Gorham Schools

Building Committee Meeting

Wed., 3/l6/05

MINUTES

DRAFT set--

The meeting was called to order at 6:37 by our Chairperson, Mr. Reed Liberman. 

The following participants were able to attend:

Reed Liberman, Bob DeMeers, Jean Tremblay, Dennis _____,

Jeff Hill, Angela Brown, Keith Parent, Paul Bousquet and Patrick Low.  Contacting us ahead of time that they were unable to attend this meeting, but would appreciate Minutes were:  Mrs. Katie Kelley, Mrs. JoAnn Carpenter and Mr. David Goyette.  

There were no Minutes to approve from our 2/28/05 meeting.

They were received at our SAU20 office today, 3/l7/05.

There were no written communications received to report.

There were no visitors; however Mrs. Angela Brown from our Randolph School Board was recognized and thanked for joining us for the first time. 

Co-op Impact

Patrick shared a few remarks regarding the anticipated impact the passage of our positive vote for a cooperative school district could have upon our work.  New members are very much welcome to the Building Committee.  In May, at our organizational meeting for our cooperative school district, this message will be communicated once again.

Meeting Topics (Reed chaired the meeting and the following topics were addressed with related information shared here as well):

Role of Bldg. Committee- To research needs and options to address those needs with regard to Gorham’s Plant & Facilities (school buildings).  To continue to fact find and be prepared to share the most accurate, up date and useful information possible to our school boards, including our up-coming Cooperative transitional School Board.  When called upon to do so, to make recommendations to the Gorham and Cooperative School Boards.

The two properties on Mechanic Street, owned by the Gorham Schools, were discussed.  Various methods of removing them from their present sites were discussed, if the space is needed for building renovation and/or new construction in coming years. 

The need to remain fully open minded regarding all possible options to meet our building needs in the future was shared and discussed.  The airport site was referenced as well as the possibility of the Town Forest property.  An area off Gorham Hill was also referenced as a very beautiful and perhaps a potential site for a mhs structure.

It was agreed to continue to move forward with studies and planning work for the Ed Fenn Elementary building.  It was also agreed that studies and planning need to be directed upon the GMHS building as well in the very near future; to be working on planning work for both the elementary and mhs.

We explained to Dennis how input had been gathered and sought to facilitate the updating of the basic sketches for Ed Fenn Elementary (just prior to Christmas vacation).  Ideas and input continue to be welcomed. 

Updated information regarding the Building Committee’s budget and balance of same as well as any impending billings will be shared at the 3/30/05 meeting.

Dennis explained how the “Means” books could be useful to the committee in projecting prices for various aspects of a building project.  He will bring in a sample or two at our next meeting.  We may wish to purchase a set of our own or similar CD information in the future.  A website (fee basis) is also an option. 

It was suggested that it would be wise to contact Mr. Tim Sappington, to see if he would be interested in dialoging with us regarding possible options, etc.  (Approaches to meet out needs).

It was agreed, that after the May organization cooperative meeting, it would be well to move forward with focus groups and perhaps surveys.

All Cooperative Board members will be invited to our next meeting on 3/30/05.

Prior Hebert Plans were mentioned by Dennis, with committee members sharing an interest in seeing/reviewing those original plans for a new mhs. 

It was also suggested that Mr. David Provane, architect, would be a good resource for us to contact as we fact find and plan.

A key activity of our next meeting will be to determine what $ amount will be requested at the May Cooperative Organizational meeting, when motions can be acted upon from the floor.  There seems to be support to ask for more than $50,000 to address planning work for the Ed Fenn Elementary, to fund a modest budget for the Bldg. Committee to continue to function and to possibly provide funds to help study the GMHS needs.  This is all yet to be fully determined.

Adjournment was at 8:40pm.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, 3/3/05, in the FRC lst Floor Conference Room, 6:30p.m.

Respectfully shared,

Patrick Christopher Low, Ed. S.

Superintendent

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*If any key points have been inadvertently overlooked, please contact our office immediately so we can so update these minutes.  Thank you--