HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-09-20-PBC-min.pdf TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
PERMANENT BUILDING COMMITTEE
Minutes of Thursday September 20 2001 meeting in the Conference Room, School
Administration Building, as approved December 13, 2001
The meeting was not called to order but began at 7 p.m. and earlier as informal discussion with
several Lexington High School neighbors, among them Julian Bussgang and representatives of
the Campbell, Cavatorta, Rutishauser families. Present were Chairman Kelley and other PBC
members Cannalonga, Himmel, Johnson, Kennedy, and Touart. Also attending were Director of
School Building Operation John Moynihan, Acting School Superintendent Joanne Benton,
School Committee member Anthony Close, Capital Expenditures Committee member George
Burnell and Town Meeting Member Charles Schroeder. TLCR Architects Todd Lee and Carol
Marsh came to tell of progress on planning for the new Harrington and Fiske schools and J
Stewart Roberts and Christine Allbright of J Stewart Roberts Architects, to report on plans for
Estabrook and Bowman elementary school renovations.
In a discussion beginning with the chairman's explanation of the planned high school drainage
system and lasting until shortly after 7.30 p.m., high school neighbors questioned tree selection,
number of parking spaces (to be increased by about 100), traffic and student walking or activity
anticipated around the school. Chairman explained the change of entrance emphasis from
Muzzey and Waltham streets to Worthen Road, the enhanced student gathering places and a
limited number of parent drop-off expected on the Park Drive side of the school. Skip Burck, of
Forest Street, a landscape architect,joined the end of the discussion, questioning the present vista
from Muzzey Street. He requested to meet with HMFH's landscape architect Carol Johnson.
Fiske School plans call for a new school to be built upon essentially the same area the present
school occupies. Parking would be mostly on the Colony Road side, with some parking
accessible from the end of the drive from Adams Street relocated to the south side of the
playfields. This change would slightly enlarge the site by land now north of the present drive.
Harrington School plans separate the existing from the planned new school by a straight through
drive and separate parking. The new Harrington School is shown as a two-story L-shaped
building with a circular pod at each end, one for Kindergarten the other for the early/special
education center. Input from the Recreation committee and staff is still needed.
School personnel of both schools have seen the plans and have agreed to them. PBC member
Himmel recommended that they physically sign off on the plans document, further enforcing
their participation. SC member Close asked about budget. TLCR s Lee responded that allowing
a 6 percent design contingency and a 5 percent construction contingency the total budget would
be about $12.9 million for each school in today's bid dollars. He noted that each school is
planned for only 69,000 of the 76,000 state square footage allowance or a budget of$11.9
million Committee members complimented TLCR on their efforts and accomplishments to
date.
Estabrook School inherited plans are being updated. Inquiries on program as well as on site and
PBC Minutes of September 20, 2001 -page 2
asbestos analysis continue. Preliminary site plans call for a separate circle for school buses, with
parent drop-off to be limited to a drive to the northwest of the school, with an overflow parking
area at the end of that drive. Although access to Robinson Road was explored, the idea was
rejected due to the limitations of that road to accept traffic volume. This access is therefore to be
limited to emergencies. The cafeteria is to be relocated to where the library is now and the
library would go to the right of the entrance. The historic mural that now graces the school entry
will be moved farther to the rear of the central area. A special area of the school bus circle will
be designated just outside the end of a straight hall from the new kindergarten rooms. To the left
of the entrance will be the administrative area that will house the kitchen, cafeteria and, finally
the music room. All plumbing of the 40-year-old building will be replaced and the mechanical
systems will be renewed. New double-glazed windows are to be installed. Asbestos is extensive
in the floors and will cost about $260,000 to he removed. There is also lead paint. A new roof
with insulation will be needed, in addition.
Bowman School problems abound due to its peaty site. Pavement is in poor condition due to
this. The peat is on three sides of the site. On the right side of the building where a building
addition is contemplated, the area will have to be excavated to remove peal and replaced with
more suitable supporting material. However, no increase in impervious area is planned, as the
addition would replace a paved play area.
Construction cost for Bowman is estimated at $9.3 million, or $134 per square foot, in 2001
dollars. The estimated cost for Estabrook, however, would be $143 per square foot. The higher
cost is caused by the quantity of asbestos removal and greater age of the building. The SBAB
would support a$11.3 project cost, is it estimated.
Committee noted that the School Committee needs to discuss plans for the four elementary
schools and the committee asked for another progress review, this time with school personnel
representatives at a meeting to he scheduled for October 17
Meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m.
Respectful ly//ssubbmmiitted,
Erna S. Greene, Secretary