There's a turf war over tomorrow's agenda...
The MRJs Jesse Buchanan is reporting on disagreements between Ds and Rs over tomorrow's agenda:
An update on fundraising for the high school's artificial turf field won't be on the agenda for tonight's Town Council meeting and at least one council Democrat believes the exclusion is a delaying tactic on the part of the Republican majority...
Democratic Councilor Justin Adinolfi said Republicans oppose the project and are trying to stall by sending it to a Republican-dominated committee.
No stalling on my part. I simply don't support it until I see a plan for funding the increased long-term liabilities.
One interesting point in this article though, I can update my May whip count:
Slocum - yea
Adinolfi - yea
Ecke - yea
Giddings - ???
Sima - nay
Schrumm - ???
Ruocco - nay
Falvey - yea
White - nay
Interesting.
Tim White
13 comments:
Tim, at our BOE Planning Committee meeting on Friday 6/11 at 7:30am we're discussing the following agenda items:
- Synthetic Turf Field
- Running Track Replacement
- CHS Locker Room Renovation(s)
- Field House at CHS
There are all new items appearing on the planning committee agenda for the first time this school year. I'll post more information after the meeting.
Regarding the turf project...there are a lot of unanswered questions about (at least) the long-term funding for it so it only seems to make sense to have both planning committees review it.
FYI.
Tony P
Tony,
Tony,
This is precisely why I made this determination as far as the TC's role is concerned. I discussed this with Gerry Brittingham, Greg Florio and Bob Behrer. The TC's planning committee along with the BOE's planning committee is the place for this. Who can argue with proper planning?
Tim Slocum
Tim S, I'm in agreement and we on the BOE, the administration, turf committee, etc. think this is the most prudent way to move the project forward. Because there has been no long-term planning done on the project, in an official manner, it's best to get it through the planning committees just like ANY other town project. Nothing political here. I just met with Dr. Florio this morning and there's no concern there, as you stated.
As for Justin...someone give him a pacifier already.
Thanks,
Tony
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't I see in the Cheshire Herald last Thursday, the fundraising is up to $705,000?
Does this mean they have raised $130K?
That is pretty good, but I sure hope before the TC and the BOE approve this they get guarantees on costs of mantaiong and future replacement.
Tim S. is correct, "proper planning" is a must. It is something we never did with the pool and I don't feel we are doing it with the referendum vote on the pool cover we have coming up.
I really am interested in keeping up with these blogs to know what's going on in town. As a parent/taxpayer I thank you for that! But when the blogs turn nasty or snide comments are made about different people in town, any relevant facts take on a lesser meaning. Please keep the discussions civil.
Tony, looks like your meeting will be dealing with the most important parts of the education process in town,
- Synthetic Turf Field
- Running Track Replacement
- CHS Locker Room Renovation(s)
- Field House at CHS
I for one am so impressed over the fantastic focus on stuff like math, science and English. I guess we solved all the problems in those areas Tony?
"I for one am so impressed over the fantastic focus on stuff like math, science and English. I guess we solved all the problems in those areas Tony?"
This planning committee works with maintenance, capital projects, buildings, etc. We just started a 20/20 committee to review Redistricting, Grade Restructuring and Facility Consolidation. The committee will be working through the summer and fall and present options sometime in November.
Other items added to the agenda (today) are:
1.Recommendation to Accept Qualified Low Bid on Cheshire High School Auditorium Window Replacement Project
2.Update on progress of Norton Window Replacement
3.Update on progress of Dodd Kitchen Renovation
We just completed a 5 year capital plan which calls for the replacement of part of the CHS roof at $900K. That should be in November referendum.
As for the curriculum areas you've outlined those are handled through the curriculum committee where their focus is on...curriculum. But I will convey your concerns to the curriculum committee. Is there anything specific about math, science and english you want me to convey to the committee?
Thanks,
Tony Perugini
"Does this mean they have raised $130K?"
As of two weeks ago, they raised $190K.
Thanks Tony!
$190K is still a far distance from the $500K they will need to raise when the turf needs to be replaced in 7 to 10 years.
They can't sell bricks forever.
Will the BOE ask the tough questions on how that replacement will be handled?
What equipment is needed to care for the turf?
Who is responsible for maintaining the turf (Education dept?Park & Rec?) and will we have to hire more workers?
When it is rented out for the 300+ events they plan, who will get the proceeds?
What happens if they say they will raise "$x" and they fall short when the time to replace is needed? Who pays?
Tony, I know you are in favor of it, but we need to be realistic and make sure these questions are answered by the turf proponenets.
"Tony, I know you are in favor of it, but we need to be realistic and make sure these questions are answered by the turf proponents."
I'd like to see a life-cycle turf cost analysis done similar to the one used for the pool enclosure. At least the pool enclosure proposal laid out the assumptions, costs, etc. over a 40 year period. IMO, the turf proposal falls flat on long-term planning. So until that is discussed and resolved I can't support installing a turf right now.
I don't believe we need to install a turf field this year. It can wait. Worst case the turf committee perhaps doubles it's fund-raising by this time next year and a transparent long-term palatable funding plan is developed.
If the BOE wasn't willing to accept "promissory" days for fear of encumbering a future BOE/TC with a loan they cannot repay then I don't see how the BOE can move the turf project forward at this time. In essence, and IMO, as it stands now the long-term planning for turf pretty much "encumbers" the town with a future loan that may not be affordable.
What I posted here is no different than what I've been telling Bob Behrer and other turf committee members. So I hope the turf committee has been listening and will present/address the long-term funding/planning of the turf field.
What's the rush? Maye Justin knows.
Tony P
An article in the paper said that Behrer plans on talking about the turf during the "public comment" part of the meeting.
I hope the TC limits it to 3 minutes.
How and when did the 20/20 committee start? Where was this made public and how does one get on it?
"How and when did the 20/20 committee start? Where was this made public and how does one get on it?"
The committee was started by Dr. Florio at the suggestion of the BOE. To the best of my knowledge, this committee existed in the past when enrollment was increasing/planning for growth. This is the first time that the committee has been formed while looking at dropping enrollment.
It was made public in 3 of the last 4 BOE meetings. The committee met two weeks ago for orientation and the next meeting will be scheduled sometime this month, probably during the last week of June. I'll post the meeting date/location once I have it.
That will be the last meeting until school resumes in the fall. There are three sub-committees being formed around redistricting, grade restructuring and facility consolidation. I'm on redistricting. Those committees will work throughout the summer.
Call Dr. Florio's office to get on it/inquire/get materials. 203-250-2453.
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