Town of WILTON 2008 BUDGET COMMITTEE

Wilton Town Hall

December 18, 2007

 

 

Members Present:       Chairman Cary A. Hughes, Mark H. Whitehill, Elizabeth A. Castro (Betsy), and Joyce A. Fisk, Daniel Donovan III, Donald C. Davidson, Jr., and Donna Pucciarello (7:45)

MEMBERS ABSENT:         Donald R. McGettigan, Sr., David B. Tierney, Jr,

OTHERS PRESENT:            Edward P., Ann P., Gilbert H., Cal B., Eric H., Tom S., Dan S., Joanna L., John S., Erin B, Deb K, Alicia H, and others.

 

The AGENDA was amended as follows:

 

7:30      Florence Rideout Elementary School

9:20      Zoning Board of Adjustment

9:30      Adjournment

 

Ch. Hughes called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

 

1.)                Florence Rideout Elementary School

 

The Florence Rideout Elementary School (FRES) Building Committee, along with their design team presented their renovation proposal.  (All copies of complete presentation are available in the Wilton Town Hall.)

 

Five options were presented in a summary:

a.)    Do nothing – fixed nothing

b.)    Fix safety/health issues only

c.)    Fix all issues with new school elsewhere

d.)    Fix core facility issues but not classroom space issues at current location

e.)    Fix all core facility and classroom space issues at current location

 

FRES currently has a large core facility problem.  The core facility is undersized and poorly functioning.  They have classroom space constraint problems.  There is a recurring problem of overcrowding in one or more grades every year.  Currently, its Grades 4, 5, and 6 that are over capacity.  They presented a 2/3 Classroom per grade option (350 students/400 core facility option), a 3 Classroom per grade option (400 students/510 core facility option), which is their choice.  They proposed due to the economic situation of today, it would be beneficial to build now, as after 2008, costs will only rise due to energy cost increases and material demand from Asian countries.

 

The Committee’s then discussed the population trends and explained the NH State Educational Minimum Standards that comprise how the classroom sizes were determined (see Ed 321.10(g), 321.10(h), 321.10(j), 321.11(j) and 321.11(b4).  Currently, there are 15 classrooms that vary in size from 526SF to 1024SF.  It was also noted the amount of building lots that are before the Town for approval and the current Wilton children that are attending other schools; noting that perhaps they might attend the FRES if it was improved.

 

The FRES Committee then discussed the current building needs.  They stated the health and safety issues, handicap accessibility issues, electrical, heating and plumbing issues, the facility layout issues and the capacity issues.  They presented the building design layout including traffic and bus locations.  They showed the main entrance and how it is important to keep access on the ground floor for security reasons.

 

The design team presented the two phases of construction and their safety and site utilization layout.  They stated demolition would be done during the summer and construction during the school year . This will not interrupt the students and also eliminate trailers on the property. 

 

The Budget Committee asked if the team is aware of the deed restrictions where they planned on placing the temporary fencing.  They agreed to move the fence at least 10-15 feet.

 

The team also discussed in detail the cost estimate.    This included site work, the new underground oil tank and associated work, building demolition, general construction, general conditions, the 5% contingency, the 2.9% fee, owner’s furniture, fixtures and equipment, administrative costs and owner contingency.  The total request $8,349,000.

 

The Budget Committee asked if they had considered the staffing increases if they increased classrooms.  They discussed the number of classrooms per grade and if the town of Wilton enrollment is increasing as current reports and newspaper articles suggest otherwise. 

 

The FRES Committee explained that the State could withhold State Aid and even shut the school down if the building does not comply with their requirements.  The Budget Committee asked if this has happened before and what the procedure was.  Presently, the Town of Marlborough is probation for size, egress and ventilation issues.  The State normally gives three (3) years to fix these unmet requirements however if the town shows good faith they could get another year, thus Marlborough is in their four (4) year of probation.  The Budget Committee asked for a copy of any reports on Marlborough.

 

The Budget Committee asked what happened to the idea of moving the 6^th grade to the High School and how it was determined it was not a feasible option.  The FRES Committee stated letter had been sent to parents of children 5-6 years ago and the feedback was negative. 

 

The Budget Committee also asked to revise construction estimates on size, noting the gym was not included in some of their estimates.

 

The need for a bond was discussed.  The FRES Committee is researching 15, 20 and 25 year bonds.  The Budget Committee asked when the State Aid (30%) funding would be available.  It was determined it would be available at each year’s principal payment.  Construction time was estimated at 18 months, which the town would be able to receive interest on.  They discussed this would require a separate warrant article.

 

Chairman Hughes noted this presentation was scheduled for one hour and has gone considerably over their allocated time. 

 

The design team asked the general consensus of the Budget Committee on their proposal.  Not all members of the Board were favorable to increasing classroom size.  They stated concern for too many classrooms.  They discussed the High School renovation and enrollment.  They asked if they could have more information on the $3.7 million renovation, which eliminated three (3) classrooms from the renovation. The design team stated that plans could be designed to have this available for a future renovation if needed.

 

The FRES Committee reminded the Budget Committee fixing only the deficencies could mean that if they spend more then 60% of the value, that the State could require them to complete all renovations needed anyways.

 

The Budget Committee asked for projected staffing needs and final cost figures.  They thanked all the members of the design team and FRES Committee for their time.  The discussion was continued to 7:30 p.m. on January 18^th, 2008. 

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

2.)                Zoning Board of Adjustment

 

Neil Faiman, Chairman of the ZBA appeared before the Committee and presented a budget of $6,001.20, a 34.11% increase from 2007.  He explained a typical application that used to take one meeting now takes up to four meetings.  Thus, the cost for the clerical hours need to be increased.  He also noted that because the continuations are published each month, advertising has gone considerably higher than anticipated.  Neil noted this procedure should be discussed with the ZBA for possible revisions.  

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $6,001.20 to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Voting:  6 ayes; motion carried.

 

Neil thanked the Board for their time.  The Committee thanked Neil for his patience. There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

3.)                Adjournment

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to adjourn the meeting.

Voting 6 ayes; motion carried.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:28 p.m.

 

                                   

Minutes respectfully submitted by Carla J. Walter

 

<Back to Budget Committee 2008 Schedule Page>