Welcome to Burrillville, RI - 11-19-2003 Council Workshop

WORKSHOP SESSION of the Town Council to be held Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 7:00 pm. in the Council Chamber, Town Building, Harrisville for and within the Town of Burrillville.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Council President Wallace F. Lees, Councilors Jacqueline Zahn, William A. Andrews, Louis Bleiweis, Edward F. Bonczek, Ronald E. Faford and William E. Gonyea.

OTHERS PRESENT: Donald Waterman, Chair, Burrillville School Committee; Paul J. Couture, Mary Margaret Karmozyn, Edwin R. Pacheco and Raymond J. Trinque, School Committee Members; and Barbara A. VonVillas, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools,

1. Relative to discussions with the Burrillville School Committee/School Department related to the feasibility study for the W.L. Callahan Elementary School dated August 2002 and the November 12, 2003 walk-through of the W.L. Callahan Elementary School

Recommendations from the School Committee relative to the W.L. Callahan School and the Football Complex were distributed to the Town Council. Copies are on file with the record of the minutes.

Council President Wallace F. Lees called the workshop to order at 7:00 p.m. Donald Waterman, Chair, Burrillville School Committee addressed comments to the Town Council. Mr. Waterman stated that the question of the condition of the W.L. Callahan School has been a long-standing issue, one that affects the environment of the children who attend the school. Recently, he said, comments about conditions have escalated and the School Committee has been under pressure monthly.

Mr. Waterman discussed the two-year feasibility study prepared by The Robinson, Green, Beretta Corporation, a copy of which is on file with the record of the minutes. He referred to a meeting in the summer of 2003 among himself, Council President Wallace F. Lees and Town Manager Michael C. Wood. The purpose of the workshop, he said, is to address the conditions viewed during the recent walk-through of the Callahan School conducted by the School Committee and Town Council.

Mr. Waterman discussed the validity of the feasibility study, acknowledged the problematic economic situation relative to funding the project and said that the time was appropriate for the School Committee to make a recommendation to the Town Council. He briefly reviewed the issues identified relative to the Callahan School, as outlined in the School Committee recommendation. It was the recommendation of the Burrillville School Committee that a construction and renovation project be undertaken at the W.L. Callahan School to be done in three phases: Construction of a new gymnasium, relocation and renovation and classroom additions; and that the Town approve a bond issue of approximately $5.7 million, the exact amount to be determined based on current costs.

Mr. Waterman also raised concerns about the football field and the proposal to relocate the football field to the high school at the same time as the construction/renovation project at the W.L. Callahan School. The estimated cost of the football complex project is in excess of $800,000.

Mr. Waterman briefly discussed the process involved in preparing the feasibility study. Renovating the existing facility is preferred because of respect for the historic nature of the building, as well as the most cost-effective solution. Among the issues raised were the 400 student capacity of the school, parity between the W.L. Callahan School and Steere Farm Elementary School and the requirements of No Child Left Behind. The construction/renovation project would result in a significant improvement to the facility and begin to address these issues.

Mr. Waterman suggested that Raymond Trinque of the Burrillville School Committee has worked closely on the project and would be most able to address questions. He informed the Town Council that a representative of The Robinson, Green, Beretta Corporation was also present to answer questions.

Raymond Trinque of the Burrillville School Committee thanked the Town Council for attending the walk-through of the W.L. Callahan School. He suggested that the plan recommended by the School Committee addresses the issues that were viewed during the walk-through. The School Department, he said, has had success with many small projects at the schools, such as with windows, air and heat. In this case, more is necessary. The feasibility study begins to provide answers to the situation.

Barbara A. VonVillas, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools, said that the tour of the school speaks for itself. The building is in need of repairs that are too expensive to include in the school’s operation or capital improvement budgets.

Councilors William A. Andrews, Ronald E. Faford and Edward F. Bonczek spoke very briefly, discussing the neglect of the W.L. Callahan School. They agreed that the situation must be addressed.

Councilor William E. Gonyea said that the walk-through demonstrated that there is no doubt that the school has major problems that need to be addressed. He discussed the other economic pressures on taxpayers, such as the revaluation, roads, sidewalks, sewers. He suggested that the Town would do the best it can, but cautioned against going over board.

Councilor Jacqueline Zahn pointed out that the Town Council cannot approve a bond, that the question would have to go before the voters, and that the process takes some time. Councilor Zahn recalled that, when High School renovations were being discussed several years ago, the School Committee was asked about other facility issues, particularly the Callahan School. She said that at the time the School Committee had responded that they would “take care of Callahan”. She suggested that the structures should have been looked at more closely through the years and that a long-term plan should be in place.

Councilor Jacqueline Zahn stated that the question should not be put before the voters until the School Department has developed a long- and short-term maintenance plan for each building and submitted those plans to the Town Council. She emphasized the necessity of the School Committee to be accountable to the taxpayers. She conceded that the repairs are necessary but warned against repeating mistakes.

Raymond Trinque responded to Councilor Zahn, stating that a Comprehensive Plan for school facilities was being prepared and would be ready in January. He said that the School Department has maintenance plans in place, but not as many as they would like. Mr. Trinque briefly reviewed maintenance work performed at other schools, mentioning the cleanliness of the Middle School, electrical updates and a painting program. Maintenance, he said, is done on a priority basis, but the Callahan School is beyond the means of the School Department.

Donald Waterman, Chair of the Burrillville School Committee, suggested that the School Committee would like to operate as suggested by Councilor Jacqueline Zahn, but that it is unrealistic to bring forward the long-range needs of the School Department. The School Department has prioritized their needs and worked in partnership with the Town to address the needs, he said.

Councilor Jacqueline Zahn suggested it would be wise to get beyond the practice of neglecting one school in favor of others. She insisted on the need for the Town Council to be made aware of anticipated problems.

Mary Margaret Karmozyn of the School Committee raised the question of the football complex, suggesting that there are other needs that should be addressed before relocation of the football complex. Specifically, she voiced concerns about the A.T. Levy School.

Council President Wallace F. Lees wondered at the years of neglect that resulted in the present condition of the W.L. Callahan School, questioning where Capital Improvement funds have been used. While he agreed with the need to take care of the school, he was concerned about the economic impact on the taxpayers.

Barbara A. VonVillas, Superintendent of Schools, addressed the use of Capital Improvement funds, pointing out that the five-year program is provided to the Town Council. She said that, while the Comprehensive Plan is not in place, there is a five-year plan with items listed in priority order. The School Department choose to do only limited repairs at the Callahan School while the feasibility study was being conducted because they were aware that a comprehensive decision would have to be made. She pointed out that the problems at the Callahan School are expansive and long-term. They could not have been addressed over a few years.

Councilor Jacqueline Zahn asked why the football complex had been included in the W.L. Callahan project. There was a brief discussion of the on-going issue of the fields in Town and whether this would be best handled separately from the proposed Callahan project. School Committeeman Raymond Trinque addressed possible creative ideas that would assist in financing the fields issue.

Councilor William E. Gonyea said that despite the deterioration of the W.L. Callahan School, he favors keeping the building. He supported a construction/renovation project that would have no financial impact on the taxpayers.

Barbara A. VonVillas, Superintendent of Schools, asked the Town Council to hear comments from Gordon Richardson, the School Department Facilities Director. Mr. Richardson spoke at some length regarding the many projects that have been accomplished, including work on the boiler system, the roof, flooring and the fire alarm system. He also discussed unsuccessful efforts to correct the entranceway problems. This matter was discussed at some length. Councilor Edward F. Bonczek addressed the need to fix the water problems immediately, suggesting that these problems are urgent and that current year Capital Improvement funds should be used to address the problem immediately. Mr. Richardson said that the CIP funds are used for all of the buildings and there are other items that take priority over this issue.

Councilor Edward F. Bonczek supported Mr. Trinque’s suggestion that creative financing should be explored for the football field. There was a brief discussion of possible corporate sponsorship for the field.

In conclusion, the School Committee Chair Donald Waterman stated that a renovation project is not only expensive, but also time consuming. He said that the project, if done, must be done right. Significant issues, such as demographics, safety and space needs, had not been discussed during the workshop. Mr. Waterman suggested that those questions should be addressed to the representative of The Robinson, Green, Beretta Corporation, who was present. Councilor Jacqueline Zahn suggested that those questions could be addressed at a later date, when the Town Manager was present. Council President Wallace F. Lees instructed that the matter be included on the agenda for the December 10, 2003 regular council meeting.

Council President Wallace F. Lees acknowledged the presence of David Brunetti at the workshop, thanking him for his efforts in preparing the walk-through and presentation to the Town Council.

Motion by Councilor Jacqueline Zahn. Seconded by Councilor William E. Gonyea. The motion was unanimous by the six members in attendance. Voting in favor of the motion were Council President Wallace F. Lees, Councilors Jacqueline Zahn, William A. Andrews, Edward F. Bonczek, Ronald E. Faford and William E. Gonyea. Councilor Louis Bleiweis was excused.