Revised ERCSD Facilities Committee Meeting

April 11, 2006 – 5:30 PM

Cooperative Middle School - Library

 

MEMBERS PRESENT: Lucy Cushman, Kim Casey, Sally Oxnard and Ray Trueman

 

ADMINISTRATION PRESENT:      Arthur Hanson, Walter Pierce, Dick Wendell, Nathan Lunney and
 Attorney Gordon Graham

 

OTHER BOARD MEMBERS:          Patty Lovejoy, Greg Kann and Kris Magnusson

 

GUESTS:               Carol Aten, Attorney Charles Tucker and Mike Dawley

 

PUBLIC:               John Hazekamp (also taping the meeting)

 

Chair Cushman opened the meeting at 5:30 PM.  The following agenda items were discussed and/or acted on by the committee.

 

1.        Scope of the Appraisal for the Annex: At the March 320, 2006 meeting, it was decided to get the process underway with a look at the site within current zoning – that is (1) the building on the land and (2) the land without the building with the possibility of several single family lots or a small (less than 15 lots) cluster subdivision.  The evening’s discussion was centered on whether or not to expand the charge to the appraiser to include any special exceptions and/or a variance for 40 residential units.  The meaning and intent of Warrant Article #7 was also discussed, as was the role of the Zoning Board of Adjustments (ZBA).  Mike Dawley, a resident of Exeter, presented his “no lose proposal” in which he offered to represent the ERCSD Board at the ZBA and ask for a variance for forty (40) residential units in the existing Annex building.  Much discussion ensued.  After listening to Mr. Dawley’s proposal and the feedback from our attorney, Mr. Graham, motion by Ray Trueman to leave the appraisal as a “limited use appraisal” as determined on March 30^th with a second by Sally Oxnard.  Mr. Trueman said that Mr. Dawley’s suggestion was interesting, but that in the end, a developer offers no “community give back”.  Other committee members felt that with a 65% share of the voters okaying the sale to Squamscott Community Commons (SCC) and our attorney’s interpretation that we have been authorized to negotiate with SCC directed to sell to SCC, this sort of appraisal (limited use) would meet the needs and expectation of the warrant article.  Vote: unanimous (4-0) in favor of motion.

 

2.        New High School Update: Walter then reviewed ongoing projects at EHS – paving (including the tennis courts), punch lists and steady progress in the block structure under the stadium seating.  A date of September 1, 2006 was agreed upon for the dedication of Ball Stadium.  The group discussed asking Principal Sokul to move up the dedication of the high school from the proposed September 24, 2006 to possibly Sunday, August 27, 2006.  the idea being to get the public into the building before school opens.

 

3.        Name of Old High School Site (on Linden Street): Dr. Hanson returned to an earlier discussion of a new name for the Linden Street site.  The need to have something to call the building other than “the old high school: has become apparent.  Motion by Sally Oxnard, seconded by Kim Casey and committee voted 3-1 (Trueman) to recommend to the full board the new name for the Linden Street site of “Tuck Learning Center”.  This will be recommended to the full board.

 

The committee agreed to continue with the non-public portion of the meeting after the board meeting this evening.

 

Meeting adjourned at 6:58PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Lucy Cushman, Chair

Facilities Committee