MINUTES ADOPTED AS PRESENTED 03/05/2012
ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL/BOARD OF EDUCATION
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2012
A Special Meeting of the Enfield Town Council and Enfield Board of Education was called to order by Chairman Kaupin in the Enfield Room of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Thursday, February 2, 2012. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL-CALL – Present were Councilmen Arnone, Crowley, Hall, Kaupin, Kienzler, Lee, Mangini and Stokes. Councilmen Nelson entered at 6:31 p.m. and Councilman Bosco entered at 6:40 p.m. Councilman Edgar was absent. Also present were Town Manager, Matthew Coppler, Director of Finance, Lynn Nenni; Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki; Director of Social Services, Pam Brown
Present from the Enfield Board of Education were Chairman Timothy Neville, Board Members Vincent Grady, Joyce Hall, Tina LeBlanc, Jennifer Rancourt and Donna Szewczak. Kevin Fealy, Peter Jonaitis and Charles Johnson were absent. Also present were Superintendent of Schools, Dr. John Gallacher; Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Anthony Torre; Enrico Fermi High School Principal, Paul Newton and Enfield High School Principal, Thomas Duffy.
UPDATE OF HIGH SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION PROCESS
Chairman Neville gave the history of the high school consolidation process. He noted the Department of Education requires updates in areas such as labs and technology. He stated his belief they should first deal with the Pre-K – Grade 8 consolidation and then address the high schools. He pointed out they need to take action because they’re being cited regarding Title 9 handicap accessibility, and those upgrades will cost over $1 million dollars. He added they’re also trying to address declining enrollment.
Chairman Kaupin stated the Strategic Planning Committee looked at the consolidation process. He noted this committee has equal representation from the school and town sides. He stated their consultants looked at a 9th grade academy early on, but the committee dropped that idea. He noted in the end, they decided to go with one high school to be located at Enfield High School.
Chairman Neville stated their final decision came down to the best choice for the community, and that was based mostly on finances. He noted the payback with Enfield High School is estimated at $2.6 million dollars. He stated it would be expensive to deal with the soil issue at Fermi. He noted people felt comfortable that this is the right decision, and they tried to keep emotions and loyalties out of this decision-making process.
Councilman Crowley stated the cost was $2 to $3 million dollars to go with Fermi High School. Mr. Coppler added the cost for ADA requirements for Fermi High School would be between $2 and $3 million dollars.
Councilman Carol Hall questioned whether a spreadsheet is available that would show comparison costs for each option. Mr. Coppler stated such a comparison spreadsheet would have to be created. Dr. Gallacher stated such a spreadsheet would not be looking at “apples and oranges, however, they could provide some guesstimates.
Mr. Coppler pointed out in November 2010, there was a presentation on the savings by going from two to one high school. He noted on the school side salaries and benefits would realize a cost savings of $1.3 million and a savings of $1.7 million for substitutes, athletics and transportation. He added there would be around $225,000 in Town savings for building maintenance. He noted he could provide the power point presentation that reflects some numbers.
Councilman Kienzler stated he would like to hear more about soil remediation. Mr. Coppler stated they talked with the consultant to understand soil remediation costs and learned it depends on what is done at Fermi. He noted so far, they’ve capped the contamination. He stated if they expand upon the footprint of that building, they will be digging into contaminated soil, and the cost of doing so is unknown.
Councilman Crowley pointed out the Public Safety Academy is building a new high school in Enfield, and it doesn’t seem feasible to have three high schools in one town considering their enrollment is dropping.
REVIEW OF CONSOLIDATION TIMEFRAME WITH IMPORTANT BENCHMARKS AND DATES
Mr. Coppler reviewed the high school consolidation referendum timeframe for 2012 as follows:
- January 10 - Board of Education selects high school for consolidation
- January 27 - RFQ opened for architectural services (received 29 RFQs)
- February 2 - Joint Town Council/Board of Education Meeting
- February 20 - Council establishes pre-referendum steering committee
- February 23 - Architect given authorization to begin work for preliminary
- planning
- February 28 - 8 year estimated enrollment for the facility established
- April 15 - Develop professional cost estimate for ed specs
- April 30 - Council authorizes funding for local share
- May 1 - Education specifications completed
- May 15 - BOE adopts ED049, grant application and educational
- specifications
- June 1 - Begin working with bond counsel on necessary Council
- resolutions
- June 30 - Last day for State Dept of Educ reimbursement to be filed
- July 2 - Council votes to schedule public hearing for referendum
- question
- August 6 - Public hearing and meeting date to adopt referendum
- question by Council
- September 1 - Referendum question to Secretary of State
- November 6 - Referendum vote
Mr. Coppler then reviewed the list of formal actions to be taken by the Town Council as follows:
- Appropriate funds for pre-referendum activities, i.e., pay for the in-house consultant Mr. Art Pongratz’s time and the architect’s fee
- Appoint pre-referendum high school consolidation committee
- Authorize the funding for the local share
- Set public hearing for referendum question
- Adopt referendum question and associated resolutions
Dr. Gallacher stated if the referendum passes, they can begin work on July 1, 2014 so that they can get the State reimbursement. He noted the consolidation would be complete by 2016 if they were to follow their schedule.
Councilman Stokes questioned if they can look at holding two or three community conversations. Chairman Kaupin stated they’d look at a minimum of three, which could be scheduled for March, May and one final community conversation prior to final design and action.
Councilman Stokes suggested a special website about this undertaking to keep people informed. He pointed out people require clarity of information and where to access that information.
Councilman Carol Hall questioned what the state reimbursement might be, and Dr. Gallacher stated typically Enfield has received reimbursements in the 62% to 70% range. He noted they can provide those numbers for the last three years, however, he can’t predict what it will be in 2013. Councilman Carol Hall stated when they passed the last referendum for the school additions, they provided the public with as much information as possible, and that referendum did pass. She stressed the importance of having all this information available to the public.
Mr. Newton stated they received a lot of feedback from parents early on, in that they’d like to see this consolidation done as a phase-in kind of situation so that they’re not moving multiple grade levels all at one time. He explained how they would make this transition by utilizing all their existing facilities and not having to rent or do anything else in terms of incurring additional costs.
Mr. Duffy stated an important consideration involves science labs and technology. He noted neither school has the ability to house or schedule what’s needed in these areas for 11th and 12th graders.
Ms. LeBlanc voiced concern about segregating 9th graders at Stowe School during this transitional phase. Dr. Gallacher stated that’s just a tentative plan. Mr. Newton stated they would still consider 9th graders fully part of the regular high school program.
Ms. LeBlanc stated they need another plan if the construction schedule falls behind.
Ms. LeBlanc questioned if they would get a better reimbursement from the state if this is new construction. Dr. Gallacher stated there are different levels of reimbursement. He noted if the entire building is renovated to new, it’s a higher rate. Mr. Neville stated if they are going to do this, they should do it right by bringing the building up to code.
Councilman Crowley stated his belief Art Pongratz will bring a wealth of knowledge to this undertaking.
Chairman Kaupin stated an exciting outcome of this consolidation would be the addition and enhancement of courses, and that information should also be available.
POSSIBLE OPTIONS FOR REUSE OF FERMI HIGH SCHOOL
Chairman Kaupin stated the Director of Libraries is a huge advocate of adequate library space. He noted thought has been given to the possibility of Fermi being used as a library. He stated people have also been clamoring for a community center, and there’s the question whether Fermi could be used for this purpose. He questioned if the Town Manager came up with any figures as to square footage that could be available.
Mr. Coppler stated Fermi High School has approximately 215,000 square feet. He noted without large areas, i.e., pool, gymnasium and cafeteria, that square footage would be about 170,000 square feet, which would be the usable space for a library or community center. He noted the amenities of an indoor pool and gymnasium would add to the Town’s ability to provide recreation programming. He noted it would be less expensive to renovate Fermi High School for a library than to construct a new 70,000 square foot library.
Chairman Neville stated a lot of people think they should move JFK Middle School to Fermi’s building, however, Fermi was built as a traditional high school. He noted they have a very specific configuration for their middle school, and Fermi is not laid out for supervising middle school students. He pointed out continuing to use Fermi as a school would mean having to bring it up to code.
Councilman Arnone strongly supported the idea of using Fermi as a community center, however, he stated his hope the Lamagna Center would remain open.
Ms. Rancourt stated her understanding the Town wouldn’t be required to spend $2 to $3 million dollars for ADA requirements at Fermi if it’s to be used as a community center, but they would have to expend that money if it were to be used as a school. Dr. Gallacher stated there are different standards for a school. He noted if used as a public building, it would have to be handicap accessible, but not at the same level if it were to be used for students.
Councilman Kienzler questioned how this plan would react to a change in demographics.
Dr. Gallacher stated when they do the paperwork for the State, an 8-year enrollment projection is required for a remodeled building. He noted a demographer will provide a number. He pointed out the Enfield school district has been dropping about 200 students per year. He stated with the opening of magnet schools, they’re seeing more students going to those magnet schools. He noted if the Town could produce a more modern, 21st century type building, they might be able to retain students.
Councilman Nelson questioned whether the Enfield Child Development Center can be put into Fermi High School. Mr. Coppler stated other possibilities might be Stowe School or the vacated library if the library moves to Fermi High School.
Councilman Nelson stated if Fermi were to become a community center, the senior center might be able to offer programming at that facility, i.e., pool use. Mr. Coppler agreed, stating it would definitely allow the Town to expand its recreational offerings.
Councilman Crowley pointed out they could also use Fermi High School as a shelter if needed, rather than utilizing a school.
Councilman Mangini stated her belief that at some point they should identify all of the available buildings and the possibilities for those buildings. She noted they should bring ideas to the public so they can get feedback from the public. She stated they should also have a Plan B if the referendum fails.
Mr. Grady stated people should also understand they’re voting on the high school issue. He noted they should be focusing on the consolidation of the two high schools and not get everything mixed together because this might confuse the voters.
Chairman Kaupin stated in the end the voters will be voting on the consolidation of the high schools. He noted they should also share the vision for Fermi because people will want to know what’s going to happen to this vacated building.
Chairman Neville stated his belief it’s irresponsible not to plan. He noted these are options, and they’re trying to put something together that will be an asset to the town.
Ms. Szewczak stated she likes the vision and without the vision, they can’t see the integration of the town. She noted such a vision shows moving forward educational-wise allows them to move forward as a town.
Councilman Stokes stated his belief it’s important to understand the parallel and that the community will be asking these questions. He noted the wise thing to do might be to put together a separate think tank that can create different ideas as to what might happen with different buildings.
Dr. Gallacher stated another possibility for Fermi would be to set aside a few rooms to bring back the alternative high school.
Dr. Gallacher stated his understanding the DMV building is in trouble and may be closed down. He questioned the possibility of the State renting space from the Town to house the Motor Vehicle Department.
Chairman Kaupin suggested perhaps the Director of Libraries and a committee can look at Fermi to determine whether that building would work as a library in a long-range plan.
DISCUSSION OF CONSOLIDATION ISSUES AND NEXT STEPS
Councilman Lee requested staff provide a description of the borrowing environment at this time and find out whether the forecast is good for the foreseeable future. Chairman Kaupin said they should also learn how that layers onto their current debt and debt payments and what the impact will be on the tax rate.
Mr. Neville recommending fleshing out those meeting dates and putting together a draft agenda so that people see that on the horizon. He noted this information should be on the website as well.
Councilman Lee questioned whether the architectural firm plans, as part of their process, different points where input is typically sought. Mr. Coppler stated as part of the selection process that Mr. Pongratz will be leading them through, they’ll be making sure the architectural firms understand there is an engagement concept that has to be undertaken and within their contract.
Councilman Crowley stated the public should understand the Strategic Planning Committee was comprised of administration, department heads, Council members, Board of Education members, and all kinds of staff so they could get all the facts and figures together. He noted this has been a long, thought-out process, and they’ve been meeting since last year.
Chairman Kaupin stated the next step is to get dates defined for public informational meetings as soon as the architect has been engaged.
VISION FOR FUTURE USE OF OTHER TOWN FACILITIES (CENTRAL LIBRARY, STOWE ELEMENTARY
Ms. Brown stated the possibility of having the Child Development Center located at the library would be very beneficial. She stated her belief there would be adequate space to meet their needs. She noted this would also be centrally located and accessible to families. She stated the new playground and nearby school are also beneficial and positive.
Councilman Kienzler questioned whether they can look at space needs at Fermi without getting an architect involved. He noted this would involve space requirements for the library, the community center and other possible uses.
Chairman Kaupin stated they would ask the architect to look at possibilities for other buildings. Mr. Coppler added having an architect on board is almost mandatory to be able to say whether a building could be used for a certain function.
Councilman Arnone stated be would also like to look at Stowe for possible senior housing.
Ms. Rancourt stated the state is saying all day kindergarten will be happening, and as soon as that is implemented, they will be required to provide pre-school. She noted Stowe would be a great facility for a town-wide preschool.
Chairman Neville stated they know these things are coming, therefore, they have to be sure enrollment and facilities mesh.
Ms. Joyce Hall stated any proposals that come from the State during this legislative session are all being done through committee. She noted with the Governor concentrating on education, the ECS will not be impacted until next year because the two-year budget mandates that. She stated the ECS committee will report in October, and the future will be clearer.
Ms. Szewczak suggested perhaps the privately-owned Noah Webster building could be used for senior housing. Councilman Arnone noted that’s something that perhaps the Housing Authority could look into.
Councilman Crowley stated it’s possible there could be an EMS substation at Fermi so that there’s coverage for both sides of town.
Chairman Kaupin closed the Special Meeting at 8:10 p.m. |