HSBC Update

The HSBC meeting on Feb. 14th covered two main topics: a review of the meeting with the Massachusetts School Building Authority on 2/13/08 and a proposal to do some privately funded interior work on the field house, specifically a new floor and bleachers.

MSBA Meeting 

On Wednesday, Feb. 13th, five Wayland officials (Dr. Gary Burton, Barb Fletcher, Fred Turkington, Joy Buhler, Lea Anderson) met with a team of senior officials from the Massachusetts School Building Authority.  They were:

Ralph Wallace              Director of Capital Planning

Mary Pichetti                        Director of Construction Management

Christine Nolan                      Associate General Counsel

 Sean Walsh              Project Field Coordinator

 Brian McLaughlin            Legislative Liaison

 George Driscoll                        Deputy General Counsel

Ralph Wallace reviewed the MSBA progress over the last four years including the development of new regulations, the review of more than 420 Statements of Interest,  facilities assessments, and the selection of 83 projects into the capital pipeline.  These 83 projects are sorted as follows:

49 invited to do a Feasibility Study,

27 repair projects

7 completed or partially completed projects that will be considered for MSBA cost sharing

Wayland High School is one of 49 schools invited to conduct a Feasibility Study.  Ralph Wallace described the steps involved.

1.  Initial Compliance Certification must be signed.  This shows that a town is in good standing regarding audits on previous projects, and that the town agrees to move forward in a collaborative way.

2.  School Building Committee forms.  In Wayland's case, the current committee will be reviewed by the MSBA and authorized to continue or not.

3.  Town completes a questionnaire for enrollment forecast.

4.  Enrollment projection is completed working with the MSBA consultant.  

5.  Town procures Owner's Project Manager.  MSBA will provide guidelines and scope of services.

6.  Town procures architect.  Wayland has already procured HMFH Architects, Inc.

MSBA will study Wayland's previous procurement process and authorize continuing with HMFH or not.

7.  Town conducts Feasibility Study.

8.  Parties make agreement on budget and scope including schedule, price, and MSBA participation.

9.  MSBA Board of Directors votes on the project and scope.  Town has 120 days after this to conduct a local vote.

Wallace said that the minimum reimbursement rate of 40% is what Wayland should use for planning purposes on the high school project.

Field House Floor and Bleachers

Kim Keefer addressed the HSBC about a plan to install a new floor and bleachers in the Field House with private funds.  Kim had attended the October 18th HSBC meeting and reported  that there was a group of people in town interested in improving the interior of the Field House and increasing gym space.  He said that the goal is to return to the original Field House design of an open floor and improve safety.  Both the floor and bleachers are well beyond their life expectancy.

Doug Sacra of Maple Hill Architects then presented a description of the plan to install a new floor inside the track that would be used for practice (3 courts or open field house), competition, and Town Meeting.  He stressed that this is a minimal project that could be completed over the upcoming summer and early fall.  Sacra and Keefer have met with school administrators.  They are approaching the HSBC now that the first meeting with the MSBA did not uncover any reasons not to proceed.  They will next take their plan to the School Committee.  They will have to meet with the Fincom to show that the improvements will not increase maintenance costs.