASS
(Massachusetts Assoc. of School Superintendents) on Oct. 1. Joy Buhler attended and came back with
an SOI Summary Report and Senior Study Format Worksheet for WHS. MSBA expects to begin notifying each of
127 districts to schedule status meetings with the Superintendent, Town Finance
officials, School Committee (or representative), and MSBA
staff.
Dick Amster announced
that he will be leaving Turner Construction at the end of the month to become
Director of Planning and Construction at MIT. The committee thanked Dick for his
dedication to the WHS project and wished him well in his new
job.
Motion – A motion was made by Joe Lewin
and seconded by Steve Breit to approve the minutes of HSBC meeting #49 held on
Thursday, June 28, 2007.
Vote – The motion was approved
unanimously - 10 in favor, 0 opposed
Comments and questions from observers: Sam DiSavino of Kelsey Rd. referred the HSBC to the
letter in their packet to him from Town Administrator, Fred Turkington regarding
parking of the town’s school buses in the parking lot by the pool. Sam asked that the HSBC plan for school
bus parking as part of the comprehensive building project.
Adjournment – The HSBC adjourned at 9:1650 p.m.
Observers: Janet Correia, Sam DiSavino, Ben Downs,
Evans Huber, Ken Isaacson, Kim Keefer, Betsy Moyer, Richard Turner, Karen
Vachon