2003-03-18 School Committee Minutes

Home Browse Search

Reading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session March 18.2003 Chair Griset called the regular session to order in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 5:35 p.m. Present were School Committee members Cavicchi, Russo, Twomey, Griset, and McFadden. Mr. Dahl arrived at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Russo asked if he could speak regarding compromising the designer selection process. He stated that he felt the process was on the fast track. He wanted to know why we were not doing due diligence. He stated that there was not enough time thus compromising the designer selection process. Mr. Russo suggested that four School Committee members were found in violation of the designer selection process. Mr. Griset stated that there was enough time and this is an honest difference of opinion. Mr. Griset clarified that four School Committee members were not found in violation of anything. There was a technical violation only and the courts found that the School Committee acted in good faith. All of which is long over and done with. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mrs. Cavicchi moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing the deployment of security personnel or devices. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -0. Mrs. Cavicchi, Mr. Russo, Mr. Twomey, Mr. Griset, and Mr. McFadden. CALL BACK TO ORDER Mr. Griset called the regular session back to order at 6:05. Mr. Griset explained the purpose of the meeting is to interview three architectural firms for the high school project. The first firm to be interviewed is Drummey, Rosane and Anderson, (DRA). Owen Beenhower, Principal for Contracts and Administration, introduced himself and stated that Drummey, Rosane and Anderson was formed in 1923 and 85% of their business is public school construction. He introduced the other people from the firm. Mr. Carl Franceschi is the Principal in charge of Design, Mr. Vladimir Lyubetsky, Project Manager, Mr. Paul Moore, Programming and Planning and Mr. Paul Brown, Project Architect. Mr. Franceschi stated that he had respect for the work Flansburgh did and they could carry it out. He said that he meets with Christine Lynch from SBA on a regular basis so that he is familiar with the process. They gave a power point presentation. The firm is quite familiar with phasing. Mr. Lyubetsky gave an overview of the phasing, demolition and new construction/renovation. He stated that DRA has a history of issuing a very small percentage in change orders. Contract bids currently have been coming in very close to budget. They have the ability to do this job.