Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-8-14Minutes for August 14, 2013, adopted Oct. 9 Town of Nantucket Capital Program Committee www.naratucket-ma.gov Members: Phil Stambaugh (Chair), Carol Damon (Vice- chair), Peter Morrison, Linda Williams, John Tiffany, Joseph Grouse, Tobias Glidden `o Wednesday August 14, 2013 � 9 4 Fairgrounds Road, Second -floor Meeting Room — 8:00 ad m0 L Called to order at 8:00 a.m. Staff: Martin Anguelov, Budget Analyst; Terry Norton, Town Minutes 1 a�cer Attending Members: Stambaugh, Damon, Morrison, Glidden, (Maury for Tiffany) 2 O Absent Members: Williams, Tiffany, Grouse m Late arrival: None -p Public: Craig Spery Documents used: Minutes for August 7, 2013; Copies of NPS proposed FY2015 Capital Projects; NPS historical enrollments by grade; 5 -Year NPS Capital Plan. Auy.usi 7. 1013 - A lot ion to Approve. (made by: Morrison) (seconded by: 1 uell] OEM 1. Nantucket Public Schools (NPS) Sitting Stambaugh, Damon, Morrison, Grause, Glidden Presentation Michael Cozort, Superintendent of Schools — Reviewed enrollment figures from the past 20 years. Stated that enrollment has grown about 20% in the past four years and there is a need for modular classrooms at the elementary school. Described space usage changes made to accommodate more classroom space. Stated his belief in the need for a new school and that a Pre-K to 2 school is the cheapest option; the present elementary school would then become 3 to 6. Moving the 60' grade would alleviate space in the middle school. Predicted that the new school would be presented to the public in about three years. Discussion Morrison — Asked if there was a degree of flux in enrollment during the year. Cozort — Stated he has seen a change in that; there have been fewer children leaving in December and returning in February; the students tend more to stay while parents leave the island for the winter. Morrison — Stated that he agrees with the need for a new Pre -K to 2 school. Cozort — In response to a question, explained there is not a large population of home - schooled students and that those children tend to come back into the public school system at the high- school level. Stated that if the two private schools closed, the public schools would be in trouble as there would be no room to accommodate those students. In 5 to 10 years, he believes this country will have universal pre - school; that is another reason for the Pre -K to 2 building that could house up to 400 children. Further discussion about the enrollment model. Pagel of 3 Minutes for August 14, 2013, adopted Oct 9 Discussion Cozort — Federal "Title 3" funds total only about $20,000 a year. NPS will get into the State continued queue for building project funds that would help with a new school building. Reviewed the NPS achievement record; the High School has not only sent students to elite universities and colleges but also has a large number of students who are the first in their families to go to college; an accomplishment he feels island residents should be proud of Stambaugh — Went over the FY2015 capital projects. Cozort — Reviewed the priority of FY2015 capital projects. Diane O'Neil, School Facilities Director — Explained the need for the Nantucket High School window replacement: to be the same style but tinted and energy efficient. Cozort — Described safety /security measures they would like to install and safety /security measures currently in place. Reviewed upgrades needed for the stadiums and fields; the schools are kicking off a fund- raising program to help off -set the cost; hoping for 50150. Pointed out that the stadium and fields could be out weighed by the need for a new building. Stambaugh — Asked about a FY2016 large HVAC upgrade. Cozort — Explained that in brief. Morrison — Asked about the timing and phasing of a new building: how long it takes. Cozort — Provided a firm can be engaged, which might be 3 -9 months, the design/option phase takes 2 -3 months; from there it is how aggressive NPS moves forward and fits in with the Town debt schedule. Stated he hopes to convince CapCom and other community leaders of the urgency for a new building. Morrison — Suggested Mr. Cozort try to have something in place for Annual Town Meeting. Discussion about the possibility of a presentation ready for Special Town Meeting. Cozort — Explained the funding source that would allow them to go forward with the planning study; should cost about $75,000. Pointed out that NPS is ready to close 5 to 7 old capital projects by January. Further discussion about the demography occurring on island being atypical to what is occurring elsewhere, that Nantucket is becoming a "port of entry" for immigrants and how that affects the schools and the need for a new building. Glidden — Asked Mr. Morrison what the cost might be for a true demographic survey as Ms Stover had also expressed and interest in having something she felt would be more thorough than the census. Morrison — Stated there is no real way to accomplish that; the census is still the best source. However, school enrollment is a good indicator of the year-round population. Motion N/A TOPICS 111. FUTURE MEETING 7 Stambaugh — Stated that he toured the situation with the Town Clerk's vaults and had photos of the situation. Discussion about the vault shelving and resolving other Town records storage concerns. 2. Stambaugh — Need to get information to Ms Gibson about a fall meeting schedule. Wednesdays are good for everyone. 3. Stambaugh — Had suggested that the 10 -year spreadsheet, such as provided by Mr. Rafter for the airport, would be great from all departments; there has been push -back on that however. Stated that in the past, CapCom did get a 10 -year spreadsheet; however, CapCom has not been firm about 2 -5 and 6 -10 year plans. Discussion about how the spreadsheet can help each department look at its capital projections. Consensus of the committee is that a 10 -year spreadsheet should be required from each department as it is critical in long -term planning. Page 2 of 3 Minutes for August 14, 2013, adopted Oct. 9 V. DATE OF NEXT MEETING To be determincd. Adjourned: 9:17 a.m. Submitted by: Terry L. Norton Page 3 of 3