2018-01-24 BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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71-165 Budget Summit# 4—January 24, 2018 all age groups, not just by student athletes. If approved, the projects would be completed during the 2018 calendar year. Mr. Pinsonneault noted several areas of wetlands in and around the high school and center track complex. A 42-inch culvert provides major drainage for Vine Brook that flows through the area, preventing serious flooding. Mr. DeAngelis (RC) emphasized that the recreation complex in the Center is a Town resource and believes it important to maintain recreational assets. Mr. Kanter(CEC) asked if the field in the center of the proposed 8-lane track would be large enough to serve as a substitute football field. Ms. Battite affirmed the dimensions would be regulation size for football and likely soccer and lacrosse. Ms. Jay (SC) said the School Committee's biggest concern is the potential need for the track area during LHS construction. Facilities Director Cronin reported that, when he reviewed the master plan created by SMMA in 2014-15, two options arose for a potential LHS renovation: 1)the high school could remain where it is now but buildings would be added to increase capacity (so-called Options #2/3); or, 2) a new high school could be built in what is now the baseball diamond infield (option #4). Mr. Cronin offered a modification of option #4 as a third option that would reorient the new building so as not encroach on the wetland buffer. Mr. Kanter(CEC) asked if wetland regulations will mandate that the 100-foot buffer expand to 200 feet. He also noted that options #2/3 appears to overly complicate the site flow. He asked, if option#4 is chosen, could school operations continue on the site during construction. Mr. Cronin said he believes there is enough room if option#4 is reoriented as described in the modified option. He agreed that the question of site flow is important. He has not heard about an intention to expand wetland buffer areas. Mr. Bartenstein (AC) said the presentation included a lot of information; he questioned whether more time would be advisable to weigh the complexities and asked if other Town-owned land could accommodate a track. Ms. Batitte said she does not believe there are other Town-owned properties where a new track could be built; Mr. Pinsonneault added that, if one were to be constructed, all subsurface foundations would need to be built anew and the project cost would increase. Mr. DeAngelis (RC) said there are no other lighted fields available as an interim or alternative solution. Ms. Jay (SC) said that the high school plans/designs are not fully fleshed out and that designers may want to consider the entire campus when exploring options. Ms. Steigerwald (SC) said that given the condition of the track and lighting, it is important to have an open discussion about the issue rather than for each department to act unilaterally to achieve its own goals. Whether LHS is renovated or newly constructed may depend on what the Massachusetts School Building