Call to order our school building committee meeting of June 10th, 20126. Um, introduction of members. Carrie got Blackstone School Committee. Jill Fis, principal at the high school Donado, director of finance and
operations. Jill Philarani, interim superintendent. Jackie Dogo, secretary. >> Scott Hitt, director of facilities. And virtually we have Rachel >> Rachel Anderson middle selectman >> and Sarah
>> Sarah Peters CE and I'm Tara Larkin with the school committee and then we have um CPL >> Markan CPL >> and Vivian Verbedian with Collier's project leaders and DRA. >> I'm Greg Smallley with DRRA. Jim Barrett
DRRA >> and Trisha and push. >> Oh, you're choppy. I got you. All right, we are going to start tonight. Um Tim, can you put the presentation up, please? We changed the
format a little bit for this evening. And wanting to start first with the more important information that way um leave the administrative to the end. With that, we'll turn it over to the DRRA team. They have a um couple of updates
to share. >> A lot of questions. >> So, Greg, take it away. >> Mark, if you advance next slide is um as we move through SD, each one of the efforts is to further refine the concept. When we go from SD to DD, that
will refine even more so. And we have the um Okay. So, what we'll do tonight is to take you through all the pretty pictures and then we'll talk about the um the budget. We have the reconciled budget
and getting ready to pull together the entirety of the SD submittal. Uh next slide is the floor plan. It's um now you get into incremental steps on the floor plan. The building will shrink in some
areas, maybe expand out a little bit in others. Um but it will um be essentially the size that it was as we came through con uh concept design into the schematic phase. It will um it will reduce a
little bit but what you'll start to see are are uh areas of landscape design. You see the um the main entry to the bottom of this drawing was mapped out the last time. And then in uh the upper part just off
center to the right is the outdoor learning area in the classroom in between the two wings there. Um that and working with our landscape architect starts to come together um a bit more. On our next slide, we're looking at the
second and third floors and in jump. >> No, you didn't. >> Yeah, I skipped one. I went back. Sorry about that. >> Oh, we're good. Okay. Yeah. No, it was when I looked up. So, when I looked away, it jumped. Keep one eye on there.
Um, so in this area, we're um we're we're continuing to refine and starting to look at some of the code related issues, egress issues, and then how might some of these areas be uh developed during the design development phase to start to create the interior
environments that we want for each one of the areas. Um, you'll also, if you're really sharpeyed, we'll start to see doors appear and um, mechanical chases and those type of things as as our consultants start to weigh in on, hey, it'd be really nice if I could get air
conditioning to the third floor type of things as engineers are so demanding. Um, next one is uh, the rendered site plan as it was um, when last we met. This has now been
colored in. Um, everything is working size-wise, orientationwise. It has not been floated past the regulatory people in town yet. Um, although we did get a compliment from a former conservation commission person at
the senior lunchon the other day when she said she was very happy to see that we knew there were wetlands there. So, that was good. I took an A for that one. Um, and this is showing baseball and and softball moved up top as we talked about with a rectangular field overlaid over
the um the baseball field. You also might see the um the drop off and turnound loop on the east side of the building to the left of the building um was stretched out in response to some concern that there wasn't quite enough area there. and are I think that's
getting us to the point where we probably can accommodate the um the parent drop off pickup um sequence as well as um student parking and the um overflow teacher parking up top. The area that will continue to develop as we
get into DD is the parking near the ball fields. We know that's still light and so as we organize that and move the design along, I'm expecting we'll see some improvement in those areas. But what we're after now is to kind of set
this in um in some loose clay for a little while so we can do the SD package and get that submitted with a budget that goes with it and anticipate some changes. >> Um our next slide is >> Can I ask two questions? >> Sure. >> Ask two questions. >> Oh yeah. >> Um >> can you go back one more?
>> The gr the gray path between the fields and the tennis court that is a walking path. Correct. Right now, it's shown wide enough to take an emergency vehicle down it. >> Perfect. That was what I was That was the question. But it's not going to have public access. No. >> Perfect. And >> where's the rock?
>> Where's the rock under the parking lot? >> It is under under the parking lot. >> Well, what's left of it after it's blown up? Yeah. >> We could sell it as parts and pieces. >> Just give me a >> We're going to use it as ballards out front if we when we get into doing
grading. Berlin wall chain. >> Go on. Go on. >> No, no. The band practice area some of that out on the park. >> We We also need to look at how that area might grade out because >> Yeah, you might get rid of some trees or we have some room for the band in that
far corner. Yeah. >> That's okay. >> So, we we've got some room to go. Um our next one is um for the uh the technogeeeks amongst us. These are just long sections through the site. So if
you look at the site drawing at the top, you see the A and the B and the C uh tabs. And this these are required by MSBA and also required by our estimators. So they can start to get an idea of how much material may come out or go in at any particular place in the
um in the site. So this is and I should have prefaced this by saying that all these illustrations we're showing you tonight are generated for the SD submitt. And so it it's um it may look like we jumped ahead of you a bit, but that's what the uh the state's requiring
for their uh their submitt. So if you were flying above the site, Mark, if you go to the next one, um this would be the the view from out over Lincoln Street looking back at the building and start to get an idea of how it fits in amongst its neighbors. and
just we'll kind of just move south and take the building and pick it up, move it down there and you start to get a feel for the uh the site. And our next one is around looking back from the parking lot over towards the front entrance to the building. And you see on the um just
to the right the right of center the green roof. That's where the there's a two-story section of the building and a three-story section behind it. We're showing that as a a green roof. It can actually it has access from the classroom area from that wing and can be an outdoor learning area on the second
floor of the building. Um, great place for science experiments. Don't ask me why. I know. Um, so our next rendering, next slide is a little bit closer on the entryway. And you see we're starting to look at um
safety for uh front doors, how we can deflect a vehicle that might want to get to the front door. Um, we have not migrated the outdoor dining area around the corner to be more in that courtyard. It's a comment we've heard and have made note of. Um, right now we're still
straggling a little bit too close to Ford Brook, but the uh, as this develops that will move around and come over to uh, the front of the building. Um, next slide is looking down into the outdoor classroom area. And for this view, you
are standing more or less behind the screen wall that would run between the um the two parts of the building and looking down in towards what is the um um the gymnasium and um tech wing is to
the right and the two upper two floors of the classroom wings are off to the left and down near the outdoor learning area on the left is the library. So, it gives us a bit of feel for how that um how that grade starts to work and what the building may feel like as
we um as we come down there. And for those who went through this review with us earlier, you know that the grades do not match the building because there is an emergency egress out from where it says BMRHS. And right now, it looks like you have to hop a fence and jump down
six feet. That's really at grade. Um just as you model these things, sometimes the earth doesn't do what we tell it to do. And this is one of those instances. >> So what is that wing, Greg with a BMR? >> That is classrooms >> and no windows. That's actually a stair
tower at that end. So typically it would only have windows but it doesn't reflect back. >> Now this that's near where the no culinary is going to be on the first floor. >> Yeah, culinary >> not on the second should be on the second floor because you can use that. And below this where it says BM RHS
below that is mechanical room >> and the um studio. >> Great. >> So our next slide is um this is as you were coming down the main entry road. This is the gymnasium off to the left.
Some of the original thinking was that we would be looking right at the edge of the gym. Um, the gymnasium, as you recall from the site plan, is actually about 3540 ft from the roadway. And this is pairing that that wall down, opening it up a little bit and trying to get uh
advantage of the north, which is the left side of the building, and the northwest, which is the side looking towards us, and opening up getting some glass in there. And then we once we get into design development, we'll do a daylight study of that area and the
floor. Um, taking into mind the comment from the volleyball coach at Middleboro that volleyball it plays much differently than basketball does with a white ball and much different lighting. And we want to make sure that whatever we put in that corner to open it up doesn't impact how volleyball may be
played. Uh, next we go inside. And uh this is a gymnasium with the um I would say that we were looking towards the northwest corner, but the sun's coming from the north, which essentially means the Earth
has ended. Um bummer. Okay. Um Ryan's not on the call, but we'll talk to him when we get back because the sun's in the wrong location here. >> Not good with directions here. >> Yeah, but it's a nice looking jet. Okay, good. If we can settle for that, it'll be fine. >> I have no idea why the light's coming
from the north. >> We don't happen to know. And this is I know I'm nitpicking. I'm just asking a question and I could pick on William, I guess. Um, do you know how many levels or how many rows of bleachers we'll have if we can just ask ask him back? >> We won't ask, but I think we were
matching at least what you have now. >> Okay. I just I'm just trying to think of like, you know, we have a short end and we have a long end. >> Four what? >> Four or five rows. Four or five rows. Um, and then they're on uh they're they
hold 600 in the in the gym. >> Okay. >> Is that more or less than you have now? Do you know? >> Um, that we have a I think we have seating for 800. >> 800. Okay. >> Because when we like So, for instance,
Monday when I scheduled awards night and we have kindergarten graduation, we're moving to the gym. um you know just >> so you're se you're seating on both sides of the main court and you're seating 800. Okay, we'll see what we can do. >> But anyway, I just I just you know I
don't know what that I'm just curious if we're going to have a full because we can't use the auditorium necessarily for a full >> 7 through 12 event. I'm just thinking if we want to house that we we we would be max we would be squished in in in that gym seating. We would just need to
figure out >> it would just I would imagine if you can fit 600 800 where you're seating in now and we're going up with 3,000 square feet in the gym. We should be able to >> That's what I'm thinking. That's why I was asking when I was only seeing four rows. I know. >> Yeah. We have room to put more in. >> Groovy. That's all.
>> Yeah. >> I mean, it's bad enough if you're only counting four rows and we have the sun coming from the north. We need to get our priorities. >> They're not They're going to want to leave Oxbridge with >> water. So, >> cancer. Uh, next slide is um the this is
the main circulation desk at the um at the library and this to your left is the outdoor classroom and then the study room behind the circulation desk and this goes around the corner a little bit of an L. And to the right of the drawing
is the um crossing walkway from the main entry door out to the outdoor learning area. And we're anticipating here that the the wall to the right would be a folding wall that would disappear either vertically or horizontally. And that would open up the library out to a
reception area in the main hallway. And then if we take that thought across the hallway to the coral room and make that a movable wall, you could have the coral room, the main hallway, and the library as a re reception or event space. >> Will the gym going back to the gym, will
that have a some kind of a divider or Yeah. Right now I think it's only one. Trisha, do we show one or two? >> Two divider curtains. >> Two dividers. >> What kind? >> Typically they're curtains. Drop down curtains. >> Yeah, I think curtains. >> That was what the staff asked for. Oh,
was it? >> Yeah. >> It's not original. >> Yes. >> Yeah. The folding walls are not nearly as popular anymore. They're a little bit too >> especially in a gym space. >> Yeah. >> The one that was in there in there before. >> It's loud. It's fine. We do it now. We
cut it cut it in half now and 50 kids had it powered out. Power it back in to our new school. They put curtains in. >> You remember that, right? >> Our next >> slide here is cafeteria looking out towards the um the entry courtyard. And
um we still have the lunch tray that someone left on the table in the foreground. >> He's got to get rid of that. >> Happens. Joe. Oh, there was a fun story here because um Ryan asked it to put a slightly older student in here and it put a bunch of senior citizens in the
front table and then when he took them out their lunch stayed. So yeah, computers are fun. Um and our next slide is the seventh grade collaboration area. So on the uh floor plan you saw an
area where the there was a T-shape to the um to the hallway. This is the collaboration area off of that that could be set up with any number of um small learning areas, group areas, um whiteboards, interactive boards as a way
to get some uh space for collaboration outside of the classroom. And our final slide, are those water fountains or >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> because that is open into the hallway. It doesn't have doors. So you take
advantage to move the the um water fountains inside of it instead of out in the corridors. >> Is it an old school water fountain I think Scott was looking at or else it's got my water. >> It's got the it's got the fill. >> This proportion is just right. >> Yeah, >> the fillers at the top.
>> I would say we call it a bubbler, please. >> And you're also sticking out like three feet from the wall. So >> they're a little wider. >> Yeah, not wide. >> Boy, Ryan's not doing very well today, is he? >> No bubblers. >> Yeah, we have to have him up here. I don't think anyone needs >> explain to him how it works.
>> Well, he's at home dying from poison ivy right now and and they put up a restricted area around his desk at the studio. So, he he may never come back. >> And final slide, um the art classroom, and this is one we've just started developing. So, looking for a ceiling
that can be um acoustically sensitive while at the same time giving the ability to um get some light, get a different feel in the space and be able to hang art either permanently or temporarily from it and starting to show some thought towards tables and the
ability to move some stuff around. So, those are renderings that were put together to um to be part of this SD submitt. They are nothing more than a um a spot in time for this is where we're our thinking is at this point. We get
into DD, we get far more into the design process and pick up a lot more refinement. So, >> I appreciate seeing these photos because, you know, we've shown the same things over and over and like a flat and it's really nice to start seeing even
though it may not be the exact. Um, I know in the most recent community update, um, thank you for providing that updated 3D picture because it it you know what I It brings it a little bit more to life, which I think is important. >> It really does. >> And they will um we can continue to
refine and develop them as you go from here to the vote so that there's always something new being shown. So that is where we were with that. You walk us through >> cost estimating. >> Yeah. So just as a quick reminder, we
put this slide in to refresh everyone's memory since it's been some time that during the PDP, which is the first iteration that we have an opportunity to send the design over to the estimating teams to review and give and we
presented it more as a range and at that point it was a range between 122 to 154 million. This is for construction cost. And as the project progressed and the design developed further, we went into
the PSR phase where we narrowed it down to the preferred option and having that be sent to the cost estimators as well came back with a construction cost of 154.5.
So we have been able to maintain the budget and the range that we had originally identified which is excellent news and with the last iteration as we're preparing to make the submission to the MSBA for the schematic design or
SD packet the total project cost is to be finalized but the construction budget still remained the same. With that though, there has been a lot of refinement. There has been a lot of additions to the project. And the fact
that we've been able to maintain the construction cost still is a testament to not only the hard work of DRRA, but also this committee. We were able or DRA was able to not only refine the circulation as you guys see where you
know the classroom wings are on one side there's a clear delineation and separation but also inclusive is the geothermal system that recently got voted in and this does take into account that the preferred delivery method to be
design bid build as was voted on and the project as we stand right now based off of both cost estimators is still on track for $154 million. So that was
great news to hear. And based off of that construction cost estimate, we are working towards a total project budget. Now that will include this only is the hard cost. Everything we're working towards in the back end and in the
background is more for the soft costs such as legal moving costs that you will have furniture, fixtures, equipment, technology that will be inclusive of it as well as any construction testing,
site surveying, all of those um ancillary services that need to be incorporated as part of what is considered soft cost. So that roll that rolls into the total project cost. >> Correct. >> Correct. >> It's probably worth pointing out not to
because you're on a roll, but I'll interrupt you. >> That's okay. >> The 154 number includes the geothermal. So in effect, the building construction cost went down. >> Mhm. >> And you add the geothermal in and you end up at the same price. But by adding
the geothermal in, you qualify for the mass saves grant. So you're getting the same you're getting increased scope with what we're projecting what 1.8 million or something from mass saves which would come off of that number back as a payment at the end of this. So the cost
of the building actually did go down a little bit was originally an alternate and added it in which is what we'll need to consider when you see the alternate discussion that's on the next slide. >> Right. And with it, we'll take this
number as I try to get back on track and add all of the soft costs to it, including hard costs, construction contingency, and uh owner contingency to it to get you a total project budget.
Uh, next slide, please. So, as part of the schematic design and in order to get to the $154 million construction cost, we did have to look at various options, four in particular, and their sub
subcategories as alternates. And Greg, if you happy for you to jump in with me here, but the concession locker room building that we had identified in the design as outside of the footprint of the existing
building closer to the football field, that is one that we identified as an add alternate as well as I know there is a strong uh desire to have synthetic turf for the football field and looking for that as
an alternative as well. And and at I think as the design gets refined more in the DD phase moving forward there could there could be an opportunity to move that into the project. It just at this stage at this moment in time we're
identifying it as an ad alternate >> since it wasn't part of the original conversations to compare apples to apples from the PDP to the PSR to the current SD. And just to clarify, I know it says concession locker room. However,
that also was the desire to have bathroom the bathroom facility. So, I just want to make sure that's it may have a small concession area, but it's locker room. >> It really should become locker room public toilet. >> Yeah. Public use spaces as well. Part of
the reason why we suggest keeping it as an alternate, for one, if you add it in, as Vivian says, you don't get an applesto apples comparison because it was previously a nice thought, now it's an alternate. The geothermal was a nice thought, now it's part of it. The
one of the many moving pieces is refining the athletic side of the locker room that's in the main school. Because when we move football out, God bless you. When you move football out, you move out quite a bit of the demand for a locker room space. The lockers are
bigger. The um there's a lot going on there. Our hope is that we can further refine the the sports focused locker rooms in the main building and perhaps reduce the size of the main building a little bit. And at that point, we would be making a play that since this locker
room, toilet room is part of the educational program, it should at least partially qualify for being reimbursed. Even though it's a separate building, it's on the same campus. >> So, the the objective of the design team and the professional team as we move
into the next phase is to get that into the budget. But there's a bunch of moving pieces here. So we say keep it as your first alternate and if we pick it off as we go along, worse comes to worse, it'll move elsewhere on the alternate list and something else may move in as a base depending on how
budgets work >> with the football field also including the bleachers. We did identify that as an alternate that I know it's a desire to have that at the moment since it's
pushing the budget a little over. We kept it as an alternate and the sports field lighting. There has been a great deal of conversation in regards to the lighting around the entire uh sporting fields as far as the football, the
softball, the baseball, and then the tennis courts. So, keeping them in that order as well of priorities. And you could see the associated costs in doing uh lighting those areas up. Vivian's downplaying it. The first estimate came
in at $23 million for lighting. >> Yeah, we were >> we we finally figured it out. The estimators had finally admitted that they had both >> taken the design count for the individual lights and counted them as individual light and tower.
>> So we went from 23 million to what just under two. >> Yeah, it was >> didn't want to express it since it was a misunderstanding and we're all clarification was made and that very >> and Ryan has the sun coming from the north. Come on. >> Yeah,
>> very clearly >> stadium lighting for the stadium. I like that. >> You know, he does not need any help but excuse this part. >> That was well played. I like that. >> The bleachers that are marked here, that's like that stadium style. That's
not just basic bleachers. >> Right. That's what the press box and >> there's no press club and there's no uh club box either. So, You're out of luck. >> I know you're the vice chair still. You'll have to pay >> graduation. It would be Yeah, we would
need that because we don't have the outside. So, it would be the that's where we would have graduation. >> So, we have identified it and we I and especially if the concession locker room building moves up into the base building, >> right? >> It becomes alternate number two. And you
know as we move forward into the design development phase I know that the building will get a lot more designheavy as well as understanding a little bit of the circulation might come down allowing for some of the footprint to be
truncated bringing down costs and being able to add a lot of the alternates. We just don't want to promise it from right now. question I have is is if it's not if the if MSBA comes back and says no, those locker rooms will not be um part
of the reimburseable, is there a way to get them back in the building or are or are we are we committed to this is where the locker rooms are? >> I I think I think from functionality of the campus, you want them out as a standalone building
>> and I get that. I'm just talking money. >> Yeah. If if they qualify for reimbursement, it would be a portion of a portion of a portion. >> They won't cover the entire building because the >> they would just cover the a portion of the square footage of the locker rooms. Correct. >> Just the lion share of the square
footage. >> Yeah, it is. >> So, it's it would be interesting to see. >> Oh, yeah. No, I get that. >> Yeah. It'd be interesting to see how it would work. It's um it's cheaper to build if it's not part of the main building because when you build it as part of the main building, it's it's
forming the retaining wall >> for that that side. So, >> oh yeah, >> you can reduce that that uh that run of retaining wall. >> Um and just from a functionality point of view, I wouldn't want to get six or seven years down and go, "Oh my god, I'm so tired of walking 300 yards to the
football field or half a mile or whatever it's going to be." But let's see how it how it develops. There's a lot of questions. Once we get the SD study in, we can start to have some of those conversations with the uh with Boston. >> Once the SD submission next time that we
meet, you guys will be voting on approving the S for us to submit the schematic design um submission on your behalf. And that will automatically trigger the MSBA review period where there will be a lot of back and forth
and conversations with them. not only in review and of critique of the design, not necessarily critique and why did you do it this way, but more of an understanding of what is the programmatic, as well as discussions about finances.
And we will be submitting what is affectionately known as the MSBA 311 form, which includes the construction cost as well as all of the soft cost items that I laid out earlier. and going back and forth. A little bit of a
negotiation with >> a percentage of the construction that you would consider uh the soft cost as well. >> No, >> there's no way to match that up. >> No, all of the construction is strictly
the hard cost. everything like your consultant fees, your legal fees if you happen to need it, moving furniture, fixtures, all of those testings, all of those are considered to be soft costs.
>> I think is there any questions here? First, >> one other uh and the soft cost such as testing, is that reimburseable or is that on us? There's portion of it that is reimburseable of the soft cost but not all of it. For example, the um
consultant fees are reimburseable up to a certain percentage. The remainder is for the town or district's share to contribute towards the project. >> And one more question on the lighting. So, we don't have to do lighting at all,
right? The fixtures, is that what it's called? >> Yeah. >> Are already in the budget? The conduit >> conduit >> and the handholds are in it. The foundation bases, towers, and lighting and controls are not. >> Okay. >> And that was like 200,000.
>> The um conduit and everything I think was 200 or 180 somewhere in that number. >> Okay. That is part of the project. It's just the additional lighting, the fixtures and everything as add alternates. And the reason for that,
Tara, is if you if you went to fund raise for everything, the uh conduit and handholds would probably be three times as much because everything else would be built. >> Yeah. >> And so you'd be trying to raise 600,000 as opposed to doing 200,000 in work now.
>> Y makes perfect sense. I just want to make sure that it's understood. And if we vote if we vote tennis off the island, you would save the money of running conduit over there because that's pretty remote. And same thing with softball.
Softball is a little bit more centered um in terms of runs. The uh tennis is the outlier. And so if there's no desire to to light tennis, you would take that out of uh of scope as you get into DD. >> We got complaints last year about our
tennis courts not being lit. So >> from the community. >> Yeah. >> So I will say just as an aside um we use our tennis courts in uh our school tennis courts in our that are after hours. They have a timer on the and they
and it so it cuts at 10. But if you go and the lights aren't on, you can use the timer and so that it's been it it gets used a lot. There's >> eight courts on that but it's a bigger campus. It is it is used a lot because of the fact that they did that
>> you have to find out where the timer >> is at night. >> Yeah. Right. Yeah. >> Right. But it is that that was that was a that was a selling point to illuminating >> that. It's because the community could use it and they do now. >> These are all you try to keep as many
things as you can on the table because they're all all points when you go out and talk to the public and that's that's the phase we're getting to now. >> Wonder what's going on. Um I have a couple questions. >> Absolutely.
>> Uh so first of all with the alternatives is it am I right in assuming that these are not covered by MSBA so we won't get reimbursement for this? >> There's no there's not a cut and dried answer to that Rachel. It's depends on
what it is, how it fits in programmatically and where it gets where it gets implemented within the scope of the project. >> So for example, the first one where we were discussing the concession locker room building with the public restroom
area, the bulk of the building would be mostly locker rooms. And that could we could make an argument to MSBA that the locker rooms are programmatically needed and they would cover a portion of that, but they would not, for example, cover
the concession area or the public restroom facing side of it. So, it's not a yes or a no answer. We're not trying to be koi, but it's just they will only cover the programmatic need section of
it after thorough review. And there's a strong case where the locker room, for example, could be considered as part of programmatic needs. >> Synthetic turf and football bleachers, >> those are a harder argument to make
because you currently do not have >> But it's also almost a moot point because sight's limited. Correct. You always maximize your site. >> We're already maximizing the site here with all of the retaining walls
necessary, all of the grading. So, I don't I don't foresee I don't want to speak for MSBA, but I don't foresee them covering the football field bleachers or the synthetic turf as
part of their uh site reimbursement. You can't sell this the the turf as a steam event because you have your um marching band out there. >> Regardless, the site Yeah. The site has a cap. No, the site has a cap on what
percentage. Yeah. On what percentage the MSBA will reimburse and I'm sure we're already going to be well above that cap. >> Okay. Having turf will allow a lot of different organizations to want to rent and if you price it right,
>> it eventually pays for itself. >> Correct. >> It'll be down the road, but still like that >> offsets. >> But there is no sight constraints, right? Because we're using the field the field and track that's already there. >> Yeah. The the I think you're you're down
to almost semantics. If you said you were going to build a synthetic turf field and put the bleachers on it, it would fall into the site budget and site budget is capped for reimbursement. So it in reality it doesn't matter how much more you add to it, you've hit the cap
of what they're willing to pay. >> The the best way to state it is you are maximizing your site reimbursement capacity. >> Yeah. I'm looking at site as in lot. >> Yeah. >> Right. It's exactly why MSBA caps it. >> Yeah. because sites come in all shapes,
sizes, >> right? And in order to have equity among all of the districts that some are very urban setting, they set a maximum cap of how much they will reimburse for it. >> Another comment.
>> Um and then my other two questions, sorry. No, you're fine. >> Um was about soft cost. So, uh, this initial number, so 154 million, that's all hard cost. It's not including soft cost, >> correct? >> And do you know when we're going to be
seeing a real concrete number for the soft cost? >> We're currently working on it. It will be part of the MSBA submission. So, we're hoping to get that for the next meeting. >> Okay. Um, and then, uh, just a couple
other questions because now we're kind of thinking more to the future when this submission is coming up. Um, I want a clarification about change orders and if like once this gets approved by the MSBA
design, are change orders allowed at all or >> once it No, at this phase it's we're in the SD phase. Once it is approved by the MSBA, we then go into further development of the design known as the
design development and then goes into construction documents before we bring on the contractor. The change orders happen during the phase that the contractor is on site. And yes, there are allowed for change orders because no
drawing will ever be 100% perfect. How muchever you plan for it, strive for it, there's there's never 100% um perfect drawings with that the change orders will come out of the contingency
lines. So we will be having two separate contingencies. One is hard cost contingency that is directly related to the construction and then a second one which is the owner's contingency or soft cost contingency for items that the
owner being this school building committee might want changes in the construction phase. For example, if you want more furniture than what we budgeted or planned for. No, but if we have the money in the soft
cost contingency and programmatically it makes sense, that's where the money would come from. But every change order, every change order, Rachel, would be brought forward to the school building committee for
approval before it's ever implemented. >> Yeah, that is good to know. And for clarification, the 154 million estimate for the hard cost, does that include the um contingency line or no?
>> No, it does not. >> There is a little bit of a there is a little bit of money built in just because at this phase being schematic, we don't have complete construction design developed yet. So whatever um
contingency is baked into the 154 will get absorbed into design as the design progresses and becomes >> more detailed. You know right now you're not seeing where the sink locations are. You're not seeing where all of the you
know cabinetry is in the classrooms or any of the ancillary things. So as we move forward in the design into design development that is what will start becoming more and more um obvious. And on average, how much does a
contingency line like what was that consist of? About how much >> a separate contingency, the hard cost below the line, it varies. Some districts go from five to 10%.
I would recommend here being more closer to a 10% only because we don't know what amount of work the building that needs to come down will need the existing building in the next phase
after constructing the new you have to treat the old and there's a lot of abatement that would need to happen so I would recommend a 10% contingency just because there's so many unknowns there.
>> Okay. >> But but in the >> uh >> that includes the um the demolition of that piece, right? Is that all part of >> I'm sorry, I didn't hear the question. >> Is that all part of this package, the demolition and cleanup and so forth? >> Yes.
>> In the 154. Yes. >> Yes. In the 154. Yes, it is. But not having not knowing everything behind the walls and the >> uh level we know a little bit of the level of abatement that needs to happen. But once you start
>> getting into it, you never know. >> Well, that's when when they built Millville, the site people were probably on the site maybe a day when they realized we didn't have enough money for the ledge, >> right? And for that reason, I would
recommend having a 10% construction contingency just for the level of unknowns that we're going to hit. Any other question? Sorry, one last question. Um, I know what building's built that we're going
to also look at like yearly cost of maintenance for this building and any budget changes. Um, that will be like yearly. Do do we know when we may be getting those kinds of estimates? >> Operating costs are typically during DD. >> Yeah.
>> So, you'll see there's there's an an estimated savings, Rachel, of operating a fully electric building with no fossil fuel. And that's coming up in the two slides from now. And that's estimating
about $36,000 in savings perom on operating costs for HVAC. So, a little bit more upfront costs and and a a considerable annual savings costs, >> but also the upfront cost would be
offset by the participation of mass save and whatever potential amount is available from the inflation reduction act that I know you've already had uh meetings with regarding
and those two savings and grants are not part of the total project budget that's in addition. So thankfully mass um MSBA doesn't take those out initially not re realizing exactly how much you'll get
and knowing that you'll get it after the fact. So they don't include those as part of um ineligible grant monies that you're receiving above and beyond. Any other questions? No. Okay. Please stop us if you do.
Anyone here have any questions? >> If we could progress to the next slide. >> It's frozen. >> Yeah, he has to re He said he has to reset it. >> Okay. I didn't hear that. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Well, then we'll just stay here for a
little while. All right. There we go. Woohoo. A >> lot of information. >> So, this one is has a lot of information for us to walk through, but this kind of speaks to a little bit of the soft costs that you will see in the next iteration
um the next time we meet. So typically right now we're anticipating it's a range only because we haven't had the formal conversation with MSBA yet to know exactly what they're guaranteeing
as the reimbursement rate. Initially your reimbursement rate was a little over 58%. So that's why we put it as the 59. And but taking into consideration all of the incentive points for going with geothermal, you have a potential of
going up to 65% reimbursement rate. Now, I caution you and everybody out there in the public that please do not take the total project budget and just take 65% off of it because that is not the way
the MSBA process works. it is. That's why there's so many asterisks behind that range is that first and foremost, we need to validate and verify with MSBA that they're accepting of the additional incentive points and including it as
part of your reimbursement rate. Secondly, it is also anticipated on eligible project costs. Similarly, we just discussed the site where we're already maximizing the um reimbursement
refund, you know, coming back from MSBA on the site portion. So, the rest of it is considered ineligible. There are a lot of other items that the MSBA considers ineligible. For example, moving costs. Thankfully, we do not need
modulars here, but that would be considered an ineligible cost as well. There's a lot of parts and pieces. So, do not just take the total project budget and divide it and take away 65%.
That will not be the case. Part of the soft costs include furniture, fixtures, and equipment, FFN as it's kind of abbreviated as, and IT equipment.
Thankfully, the MSBA just last year did in increase their participation amounts. >> It was originally 1,200 per student. Recognizing that furniture, fixtures, and equipment, the FFN, there's been an increase in costs and they're trying to
keep up with the level of inflation. They're not at 100% yet. Slightly significantly below, but cover a good portion. The FFN funding is $1,915 per student. But if you start adding up all
of the furniture, everything you need, the cabinetry, not for one student, but in as a whole, you will very quickly see that 1915 per student is not enough. As well as the IT equipment funding is
capped at$,570 per student. So, anything above and beyond is considered ineligible. As well as for the construction costs, MSBA only covers $65 per square foot. That's what it's capped
at. So, if your design or building or size is higher than the 605, they do not reimburse or consider that to be eligible. As well as we've talked a lot about the site work cost. Thankfully, they did raise it from years past. It
used to be 8% it went to 10 and now it's 12. And demo and abatement for the existing building is capped as well for four $42. And the reimbursement now fortunately
years ago did not include abatement costs. So now at least that is part of it. As far as your OPM designer, consultant fees, MSBA contributes up to three and a half% of
our fees and 10% of the design fees. So, anything above and beyond is on the district's share. So, these are what kind of encompasses a lot of the soft costs as well as what the MSBA is
willing to contribute and deem eligible. That's why we always caution you to not take the amount and just take away the 65%. But the MSBA also per the agreement
the reimburseable area is 130 990 or 80 980 square ft. Whereas programmatically in order to make the building work with the 7th grade academy the building size currently is at
151586. So already there's a portion of it that will automatically be deemed ineligible. >> So Vivian people might be saying this is great thank you for all this information and we shouldn't divide it by this
percentage. At what point timewise will people be able to look at that? I'm thinking they're thinking okay this is nice but so that is the 3011 form the MSBA 311 form which is more of an exercise of mathematics than anything
else is what we're working on currently now that we have the construction cost reconciled estimates in we enter those dollar values per the categories into the MSBA 311 we did obtain pricing and
costs from the DRRA team for their level of effort and services moving on from the design development all the way to closeout as well as our fees from design development to close out. Once that you've moved into the building, that's
not considered done. There's still our efforts to make sure we do all the financial closeout with MSBA. We have anticipated values for each of the lines and we're hoping to have those finalized, reviewed with you prior to
the submission to the MSBA. So the next meeting which is on the 17th, we should have a good idea. It's not guaranteed just yet because that form hasn't been sent to MSBA in order for them to have the
conversation and the negotiations begin. And then our submission is due on June 25th. >> Correct. >> From there, I know we should hear back from them. So, we should be able to get final numbers to get out >> before the August 25th
>> 26th date. I can't see even with glasses on. >> So, our communities will have plenty of time when we get those final numbers so they have all the information. So, at that point, they can say, "Now, I can take this number." >> Correct. >> And figure out. Okay. Exactly.
the 26 once the MSBA board approves this project and the budget you'll not only have the exact reimbursement rate the maximum amount that they will contribute towards the project as well as the total project budget which then the delta you
will be able to figure out the split we already have an idea of the split between the two towns and what you know that share individually will be >> so we have some time but work ahead of us from the August 26 board meeting to
the November um election town meeting and ballot vote. Any other questions before we move on? >> Please ask away. >> Will the ballot do we think that the ballot initiative if if we force that
way will it coincide with the November election? I'm not positive, but I think that was the >> that's the plan. >> It is what we've built all the scheduling off of. >> Yeah. >> I see that's the only definitive thing I will say is the the entire schedule is built off of this being voted on in
>> November. Okay. >> If you want to vote earlier. >> Well, no. I'm just going to say is obviously the towns will want to consolidate their costs, >> right? >> But also there's that known factor. It's a state election year, so you'll have a larger turnout, right? Well, not as big as a prof as a presidential year
primary, but >> doubles up. Exactly. >> At the moment, we're operating with the assumption that it is a November ballot vote. >> Okay. >> Unless you guys or the district tells us otherwise. >> There's definitely and you know that
there's deadlines and that needs to be to the town. We've already started the communication with MSBA on the vote language. Communicated that to the district to get started definitely well in advance but
already have started that process as well. Any other happy to answer all of your questions I know this slide has a lot of information on it. >> Remember that's there as well. Anyone uh
virtually have a question? >> Hearing none, could we progress to the next slide? >> Y. >> So this is the slide uh Greg was alluding to for the geothermal. And Greg, if you want to walk us through this one.
>> So this is um information that we've shown before. The um estimated system size, it's estimated cost right now is projected just under 14 million. Um estimated cost after MSBA participates in that system is about 4 million to the
district. The mass save incentive total is fairly well projected out at just under 1.7, which brings the overall cost for the system down to about 3 million bucks. um annual estimated energy savings of about 36,000 that would pay off that difference
inside of 10 years. And then if we pursue that last one that's in the um the the pale blue there, the inflation reduction act, what we heard today is probably somewhere between 30 and 45% is a fair number of the areas that qualify.
And that comes out a couple years later as does the um the 1.5 of the mass saves, >> right? >> And those both, as Vivian said, those are to the district as the owner of the building >> and that can go to reducing your um cost
or doing the synthetic turf field or anything like that as it comes back. It's your money to use. So >> the lighting. >> Yeah. So the the idea here is that you would run this with those two numbers calculated to enure back to the district because it'd be
>> it's it's difficult to offset a bond cost. So when once you write the bond it's very difficult to pay it down. >> I don't know that >> other than regular debt service pretty good. Any questions? Boys and girls,
>> there there is a portion about the inflation reduction act that when we met today, Vivian has it covered in soft costs for the um the the IRA is um it is a fairly specialized area of expertise
in that it involves effectively writing a very detailed specification for the project, then tracking where the product comes from and how it's installed and then how it's used afterwards. And then helping Kristen file a tax return for an entity that
never files tax returns and then being able to um be set to have it um audited or defended. So, it's one having done it in the past, bringing those folks in late, I don't want any part of that game on a
building of this size. So, we've talked about um bringing someone on like that as you move through into DD when we start to identify where these come from >> and the cost for that consulting services. We have it identified with the
intention of being covered under the total project budget under legal fees. Okay. So we've we're trying to think of everything and anything that could possibly come up during the you know duration of the project. The project
will have will run all the way till you know 2030 and beyond. So anticipating all of the expenditures that you might run into and h making sure that if we don't have it 100% covered at least 80
to 90% covered and the remainder could come from the contingency. That's why I'm suggesting closer to a 10% construction contingency to be included. Next slide. Any questions on that?
Sorry. before we No. Okay. Now we get to the fun stuff. The Not that everything hasn't been fun. Community engagement. Tara, I wasn't sure if you wanted to take this on, but we've had a lot of activity for
community engagement. We've been making the rounds to all of the Blackstone uh town meeting as well as the Blackstone senior center lunchon. We participated in the enlightener post has been
continuous with the article as well as the social media outreach has been continuous. We're looking to as once we get the pricing underway and knowing what the cost is to revamp the social media a little bit as well to give more
information and the benefits for the project as well as um Superintendent Jill has been great about doing her weekly newsletters and project information flyers as well. And I do
want to say thank you to the enlightener because we have been giving them pretty much written forms and we asked them if they could include some pictures last time and they did. So we totally appreciate the enlightener for supporting you know us and printing that. They did a nice it was very nice
and they put our timeline in there. They had some colored pictures in there. So we we appreciate that. Um, again, I mentioned we're happy that we had an updated picture to put in um to our community um letter >> and as the project progresses, we'll get more
different viewpoints for the project to kind of start building more and more excitement regard around the project and once they see that it, you know, it's really taking shape, >> we've I feel like Greg, you've been
fantastic at taking the road show. So we'll and each time we do these presentations we learn something new the level of questions the more >> you know and how we could refine the uh delivery of it. So it's been great.
>> I thought our presentation I loved our crowd at the both senior centers. Our Blackstone one was most recent. >> Um and Jane and I had a really nice Jane was there as well. We had a really nice conversation with one of the individuals who was there who said they came in thinking this project wasn't for them and they left saying everything that was
presented made a lot of sense. It kind of changed their thinking which was nice. So I think we said several times we just want to make sure the information is out there. So when people do go to make a decision they're actually making it on the the the you know the correct information. So, we
also asked them when we got some good suggestions and I know it's one of the next slides, but we said to them, we're trying to reach out to our, you know, we're going to town events, we're going to school events, we're going to the senior centers. Do they have any other ideas? And there was a nice idea. One of the um uh participants said, you know,
maybe contact the libraries to see if they would want to host, you know, an event, not part of an event, but like host an event. That was one of the suggestions that was um >> that was brought up at that point. >> That was great feedback. >> Yeah. But it was a great group. Great questions.
>> Very good engaged group as well. So some of the things that we've been doing I've already outlined on the ongoing out outreach efforts. And some of the ones that are coming up is the Blackstone ice
cream social, the the youth baseball, and the one that we're all waiting for, at least I am, the Blackstone 250th celebration during the summer festival. That one I know we will need a
tremendous amount of support and help. And we're looking for this school building committee to be participating fully engaged and by then we should have all of our understanding of what the project cost is where tenatively we
stand with the MSBA because we'll already have had some of the initial conversations with them in the actual cost of the project and their reimbursement. So, we'll that will be a fantastic event for this committee to
show up and to really get the word out about the project. >> I do want to just make a comment. I do believe that the color run >> um date is going to change. So, >> I was going to comment on that. Um so, Sarah is signed up for the 20th for the Blackstone ice cream social. Um they're
rescheduling the color run and the signup genie has all of these events on it once we um Jane actually has been publishing that for us. So we'll fine-tune the July event to put some better time blocks in there. But again, it's not just the community engagement
group volunteers. It's this whole committee that really needs to come out to everything and anything else that you're aware of. Like um Jill said, if other groups want to host, we will go back to the board of selectman's and the senior center meetings um in the fall once we have after the August meeting
and everything is like >> finalized the next phase. is the next open. If there's anyone else in the community, I can't stress this enough, the the suggestion we got that day to go to the libraries. If anyone can think of any groups that are out there, it could be Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Sporting,
anything that's out there that you have groups or individuals to let us know because we want to be able to get the word out. Um, but we need to know where else would be, you know, beneficial for us to do that. So now this next coming phase once we make the submission it's a
little bit of a waiting game and interaction between MSBA but that's the crucial point to make sure that this community and this committee is fully on board and engaged
and showing up to all of the events to get the message out. The success of the project will rely heavily on that engagement and involvement. So, I can't stress it enough. >> Jill, do you have any information on the
the 250 celebration on the size of the the stall? Is it a 10 by 10? Are there limitations? >> I think they when I registered, I'm pretty sure it was a 10 x 10. Yeah. if you can get us confirmation of that and perhaps if they have a layout of where
where the stall is, we can start to design >> some imagery for that. >> Yeah. >> Can then depending on how it's put together can go other places. But >> that being set up for 3 days in a fairly
visible place would start to drive imagery and materials just for itself. >> Right. >> That's great. And also for all of us that say ask me about the building project. >> Why not? I love that idea. >> Anyone have a >> what what is the what is the time like?
What is this like? Is it all day? Like I don't >> that's what we need to get their final schedule like Jane put it from like 7 to 7 or something. And I don't think those are the actual hours of the event. So that's why >> they're having the carnival ride so it makes me think it goes into the evening
or >> but probably not 7 in the morning. >> Right. And we're planning on doing building >> or No, >> I think it'd be nice. We had talked about it. I think we should like maybe because it's crazy and a lot of access to the PE. I just think about security.
Other things that maybe there's like a set time like there's a 1:00 tour or there's a 6:00 tour. Just maybe even >> just a thought. Agree. >> No, absolutely. as the plus we'll have to we have the custodians and >> right >> I'm working
>> we would do the tours like we've tried to set them up now definitely schedule you know a person with them not just a free-for-all go through >> right >> we I will say we've offered it at how many events Scott we really haven't had any takers >> most people are saying I went here I
know that I'm in this building but I think it's a great idea to have those available I think the biggest draw will be the booth the engagement, the you know just getting people kind of don't be shy and
pulling people and saying hey let me did you hear about the project let me tell you about the project and how we can you know answer their questions >> I will say cotton candy was a great draw event so maybe
>> it will be a great messy in July >> no no no pursuing on cotton candy going to sound very sticky and messy to have wipes wet wipes. >> That's okay. >> I only show up for cotton candy. So, but
it will be a big event and we will need everyone's participation >> especially with the night of fireworks. >> Exactly. >> It will draw a lot of people. >> What? >> I'll check their fireworks. >> I'll check their website and get Yeah. And if we could have I'm not in town. So
like if I have to actually plan some talk about the Saturday, but I it could be the Friday. >> And if we could also get confirmation if there's um power some way to pull up extension cord power maybe I don't know
yet but maybe we have a presentation on a loop of imagery on the TV. That was actually people sat there at the district and watched the slideshow and it would be great to see some of the new images. I'm sure >> especially that we have some of the >> an outdoor setup works only if you can
get a big enough screen. Indoors is different, >> right? >> But they do have indoor setups as well. >> Yeah. It depends on where this booth is. >> Yeah. >> What what booth you've taken. And you guys own the building. You can have a screen somewhere. >> We'll just turn on a screen somewhere. Exactly. It's >> amazing how those things just show up.
>> That's running. Weird. We'll get some more details on think about, you know, cemetery tour of the historic cemetery, >> javelin catching. There's all kinds of things you can do. >> All right. So, as we digress, we'll switch over now. Some of the little bit
of the boring part and the operational. We are still looking for approval of the meeting minutes from last session, which was May 13, 2026. I think that was part of your packet. >> Is there a motion to approve the
minutes? >> So moved. >> Jen, is that second? >> Second. >> Second by Carrie. Any discussion? >> All right, we need a roll call. Um, so Carrie, >> yes. >> Scott, >> yes. >> Jill, >> yes. >> Kristen,
>> yes. >> Jill, >> yes. >> Mike, >> yep. >> Jen, >> yes. >> Sarah, yes. Rachel, >> yes. Sarah. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for that. And that will be
part the approval of the meeting minutes is also part of the MSBA package. So they do have a record of all of the meetings that have been held as well as the meeting minutes. Next slide. So I think we've shared this slide
numerous times. You guys can roll your eyes and not pay attention, but I'm going to state it anyway. And uh we're currently in June and in the SD submission phase and on June 25th, we
will be submitting the schematic design package to the MSBA as noted and then triggers the MSBA review period until the August 26th board meeting. Once we have the board meeting approvement
approved, that's when the MSBA starts conversations with the district in finalizing the total project scope and budget and what they're it's more of a legal document agreeing that they will
pay this amount that the district share is this amount. all of everything that has been discussed thus far and even though it says reimbursement rate finalized typically we have seen that come during the board meeting as well
but then they put pen to paper at the end of that agreement period and that triggers us off into I mean granted all of our community engagement can happen as soon as the SD package is
done and even before but the real focus will start in the September time frame, end of August, even July as students are returning back to school and everyone's getting back engaged into routine and
looking for a fall town meeting and vote. Not sure of the date yet. We just kind of left it loosey goosey up there. Okay. I know you've seen this slide a thousand times, but if you have any questions, happy to answer.
>> Just just one one point of that is because if if they're going to try to tie it to the state election, I think there's some time time frames you have to be aware of and they're not far away. >> Yeah. And and once the submission is made, we'll start focusing more on the
ballot and all of that. It's just right now our focus honestly has been in >> the documentation for the SD submission. It is a sizable >> binder of information that has to go in
and next uh I believe it's next week our virtual meeting >> that we will look to have a vote approval. We'll also kind of outline for you all of the documentation that goes into the package. And Vivian, can I just clarify the expectation for our meeting
next week is we are we need to take a vote. Yes. On this. It's nothing we can table. We have to discuss it and ready to be >> voted. It has to be approved in order to meet correct our June >> 25th deadline.
>> Okay. And it's it's a culmination of everything we've been discussing. Nothing is new. So nothing new gets presented other than the total project budget, but we've been you've already seen the cost of the construction. It's just now
the soft cost that we're working out to add and to make sure we have coverage on everything. Okay, next slide. And just to give you an update on where we are financially, it is the same line
items. This does take into account that the invoices um >> yes, the most recent invoices are assumed to be approved on the budget you're seeing here. >> So that way you have the latest and greatest based off of the invoices
already. And the next slide goes into the approval of invoices. This is where we do need a vote to approve formally the DRRA invoice number 14 for their efforts in May
totaling $18,564. >> Do we want to take them separate? Maybe we can do it together. >> Together? Sure. And it also includes our invoice for the month of May in the total of $19,412.50.
50 totaling $37,976.50. Is there a motion to approve those? >> So moved. >> Motion by Jen. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. >> Second by Carrie. And roll call. Carrie? >> Yes. >> Uh Tara? Yes. Scott? >> Yes. >> Jill? >> Yes. >> Kristen? >> Yes. >> Jill?
>> Yes. >> Mike? >> Yes. >> Jen, >> yes. >> Rachel, >> yes. >> And Sarah, >> yes. All right. Thank you. Thank you everyone.
And next slide. I think that's the um public forum. >> Nobody's here. They're all next door. >> They're next door. >> They're all next door. >> That show won. So with that next meeting, >> I think um that next meeting as we
mentioned is June 17th. That is the vote to submit the SD package on your behalf. It is set for a virtual meeting. So, we're really hoping for a quorum and following that will be July and August
and before you know it, the summer will be over. >> Can you say thanks? Can we say two things? You you need a >> 17th aum >> otherwise it it has to happen between the 17th and the 25th. So, you need a
>> and it is a virtual as a reminder. 17th is a virtual virtual much easier >> much easier to get a quorum but we need to have a quorum >> and you want I mean I would think people want to have a voice in this one like we've we've all done this >> that one's a crucial for a reason
>> these this meeting and next meeting are crucial ones to know exactly where you stand on the project and what the total project cost will be as well >> we do have three members that have not attended much. So I will reach out to
them to confirm their participation and either reduce our membership or um see if there's other people who want to >> maybe after in the before we get to the next phase. Yeah, >> especially if they might be able to um
>> join virtually. >> Join virtually. >> Yep. And catch themselves up. Hopefully they've been I know again schedules are crazy. People can't make it, but maybe so. Yep. Um, and all right, that's all. We're >> good. All right. Motion to adjurnn. >> So move.
>> Second. >> I mean, yes. >> Yes. >> All in favor? Roll call. Jen, >> I >> um Carrie, thank you. >> Tara, yes. Mike, >> yep. >> Scott, >> yes. >> Jill, listen. >> Jill, sure. Rachel,
>> yes. >> And Sarah, >> you sure? Can I do that? Thanks everyone. >> Thank you everyone. Have a great night.