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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-08-04 School Committee MinutesReading School Committee Reading, Massachusetts Regular Session Auiust 4, 2003 CALL TO ORDER Chair Dahl called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Present were School Committee Members Carpenter, Dahl, McFadden, Russo, Spadafora and Webb. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and Associate Superintendent Richards, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Finance Director Beth Klepeis and Town Accountant Richard Foley. Chair Dahl formally welcomed Elaine Webb to the School Committee. He stated that Ms. Webb was replacing Ms. Cavicchi who resigned as School Committee member. CITIZENS INPUT There was no citizen input. SUPERINTENDENT /CHAIR REPORT Superintendent Schettini stated that there were three appointments to discuss this evening two members to the Ad Hoc Committee regarding RCTV, one additional member to the Audit Committee and one member to the Recreation Committee. The Town Manager discussed the newly formed Ad Hoc Committee regarding RCTV. Chair Dahl asked if any Committee members would be interested in representing the Committee on the Ad Hoc Committee regarding RCTV. Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo and Mr. Carpenter all stated their interest in serving on the Committee. Chair Dahl asked Mr. Russo if he believed he could represent the viewpoint that was the consensus of the Committee even though Mr. Russo did not agree with the consensus. Mr. Russo stated that he did not believe he could. Chair Dahl stated that since Mr. Russo did not believe he could carry the Committee's viewpoint as a member of the Ad Hoc Committee he appointed Mr. McFadden and Mr. Carpenter to serve as the School Committee representatives. Chair Dahl stated that he believed the second School Committee representative to the Audit Committee should not be a member of the Committee but an individual appointed by the Committee. Chair Dahl asked any individuals interested in filling the position contact Town Hall or the Superintendent's office. Chair Dahl asked the Committee Members to get back to him before the next School Committee meeting if they were interested in serving as the School Committee representative on the Recreation Committee. Regular Session 2 August 4, 2003 Superintendent Schettini updated the Committee on the high school project. He stated that the Chairman had entered into a contract with the architect. Chair Dahl and the Committee directed the Superintendent to send a letter of thanks to Representatives Jones and Donovan and Senator Tisei for their work on the high school project. Chair Dahl and the Town Manager discussed the recent Finance Committee meeting. Mr. McFadden asked if there was any regulation prohibiting the Town of Reading from having a volunteer fire department. The Town Manager advised that by law Reading could have a volunteer fire department but that it would not be practical. Chair Dahl stated that he had met with the Town Manager, Superintendent and Chair of the Board of Selectmen and that a joint meeting would be scheduled in September. OLD BUSINESS FY03 Budget Town Accountant Richard Foley reviewed the close out figures for the FY03 budget. Mr. Spadafora moved to accept the changes as outlined by Richard Foley and to close out the fiscal year returning $11,016 to the Town's General Fund. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb. Warrant Articles Superintendent Schettini stated that the warrant articles being presented this evening would not require a vote by the Committee but that he was looking for consensus to move the articles forward to counsel for review. Town Finance Director Beth Klepeis reviewed the draft articles for fall town meeting. She explained the need to move the articles forward for review by counsel if the Committee wanted to have the flexibility to make changes if they deemed it necessary. The Committee discussed the warrant articles including some concern members had with the second article regarding the transfer of funds from the new elementary school to the Barrows project. Mr. Brown stated his concern with the second warrant article. Regular Session 3 August 4, 2003 Chair Dahl recognized Mr. Brown's concern. After discussion it was the consensus of the Committee to move the warrant articles forward and have town counsel and bond counsel review the articles and bring the articles back to the Committee for further discussion. Mr. Carpenter thanked Beth Klepeis and Richard Foley for their attention to detail in preparing the FY03 closeout and the analysis of the draft warrant. Killam Boiler Superintendent Schettini reviewed the bids received for the Killam boiler. He stated that he was recommending that the low bidder George T. Wilkerson be awarded the contract. Ms Webb asked if this were a boiler replacement only or if the delivery system was involved. Superintendent Schettini stated that it was boiler replacement only. Mr. Russo questioned whether the $0 bid by Invensys would be considered a bid because only three bids were received. The Town Manager stated that the boiler was bid and the requirement that you get three quotes is only for items you are not required to bid. Mr. Russo asked whether the boiler was dual fuel. He stated his concern about the cost of natural gas. Superintendent Schettini stated that it was not a dual boiler and that the cost to upgrade to a dual boiler before installation was $1,300 and after installation about $2,000. He discussed the need to replace the oil tank at a cost of approximately $30,000 if the Committee wanted to have the option of dual fuel. The Committee discussed the fact that strategically the Town has been working to convert all buildings gas and the small price difference to convert to a dual burner prior to installation versus after installation. Mr. Spadafora moved to authorize the Superintendent to enter into a contract with George T. Wilkinson Co., Inc., the low bidder, to dismantle and remove the existing boiler as well as furnish and install a new boiler at the Killam Elementary School as outlined in the Superintendent's memorandum dated July 30, 2003. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb. Regular Session 4 August 4, 2003 Northshore Consortium Mr. Spadafora moved to appoint Patrick Schettini to the Northshore Consortium Board of Directors. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Mr. Webb. RMHS Project Superintendent Schettini discussed the need for a School Committee vote in compliance with SBA Advisory 02 -2 stating that the Committee will proceed with construction. Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the following resolution which fulfills the requirement of SBA Administrative Advisory 02 -2. That the Town of Reading intends to start construction on the renovation /addition of Reading Memorial High School prior to receiving the state grant. The Town of Reading has been advised by the Commissioner of Education that the Town may not receive the state grant within the time period allowed by statue for temporary borrowing and the Town of Reading is legally authorized to issue long -term bonds for the renovation /addition of Reading Memorial High School prior to receipt of the state grant. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 5 -1 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb voted yes, Mr. Russo voted no. Mr. Russo stated his concern that the voters approved the project expecting a certain percent reimbursement from the state and that he was not comfortable moving forward with the project at this time. Chair Dahl stated that the legislation approved by the Governor states specifically what rate the town would receive for reimbursement. Mr. Spadafora stated that by not voting to proceed with construction the Committee would be going against the will of the majority of voters who supported the project. Loss Control Training Town Manager Hechenbleikner showed two videos from MAII regarding School Board Liability and Conducting Public Meetings. The Committee and the Town Manager discussed the videos. Regular Session 5 August 4, 2003 Minutes Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the minutes of May 29, 2003. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb. Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the minutes of May 30, 2003 with changes as noted. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb. Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the minutes of June 9, 2003. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb. Mr. Spadafora moved to approve the minutes of June 17, 2003. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb. Adjourn At 9:30 p.m. Mr. Spadafora moved to adiourn. Mr. Carpenter seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Dahl, Mr. McFadden, Mr. Russo, Mr. Spadafora and Ms. Webb.