High School Building Committee (HSBC) Meeting #62 Minutes

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Wayland Town Building

School Committee Conference Room

 

Attendees

HSBC members:  Lea Anderson, Josh Bekenstein, Dianne Bladon, Steve Breit, Brian Chase, Jim Howard, Fred Knight, David Lash, Mary Lentz, Joe Lewin,  Cindy Lombardo, Eric Sheffels, Jennifer Steel

HMFH Team:  George Metzger

KVA Team:  Frank Vanzler, David Saindon

Ex Officio members: Gary Burton, Louis Jurist

 

Call to order Ð HSBC Chairman, Lea Anderson, called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m.

 

Enrollment Update -  Lea informed the group that Dr. Burton has received a letter from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) recommending a design enrollment of 900 students.  Wayland met with the MSBA on Dec. 11, 2008 to present its enrollment analysis.  MSBA requested more background on private school enrollment and planned development in Wayland, which was sent to MSBA in January.  While the HSBC was recommending a number between 930 and 1050, the MSBAÕs number was in the 800s.  The MSBA space allowance for a school of 900 students is 171,000 square feet.  The Wayland School Committee approved the design enrollment of 900 at its Feb. 9th meeting and directed Dr. Burton to send the signed agreement back to MSBA.

 

David Lash reminded the group that other communities have presented cases for space based on reasonable educational program needs.  MSBA stated in its recent presentation to the MMA that Òif your educational plan is reasonably in excess of the guidelines, we will accommodate.Ó

 

Articles for Town Meeting

1.  Feasibility Study/Schematic Design Funds

The HSBC reviewed the warrant article for Feasibility Study/Schematic Design funds.  The School Committee voted on Monday night, Feb. 9 to reduce the amount requested due to the enrollment number coming in at 900.  The original estimate for costs was based on 1,000 students.

 

The revised estimated cost for a Feasibility Study and Schematic Design is now $1,026,000, based on 171,000 s.f.  Because the town already appropriated $300,000 in 2007, the amount requested in the warrant article is $726,000 (down from $900,000).  We were told to expect 40% reimbursement on this phase.

 

            State reimbursement at 40% of $1,026,000 would be             $410,400

            Town portion would be 60% o                                                $615,600

            Already appropriated                                                               $300,000

            Balance                                                                                    $315,600

 

The town is required to authorize the entire amount of $726,000 even though the additional amount to be expended by the town is projected to be no more than $315,600.  This analysis does not take into account the value of the prior study at $355,000, some of which is likely to be useful and reimbursable.  

 

2.  Indemnification of MSBA

 

Lea reported that Town Counsel, Mark Lanza, recommended that a warrant article be submitted for Special Town Meeting regarding the indemnification language in the Feasibility Study Agreement (FSA).  It must be authorized by a town meeting vote in order to be enforceable against the Town.  Mark spoke with George Driscoll, Deputy General Counsel for the MSBA, and suggested revised language to the FSA.  Mr. Driscoll will not agree to amend the indemnification clause to make it 2-sided.  He said that he has had the same request from other municipalities.  Mr. Driscoll understood the reason for the town meeting vote authorizing the Town to indemnify the MSBA.  The article has been inserted by the Board of Selectmen in the STM Warrant.

 

Eric Sheffels expressed concern that while the indemnification language might be acceptable for the Feasibility Study/Schematic Design phase, it has the potential to cause substantial harm to the Town in the later stages of the project.  He suggested that we should stand up for home rule and talk to Tom Conroy regarding changes for a future contract.

 

Revised Charge Ð The HSBC reviewed the Revised Supplemental Charge to the HSBC as approved by the Wayland School Committee on Feb. 9th.  The revised charge updates the schedule and takes into account the MSBA process.  The previous charge was last updated in April 2006.

 

Feasibility Study/Schematic Scope Ð David Saindon reported that he and Frank Vanzler had met with George Metzger and Steve Millington of HMFH on Feb. 3rd to begin to understand the previous feasibility work and to develop a scope and schedule.  He presented a matrix of tasks as defined by the MSBA grant program for the Feasibility Study and the Designer Contract for the Schematic Design.  The scope matrix included work addressed in the 2004 Preliminary Design, as well as planned updates and analysis in the Feasibility Study and Schematic Design as defined by the MSBA.

 

Discussion followed:

á         This makes the case for reimbursement of the previous study.  Some of the tasks are partially complete.

á         Change the term ÒcompletedÓ to ÒaddressedÓ in the matrix.

á         The more time we spend on Feasibility Study, the less time for the Schematic Design, given the Fall 2009 goal.

á         This is a very aggressive schedule.  Given the MSBA unknowns, it is a very optimistic schedule.

á         The best projects have aggressive schedules.  LetÕs keep moving.

á         It is a rational schedule, but it has no ÒfloatÓ.

 

Next steps:

á         HSBC will meet in one week (2/19) to review the 2004 study in depth.

á         The schedule will be Òblown upÓ to show what we need to accomplish week by week.

á         KVA will look at initial site investigation and determine what needs to be done and when.

á         KVA will follow up with Water Dept. on plans for well tests on WHS site.

 

Action items for HMFH include:

á         Provide MSBA with required documentation for designer selection approval.

 

Motion Ð A motion was made by Mary Lentz and seconded by Joe Lewin to approve the minutes to HSBC meeting #61 on January 29, 2009.

Vote Ð The motion was approved unanimously Ð 13 in favor, 0 opposed

 

Adjournment Ð The HSBC adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

 

Next meeting Ð Thursday, February 19 at 7:30 pm in the School Committee conference room

 

Observers:  Malcolm Astley, Ken Isaacson, Chris Reynolds, Richard Stack, Lisa Valone