NF BOE vs Taxpayer and the loser is? The children.

There was a special meeting of the BOE on February 24th. was called on a short notice. The first issue was to approve the school project as recommended by the PBC (identical to what the BOE sent them - no changes).   The issue of water, a touchy subject, was brought up.  To meet the state's requirement for the fire sprinkler system, their either has to be a big water tank or municipal water.  Neither is in the school budget, and both are costly.  Dr. Castagnola verified that the water is not in the cost estimate.  There is just $121,000 in the budget to run a water pipe from Consolidated to MHHS. [The cost of running a water main is approximately $125.00 a linear foot.]  Besides the water main, one will need diesel backup for power failures as water doesn't run uphill.

There were questions whether the water wells at Consolidated are adequate to supply the large water flow required.  The other alternative is to bring water from town.  But where from and who pays?  Memorial field also has inadequate flow.  So, we will need another supply of water - probably Dunham Pond.  [Presently there is a 6 inch water main at Dunham Pond, certainly adequate to handle the capacity and flow.] If there is no water, there is no Certificate of Occupancy [CofO], and no state reimbursement. It was emphasized by a member of the board that in order to not have an empty school because of inadequate water for the fire sprinkler system, we have to cost in at least one solution that can be completed in time (project to start 6/2010 and be finished 8/2012).  The PBC was clueless about the need for "fire" water.  They said they will look into it.  Duh, Paul Bruno, past Chairman of the Board of Education and member of the PBC and Planning Commission should be on top of the issue.

Everyone is aware of things that flow down hill especially water.  There is a water study that recommends bringing water down from the HS, Paul Bruno certainly knows about it.  Keep in mind is easier to let water to flow downhill than to pump it uphill.

A further issue was raised about the contractor at risk clause ... there is no cap on overruns; Dr. Castagnola said it was not needed.  While there is a 5% contingency, the construction manager (O&G) will cap the cost with a 5% fee once the quotes are in.

The PBC is also considering an add/alternate clause for geothermal.

SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING EVENTS

• 3/4 Powerpoint presentation to BOS.
  
• 4/1 BOS vote to put on referendum (5/2).
  
• 4/20 Town meeting.
  
• 5/2 Referendum (one item for both schools for $34M, coincident with budget referendum).
  

The vote on the BOE was 4-2-0.

Another issue breaking wind was to make corrections to the HS Ed. Spec. in order to make capacity and population numbers agree.  It was pointed out that there is a difference between capacity and enrollment.  The questioned was called and they voted 4-2-0 to make everything the same.

Note, capacity is set by a state formula based on square foot and grade.  Enrollment, or population, is the actual number of students enrolled.  The designed capacity was 886. The population was 939 for 07/08 and 975 for 08/09.

So where do we go from here?