Allenstown Schools
Space Needs Committee Minutes
October 19, 2005
Ben
Fontaine called the meeting to order at
The
following members were in attendance:
Ben
Fontaine, Chairman
Capt.
Sean Mulholland, Vice Chairman
Karen
LaPlume, Secretary
Peter
Aubrey –
Tom
Irzyk
Al
Paradise
Dennis
Carmichael
Sandra
McKenney
Stedman
Holton
Ann
Viar
Larry
Anderson
Donald
M. Chaput
Jason
J. Carrier, guest
Ben
Fontaine asked the committee to review the minutes of the last meeting. Larry
Anderson made a motion to accept the minutes as printed; Sean Mulholland
seconded the motion.
Ben
gave the committee the opportunity to ask Peter Aubrey, School Administrator,
any questions.
Sean
Mulholland questioned whether the SAU is responsible for tracking safety issues
or whether it is the responsibility of the Principals to bring any safety
issues to the School Board. Mr. Aubrey noted that the insurance company will be
completing an inspection of each school on Monday, October 24th and
the results will be shared with both the
Ben
Fontaine expressed frustration with the delay in getting information.
Tom
Irzyk joined the meeting at
Tom
Irzyk explained that the addition to AES was the first step in a multi-step
process; i.e. get AES up to standards, including bringing 5th grade
back into the elementary school and then address ARD needs. He expressed that
if the AES expansion goes through, he would like to see the committee stay
convened to develop the second phase which would be to address the spacing at
ARD.
Dennis
Carmichael stated he had contacted the state as a follow up from our last
meeting regarding questions on any available state funding for Title 1 and
Occupational Therapy. He contacted Charlie Bass’ office and is awaiting
information.
Tom
Irzyk follow up with dates regarding the Bond filing
and hearing; the dates are January 10th and January 17th
respectively.
Larry
Anderson noted that the majority of voters wanted the expansion during the 2004
& 2005 town elections exactly as the School Board had proposed but because
of the SB2 the addition did not pass.
Sean
Mulholland emphasized that if the committee agrees to pursue the addition that
each member supports the committee’s efforts; if members make comments contrary
to the plan that is being recommended it simply undermines the committee’s
work.
Larry
expressed that he felt option A would work.
Ben expressed concerns with the construction manager and how the project will
be handled. He does not feel the committee has enough information to make a
decision.
Karen LaPlume felt that the committee can make some decisions such as if we
agree that 5th grade returns to AES and whether the committee
supports an expansion of some sort at AES. She felt that choosing a specific
plan and questions regarding the construction manager could be addressed once
we meet with the architect.
Al
Paradise asked how much was added to the bond for ARD repairs in 2005. Tom
Irzyk responded $75,000 - $100,000.
Dennis
Carmichael explained that the repairs to ARD were never mentioned at the community
meetings last year. He would like to see 5th & 6th
grade brought over to AES which would free up more space at ARD for resource
rooms. Dennis feels that this is the year to get the most money for school
additions and improvement, noting the town’s impending capital expenditures in
the coming years.
Ben
Fontain recommended our next meeting be held in 2 weeks if the committee is
provided with new information. He requested the Architect and Building Manager
be present at the meeting at which time the committee can make a decision on
the AES addition and then await the Insurance report to determine the steps
necessary to address ARD.
The
next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday,
November 2nd
at
Ben
made a motion to adjourn;