HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-12-06 Kittredge School Building Committee Minutes Kittredge School Building Committee
Meeting Minutes
December 6, 2023
Present: Laurie Burzlaff,Stephen Foster, Laura Bates, Richard Cushing, Melissa Murphy Rodrigues, Eva Hamori
(remote), Denevan O'Connell, Cathleen Colwell (remote), Gregg Gilligan,and Andrew McDevitt(remote), Diane
Beckley(remote), Phil Palumbo(remote)and Jessica Drummond from Colliers Project Leaders.
Absent:Jim Mealey and Maureen Sakakeeny.
Meeting was called to order by Laura Bates at 4:05PM in the Select Board Meeting Room at Town Hall.
Approve minutes of November 15,2023
Andrew McDevitt made a motion,seconded by Denevan O'Connell to approve the minutes of November 15,
2023. Motion approve 8-0.
Steve Foster, Eva Hamori and Kathleen Colwell joined the meeting.
Review and vote to approve Designer Request for Services
Phil Palumbo of Colliers reviewed the changes the Town is allowed to make to the MSBA request for services
template. MSBA has some model school designs to save some costs if it works out they are appropriate. Mr.
Palumbo reviewed the estimated cost and requested specific goals from the state for MBE and WBE participation.
The background in the RFS is a high level summary and Exhibit A has more detailed information.The schedule
aligns with MSBA board meetings. Ms. Burzlaff asked if there was flexibility with regard to the total number of
students.The RFS indicates 335 but with 15 classrooms and stated limits of 22 for grades 1-2 and 25 for grades 3-5,
this would amount to 357 students. Mr. Palumbo explained that since the Town has signed the feasibility
agreement we are required to design a building with 335 students per the MSBA requirements. Classrooms will
hold 20-25 student range based on square foot per student guidelines.The Town could request to adjust the
number but it is unlikely MSBA will do that at this stage.
The RFS will go live on January 3, 2024. Mr. Palumbo reviewed the project objectives and suggested some edits to
make for the RFS.
Denevan O'Connell made a motion,seconded by Andrew McDevitt to approve the Request for Services as
amended.Motion approved 11-0.
Project website and project social media page discussion
The Board agreed to set up a new page just for Kittredge similar to the example shown by Colliers for a high school
they did.The Frequently Asked Questions for the website were reviewed.The committee asked to include
something about trying to increase capacity in the district when talking about why we are building a new Kittredge.
The committee also asked for information about site and how building on same site is a common practice,and the
impact construction will have on teaching and learning. Building on the same site was done with the Thompson
school so it has happened in North Andover previously.The committee also suggested putting in what the goals of
the project are. The gymnasium was discussed and Mr. Palumbo stated that you cannot guarantee that the gym
will remain as all options have to be looked at.
The committee discussed whether there should be a Facebook page. Ms. Burzlaff stated there are several
Facebook pages already and that the information can be pushed out on so there really isn't a need. Ms. Rodrigues
indicated that she is concerned about compliance with the Open Meeting Law and public records requests.The
committee also needs to be careful with voting language as the Town cannot advocate to vote one way or the
other.The Town will set up a project email for comments and/or questions.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Laurie Burzlaff,seconded by Denevan O'Connell,to adjourn the meeting at 5:00PM.Motion
approved 11-0.
Documents used at meeting:
Minutes of November 15, 2023
OPM presentation
Draft RFS
Draft FAQ