THE
SELECT T E A M
SEPT. 11
MEETING: CANCELLED...last meeting was
the one described below...TEAM thanked (and resignations accepted)
for their efforts at the September 24, 2001 Board of Selectmen's meeting.
September
14 (Friday) at 5pm in the Commission Room at Town Hall - recommendations
after discussion and decisions on what to tell the Board of Selectmen.
At this, perhaps last (and most confused), meeting of this Ad Hoc Board,
a resolution supporting renovations and new construction and all the other
related projects (i.e. fields, septic fields, etc.) was passed 6-1;
after the meeting was adjourned action appeared to be taken to lay to rest
any lingering thought that Bisceglie Park might offer space to locate a
school structure PLUS any supporting space.
Voices were raised in what
appeared to be anger. No newspaper reporter was present, no tape
recording was made and it was the sense of the meeting, as this member
of the public heard it, that the existance of the Select Team (and the
membership limitations thus requred of those who advocate positions other
than the measured statement agreed to by the majority) was becoming a liability
to those who favor all the construction projects presented as a single
item on a future Town Meeting call. These same individuals desire
to write letters to the newspaper to that effect and lobby for approval
of same. In the course of the confused end of the meeting, the First Selectman,
ex-officio to this Ad Hoc Board, reported that the Grand List, in the almost
complete form, was running 2 percent ahead of last year. This
meeting (a quorum was present) lasted more than one hour.
Select Team
met in Weston Library Tuesday, August 28, 2001 at 7:30pm...Bisceglie
alternative not put to rest--First Selectman waiting for surveyor's report--which
was to be sent first to the architects at Fletcher-Thompson so they can
see if the wetlands (but not the flood plain?) are encroached-upon...stay
tuned! Report by those responsible for assessment of financial impact
of school budget increases on taxes presented new information (applying
Board of Education Finance Director's 10 year projection of the school
operating expenses).
While
the summer winds down, government marches on...
Meeting of the TEAM on Tuesday,
July 31, 2001 at 7:30pm in the Weston Library...sets up decision to retain
Fletcher-Thompson on a per diem basis to prepare for Fall referendum on
school construction. Board of Selectmen approve hiring - scheduled
for Board of Finance Thursday August 9 at 8pm in Town Hall...who approved
the amount and changed the wording of the proposal by the Board of Selectmen.
SELECT TEAM
Co-Chair.
and Building Committee representative on TEAM make pitch for summer funding
for schematics at Special Town Meeting, June 21. Vote on June 28
was close, but did not approve payment for fees to architect to continue
with Option #1.
SELECT
TEAM COMMUNITY MEETING JUNE 4, 7-11pm, WHS
This report comes from reliable
attendees at the meeting as well as League Observer. School staff
excellent in explaining history of school space needs, especially at the
High School.
Between 250 and 350 people
attended and asked questions ranging from curriculum queries to announcement
that opposition to alternative for new school plus additions v. "additions
only" had changed. It was suggested that the program for the new
building be altered--that it not be for grades 3-4-5, but for younger students
(kindergarten village). Questions were asked about financial implications
of a project of this size and magnitude, and the answers were not completely
satisfactory, Observer reports, so it seemed, to the citizens remaining
towards the end of the program.
Select Team
prepares for Community Meeting Monday, June 4, 2001, (from 7-10pm at the
Weston High School Auditorium).
Board of Selectmen all present, Building Committee members and Chair. there,
Board of Education members, too...Fletcher-Thompson and O&G/AP get
total number down to maybe $80,000,000 after removing septic $$ and new
fields $$ from their overall plan. Numbers not "solid"--for example,
price of renovations of a "light" character as an arbitrarilly selected
"@$X/sq. ft." League Observer left meeting at 10pm, after the point
where option #1 (new 3-4-5 school) was unanimously supported in a vote
as the Select Team's recommended choice (presumably to the Board of Selectmen).
Discussion about: how much to spend overall, how to keep
architects employed over the summer (not busy-work) - in terms of keeping
the project from falling further behind, thereby increasing the costs annually
at 6% inflation in building prices. For a view of another place in
Connecticut, click HERE.
Select
Team meets in W.H.S. Library, May 15, 2001
Strategy about how to bring
the Team's work to "closure" took place. It was the perceived goal
of the group present (Board of Education member of the Team not present)
that there should be a "referendum" conducted in time to "at least" finance
the architect AND a decision about which scenario is the one to concentrate
on (not defined whose decision this isto be) for over-the-summer effort.
REPORT
Reduced ed. specs. have been
voted upon by the Board of Education for Scenario#1 and the staff of the
schools has done as much for Scenario#3 (but the Board has not voted upon
these reduced ed. specs. as applies to the second scenario). Those
members of the Select Team present discussed the possible reduction of
the architect's designs (i.e. based upon approval of educators and Board
of Education) to encompass a plan that fills reduced expectations for the
amount to be bonded.
Joint Meeting
of School Building Committee, Board of Education and Select Team, 5-9-01
The Co-Presidents of the
Weston LWV were in attendance. With standing room only in the Meeting
Room at Town Hall, architects and construction managers revealed that alternatives
for school construction would total $124 million for Option 1b or $119
million for Option 3. A list of possible items to delete or modify
was circulated and the total number will, no doubt, be reduced somewhat.
This meeting was perhaps 3 hours long (ending at 10:30pm).
TEAM met at 6pm, in the
beautiful and lovely North Cafeteria at W.H.S. before ATBM April 10 to
review the four (4) options requested (including new high school somewhere
and pre-K-2 at Heady):
Two options eliminated, LWV
Observer thinks (we left to go to the ATBM at 8pm)--the two that required
use of Heady property or some other, unidentified place. Reasons
given by the First Selectman (based upon reports from consultant on septics
4-19) were that the DEP, Army Corps and Conservation Commission would have
to approve the site--which contains a stream that feeds directly into the
Saugatuck Reservoir.
Alternative for new 3-4-5
school to be three (3) stories in classroom area on site adjacent to existing
football field introduced as "Option 1B." Remaining "on the table"
are the two "new school" ideas and the additions-only option. Circulation
plan has spine road (2-way) with access loops for each school to the south-west.
Agreement that leaving the bus barn in place as necessary for this to be
a realistic idea...agreement that no dollar costs be discussed at April
21 public meeting because architects and construction managers will not
have had enough time working together to come up with true figures.
No one wants to give out "fuzzy numbers."
AND
AGAIN AT THE LIBRARY...April 3:
Co-President of the Weston
LWV present. Alternatives discussed with architect...costs not put
forth and thus not yet an issue. Preparation for April 21 meeting
with the community on-going, but clarity not yet achieved. There
are still options not yet detailed. (NOTE: School Building
Committee made a 4-1 vote decision on construction management firm for
pre-referendum services only--Selectmen to make it official Thursday, perhaps.)
Next meeting at 6pm in Town Hall April 10. Meetings with architect
and other Boards continuing.
AT
THE LIBRARY 3-28...
Fletcher-Thompson states
that O,R&L's recommendation for a 3-4-5 location was based upon an
undersized foot-print. Select Team races to deadlines...League Observer
inquires about how much all this will total (bonding for all parts of any
of the design options shown to date)... Architect replies that the
cost will be significant (LWV's choice of words). NEXT
MEETING Tuesday, April 3, 7:30pm Weston Library.
NOTE: Select Team
changes meeting site from W.H.S. to Weston Library--March 28, 2001 at 7:30pm
(on less than 24 hour notice)...
LEAGUE OBSERVER ATTENDS PART OF SELECT TEAM
SUB-COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS THURSDAY, MARCH 22: this group hard at
work interpreting community's reaction to March 3 meeting (see below)...
Report
on March 3 meeting from LWV of Weston observer...
Full house in the WHS Auditorium
to talk school construction...moderated beautifully, organized flawlessly,
timed down to the precise second, great questions from the audience (submitted
LWV-style--written
on cards and then screened by Moderator for answer by panelists or other
backup staff)...no emotions showing. Full disclosure method--lots
of information prepared ahead of time, copies available...totally professional.
No voices of discord, only respectful differences of opinion. Very
controlled, very business-like. Some points made to start during
discussion of finances:
1)School budget may
grow at levels between 8 and 11 percent to support the system
2)No one is planning for
changes in the status quo--over the period of bonding, it is a "given"
that Weston will remain a homogeneous community as it is today--as represented
in the 1% rate of Town capital expenses per year (i.e. maintenance of infrastructure
not expected to increase)
3)Town Budget to remain much
as it is with similar increases at 3% level on into the infinite future--no
changes in the demands upon government (i.e. social services, salaried
Fire Department, E.M.S.)
TEAM members attend Special
Board of Selectmen's Meeting to witness OK of $116,000 for Fletcher-Thompson
Phase I:
On Saturday morning, February
24, 2001 at 10am in Town Hall, the Board of Selectmen approved Fletcher-Thompson's
request for $116,000 for Phase I planning to prepare for a referendum.
NOTE;
BOARD OF FINANCE APPROVED THIS ITEM AT THE BEGINNING OF THEIR REVIEW OF
THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN'S BUDGET FY'02.
Other items that need funding, such as "Geotech" survey (all three sites)
and aerial photography needed to produce maps with 2' contours as well
as a new and more detailed traffic study of School Road could not be discussed
at the Special Meeting--but will be on the agenda at the next Regular Meeting
March 1 (this coming Thursday). NOTE:
BOARD OF FINANCE APPROVES THIS ADDITIONAL FUNDING IN A RESCHEDULED MEETING
ON THURSDAY, MARCH 9...
AGENDA
FOR WEDNESDAY, FEB. 14, 2001:
The League notes that there
is barely time to breath in between meetings in this Town, lately!
Remember "triple features" at the movies? That is what is scheduled
for Wednesday, if you can believe e-mail! (Which after SPEAK UP 2001,
we are not so sure about!!!) TAKE OUT PENCIL AND PAPER, AND BEGIN
WRITING...NOW:
Meeting #1
on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 4pm (in the Weston Public Library)--Communications
Sub-Committee of Select TEAM
Meeting #2 on Wednesday,
Feb. 14 at 7:30pm (in the Weston Public Library: The Select TEAM
itself with an agenda that breaks for an estimated 8:30pm adjournment
across the parking lot to...
Meeting #3--a not-yet
posted Special Board of Selectmen's Meeting (legally not required to post
until 24 hours before) to discuss Select Team business...
Meeting #2 reconvenes
in the Weston Public Library for the remainder of its agenda.
Update on Select Team for
School Planning and Development:
NEXT SUB-COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATION:
Thursday, Feb. 8, 2001 at 7:30pm, location TBA; NEXT FULL SELECT
TEAM MEETING: Feb. 14, 7:30pm, location TBA
SELECT TEAM
Jan. 30 in the Library...two hours and a half or so...
Big meeting, lots of information,
lots of discussion and a sense that the cost of school expansion will be
within our grasp. League Co-Presidents in attendance. Date
for community-wide confab not yet final, but evening meeting during the
week likely--or at least being considered--(as opposed to Saturday AM).
SELECT TEAM COMMUNICATIONS SUB-COMMITTEE
MEETING SUNDAY:
Jan. 28, 2001 at 4pm in the
Commission Room at Town Hall - BRAINSTORMING
Saturday Session,
Jan. 20, 2001 (8:30am-1pm)
Both LWV Co-Presidents in
attendance--full Commission Room; draft proposals for how to cost
out the needed bonding, construction timeline and a proposal for a crash
course in planning schools put forth. Work needed to make costs more
accurate; suggestion that 48% of families in Weston have children
in the schools at this time--to be confirmed by Town Census, hopefully.
Fletcher-Thompson representatives present (architects selected by Building
Committee). NEXT MEETING: Jan. 30, 2001, 7:30pm, location TBA.
Good news for the Team--Building Committee makes decision
about architect for school work at Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2001 meeting.
News of 2 hour organizational
meeting...productive, on schedule:
SELECT TEAM
FOR SCHOOL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT met Tuesday, January 9, 2001 from 7:30pm
to 9:30pm in the Weston Middle School Library;League
Observer attended Sewer meeting previously scheduled for same time;
second-hand reports coming in!!! Agenda items accomplished!
Informal seating--circle of inclusion, rather than authoritarian arrangement
of participants...
At the January 4, 2001 meeting of the Board
of Selectmen, after much discussion of the charge and the membership qualifications,
The Team to get ready for the big school project (s) ahead was formed.
Below please find their MISSION as approved, and the membership list.
Team members, as best we can make out at this time (sp.), are:
TEAM MEMBERS*
Martin Strasmore, Co-Chair.
Arlene Brody
Marc Butlein
Jean Drever
Clem Malin, Co-Chair.
Bob Minicucci
Board of Education--Les Wolf
David Schwartz
Building Committee--Joe Fitzpatrick
*****************************************************************
*The
First Selectman was specifically included as a member in his ex-officio
capacity to all agencies of the Town, per Weston's Charter, Sec. 4.1
*************************************************************************
MEETINGS TO BE POSTED
IN THE TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE ACCORDING TO FREEDOM
OF INFORMATION COMMISSION (F.O.I.) "SUNSHINE LAWS" OF THE STATE
OF CONNECTICUT
THEIR
MISSION
The mission of the Team shall be to facilitate
and lead the planning process to meet the educational needs of the students
and educators, as identified by the Board of Education, and the social
needs of the Town of Weston consistent with the financial resources of
the town.
The current educational needs as proposed by the
Board of Educationare (including but not limited to):
-
Either a grade 3 to 5 on campus, or a pre-K to 2 off
campus, to be ready for occupancy, at the latest, by September 1, 2003
-
High school expansion
-
Expanded athletic fields
-
Efficient traffic circulation
The Team members should represent a broad spectrum
of Weston, including key Boards and Commissions, and the community at large.
GOAL #1
The initial goal of the Team is to work with all
key parties to develop by February 16th a high level milestone chart for
the alternative solutions proposed, showing the critical path, the long
lead times, the risks and opportunities for accomplishing the September
2003 deadline within responsible financial cost.
The milestone chart can include different categories,
and may break up the project into sub-projects that begin and end at separate
times.