All right. Good evening. I will call to order our school building committee meeting July 8th, 20126. Um we can do introduction of members. I'll start with Jeff. >> Jeff Silverstein, citizen member from uh Blackstone. >> Jackie, secretary.
>> Jill Pilgarani, interim superintendent. >> Kristen Donado, director of finance and operations. >> Carrie Gotet, school committee Blackstone. Chuck Dunton, school committee, Blackstone. >> All right. And then we'll go to Mike. >> Mike Buckley, um, citizen Blackstone, I guess.
>> Tara Larkin, school committee member, Milville. And on line, we have Rachel Anderson, Milville Bisleman. And Jane Reio, Milville, um, school committee member. All right. And then we have our project team, DRRA.
>> Jim Barrett, DRA. I'm Greg Smallley with DRA. Vivian Verbedian with Collier's project leaders. >> Right. Great. Everyone's here and if we could have the screen, thank you everyone.
Okay, the the agenda for tonight, we do have some um designer report updates to provide. DRRA has been working diligently behind the scenes and you'll
see a site and exterior rendering as well as some of the materials that you're already see on this table for exteriors that we'll review. We're planning on presenting something related to community engagement as well as the
in within our report general update financial update and happy to report that the SD schematic design package was submitted on your behalf to MSBA. With that, I'll turn it over very
quickly to DRRA to get us started. >> Sure. So, we've been developing the uh a series of renderings that will become more and more effective as we move through, but with the intent of um honing in a little bit on the design and materials, but more on the overall aesthetic and look of the outside of the
building, so we can start to um inform the public, make them a little bit more flexible for everybody in terms of what we see. So, u behind me is a a board of a size that we're suggesting might work for some of the community outreach stuff. You're welcome to hold on to that one if you want. That's one that we've
shown you electronically in the past. It does not fold up, so it it takes a a fairly goodized car to drive around in. And if you put it outside anywhere, I'd recommend that you tie the easel down before it takes off and lands in Rhode Island somewhere. Um on the screen is
just a further refinement on the site plan that you've seen before. We're starting to populate these things with um with trees and plantings and cars and give a better idea of what it might actually look like from the uh from the sky. And as we move along through these
um you'll see some of them will get to the point where there's not much more you can do with them with with the scale we're at. Um this is one good example of that that's probably getting close to its um its best development that we can do at this point. The um next one is
>> Can we make any comments? >> Oh, anytime you want. Sure. >> Go back on the track. >> A shot put area and discus and javelin. >> So they long jumps.
>> So we've got pits um >> on either on the bottom. >> Yeah, the um there's pits either side of the fence, but yeah, we'll add that in. Sorry, Mark and um Trisha couldn't get on, so I was helping her. >> Thank you. >> There they are.
>> I don't see Mark on just yet. >> And then also, if you could just put it on the plan, some type of uh cross country course. It's a 3K twice around or something.
That one I have to work on how to show that that that we might have to get when we get to a two-dimensional site plan. We show it as a dotted line running through the woods because >> it's there. That's the problem with cross country is
it doesn't have a a really defined start finish. But on a two-dimensional siphon, we could show it. Sure. And I'm sure the cross country runners will be devastated that we're taking out that hill at the south end. I I've walked up that a few times.
>> Leave that agony help. >> No, I hope not. Anyway, >> so >> so next one. >> Yep. I'm sorry. >> Um as I was looking at this plan, um that slide in particular, uh the main
parkering area is very far away from the main athletic fields. >> Mhm. Um, is that I don't know if anybody else is concerned about that, but in a big athletic event, people are going to have to walk quite a distance to get to the field. >> Yeah, we we have been working. We've
increased the parking, the arc of parking to the left of the building, north of the building, has increased from I want say 18 cars to close to 40. And then we've been working with widening out the entry drive along the
left field line or the baseball field to get either parallel or nose in 90° or angled parking up along that side. And then the when you further up, we start to deal with grade between the baseball field and the football field. So we
we're talking about how far north can we push that field building and get some parking tucked into there. So that I I think it's it's something that Jill and Jill have brought up a number of times and the has brought up and something
that we will continue to play with to see what we can get for parking. What we'd really like to do is be able to push parking up that way and reduce it at the south end which is near the the wetlands areas >> because we're not going to park that many cars to the south side. You just
don't have that many people who drive. And if we fill the upper parking lot with 45 or 50 cars, the lower not lot really only needs about 120 lot 120 spaces or so because you average about 175 200 cars um just by empirical counting. And so if we can reduce the
size of the lot that's to the right of this drawing, it makes life easier with conservation. So yeah, that's I would say it looks it looks pretty set, but it's still very flexible in terms of how the parking lays out. >> I think regardless of how big it is, people are going to park on the >> they'll park on the grass.
>> Park Yeah, they're just going to park there. So >> and Greg, also if you I know it's not on that photo, I think it was on the first one. the current um additional spaces we have at the top of the track like toward the is still going to be there. >> Yeah, it's on it's on the overall it's
just off to the upper left of this image. >> So that is and this is still showing uh we haven't refined the outdoor dining space. It's still trying to make a getaway to the west and jump into the brook. And we know that that's a um that's a period of point of concern. We want to pull that around towards the the
main entryway a little bit as we go. >> Um >> just say um how I didn't hear you said that. How big is the uh the back lot that that large lot there behind? >> I want to say it's hit or miss 2. >> Okay. >> 30 somewhere in there.
>> So I think right now we're just working on replicating how many parking spaces you have >> even though they don't get all used >> except graduation day. >> Yeah. Yeah. And and also because if we hit that number, the building's almost the same size as the existing building.
We make the case to zoning that you're building you're not increasing use. And so um it's I mean you try to minimize the amount of parking you you build. It's because of the cost and the the water runoff and whatnot. But right now this is replicating what's out there on
the site. So this we had shown once before. This is the main drive in um looking at the gymnasium. So you you're coming down. Fox Brook is to your right on this. And this was a first run through using some
of the uh the metal type panels like these guys and a particular size and layout of those. And then we as we refine the design, the the retaining wall, the white wall that runs alongside the gym is actually to um reduce cost
that is sloped down with the grade. So we're not building a wall that just sticks up into midair. And when we do that, we wanted to look at a slightly different look for the this side of the building, which I think is the next slide. >> So this is um this is a different
approach to that using slightly bigger panels. and we started to talk about potentially the idea of um the pre-cast concrete on that side, a bit more durable. Um that's a side of the building that may end up with the the uh lacrosse playing delinquents using it
for a uh a rebound wall or stuff like that. And so the more durable we can make that wall, the better off we are. Um so that's an approach. We've got the the material. If we go to um pre-cast concrete, we can we get quite a bit of control over color and texture and
whatnot and and it works well. Um always the way to frustrate people with those things is to put some texture on the wall so the wall doesn't come straight back and after a while it's no fun anymore. So um next we go down and around I think. Yeah. So this is our our outdoor
learning area between the two pieces of the building. This was um an original take on it with all of the same color, this darker brick off to the uh the left with the stair tower where the BMRHS is. And our next one, I believe, if I get
this right, is looking at using these guys, the um concrete piece on there to lighten up that area of the stair tower. And we also did it down lower on the right along the bottom of the wall, which is where the athletic um
>> the gym lockers and the athletic team lockers can exit down through that side. So that that's another >> I'm at the eye doctor's appointment. >> A option A cuz you notice >> and notice other things. So that's why I've
been kind of not to distract you, but I've been going back and forth so people can notice what the difference. >> Wow. >> Actually, looks totally different. >> Totally different. Looks totally different. >> Mhm. And Greg, also, I know it might not show, but we talked about the fact that
there's not like a quick easy access for a car any like there would be some type of >> Yeah. And on all of these drawings, you're actually standing behind what would be the barricade at the top of that. um with the thinking needs to be determined whether that goes
on the inside edge of the sidewalk or the outside edge of the sidewalk. If you're plowing the sidewalk, you want the wall on the inside. If you're trying to incorporate that walkway into this outdoor learning area, you want the the wall on the outside edge of it. >> Is there any feeling either way on
these? Is this where the light >> you go back >> block too much? It isn't like serious. But it is the mind. It messes with your mind to see the white when you go to the lighter one. It looks like
>> the shading is different. Just looks like a different shadow is a bit different. Yeah. >> Like you notice the windows on the left for me on the right. You notice the windows and you notice the um balcony on the left. At least that was something
that I noticed. BMR logo is >> I need a different color. So, >> and it's not a final decision. You can just say we like something in between the two or we don't like this one or whatever it is. >> This with a little >> Yeah.
>> So, are they both gray? >> Yes. That's facing what direction? >> They look very from the north. >> They're both in the >> tone something brighter. One is definitely a lot cooler of a gray
and the other one is a lot more of a brown undertone taupe gray >> gray. It's evening. >> You can't make up words. >> I'm not. That is a color. This is such a great space. >> Greg, I noticed the walkway has stairs
in it. So, how do you make that ABA compliant? >> Right now, I don't know. >> Pull down the window. >> It's a good question. We've talked about if it even is a walkway,
so we have to work on that one further. >> I'm going to go back to the gymnasium as well because that had a differing approach as well. So seeing it with one color material
>> versus the other. >> I like the idea of that's more durable. >> Yeah, this one. >> That's it. >> Yeah. So that that's showing a a module that that would work in pre-cast colors to be determined.
>> But the yeah the pre-cast on that pre-cast really lends itself to that and even to a certain degree the auditorium. That auditorium wall may get to be a bit overwhelming with all pre-cast. >> But maybe the auditorium wall is where we put the
>> Why does it look like there's windows in some and then there's not in the other? Or is that just textured on the wall? Probably just texture on the walls. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Window window configuration the same. >> I like the other one for this, >> but you said
>> pick the color maybe a shade different or something. But the solid. >> So, we're leaning more towards this. >> Yeah. The pre-cast. >> Okay. I think if we took that one pre-cast and put some kind of pattern in it to keep
it from being a wall bouncing. >> Yeah. >> Um that would get us there and then we could do the a look at the auditorium in brick or masonry. >> Can we get one wall where we can bounce balls? >> Yeah. I mean you just got to figure out which wall it is because at the auditorium you have a loading dog
>> for the sports. They're like using the implements that wouldn't damage the building but could be used. They they make um just a fog. >> Yeah, we'd have to think of which wall you could actually do that with because all the walls along the gymnasium have
the loading dock along it and exit routes along it because the slope is coming down and the buildings are actually lower than the grade. Yeah. So that that'd be a real um a bit of a reach. >> How about the far left of this angle? Is there those are classrooms? Those are classrooms. Yeah.
>> So there'll be windows facing the brook. That's all. >> Yeah. Yeah. That that's where you would have to do it. And >> that's the hill >> which wouldn't be so bad because that only 10 or maybe 20 feet. >> You know, a great distance from the wall.
>> Yeah. It it'd be interesting to look at how the building fits in relative to the site. >> And if you move the move the retaining wall west towards the brook, you might be able to build the retaining wall as the wall to bounce on instead of the building. >> Yeah. >> Because you're going to build the retaining wall either way. The access
though is to the sports field is from this >> vantage point. It's not from the other side. So if you're going to use that, you're going to have to come all the way out around >> to the left over right. You're not getting there's not access from the brook side.
>> So I mean I understand somebody wanting to do that, but >> chances are they would use it against that wall right there against that wall. So maybe that >> Yeah, that would be the wall that I wouldn't do it to. I know cuz you got windows above you. >> So we have that.
>> You could also prohibit >> throw their walls against the wall. >> Oh yeah, those those signs are so effective, >> right? Like no walking your dog. >> Yeah. >> On campus. >> Any feedback on
option A or option B? >> Think it sounded like B. >> I like the lighter. >> I don't know. It probably be more inclusive if we could figure out what the logo looks like in the option B. >> We can certainly change that color just
to see if we can that's the nice part about the dock when that's the kind of bleeds out. Nice. >> I think what might be interesting take this one tone in between the two >> and not go quite as far away. >> I don't want to go too like modern
looking like >> yes darker tone. Can we tone that down and then get >> very industrial and it's not >> that might work >> sorry Jane can you please repeat that and speak up a little we couldn't hear you
>> well I'm not sure anybody wants to hear me for this comment but it's very industrial looking to me it's very like a like a factory gray white it's just not pleasing to the outdoor space is
pleasing but the building could be a factory or a business office anywhere. >> We may address that in the next couple of images, Jane, as we go through. Well, you'll see some stuff that's being developed that can apply around the building. It might
change your mind a little bit. >> I agree with a little bit because we I feel like we are getting a little too modern. So, I think we we're going to have to work on >> everything's okay. What? And that was something be like the curves of the curve. There's some curves.
>> So, this is from down in that outdoor area in the courtyard between the two buildings. >> That's awesome. >> With um the tech career tech wing to the left, library and classrooms to the right. So, just trying to get an idea of
how that area might be might be handled in terms of uh material to make it more of a um a usable outdoor learning area. That's neat. >> Yep. >> And next one. So, here's this is the
wall of the career tech wing. This is where we started to play with some of the materials. So, the the lower piece is this um these guys and the upper ones are are the metal. And just looking at some patterns that you can do with the
metal with the study A is um the left hand one is working with trapezoid and some bends in the metal and trying to get a little feeling of wrapping the window. And B is taking what can be it doesn't need to be shades of gray. Those
can be different colors. They can be whatever you might want. And these can also pop in and out. They don't have to be all in one plane. So you can get some shadow lines working in those as well. So if you look past the color, pretend the world is truly black and white. Is
there a patterning that's starting to work better for you? >> I like the left. >> Mhm. >> The right to me is a little more busy. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Little mosaic. >> That's a little
>> too busy. It's hard to think about this building in 2055. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Which is really what we have to do. That's just, >> you know, but >> No, that's good. We can we'll keep
working along on the uh the left side. Refine that. Make sure it's >> achievable with the materials. Okay. >> And then >> I think personally I really like the right side. I think if you did it in shades of purple
>> Mhm. >> I think that might be interesting to add a pop of color, but >> no, it's it's not the intention to throw out either one of these, but to take it where people want to go. So, >> but I like where you're going there,
Rachel. If we add some color to it and send it around to everybody, >> you might see it might take it a little bit differently. Um, Greg, are the stairs or steps of the outdoor learning center, are they accessible from like the other side?
We're not see How does somebody in a wheelchair access that space? >> Right now, >> there's a ramp to the left. >> Yeah, there's a a ramp that comes down to it that needs to be fully worked out. >> Okay. But I mean even the ramp comes
down to the lower part, but can they go up those can they on the right hand side? Is there is it open to >> Yeah. Ultimately be able to get to every level of it via a uh >> Yeah. >> via a ramp. >> Ramp. Yeah. >> Well, that's where the athletes would be
going up that anyway. You don't want them going up the stairs, >> right? They do. >> No, they would >> in their cle they cleat and >> Well, you do this one of two ways. You either no one gets out from there except going back through the building or everyone does. >> Yeah. >> And so we'll we'll work that through.
It's actually not that big of of a drop to to contend with >> depending on the finished floor of the building. >> So we have a couple of layouts that actually get a ramp that go. >> So it's not like like we go to the track now. >> No. >> And I hold my breath if it's raining,
let alone if I was in. >> Okay. And um so this is where we started to work with articulating the brick a little bit. So this is at the front entrance. So this is the same type of wall that you're seeing from the other side where the stair entrance is. And
what we've done here is we've pushed the brick around the windows back in about a half of a brick width. So you see it frames up. It comes down. We've lifted up the water table, the white brick at the bottom. We've lifted that up above the bottom sill of the window. And then we've articulated a little bit of
corbling in the brick in between the windows. And that's a combination of brick colors so that they stick out a little bit and you start to get some shadow working across there. So this detail can apply anywhere around the building to make it look less
industrial. And it's really down to how you finally detail it and what the corbling is and what the colors are. Because the first couple of times you do this, it looks like the old Pac-Man or Tetris game. and then eventually you get it to work, but it's just a matter of getting started really.
>> Okay. >> And then the uh railing at the top, that's one of the um one of the green roof accessible roof areas. And we have to make sure we program how those might be wor how they might be used or worked into your program. That one's accessible
from the um the third floor classrooms, the seventh grade wing. And it's it's fairly big. It's it's covers four classrooms, I think. And then there's one that's available from the teacher break room. And then there's one that's available from the um uh chorus
or art art room on the upper floor over the entryway. So, we'll we'll work through how each one of those might be uh might be accessed. >> And I'm assuming there's some kind of a code right there, a certain height. >> Yeah. No. >> Yeah. That railing right there isn't is barely code compliant because it has horizontal banding in it.
>> Okay. So, we've already talked about that in sight. That's just pick a railing from AutoCAD and put it in. >> Is this roof going to have solar uh room for solar panels? >> The main building would have plenty. This is actually facing west, so we got a little bit less, but the main the main
roof is designed structurally to carry solar. Um it's not the panel themsel is not in it. The uh conduit is in the building. >> Yeah. The building's going to be all electric. Yeah.
>> So, kind of like solar ready >> classic. >> What else we had there? >> That's it. The next slide is goes to community engagement. >> So, I could back up. And if you guys wanted to see options A, B, of any one
of them, happy to. >> Anyone have No discussion on the look. >> Again, this isn't the final. >> Yeah, this isn't the final version, but
if you have any suggestions, direction, thought that can help the DRRA team. >> I have trouble visualizing that that last slide with the one on the right. I can't >> kind of nice to see like kind of in a
model that where you know what else is adjustment you know next to it and so >> because I like what Rachel said about putting some of the purples here. So I guess yeah we just need some some more visuals to >> yeah it's a purple >> it's a matter of getting it getting some
direction and starting to refine it. >> I think we're I think it's it's starting to work a bit better than earlier. It's um >> is is there um is there any problem or any issue with that material fading over time? >> No, it's pretty UV stable.
>> Okay. >> Yeah, it'll be out there for be out there for longer than we will be. That's for sure. >> Well, you speak for yourself. >> Not looking at colors, but my concern would be snow removal down there. Are the doors going to be flush with the
ground or are they going to be elevated? probably flush. >> Yeah, they need they need to be flush for ADA access. So, there's a >> there's always that issue. >> They can't be ramped. >> Well, that down in that area there, we
end up with ramps crossing ramps. >> That's a problem with the snow. >> Unless we just slope all in and you make a small skateboard park out of it. >> Close it >> or freeze it, turn it into a skating rink. Don't let Rhode Island design the
bridges. That's all. Sure. That >> you do. >> Can we warm that area up for snow melt with a geothermal? >> Just a snow just a slight snow melt with a little drainage.
>> It's interesting. >> I like that idea. >> Your ground source water is coming through at nominally 52 degrees. >> That would melt it. >> That would melt it. You can even incorporate that more than that area. >> Help Scott out
>> or just a just a zone so that if it does snow you can open that zone >> and we're not going to have kids out there. >> Yeah. >> Something think about out there >> now you Greg thinking Chuck I'm writing it down. >> That is interesting.
>> It's that's done for driveways. So >> under >> do the whole parking lot. You don't need the garage for the the truck that they >> There you go. >> The new plow we just bought. >> The new plow you just bought, right? You don't need it.
>> Yep. >> Love it. So, that that's what we have so far. Um, design direction wise, we can uh continue with some based on the comments that we got here. Try to introduce some color, a little bit more of the corbing
in the brick. And um hopefully by the time we get together next we'll be able to pick some that we can put into images and get on boards and onto a flyer because next month we want to we'll go back over some exterior development and then we'll look at interior development
and then we should be able to um to pick some to put on boards and put on uh slides and flyers. And we are um segueing right into the public outreach piece. We do need to figure out what boards we're going to do for the July meeting. So, this was one as as an
example. We have another one that we're talking about doing at about this same size. That would be the cost comparison between staying with what you own and getting it up to speed over time. Um, simply rebuilding what you have, which is the original option one of the
original submitt, and then the direction that you're going. So, we've been kicking around how much information is too much on that slide cuz it's too easy to get too much information there. And as soon as we get that working to some
level where we're comfortable, I'll share it around to to Jill and and um and Terara so that we can get some input on it and obviously with Vivian and Mark. But that's um between that board or something very similar to it, the
board that does the comparative costs and then two other boards probably on a smaller scale would give you enough to do a booth with enough intrinsic interest to take more than more than a single day of a of an event. And you
just have to be really careful how they get mounted. If it gets windy, they will fly and they'll take easels and small kids and dogs with them. So >> get some weights. >> Yeah. >> Great. >> That ways. Oh, you going to say so that that code on there will bring you to the
district. Is there >> right now? That takes you to your website. This the building committee website. Yeah. >> And the intention ultimately um is to be able to read a QR code for a particular part of the building and go to that
point of interest. So, if you read a QR code on the gym, it would take you to athletics. >> If you read on the fields, it would take you to athletics. If you um read it on the area where the delinquents are, it takes you to Joel's office. So, it's just one of those things that as you go around, you can get a tour of the
building depend on your >> on your point of interest. >> And so, we're um >> we're working on developing those as interconnected pieces. and then we'd have to >> work on getting them posted up to the website >> so that they um they would work. It's
it's probably easier on our part than yours to link them all together with QR codes, but we have to get images that everyone's comfortable with and then find out what has to go in there and then probably get some brief text that would explain the advantages or the excitement for that area. staying back
from advocating of course, but talking about what would be there that isn't there now is the easiest way to look at it. >> That's a great segue into community engagement group update.
the group has been meeting regularly and as part of the efforts we do it always is the Blackstone and Lightener article May update in June issue. We've also been doing a lot of
outreach on social media Facebook page has been updated. Thank you Tara. Weekly superintendence newsletter. Thank you, Jill, for all of your efforts there and the project information flyers at local events. And as Greg mentioned, we're
gearing up for the end of July um carnival kind of celebration as part of the outreach group, the Pony Express. None of these have really changed as far as our level of effort.
Though one things that we do want to highlight is the upcoming events as mentioned the end of July the 23rd through the 26th the 250th celebration summer festival. So a lot of effort is being put on that and attendance from
and support from this committee is very very crucial for the success of this festival. So, I know Tara had mentioned you had sent a sign up. Jamie, >> I'll send that. Chuck, thank you. And Jen have both signed up so far. So, if more could please find a time slot or
two that you could um help out. It'd be great >> because it's a long event. There's four days of >> I made them two hour blocks, but we obviously we can work as long as people if you can be there, we'll work with whatever you can be there. Your project team will be there to help support, but
committee members joining advocate. >> Not necessarily advocating that you should vote yes, but advocating why this project is a good option and why this was selected would be highly beneficial in getting the community engagement and
excitement around the project. >> Great. One of the things that will help with that is when we get the four boards determined as quickly as we can to get them out to whoever may be going, right? >> So that everyone has the same understanding and a chance to get to learn what's on those boards,
>> right? >> Will the district go through its committee uh in the fall? Will they hold any type of like say for the lack of a better term public hearing for both towns? >> Sit down meeting and say this is what this is all about. So that brings us to
the next topic. On Monday, you primed it. >> You read his agenda. >> So on Monday night, the school committee voted to bring the project to a ballot vote just districtwide. So there isn't going to be town meetings. We're going to run it as a district of one ballot
vote on the project. But what we want to do or need to do once we get the MSBA at the end of August, August 26th is when they bring it to the board to approve our project. Hopefully, if they do in September, we will have like community presentations. So, they won't be town meetings, but we definitely need to have
that big presentation um to get the information out, which would be the final project. We'll have the cost, I mean, sorry, project cost. We'll have the reimbursement rates at that point. So, we will know the numbers. We're working on the website to have like a tax calculator so people can put their
property value in and you'll see the impact is the plan for that that site to um give those details so when people go to this vote >> um they will have the information. >> So how did you get around not having to have a town meeting? How how can you how
is that? So it we voted to adopt mass general law chapter 71 16N districtwide election as the meth method for author authorizing any borrowing associated with the approval um with the approved BMR um middle high school pursuant to
section section seven of the regional agreement. >> Okay. >> So if you couldn't tell that was more of legal ease. >> I just wanted that to be in our minutes. There were options, but >> I was always I was always concerned that, you know, you'd have a one would say yes and the other say no, but you
know, the the dichotomy and the size of the community certainly weighs into that, you know, quite a bit. And we did those early on conversations very early on in the project and engaged, thank you to Jill and Tara for engaging the town attorney or the district attorney, I
guess, district attorney and their interpretation of the bylaws as well as their um information to provide to school committee on the options to review and then set in motion a vote. V.
>> So we did um we do have so the school committee did have the option to let it be at town meetings as well. So there were two options and the school committee >> voted for the um ballot the districtwide election. >> Good. Thank you. >> And we've gone to both towns too, but I
know also the plan is to have a joint meeting >> with the town like we do with you know the budget just to get everyone on the same page, have those conversations. Um so that's in the works as well. Right. In the past, as part of our um efforts between DRA, the district, and
ourselves, we did go to both Blackstone Select Board as well as Millville select board and to both senior centers. The plan is once we do have the numbers finalized to also go to the finance committee and then return in front of
both the uh select boards as well. >> So, September will be very busy. >> Yes. with the goal I believe is for an October um vote >> for this we cannot be part of the November 3rd that's fine >> because of the hours this project is
limited it at >> no less than four hours but no more than 8 the town 8 hour 12 hour so >> you can't have the 13 hours or 12 hours >> the committee also voted though that a representative from Blackstone from the school committee and Melville so Dan and
Tara will be reaching out to both towns to get some details regarding the voting, the ballots, the timelines, the dates. So, that was also voted on. >> This is exciting. >> We will we will be requesting a joint.
>> Sorry, Jar. We couldn't hear you. So we are requesting a joint meeting with the boards of selectmen the finance committees um as we have done whenever we have budget season. So we'll be requesting that. So that'll be another
opportunity to get between everybody at the same time. So um questions hopefully will be answered and everybody will hear the same thing from a government standpoint. >> Yes. Correct. Thank you.
>> The option that put it to the two towns too, the we went 16N 16D was the other option also involved a 60-day, right? A 60-day waiting period. >> So that would have >> pushed our vote way out if we went with that off MSBA's timeline.
>> Right. >> And early on, we had reviewed all of these options with the district. if it was one B, one town, two towns combined and what it would do to the schedule as well as if needed to go back to MSBA,
notify them that we would be out of the 270day time period. >> So you still you'll still have to get approval, I'm sure, as well before the election. I think it must be one of the gates, too.
So it's not though we will present it to FCOM but um >> there's no approval. >> There's no approval necessary. >> When you when you tell the town you're going to have that debt does the towns have the right to >> so that's another ballot if I understand it correctly.
>> Yeah Dan explained it that you need fin approval recommendation. You need a fincom recommendation on warrant articles. >> Right. >> But because this isn't a warrant article it's a ballot. You don't have to have >> recommendation
meet with them, >> right? We would still present to them. They understand and can share the same. >> How is does the reimbursement happen? >> That is more a question for the MSBA. So we have submitted the total project budget on your behalf that we reviewed
last month and that is currently uh along with the design documents under review. Once they have outlined and identified all the areas within the space summary the and um the document and the cost associated with it, they'll
determine which amount of spaces are above and beyond the the limits for each. For example, site has a limit cap of 10%. So if the rest is above as well as the reimbursement rate is more
calculated based on your enrollment your um demographic and financial demographic as well. That is something they determine. >> We have an understanding but they give the borrow the whole 197 million or we
borrowing. >> No you no you borrow you obligate yourself to approve the entire amount. You borrow the difference between the grant. The grant is >> is real time it release it.
>> Yes. So as you go progress >> you submit based on progress >> and the difference with the regional is the district is holding the debt. That's why the fincomes don't need to support it. So that the district is holding the debt selling the bond. Mhm. >> The grant is coming to the district to
ease some of the cost and the taxpayers are eating the rest of the cost through their payments, but all the finance stays with the district. And since it's monthly, it's one of the few states anywhere in the country that will
process payments as you put them in as they go along. So, they're even doing it now as we do this piece, >> right? We we sign off on our stuff. Vivian signs off on their stuff. Kristen submits it in and off it goes. And same thing happens during construction.
>> We submit a monthly report to MSBA currently. And we would continue to do so that outlines not only the progress but also the financials, the invoice, all of it. And based off of that, they have already obligated and committed to a percentage of reimbursement that they
reimburse based off of that. And you you may recall we've said in the past it's it's an actual contract. It's not like a lot of the New England states can walk >> right >> in their in their grant language. It says if they have funding Mass is one of the few that says when we fund this we
fund it. It's for real. And that that's a big point for everyone to understand as you start to look at spending this kind of money that they are stepping in and saying that their money is there. >> T you mentioned uh something about a second vote now. So if is that depending
on how the towns decide to fund this, do they have to go back to say a two and a half override or >> it's not a two and a half override. Um but it is the debt exclusion is the second vote. >> Okay. So each town will have to go to a second vote. >> Okay. If they depend >> second ballot which
>> if they depend if they decide on not using they can't handle it under the the levy. >> So they're going to it's a debt exclusion just over the levy. Okay. Y >> so that's two bites of the apple >> and do it can be on the same day as the other ballot question both ballot
questions can happen on the same day if the town so chooses but we set up one and the town would set up the other >> interesting >> so can can the total amount um that's presented to the taxpayers you mentioned it's basically going to be the
difference between um between the total and the um >> reimburseed >> the reimbursement. Can the towns kick in um money up front from their own resources to reduce that amount that you're ultimately asking the taxpayers
to fund? they can and we have initiated early on conversations in that nature and uh we didn't get a definitive response from either town if they had any access >> if Blackstone come came up with a piece
piece of change we'll say will move have to match that as far as percentage wise >> no because your student population is not matched either >> no I know but the the way the way that but the way it's the reimbursement is that the expenses here are based on per
capita. So it's if there's 300 Milville kids, so typically, you know, Milville's is about 20% a little bit more and Blackstone is the balance. So that's what I'm saying. If you if you have an extra million dollars, Blackstone does Milville have to come up with
>> because you don't tax it. >> No, that would just go towards Blackstone's portion, whatever percentage it ends up being. Well, okay. >> I think I could see the problems with that down the road. That's my only concern. >> No, because it comes off the project.
So, it's not >> because you have that number like each town was going to have their total. >> Yeah. But, uh, having lived through this, >> we're paying for Milville all the time, >> you know, I've heard it many times before. So, so just so you just so
you're aware that, you know, there are other things outside this uh little >> uh golden golden spot we're sitting in, you know, that uh not necessarily as uh you know, pro education. Unfortunately, >> we do we use the numbers that we have to
make that >> and we did ask the MSBA in in regards to that. We did ask inquired with the MSBA, we have not received a response yet, whether they could use they would be using the October that we already had or
the upcoming October numbers. >> I suspect a ton usually 756 for Blackstone, but it would be nice. It could make a difference. >> Pretty close, right? >> Yeah. This last budget, I think it was about 76 point something for Blackstone. >> Yeah, it's about typical. Yeah, >> I would suspect that it would be based
off of the previous October since we're in the project phase, but we want confirmation from them. >> So, just make sure those bus loads of people aren't moving in that we're concerned about. So, >> yeah, we'll hand you October because Yeah, that's correct.
>> Yep. So, um, we'll have a little bit more update in a moment, but before we do, we do have meeting minutes that need to be approved. And for June 17th, which was
voted to approve the schematic design package submission to the MSBA and this is a crucial one for you guys to approve so that we can have a official document to send to MSBA that it has been approved. >> Screen. Are you on the next slide? Is
the screen? >> Nope. I'm >> like, where are you going? Awesome. >> All right. Looking for a motion to approve the June. So move, Madam Chairman. Is there a second? Secondary, >> Mike. Second by Carrie. Thank you. All
right. And we'll do a roll call. Um, any discussion on the minutes? >> All right. Hearing none, we'll go to roll call. Um, Tara, yes. Jill, >> yes. >> Um, I'm out of order. Jeff, I'm sorry. >> Yes. >> Carrie, >> yes. >> Kristen,
>> yes. >> Chuck, >> yes. >> Mike, >> yes. >> Jill, >> yes. Uh, Rachel, >> yes. >> And Jane, >> I need to abstain. I was not there. >> Okay. Did I get everyone? >> I'm a yes.
>> Scott, sorry. We can write you down. >> All right. >> I'm still here. >> All right. All in favor. So, the minutes are approved. >> Perfect. Thank you. And we'll um transfer those meeting minutes to the MSBA so they have official record.
Next is the OPM report. So with that, we updated our slide. I know that we had been showing previously that the fall vote would be towards November, but based on this latest development from the school committee opting to do a
October, not yet finalized on the exact date of the October, but that the fall it would still be a fall vote and it would be on October. So, we've already made the submission to the MSBA. The red bar, the light faint red bar is where we
are now in July. They are currently reviewing the information and we have had several correspondence from them. We've not only had a meeting with the DRRA and the CPL team, we've also had a follow-up meeting to the initial meeting
with the district with um the superintendent as well as the chair of the school building committee. And in addition to that, they h there has been a flurry of emails that we have been responding back and forth with. Thank you to the DRRA team to be very
responsive, very quick with their um answers to many of the MSBA questions. So, until they have done their full review, this is kind of the process and it's not out of the norm at all that we
have. We send questions to them, they send questions to us as they're going through all of the documentation and all the work that we've done thus far. At the end of the process, once they've already reviewed, we will have meetings with them as follow-ups to make sure
that they understand fully what the fees are associated with that they also want to hear from the district. Making sure they understand that the building you're getting, the locations, the sizes, the adjacencies, as well as meetings with
the special education. So those are all normal part of the process leading them to the August 26 board meeting where they feel confident enough to vote and to approve the project. After that we'll be finalizing
the project scope and budget and is known as the um project funding agreement. So based off of the 311, the spreadsheet that we had prepared as the budget, they will take that and translate that into an actual document
and a contract known as the project funding agreement where it will be signed, approved, and to move forward with and the vote will happen soon after. >> You have something up there in blue. It says reimbursement finalized.
>> So which is looks like late September. So for our purposes being able to get out information, we I understand it's being finalized, but we will know those numbers beforehand so we can get out information. >> We will know the numbers based off of the their review
>> from August 26th. After that, they finalize it by putting it into the funding agreement, the project funding agreement. So that's more of the contractual, but by the time the board meeting happens on August 26, you'll already know you are approved for the
project, you will know your reimbursement rate, as well as what the total dollars are for the project, how much of it is in scope, how much of it is out of scope for them, not necessarily out of scope for the project, but for their reimbursement
caps. So well in advance to the October fall vote time frame. August September, early October will be extremely busy, so buckle up.
And um this is more of a review. Nothing has really changed with the exception of the invoices that we will be presenting tonight. We are still on track and on budget. Any questions?
It's pretty standard. You guys have seen this monthtomonth. Nothing really changes except for the invoices on a monthly basis. Where it will start to get fun is once we bring in the contractor and then a lot of the lines you'll see uh develop as well. Tonight
we are looking for approval on two invoices. The first one being for DRA invoice number 15 for their uh services for June. >> Can you change >> invoice please? >> Yes. I have to remember to do this.
Invoice number 15 in the amount of $18,564 and an invoice from CPL for the same month of June for $9,270 total bringing you to $27,834.
Seeking a motion uh to approve these invoices. Anyone like to make that motion? So move. >> Carry. Is there a second? Second. >> Second by Mike. And we will do roll call for approval. Uh Jill, >> yes. >> Jeff, >> yes.
>> Jill, >> yes. >> Kristen, >> yes. >> Carrie, >> yes. >> Chuck, >> yes. >> Mike, >> yes. >> Tara, yes. Uh Rachel, >> yes. >> Jane, >> yes. >> And Scott, >> yes.
>> Motion passes to approve those invoices. Thank you. And um seeing no one in the library for public forum >> are they? They're hiding.
>> I must do some >> You know what? I need to put my glasses on to see. >> So they want to challenge that. >> I need to put my glasses on. Okay. Okay. We have Megan at the table. I don't know if you have any. >> Yeah, we do it virtually. Y >> Yep. So just Megan Lafayette um representing building a better BMR. So
the vote yes campaign. Um, Mary Beth and I both finished our school year, so we're able to hit the ground running. We met this week. Um, so our goal is this summer to get the yes vote out. So basically take all the information that you have, but spin it into why we should
vote yes. Um, so I've been digging into the meeting minutes and capturing different things. Um, our plan is to post on social media every day. Um, and then we want to put a video together this summer and get it out. Um, we're going to do some fundraising and we're
working on building the committee. So, I already put a Google um form out for parents who want to join. Um, we've got a little bit of um interest there. So, but I think it will spread um in the in the spring. We also had meetings with the PTO's. So, Mary Beth went and met
with each PTO. Um, so the groundwork is the foundation is there. Um, we didn't want to go too crazy until we had more information because we didn't want to say vote yes, but we have no details to tell you because we didn't want to frustrate people. >> I said so. >> Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. Um, so we're we're
planning on being very very active um from now until the vote. >> Great. I might have Thank you. >> I might have some students if you need some. Great. >> And I think I have a student. Yeah. Now I have to say this just because it's a public meeting that this committee is
very much um neutral yes on the stance. So we will be more than happy to provide you meeting minutes, presentations, anything that you need as far asformational >> to make sure that the information portrayed is accurate. Correct. But as a
committee as a whole, we will be more of neutral and allow the you and your team to develop your strategy as well as get the message out. >> Okay. I appreciate that. Thank you. >> Sorry. Not I just have to say it out in public. >> I totally appreciate that. And as Mary
Beth and I have been working, we've been we'll have questions about what exactly um you know >> employee like what the rules are around that. So, >> right. Happy to discuss with you if you have any questions. Feel free as always and I could kind of shelter it and
direct it as needed but we would like for this committee to stay as much neutral and informed. >> Absolutely. >> They can express their own personal feelings outside >> but as a committee. >> I understand. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Thank you.
>> Um thank you for all your efforts. Thank you. Oh my gosh. Yes. Thank you. >> And that concludes the topics for tonight. that we do have our next meeting will be August 12th and as uh Greg mentioned
today we uh focused more on the exterior. Next meeting will be looking at interior spaces and in September we will be coming back with a fingers crossed a positive MSBA board approval
so we will be able to have a more in-depth conversation on uh cost >> and budget. >> Excellent. >> Okay. So the next two meetings are important and if we're if you're not able to attend these dates, please let
us know as soon as possible so that if an alternate date is necessary to get a quorum, we can coordinate around that >> with that. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Looking for a motion. >> Yep.
>> See, everybody wants that motion. He's on the train. >> Second by Carrie. Roll call. >> I saw the pictures. >> Mike. >> Yes. >> S. Yes. Rachel. >> Yes. Jane.
>> Yes. >> And Scott? >> Yes. >> All right. Thanks everybody. We're journed.