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.