HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-12-08 Middle School Fields Improvement Committee Minutes Meeting No. 1 Minutes December 8, 2016
Middle School Fields Improvement Committee
Meeting No. 1 Minutes
Date: December 8, 2016
Time: 6:45 PM
Location: Joseph Hermann Youth Center, 33 Johnson Street North Andover, MA
Conference Room Upstairs
Attendees: Terry Holland, Rosemary Smedile, Todd Dow, Amy Mabley, Derek Wessel,
Rick Green
Minutes Recorded By: Rick Green
Copies To: Bruce Thidodeau, Rick Gorman, Joyce Bradshaw
Item No. 1 Review of Conceptual Layout Plans & Consultant Participation
• A brief summary of how Conceptual Layouts 1 and 2 were developed by the Project's
Design Consultant, Waterfield Design Group was provided by Rick Green. Features of
both layouts were reviewed amongst the Committee with each member providing
comments. Copies of the preliminary estimates for each conceptual layout were provided
to members of the committee by Rick Green.
• Amy Mabley indicated that the proposed kindergarten building may be in front of the Early
Childhood Center and not in the back as shown on the conceptual layout plans. This
change would impact the parking, traffic flow pattern to Rte 125 and park areas. A
meeting on the kindergarten will be held tonight, and Amy will provide input on the
location of the new building. Amy Mabley noted that the Middle School already has an
outdoor class which is a proposed feature in Conceptual Layout 2.
• Terry Holland indicated that the pickle ball court and tennis courts may not be necessary
and these uses could be served by a multipurpose hard court. He noted that the tennis
courts at North Andover High School are underutilized now. The Committee shared the
same feeling towards these proposed features.
• Rick Green discussed one proposed feature which was not shown on the two (2)
conceptual layouts provided to the committee. This feature was a dog park which Rick
Green and Terry Holland were not in favor of when previously proposed by Waterfield on
earlier conceptual layouts. The Committee was in full agreement that a dog park does
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Meeting No. 1 Minutes December 8, 2016
not belong in this development. Reasons included potential dangers to younger children,
and dogs being left to roam on the fields.
• Amy Mabley indicated that the Community Gardens feature has not been successful in
other communities. The problem with community gardens is that the kids are out of
school in June, and do not get to pick any of the vegetables. Also, there is generally no
one to maintain the garden through the summer, unless there are dedicated
parents/volunteers.
• The Committee discussed the need to maintain a track, but the general consensus was
that with the recently redone track at North Andover High School, a track would not be
needed at the Middle School Field Complex. The proposed walking paths around the
fields and trails through the woods (Conceptual Layout No. 1) will provide adequate
facilities to satisfy the need for a track.
Item No. 2 CPA Funds Available for Project Design
• Terry Holland provided an overview of the funds currently available through the
Community Preservation Act (CPA) for this project. Terry is a member of the
Community Preservation Committee (CPC), and indicated that the goal would be to
obtain an estimate from the design consultant, Waterfield Design Group and get this
amount approved at the Town Meeting this Spring.
Item No. 3 Meetings with Use Groups
• The different Use Groups that the Committee would need to meet with throughout the
development of the project's design was discussed. The Committee will meet with
members of the Hayes family and former classmates to discuss recognizing Mr. Hayes
in the new field complex. A discussion will also be held with the High School Athletic
Director to determine the need for a softball field for the varsity girls team, and if any
other facilities would be used by the High School. Input will also be gathered from the
different sports groups, school department, senior center, and others.
Item No. 4 Schedule for Proceeding with Final Design
• This Committee will have a goal to reach a final conceptual layout through input from the
various use groups and public meetings and have a design cost that can be presented to
the CPC for funding and approval at this Spring's Town meeting.
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