HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-08-18-PBC-min.pdf TOWN OF LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS
PERMANENT BUILDING COMMITTEE
Notes of Wednesday August 18. 1999 meetine in the Conference Room, School Administration
Building,. (no quorum).
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Kelley about 7.35 p.m with other PBC members
Johnson and Poinelli present. Also attending: School Superintendent Patricia Ruane,Director of
School Building Operations John Moynihan III, Project Manager/Owner's Representative Michael
Melnick, School Committee member Barrie Peltz, Lexington Minuteman reporter Eva Heney,
Recreation Committee member Richard Neumeier, Michael Barrett, Nancy Dolberg, ten-year-old
Hannah Barrett and her twin sister Lily
The chairman announced that since a quorum was not present, the meeting would not take any
action but consist of information reports.
Materials distributed included a hand-delivered letter from Michael Barrett and Nancy Dolberg on
their daughters' anticipated needs as they progress into middle and high schools; Melnick's agenda
and list of pending issues, along with his draft phasing for the high school and a list of his guiding
concepts for preparation of this draft phasing study for the high school. From Cary Memorial
Library came a report of the informal meeting of July 9 with representatives of the HDC, PBC and
Library Building Committee; as well as a proposed contract agreement from architect Stephen Hale.
Copies of these materials will be sent all absent members, along with these minutes.
Barrett family show-and-tell elaborated on the theme of their letter, with the girls and their parents
displaying and explaining parts of their cochlear implants and how they work. Committee members
and those present raised questions about some of the difficulties the girls encounter and limitations
of their hearing-enhancement equipment. Most salient of the requests was for the reduction of
ambient noise levels, especially from footfalls through carpeting in the rooms the girls will be using
as they progress through school. They emphasized not only the need for carpeting, but for proper
maintenance of it so that respiratory problems will not arise from mold and other air impurities
caused by carpets.
An introduction for new Superintendent Ruane followed with quick note that she had experience
with resolution and completion of the troubled Pollard Middle School in Needham.
More discussion on HMFH contract will continue tomorrow and on Tuesday, September 14 in
Poinelli s office.
Play Fields renovation material from HMFH posed Richard Neumeier difficulty in understanding,
he reported. He thought estimates appeared high and asked if he should be obtaining prices.
Poinelli pointed out that the state designer selection law must be followed. He reported that he had
talked with Dick Thoma of Carlyle Consultants, who opined that more information is needed
especially at Clarke. To what extent and with what materials the Center Field track should be
repaired was debated. Reported that if a"Mondo"process was used, it would be guaranteed only if
Notes from PBC meeting of August 18, 1999 -page 2
the track were rebuilt from the foundation up. (Apparently no more than resurfacing was in the
original scope of work as described in a letter of February 5, 1999). Total estimate for boring work
by McPhail is $11,200
Neumeier reported that Brian McNally of the schools had asked if storage space could be incorpo-
rated in the new bleachers at the high school and that the "missing baseball field at Clarke could be
rescussitated. In addition Rick deAngelis of the Recreation Committee would like to see a
clubhouse built with private funds he wants to raise. If the storage space were to be included in the
bleachers, it would have to be added to the education specifications as soon as possible. Neumeier
pointed out that the bleachers are the number one athletic program priority Discussion ended with
note that any change in the play fields renovation scope might cost more money than Town Meeting
appropriated.
Conservation Commission annroval of Clarke modifications was granted, but the Order of
Conditions for the work has not yet been issued. Next the issue will be taken up with the Board of
Appeals after talks are held with the non-vacationing abutter. The high school drainage plan
changes will come up with the Commission at a continued hearing August 31
Clarke emergency generator specifications now call for a 150 Kilowatt capacity, which Moynihan
considered high, saying he would try to have it reduced to 100 KW
Gas conversion of serial boilers is planned for Clarke and also at Harrington, in order to save
money Capacity should be sufficient to include kitchen equipment at a later date.
Progress on construction documents was reported with possibility that plans for the high school
might not meet the October 15 goal. The middle school plans will be ready later, possibly
Thanksgiving?
Phasing concerns were expressed by Melnick as well as other PBC members. He advised that
asbestos work be done only during school vacations. The rule on what asbestos to remove is 'if
you can see it, take it out." The aim of Melnick's phasing study is to keep students completely out
of construction areas during the school, including vacations. There should be no work in crawl
spaces with students in classrooms above, he stated. He suggested that sprinklers could be installed
piecemeal,but that this would require an OK from the fire chief.
Johnson warned of noise during school hours. He recommended that the job be completely
scheduled as night work to make parking easier for construction workers. Due to the need to
change all classroom doorways to conform with the ADA, walling off a four-foot-wide portion of
high school hallways will be necessary
HMFH June and July invoices have just arrived, Moynihan reported. Action on these will be
required at the next meeting.
Meeting ended at 9:50 p.m., Respectfully submitted, aura.. 41,4 aoz,,,.,LSecretary