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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20180411 - Center School Re-Use Advisory Team - Minutes1 Center School Re-Use Advisory Team Wednesday, April 11, 2018 6:30 PM Senior Center, 28 Mayhew St., Hopkinton, MA MINUTES Members Present: Richard Flannery, Chair, Kenneth Weismantel, Vice Chair, Laura Barry, John Pavlov, Darlene Hayes Liaisons Present: Claire Wright (Board of Selectmen), Michael Auen (Hopkinton Historic District Commission), Jennifer Devlin (School Committee), Bob Dobinski (Parks & Recreation Commission) Liaisons Absent: Frank D’Urso (Planning Board) Discussion with School Department/School Committee Representatives It was noted that other School Committee members were not able to attend this evening, due to a conflict with another meeting. Mr. Flannery stated he discussed the issues with the Chair, who identified the needs for Center School as central office space, life skills program space, and gym use. He stated that she indicated that central office space, including the uses currently in the “white house” on school grounds would fit nicely into the front part of the building. He noted that they have 5,000 square feet in rental space and 2,500 in the white house. Mr. Pavlov noted that each floor of the front of Center School has about 5,000 square feet, for a total net of about 13,185 sq. ft. The life skills program was described, which serves 18 to 22 individuals and uses High School facilities, including the kitchen. Ms. Devlin stated she would obtain the exact lease cost of 89 Hayden Rowe, and what kind/amount of space that the life skills program needs. It was noted that if any outside groups are interested in Center School, they should contact the Town Manager’s office and then be referred to the CSRAT. Ms. Devlin left the meeting at this time. Mr. Dobinski stated that the Parks & Recreation Commission has a consultant who will study the rear portion of Center School for Parks & Rec. use, identifying what needs to be done to make it useable for those purposes. He stated the consultant will work with the Town’s consultant looking at the entire building. The Team discussed obtaining quantifiable numbers on Parks & Rec. now and if Center School was available, including number of programs, participants, etc. It was noted that the Team would like to quantify the needs as much as possible. Community Input Mr. Flannery distributed copies of an email received from Carin Fallon with suggestions as to the reuse of Center School. The Team reviewed survey forms that were received after the deadline. Mr. Weismantel moved to include the late returned forms and the email as community input, and the motion was seconded by Ms. Hayes. The vote in favor was unanimous. Mr. Pavlov will add the information to the spreadsheet. Minutes Mr. Weismantel moved to approve the Minutes of the March 28, 2018 meeting. The motion was seconded by Ms. Barry and the Team voted unanimously in favor. 2 CSRAT Criteria Spreadsheet The Team reviewed the draft Criteria Spreadsheet distributed at the last meeting, and discussed the weight of each criteria. It was the consensus to modify the criteria and weights as follows: 1. Use will fit in neighborhood – 100 2. Use will improve off-street parking and traffic – delete this criteria 3. Whether a use will serve a need for the Town – 100 4. Ability to economically convert the school to serve the need – 100 5. Preserve the 1920’s historic façade facing the Common – 100 6. Consideration of the value of the site and building, located in the center of Town and adjacent to the Common, beyond the financial value that could be realized by a potential sale – 75 7. Streamline the timeline for reuse to minimize the time that the building is vacant – 25 8. Find a permanent use for the building – 75 9. Has an active sponsor/advocate - 100 Mr. Pavlov and Mr. Weismantel will go through the spreadsheet and prepare an initial ranking of uses for review at a future meeting. CSRAT Team Plan and Process Document The Team reviewed draft modifications to the Plan and Process document that were distributed for the last meeting. Mr. Pavlov moved to approve the modifications, and the motion was seconded by Ms. Barry. The vote in favor was unanimous. Press Release The Team discussed preparing a press release with survey results, and other public outreach, including a second public forum, an HCAM call-in show, and a report at Town Meeting. It was determined that the results of the survey, a preliminary building assessment and the needs assessment for municipal uses should be addressed in a press release that Ms. Hayes will draft. It was noted that next steps should include an electronic survey that tests the ideas that were received. Next Steps in Process The Team discussed obtaining additional information on funding sources for building reuse/rehabilitation/restoration, such as Community Preservation Funds, Mass. Historical Commission grants, and Cultural Council/Cultural District grants. Elaine Lazarus, Director of Land Use & Town Operations, offered to look into grant opportunities. Information from the Town Manager relative to mitigating asbestos and PCBs was referred to, noting that $900,000 worth of hazards need to be removed no matter what happens with the building. Future Agenda Items It was noted that School Committee representatives should be scheduled to attend and discuss their needs. 3 Ms. Wright suggested a new criteria for the spreadsheet, namely that the use won’t make the traffic and parking problem worse, and it was the consensus that parking requirements and site plan review would address those issues. Mr. Weismantel moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Pavlov and the Team voted unanimously in favor. Adjourned: 8:20 PM Approved: April 26, 2018 Documents used at the meeting:  Draft minutes of the March 28, 2018 meeting  Board/Committee Questionnaire return from School Committee  Six Center School Re-Use Advisory Team Questionnaire forms returned after the deadline  Email dated 4/11/18 to Richard Flannery from Carin Fallon, re: Center School  Document entitled “Use”, the criteria spreadsheet  Document entitled “Center School Re-Use Advisory Team, Team Plan and Process, As of 3-28-2018 DRAFT”