001Okay. So, from last meeting to this meeting, we had a bunch of homework for everybody. That's >> right. >> Um, >> so there's a couple things I wanted to go over, which is the homework, and then figure out what we want to be able to from our homework, if we have any action plans for things that we want to consider. And then I know you need to leave early. >> Me, too. >> You need to leave early. Do we want to set another meeting now so we don't have to run till the end? And >> you want to see what we get through? >> Yeah. Okay. [clears throat] Well, I know we need another meeting anyway. So, um, do that. >> No, I know. I mentioned that last time. Susie's like, "No, [laughter] >> no."
002What? >> No. Before school's over. >> Oh, no. No, no, no. We don't have to do that. >> August. We can do June, but no, wait, let's do after after school so we don't have to like run into anything crazy. [cough] Like let's let's absolutely do that. Um, >> it's a lot going on. >> June is a lot. >> Uh, school's out on what? The 10th, >> but I have Wow. We might go to the PTO on June 11th. >> Okay, cool. I can go to that one. I just couldn't come to you during the May one. >> All right. So, let's look at like the week of the 22nd. >> Okay. >> For June. >> June. Yeah. That gives you a week in between >> um between when school ends and then um >>
003are you talking about the >> when does school end? Do ends on the >> 11th. Oh. Oh, goody. >> So, you thinking the 22nd? >> No. because I can't do that. I have um actually I lied. That meeting is going away. Um >> I might be gone that week. >> You might be gone that week. Okay. >> What about the week before? You want to do it later in the week? Like the 19th or the 18th? I don't want to do it the week of the 8th. I think that's cool. >> Yeah. >> Cool. >> That cruel and unusual punishment. >> Too much stuff going on. Well, just set the meeting and go figure there. >> Um, uh, we have a school board on the 15th. >> Tuesday the 16th. And you can tell us
004about the retreat. >> Sure, I can do that. >> Um, >> 16th at 6. >> 16th. Is that correct? >> Uh, we'll physically be here. I don't know my schedule. Okay. Later in the month, we might be away so that we can work around. >> All right. So, let's do [clears throat] June 16th at 6. If we need to move things around, we can do that. Okay. Awesome. I will fix all that. All right. So, I know we had a number of um follow-ups, things like that. Most of that landed with you. Do you want to start? >> Yes, I did. [laughter] >> Yeah. And first, I'll I'll do the classic dog ate my homework thing. I uh of course waited till the last minute to print out all my notes and then the printer
005went completely. So that's my excuse. So as soon as the meeting I get back home, I will email my summary of everything. But >> um I do have all these notes. So I >> um >> I'll go through the town officials first and then I'll and I did catch up with Jamie. Um she has a whole lot going on with her life. So I was able to get a couple uh >> things >> times with her. Yeah. So, uh, Hobie, um, uh, he had a whole litany of issues. Um, the overhang from last year, the bad vibe on the 1.5 million cost, uh, the lack of engagement upfront with um, safety personnel, meaning fire and safety in the very beginning of the committee. Now, these are all Hobe's opinions, you know, like what what could
006we do better? So, you know, don't shoot the messenger here, right? >> No, no, I [laughter] think these are things that I think that we >> Yeah. did our best to correct, but we can do more correction. >> Right. Okay. >> And that's kind of that's I think that's the intent >> and we talked about that last time, too. >> Um he said there was a confusion or a disconnect where was the project going to be could it be done in pieces or entirely? He mentioned something about at a planning board meeting or select board meeting where Keith mentioned it could be partial uh parcelled out kind of u and he was confused like why wasn't it offered in pieces instead of in a total thing. Um >> Brian Nipstein not being invited to do
007the estimate. um the crosswalk he perceived as the real issue and uh that that you know there wasn't really lack of movement on dealing with the crosswalk and the um impact fees and that kind of thing. >> Okay. Um, so what a lot of what he said was I think is probably reflective of obviously his personal frustration but also probably a certain group within the town where [snorts] they each you know sort of their own circles of like this is not right, this is not right. And so that's I think what I got back from him. Um he did mention that, you know, the town has fair fair level of frustration where it's a $6 million a year investment by the town and the school, but with the attainment figures showing on the uh Warren
008article of what 53% or whatever >> that that frustrated he felt that frustrated people and saying, "Wait a minute, the school's at >> really not a satisfactory attainment level. Why are we spending money on parking for safety?" Um, and I think that is out there. Um, his suggestion was doing it in pieces. Um, like splitting it up and do the crosswalk and then do the parking side. >> So, not do it as a bond issue. Is that in >> I'm not sure. I mean, yeah, he thought it could perhaps go through as a regular budget item if it was in pieces. Um and I kind of debated that with him and saying look like you know that's not fair because the benefit uh the cost falls all in one year but the benefit falls over
009multiple years right so >> um so there was I think there was just a lot of vending there more than anything not constructive >> doesn't sound like he was against the project just more frustrated with the outcome is that right >> that would be my sense of it too yeah and you know the um Mark Casper was he basically said turnout was everything. Um you know that those who were focused on taxes and cost turned out and nobody else did. >> Um and um he he offered to engage in u social media promotion and graphics to sell the thing next year and get the turnout. Um Sue McKinnon was she said lowest turnout in town's history. uh she thought it was a you know really good plan, well communicated uh but people don't want to
010spend money. She also felt there's been a fair amount of turnover in town and a lot of the newer residents may not have been familiar with the issues at the school. >> Okay. >> Which I think is probably a good point. Um and um they just didn't know kind of like the and I think in general that is true of most residents. If you don't have a kid in the school, >> you don't know what that traffic mess is like. Um, and then, uh, I met with Wayne Young, too. Um, and he he basically said, "Turn out, turn out, turn up." You know, it's just this is really all about parents. >> Um, because they're the ones that, you know, live it every day. And he said, you know, like get give people rides, whether
011it's bad, [clears throat] you know, get them to vote absentee. It was all um related to that. He he did mention uh Steve Cooper, the SAU um >> safety guy. Yep. >> Safety guy. He said maybe there's an opportunity for u grants or or government assistance to help fund the project that maybe he may >> tried that. But we can always keep looking at it. But we we've really >> There was a window that we missed by not >> Yeah, there was. But >> yeah, there's it's a lot um >> it's a lot harder to get that now. But we can always consider what we can get out of it, even if we get a bond or not. >> Right. Um he did um just as a sidebar, I asked him about when did he
012think the the safety center project would end [snorts] up being on the ballot. He thought it would most likely be 27. He he didn't excuse me 28. I'm sorry. 28. >> 28. Okay. >> Yeah. We didn't see it coming together uh sufficiently where there would be a you know >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> something on the ballot there cuz that could be a bit troublesome that both of these issues get on the same >> ballot. So, but that he sounded like that really was not likely that it would appear um >> next year. >> Yeah. Next year. So, >> um Jamie Bell and this is probably where the real productive part of it was. Um, one of the contrasts she she drew between the safety project and rug was that there was a really binary
013choice there with rug. It's like bike trails and forest versus development and it really motivated people. And she said school safety is not that kind of issue to the community like it was to the community. Rug was an issue to the whole community, right? >> Because you can clearly see the impact. And then you had really motivated people, hikers and bikers and all that stuff. >> Um, she said school safety to the community is like maybe indirect like if you make the school better, >> property values go up or maybe you make the community more attractive because the school is better and it's more appealing. So, so for the non-school community is really not much other than the altruistic do the right thing. Um but she said what you really need are parent agents you
014know like for she said uh get them to talk in playgroups and you know sports stuff and uh coffee or whatever to talk it up. Um and you need to motivate parents to do this and preschool parents like people who have kids in the pipeline. Like I look in our neighborhood, there's multiple families who have >> younger >> two or three preschool age kids >> who I know didn't vote >> and probably have the you know it's probably to them it's like it's not really a big issue to me until >> but to put that in front of people with really young children >> as a way of motivating them to turn out would be important. Um and then also she suggested like um for example um NYA events put flyers on the windshield and
015say if you're tired of looking for parking vote for the you know >> look at the solution or hand out flyers in in the morning when people are >> pick you know stuck and give them a flyer you know tired of waiting in line or tired of looking for a parking thing Same thing like at events where people are scattered all over, put flyers on the windshield. Um, and that way make it real, >> you know, that this, you know, right at the moment so they they sense, hey, there's is a solution out there. Um and then she very much one of the key things I did with rug was basically organizing call trees where you were responsible for like your neighborhood >> where if you um you know wherever whether it was a particular
016geographic area whatever you were supposed to like basically reach out touch people make them aware and then follow up and then be sure they vote >> and and turn out and I think that's probably she she thought also very much that it wherever the the PTO could be involved that that would be a good vehicle >> and maybe that provides us some more flexibility than it coming through the SAU in terms of >> how we promote it like I don't know what you can do on school property as a school person handing out flyers maybe you can't but >> is there any prohibition against parents doing that or PO members or community members >> we can >> information just I think we'll have to double check this. I think we can do something like informational
017but we can't sway. >> That's right. >> Yeah. So, >> but NPQ can't. >> But NPTQO can't. NYA can. >> And those are two very close. >> So, anybody who lives here can then? >> Absolutely. >> Right. It just can't be staff. >> It just can't be school staff doing it. >> Yeah. >> I would think they're part of Yeah. >> Go ahead because I know where you're going to go with this. Well, I don't want to interrupt your thought. >> Yep. I got And she also uh the idea she said, you know, get Susie involved with like civics kind of engagement, that kind of thing. That would be another thing. >> Um get engaged that way with the kids pushing their parents from kind of inside the school and out. Um, and then you
018know to make it visible like signage, flyers, whatever, you know, just you got to get people on board and make it an event and use every media possible like Zoom meetings, uh, social media, literature, you know, whatever. You just have to push it out. >> She said they started in September >> for the rug property for the March vote. She said they at times they wish they had started even earlier but I think you know starting turn out I think for the election in November >> is my guess right given what's going on you're likely from both sides >> right but this is but I'm saying that but if it it could be part of that >> well we could definitely um be at the polls in November >> um saying hey this isn't on
019this ballot but come out in March like this is an important thing that we could do. So, that is a really good point. I like that >> she did mention like having like a desk at some big town events, you know, like >> the celebration celebration or whatever. Just have a desk for people to, you know, step on, you know. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Probably in the fall would be better, you know. >> Yeah. Whatever fall, >> fall festival is going to be Yeah. before it gets hopefully we won't have a winter like this last one. So to piggyback on that, um you know, starting we have a faculty meeting tomorrow and this is on the agenda >> to be able to talk about all the ways that students would be able to be involved
020because if it's a second grader, fourth grader, fifth grader giving a presentation, learning how to give a presentation of the flow of traffic or why we need it, that will go more viral. than any one of us standing and doing. >> And so, you know, really cultivating that idea of how do we get the teachers and the students to be really involved? I think I told you guys last time, you know, even down to um our fifth graders or fourth graders learning how to phone bank on on the day of and you know, saying, "Hey, have you gone out and voted yet?" Again, not saying what. It's teaching them to have their voice and >> and to encourage it. And then the idea too of having a competition of however many >> um students in
021a grade have their parents vote and have a [clears throat] sticker to prove it. There's [laughter] a there's a >> I mean that's a little concerned about that. >> I I think it let's >> they don't have to say how they vote. No, but to go is there is I just wonder when I love the idea of getting the kids to get their parents to vote. I just wonder are we are we looking at tears if parents don't go and vote and then the kids come to school and they don't have a sticker or they left their sticker home or you know all the stuff that goes along with it. That's all. >> Yeah, I think there are ways that we could say if we get to 85%. >> I mean maybe it could be
022that if you know if the school had 85% does everybody get something? not not to not have one exercise I love. [laughter] >> Um I just I just >> but all those ideas and generating that with the faculty so that the faculty is bought in too. It's not something that's been given to the faculty. The faculty is part of it and part of the solution to it because they very much are behind the whole project. >> Um >> yeah and I do think there's some options like the other neighborhoods kid does drawing stuff. That would be that we'll reach out to them and engage them to >> if you get a drone over if you the traffic flow around [laughter] the school in the mess that would that's a way of getting people the kids
023would be interested in it as well as parents you know and really is >> cuz it's hard for the community to feel like what's it where's the problem you're going to have a child here you just drive by >> you know and maybe you get delayed a little bit at the crosswalk but >> yeah you have no idea you know and then the parents just kind of like Jamie said there were days you'd be half an hour you know, waiting to drop a kid off because the way the >> it was dropped by the way the traffic closer. So, >> I did talk to Cat today. Oh, go ahead. >> I did meet a parent just this past week, um, who thought that it passed. >> That's what Cat said. She said there was a
024couple things. One was again, not enough turnout. >> Um, and she's like a lot of people she's talked to thought it passed. >> Think it passed. >> A lot of people even in the conversations, well, it passed. 52%, right? It's not majority, it's three-fifths. So, a lot of people did think it passed. And she said a couple of things that I thought were really interesting. One is, >> you know, it's kind of like on the same thing as the call tree, like the door knocking, you know, getting people to that are specifically around this side of town to understand, hey, this impacts this end of town a lot. Um, and this is how it's going to impact taxes. This is how it's going to impact, you know, your your valuation. This is how it's going
025to make things better. You know, all having those conversations specifically on this side [cough and laughter] of of it. And because it's more more people over here. >> Um, but having that door knocking, um, she said, "I'll do some, too." [laughter] Which is great. Um, and then you know the education part of it saying, "Yeah, I didn't pass." It's kind of a surprise to people. And um, making sure they're aware of more than just a handout >> cuz that doesn't get people to the polls. It's that personal touch. >> We could have a sign at the election that said, "Here's how the vote went. Here's what we needed." >> Yeah. sort of explain that you know at the November election >> at the November election like numbers or a graphic that showed >> yeah we
026could potentially >> people may still think about >> that's what I'm saying you know bond issue you know sort of the education that bond is >> this is what's not happening this summer [laughter] >> you know um the other thing that she thought would could be interesting if we wanted to continue to hear like is get an anonymous survey I think we have a lot of what we need to move forward but putting an anonymous survey out there where it's, you know, what do you think or um why if you have a problem with us, tell us about it completely anonymous um where people are given the opportunity to just let loose and so that we can do what we can to alleviate those um issues. I don't know if we need that, but it's
027because we think we do have enough feedback, but it's just something that she mentioned. Um, >> I think it's how what do we want to spend our time on? I think we know the issues that have come up and what the concerns are. How do we >> because we do have a finite amount of time. If we go backwards and say, you know, these are just our meetings that until November, what are we going to try to accomplish? These are large vote. >> We've got a lot to get done between now and March. It's not as far away as we think it is. >> Yeah. I would focus on supporters and not trying to flip people. >> Y >> I don't even know if this is flipping. I think it's just understanding it so that
028we can just >> turn out. I think that was the biggest thing. It's like we need the sense of urgency to what you know Jamie had said. You need the momentum. You need the people. She didn't see a flaw in the design. She heard all good things. Um, we just >> No, that's what I that's what I >> so frustrated. >> So many people were so pleased with >> the layout and they do think that it passed and you know >> they didn't read >> well they didn't come out. >> No, but they didn't I mean they didn't read the flyers that went out. So that tells me that was not an effective way to get people to come out. >> I think that >> it was right. It was on the fly. >> We
029have to be careful of that too of >> Yeah, we have Yeah, we have to be careful of figuring out what we think works. I think that you know we also started that really late. >> Yeah. No, I agree with that. >> And I think that with much more um of this type of work, you know, moving forward, we can very clearly define these are the tracks we want to do. This is when we want to do them and we should be able to execute on them. We have the materials. we can, you know, edit and scope them and make sure that they're clear and we can utilize all of those tools. Um, you haven't said anything. Do you have any comments or thoughts? >> Uh, I don't, you know, I I don't know. Um,
030I think I I one of my concerns is separating the needs and the wants. >> And I think the safety portion is a need and the parking lot is still a want. And I think if you are responsible to the voters and are able to reduce the price of the whole project, you might be able to persuade some people who are otherwise opposed to it. And I think you could probably do the, you know, you might level the parking lot, but you're not going to put the gravel down all and that could be done through sort of regular order budgeting in in future years. >> And there may be some parts that you could peel off that would make So you're you're emphasizing the safety getting that done. I'd like to see that get done
031because we're you know every year goes by is another potential problem. And the other things I think uh could be phased in through either um you could or you could have a vote at at a future year of yes or no vote for the town. There's a warn article on the ballot that the school district goes if you want to spend $50,000 whatever it's going to be cost to put the gravel in the parking lot. >> A yes or no vote for the town people and they can approve it or they don't. But but you know I I so in my mind I I I think one approach would be to separate out the safety component you know the crosswalk and the um the driveway flow >> from um completing the um the parking lot
032and maybe there are a couple other uh things I don't know what you know whether it was improving the ramp or even >> digging up the pavement here and and and you know it's not a major expense but some of those things could be done sort of through the regular budgeting and all over the next you you know, fears afterwards, it would reduce the the price. So, >> it could be a marketing technique to show people that you reduced >> Yeah. >> You know, by reducing the scope, we heard you. Exactly. >> And now this is the bare bones. >> So, there's a couple and I think it's a great thought. I don't want to dismiss it, but I also want to be careful as soon as we go back and start messing with the
033scope. We are now incurring. We are we we cannot spend any more money on scope with the engineers unless we appropriate it. >> And we can do that. >> Yeah. >> But we we have the the board has gotten the bill for the scope of it and we we were at what we spent. So if we go back and tweak it um we can do that when we go to bid. So this is this is a difference in what we are what we can do when we go to bid. We can ask the bids to come back because we can't go from any more like any more um kind of you know estimates. We kind of have to live with the ones we have right now. But we can say, "Hey, I want you to
034tell me these core pieces when we go out to bid and then these add-ons." The add-ons being the back steps or, you know, the gravel. So, those are all very clearly marked out in um the plan so that you can say, "Okay, if this is the core project and these are the additional pieces, you know, we can do that." The nice thing about the project as it is is that [clears throat] currently with the current quotes that we have, we are going to be under under that $50,000 mark. We do have that >> buffer. Um, so we aren't the bond is up to so granted now once you start talking to people. Yeah, but the bottom line is you have to put a number on the ballot. >> You do have to put a number
035on the ballot. >> I think it'd be advantageous to have a smaller number on the ballot. >> Okay. >> You know, I would say you don't have to change the plan. >> You just make it phases. >> Exactly. >> If you decide to do it, >> you're going to you're going to end up with a higher cost doing it in phases. Yes, you you will. But, you know, at least you're getting hopefully >> the crosswalk in the car and student interactions and the other stuff, >> you know, I mean, I I would personally I support the parking lot. I could see where people may be more more skeptical, but there may be ways to do that >> again through regular budgeting or a warrant article, you know, again, where you just raise an appropriate $50,000
036to to gravel the parking lot. You already have the plans for you don't have to recreate. We are going to have next [clears throat] year on the ballot another um trust fund specifically for um building improvement, you know, capital improvement stuff. So that will be on the ballot for next year. So that can be and we can add to that or not add to that on a regular basis. >> Yeah, I think that'd be a good idea. >> And that's we don't need to erase and appropriate it. It's whatever's left over from non money. >> I know. But the point is that there there are ways to do it outside outside of one big bond issue. >> So you can make the number smaller and you can still ultimately >> although not all at once,
037you know, achieve the same end. And you're prioritizing, >> you know, the most important safety components. >> I heard you mention the ramp though and the ramp would be essential because >> she was talking about the ramp back here in the front. Yeah, that's what I meant because the ramp in the back >> the ramp in the back would be essential if they're getting dropped off in the back, >> but it's that I heard it was inadequate and wouldn't meet current code >> when the I think it's grandfathered in and when the architects looked at it that needed to be redone. >> Yeah. So, there are certain elements that we have to watch out for because it might we just from a this is now new, you know, new or renewal construction. So, we have
038to act on that. I can take an action item to kind of look through my notes from my conversation with the engineer and look through the drawings and kind of go, okay, if if we if we level out here, trying to have gravel, that's the that's the it's it's going to be dirt versus gravel. So, it's going to be pooling. It's going to have some other issues. Yes. >> So, I can look at kind of >> But did we need to level just to get the driveway over there? Did we need to level or is that >> Yeah, if you've got the equipment there, you might as well do it as opposed to >> Yes. >> So, I mean, if you're talking about cost efficiency, absolutely. If you're if you're having all of this major
039equipment in here effectively tearing out all of the or most of the pavement to either repave or to build out over there, yes, it's going to be much more cost effective to level that at that time than level it when we don't have a lot of like large equipment there. Jim, do you think we would have more people coming out to vote against it next time if we don't do something? >> We're trying to figure out people that would vote for, >> right? >> But we have to be careful >> that that just because there might be a higher turnout or more >> noise about it, are we going to attract people who are going to vote? >> Well, that's that's always a risk. I don't >> that's I mean, if you don't have any
040>> I think the key trade-off is is If you leave the cost as is and do the gravel, um, do how many do you lose by doing that versus how many do you gain by keeping it in there and then pushing the whole solution? Because to me, the upside here is getting the right voters out. >> I agree with you. Get them out. I don't think you get them out by saying we're not going to have that gravel lot because I think when you get under the numbers it's, you know, the catch basin and all that stuff is really related to the the uh the driveway and not the gravel lot. The gravel lot doesn't, you know, doesn't really have a significant cost impact, but it's a good hook for people thinking, you know, for
041most of the season that really provides some extra parking for NYA for school events and all that stuff. things that you want to motivate parents to say, "Look, I'm sick of, you know, fighting for a parking spot at an event or, you know, my parents can't get in there meeting grandparents because there's no place to park." Whereas most of the year, a gravel lot would be useful and effective for that. So, in my mind, the key issue is how do we draw more people out to vote pro without alienating people, right? in terms of is the do we really gain >> what I would call that a gain vote by taking 50,000 off it because when you look at the tax impact of >> it's going to be minuscule >> hardly anything at all right
042you know yeah I I mean I hear where you're coming from and I I don't and that's why I support it because I think the [laughter] >> but nevertheless you know you you had the the middle school project fail and they reduced the the expense and you know it ultimately passed. I don't know. I think it's >> uh I I think there is a benefit to telling the voters in so many words, we heard you. We've made some adjustments. You know, now we're as as low as as we can go. >> And I I would uh I would think that that would be a benefit. And and the other thing that bothered me, you know, about the results, and again, I think maybe the ultimately it is perhaps just the voters who came out, but
043you know, only 57% of the people in town supported the high school budget. >> You didn't hit a 60% threshold for something that's a pretty, >> you know, non-controversial, >> you're right, >> topic. So, if you if you got all those voters, you still wouldn't have of have passed this. And only 62% of people passed, you know, our school budget here in town. Yeah. So, I think that tells you vote, right? It probably does. >> We didn't have the support of the parents that we needed. >> I think the parents are the >> Yeah. That's And, you know, for us to sit here who aren't parents. >> Yeah. Sort of. It's an example of what's going on, right? That that the parents are overwhelmed, I guess. But if they want this, they have to start
044>> stepping up to the plate and they need to be driving some of this because we don't, >> right? I mean, >> we don't have those relation. I don't have the relation. working and all that stuff >> except my little kids in high. >> I [laughter] think I think Jim has a really good point like I think we need to get parents some parents on this committee. >> Absolutely. >> And I'm happy to you know in >> right >> yeah I mean we can we can ask >> we'll pavi yeah we lobby um >> and I guess Keith >> Carla was she was at the Carla with >> I can ask Carla. I mean, have you heard from any parents that are really up >> up up in arms about this sort of situation? >>
045I think they think a vote didn't pass. >> No, but but you know, are there some >> They were really disappointed when they found out. >> What do you mean it didn't pass? >> But is there anybody you can sort of >> Sure. >> think about that might be a good addition who could be sort of standard >> more than one like >> Exactly. I think several. Yeah, I think more than like, you know, a couple of different grade levels at the very least, you know, and not one parent in multiple grade levels. Maybe a couple of those and some >> maybe the uh daycare place, >> right? You know, some people kindergarten moving up, >> right? Where get them in a couple of that would be good. >> They'll graduate nurture nature this year.
046Yep. >> Yeah. I think it would be really great. That's an excellent suggestion because the >> if just the parents turned out >> you would have had it >> easily with margins. >> Yeah. So >> because you know and from a step sorry Jim but it was like a million five two years ago >> to your point and then to your point Jim you know it was like and that really was kind of out in the public but it really wasn't because it didn't show up on on the ballot ballot >> but you know when it was and I was fully in agreement with you a million five >> that's over the top you know in terms of the community being able to justify that to the community but what we came up with >>
047you know is very supportable I I do think as a sidebar that getting Brian Nibstein to provide an estimate just to put that to bed. So you know that kind of her feelings in the >> we can we can definitely >> you talk to the local guy, right? >> Yeah. >> We can definitely do that. I mean it's if it's just going to be an estimate and and it's most likely going to be in the range that we already have the estimates. We got >> we should take that off the table and say right >> I have one other question. >> Yeah. Is is there any reason to change the name of this project? >> I don't know. That's a good question. I think something >> the safety project failed. Is there I don't This
048is all marketing and I'm not a marketeer. >> That's right. >> But you know, is it is there another way to couch this as here's the next phase? Here's the next thing to not to put aside the bad feelings of the safety project. I you know and we also have the safety committee with in town. >> I know which is very I I don't have a good answer but it's >> like accessibility or access or >> I I don't know but can you >> something that focuses on the children I think. >> Yeah. >> But is what I don't know what's a what's another name for safety? >> Um >> are you looking >> checking Gemini? [laughter] Where's AI when you need? >> I know. Do you have cheap right now? [laughter] >> Claw. >>
049Yeah, I think that's a good idea. >> Yeah. Yeah. That's a good point. >> Yeah. >> My husband saying [laughter] you got guys got to be like >> cuz they had a bad conation because the last project was also safety, right? thought, "Oh my god, this is another >> right another and and people who are looking at that and saying, >> you know, >> despite, oh, we're not paid to pay a taxi." >> Um, safe schools initiatives, campus security, >> student safety. >> Synonym synonym. >> A synonym for safety. >> Safe steps. School zone. >> What is it? >> No. No. Safe. We're not really talking steps. >> Circle of safety. [laughter] >> We're talking cars. >> Flow. >> I think people care about flow. >> Protection. Security. >> Protection. >> Yeah. [clears throat] >>
050Refuge. Refuge. Refuge. >> Guardianship. Safness. Community. >> I think I think that's one of the things that is worth >> investigating. >> Yeah. Do you know a parent who's a marketeteer >> by any chance? >> Flemy's a controller atrian. So that's probably not her. I mean is very sharp, very capable, but she's Yeah, >> well told. >> Oh, okay. Okay. >> Not not Bobby. Brian does. >> Bobby is on the >> precautions. I like >> Well, anyhow, I think Huh. >> I think that we can we can take that. >> Maybe that is protect I mean protecting kids. That's sort of what we're trying to do, right? >> I like the protection word. >> So, well, just a thought. >> Okay. So, this is kind of the the [clears throat] thoughts that I've put down.
051Um, and these are more action items for us to be able to work on versus um the feedback itself. So, from a lot of the things that you saying, let me know what I've missed. Um, I know that we talked last time about conversations with PTO. Um, you know, school events where we're either presenting to or presenting to at a school event with parents or presenting to a classroom, either or or both. Um, working with the NYA um either meeting with them, you know, getting them on board. um >> doing something at drop off and pickup whether that means informational or you know traffic flow something like that um the call tree not just with the parents but with the kids which is I think that's kind of brilliant who doesn't want to talk to
052their talk to a kid um some type of civics engagement whether that is a you know youth like um I mean I'm on the board I can come and say, "Okay, this is your elected official." And things along those lines. Um, primary presence at the November primary, uh, faculty meetings, getting a drone, parents on this committee, which I think is Yes, please. Lots of them, a new name, and one of the things that um, Cat had mentioned was um, utilizing [snorts] other groups in town as advocates. So, um, you know, I like Hobie is a member of the veterans committee. Having him present to that group if he was, you know, comfortable with that hopefully. >> And our new cemetery trustee Jim is also >> Yeah. So, using utilizing those other groups in town to
053um, you know, use their networks. So finding those those people in town that are those networkable people. Um I think Hobie and Michael are absolutely some of them. I think that they're not opposed to the project which I I think is the case. It sounds like it is the case. Um there's frustration that it didn't move forward in this one, but I don't think they're opposed. I think is good. >> Um but educating them more so they can be advocates in their groups and asking them to do that, giving them the literature, things along those lines. So that's kind of what I have. >> We talked last time too about having somebody at the Memorial Day. >> Yeah. >> Festival trying to get feedback or input. >> And that's just about to happen. >> At
054some point I wonder where feedback stops and promotion. >> Yeah. I my feeling is we have to put the feedback to rest. >> That's just that's just you know that if >> there's a lot going on at the Memorial Day stuff. Well, that is more engagement. >> I'm early for that. I think it could be a timing wise. I think it's hard to get people. >> I like having that the poster out everywhere, right? Like whatever event there should be a table. >> Yeah, >> I think that's great. Actually, that's that. Um, so the library has a summer reading kickoff and >> they do the 13th, right? >> Yeah. And that is >> all kid parents. This is this is this is >> that would be a much better >> I can ask um there's
055a library board meeting this week. >> Yeah, it's me. >> It's him. >> What? >> Library meeting tomorrow. >> Oh yeah. >> Um what do you think? >> What do you think? [laughter] >> So we have a we have a friends meeting on Wednesday. So, I'll bring it up at the friends meeting and then I'll bring it up with, you know, if you can couch it with Britney tomorrow. >> That would be really helpful. Um, >> then that we can get ahead of that. I'll mention it at the friends meeting. >> Um, I hadn't thought of that. That's brilliant. >> I just want to figure out what what you're going to do at that >> assuming it's acceptable, >> right? >> I mean, I don't It may just be, you know, standing there asking questions
056and having a flyer available. It may be as simple as that and then asking if people want to be part of the committee over the summer. >> And that might be where you could get I don't know who goes to that kickoff. >> Yeah. >> Oh, I've been to it a million times. It's a bunch of a bunch bunch of parents that are at the elementary school because most of the it's like it's through fifth grade and under is the summer kickoff. They do have some >> I mean maybe we could have like a signup sheet >> that says do you you know are you willing to help us get the >> if we know what the name of it's going to be. [laughter] better flows, safer roads, brighter communities. >> Yeah. Whatever it's going
057to be, I think, you know, interest in either being on the committee, participating in some way, shape, or form, or being a, you know, learning more about it, being an advocate. Like one of those three things I think are great. >> That's we'll give you a couple minutes to talk to the parents, right? >> That's great. I love that. Can at some point >> can we name out and do a backward design of March is the vote. So in February we're doing this in January we're doing this and we >> Yeah, I'll project plan it out for you. >> I can um become good idea. >> I'll see what I can do by next meeting. I'm pretty >> uh >> I just wonder if that's something we can do with the next meeting if people
058come prepared for that. definitely do that. I have um I did that for the last one, although we couldn't stick to it, but that's something that we can revisit on a on a on a a regular basis and I can have it printed out. >> The other thing we need to figure out somewhere here is funding. If we're going to put stuff out like flyers, Zoom calls or or whatever, >> there's certain things that like I can print stuff out on a printer, we can use some printing facilities that the school has. >> Yeah. But, you know, other than that, it's we might have to do a little bit of fundraising this group >> um to figure that out. But I think um let's figure out what we're going to do first um and then
059we can go from there. I think between now and the end of the school year, I think it's what PTO conversation. Is that what >> um when's the PTO meeting? >> Thursday was last year. I don't think we met over the summertime. >> I got clarification on that. We absolutely can. >> We can. Okay. >> 100%. Um, and I would recommend it. Um, I don't want to I don't want to lose any momentum. Um, so I would say, you know, we everybody is going to be busy over the summer. You know, we've all got vacations and stuff like that. You know, we we may be meeting like two weeks in a row and then not meet for three weeks. But I think we can definitely um you know do our best to meet in in
060July and August. Um school starts again in August 25th. I think it starts early. So we're going to be in um in the in the thick of it as quickly as possible. But I my in my mind and let me know if I'm off on this is that we're going to take the summer to really hone the plan and then as soon as August hits we're off and running. But I think this summer reading kickoff is that's >> that will help a lot. I remember the dating is >> I think she said Karen said the 13th% sure. >> That's okay. I'll double check on it. Um and if that's the case then I if it's whatever the date it is we'll figure it out. It's usually June if I'm correct. Um but that's before It's
061the 13th. We'll meet on the 16th. Regardless, I'll find somebody to be there. Either I'll be there or I'll find like something else. Um, somebody else to be there with me. Maybe Karen will come with me. That would be good. Um, okay. So, for next time, I don't think anybody has any homework other than figuring out [snorts] um having the PTO conversation and doing the summer reading kickoff, >> thinking about names. >> Yes. >> And thinking about names. Y. So I think if anybody can everybody can come back with some suggested names of what we can change the switch to distinguish oursel from the safety complex um meeting. I think that would be really good. And then I think the next meeting we can start looking at what each of these mean and how to
062execute on them. Does that sound reasonable? >> Yep. >> And then um I'll put some thought behind this. I'm probably going to start a Google doc with everything on here. So, >> we have one going. >> I know, but I'll add add these things to it and then make sure to reshare it with everybody >> so that if you have thoughts on it, we can start um putting some dates on there and and figuring out when things need to happen as we roll into because everything should be all cylinders firing by February. I mean, everybody should be executing on everything and we should be like on the final stages ready. We should be like more than we should more than know who our advocates are, what our issues are, who's going to be voting and
063getting out that vote. Um, >> here's a cute one [laughter] and see where Susie's going to show. >> Care, crosswalk awareness, and roadway education. Care about our students. Oh, >> okay. All right. Put that in your document. >> All right. Anything else? I know this is a semi-short meeting, but I kind of wanted to go through all this and um [snorts] I think we're going to be really starting to turn turn the cogs in the next meeting. anything else that I've missed or >> that people have, >> you know, J I'll look at some of the like to your Jim's point on the cost just like what does it mean if it's $400,000 versus 500 in terms of like what would the the tax rate impact and see is it really is there something material
064there enough that it would catch somebody's attention and say is it really um something that would be a hook where people say yes that's a significant you ask Molly what the latest rate was because that rate was released after the vote and I obviously didn't pay attention to it because it wasn't Germaine. I can see what it would be versus, you know, taking $100,000 off. >> The total number is always going to matter, right? Because if we put out something saying we would have we might have a bond up to having that number up in there is always going to matter. I'm thinking like maybe change it to 450 or like you say just so it's a a different visual because realistically I think the the estimates again we've got the inflation factor but most
065of those estimates I think we're in the 4 425 430 >> inflation factor sign because you're talking about a lot of asphalt >> concern about that is that I remember one meeting where it just felt like a number was dropped with no reason why and it went from x amount of money to ex member >> and people were frustrated >> that it was without >> any understanding of what we were taking or what was being taken off. Could Yeah, I was just thinking could you fund part of it out of um the the school maintenance budget >> so so you could in effect supplement >> if if it turned out to be a $480,000 project, you know, through the through the budgeting process. >> I don't I don't know the answer to that because I
066don't know the legality of it. That's going to have to be a question I'll ask Molly. I don't know if we can fund it in different um streams. I'm not honestly sure. >> Yeah. I mean, one concern is obviously with the price of oil going up and that affects asphalt. So, obviously getting these quotes or um estimates is an important process because we we don't know what it's what it's going to be. It it might >> the pleasant surprise this might balloon to where and this is completely speculative. >> By the time this goes to a vote, the estimates that we will have gotten are going to be over a year old. So it it is an unknown. Um and we can go back and say, hey, swag, is this going to be up or
067down by X amount? and then that I'm sure we could do that. However, um I I before we change any numbers, I think there's two considerations. One is the cost of everything within that it's going to be for the next year as well as the qualification of lowering a number without justification or without prior knowledge. >> No, I I'm I'm making the assumption I >> some pieces are going to go away, >> right? But and also that we are getting new estimates for to to prepare more updated number for next year's ballot. I mean >> or should we can we do it a different way the way the safety committee is doing it which basically said we want approval for $50,000 to scope out what it is and then we want to pro you know
068so we can go further to get >> uh that would mean we would not be voting on the project until 2020. Yeah, it would delay it, but it might be another alternative. >> That would mean I I I would be I would rather go forward with the good grace of the vendors that have given us, you know, good faith estimates already and see if they'll be able to do that again, including Nibine. >> Yeah. um and you know see what we can get from that first because I'd like this to not wait you know another full year. >> I agree with that. Yeah. And and my point was just what's the impact on the tax rate you know it was if I remember right it was like seven cents on the tax rate. >> Yeah.
069So it' be a cent and a half. >> Yeah. Something like that. Is it does it is it really make a meaningful difference in terms of the average person saying how much of a >> Yeah. How much are we how much more are we going to pay in taxes if we do it at 450 versus 500 without supporting it? I I take your point to where there has to be something different about it where >> if we reduce it, it's got to be something >> where you've got a justification. >> Yeah. We already had the buffer, >> right? Absolutely. >> And I mean I think I'm again from memory I think the totals was like four something. So you did have the buffer in there with inflation and everything else. >> So I I guess
070Jane I mean one action item is I mean I'm again if you're going to ask NIP team for an estimate >> I think you should ask all the other people for >> new estimates. So that's >> you know we should do that >> regardless >> right and it's an actually I'm like when are you going to do it you know like over the summer in the early fall when when is the best time to do that? >> We're going to need it for everything that we need. So, let me um let me do this. Let me talk to the school board about it. >> Right. Right. Y >> uh let get that get there. >> Need it by the summer time. I think summer. >> My my thought process is [clears throat] like yeah, we
071should probably need it over the summer. >> Yeah. >> Um you know, and again, it's an estimate. It's not like stone, >> but the last estimate we got um was updated was just before the vote, >> right? >> Um so it you know you they were asking like is this still going to be you know when they were making the bid set they were going yeah this still looks good. We may be lucky to keep it to 500 honestly >> with people this summer doing an estimate saying with risk factor and all that and just saying >> again these are quotes not not bids but still >> I know that's that's that's a negative [laughter] >> that's not going to get more votes out if you the price goes up. >> Yeah. >> My assumption
072is that we can do >> you know more than one stream of funds. So if we absolutely needed to, we could take it out of, you know, a trust fund or something like that. However, that's risky because then that leaves the building at a disadvantage because if something happens like, you know, the boiler went out boiler went out a couple years ago and it was like, all right, that's $75,000. >> Well, you need you need to set the project up in such a way that they are completely separate activities basically, I would think. So that if you you know if you say okay we're going to fund the driveway out of the bond but we're going to do the >> I don't know that's going to >> stairwell you know the um ramp out of
073>> building maintenance type of thing. >> I'm not sure how that's going to work. I that is definitely a Molly question not a Jane question. So I'm assuming we can and again big a I'm assume um but I don't know. So, we'll have to ask Molly. Um, >> be interesting because one of them is you got an existing facility that you're modifying versus plywood and creating something brand new, right? So, >> well, that new modifying >> I think there are two things on the table that >> are interesting to toss around. one is um getting people out to the vote and the other one is were people educated about the project because I was thinking if we have this parent group come in what's their mission like is it to educate the their group or
074is it to get the vote out >> and they they could be both they could be dual but those have different >> pillars of action to them. One is a one is a meeting, hey, do you understand why we're doing this? And another one is calling everybody the day before and saying, are you getting out tomorrow? And I think those change as the closer that we get to March. So, at a certain point, it's we're educating, understanding, >> making sure that people are advocating, and then at a certain point, it switches to, you know, So if if I had to guess, I do believe that the parent population understood the project. >> 100%. Yeah. >> I don't think they went out and voted. >> Absolutely right. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So we'll have to work
075on box number two. >> Yeah. Because it's kind of a sequential thing. It's not parallel, right? The first part is understanding it and then the second part is getting somebody to act on it. >> That's right. Um, so that's yeah, the really critical takeaway is getting the action going and I think targeting like preschool >> parents with kids who are >> there's also some other things that I think that we can do like you know >> at the polls you know it's like if your kid comes to the polls with you then you know I'll I'll probably be there or you know you know figuring out like okay >> stop at the fine and you know get a something or other you know [clears throat] some type of you know reward for you know >>
076not even dragging your parents you know being part of that that right >> yeah I think it's important >> it is well and you know it's funny because I had one person in the community who I as I was walking down to town to vote and a person who I know pretty well who's usually pretty well informed like accosted me and said you No, I didn't vote for that because there's only 80 kids in the school and it's this massive parking lot. I'm like, what are you talking about? >> You know, and there were like several people in that family that went that way. Had I seen them on the way in, maybe I could have grabbed them if they had said, "I'm not going to do that. Why are you supporting that?" You could
077catch them on the way in. But it was just an example of, you know, there was just some level of misinformation. Misunderstanding out there. Yep. Is there a space where because already um you know it was it was unfortunate that the time that we had um an internal situation happen and our science scores dropped that was the first time that our scores were on a balance. >> We're already at 60% this year right like over a 43% increase. Is there a space in which I could be giving information that is how many students come to our school? What's the projected things of of um where could that be so that people have more of that information? Is that a video that gets pushed out? I'm happy to do any of that >> newsletter. I that's
078a that's a hard one because you have two people that are that are members of that board on this committee. So, that's a hard one, but let me >> I think that is a good point because I think the school doesn't a lot of the community doesn't understand like what the enrollment situation is. A lot of news about enrollments are down in public schools and all of that. >> They got a whole entire New York Times article, the whole Rug property. Mike >> kept talking about, you know, we build it for this and there's only this many people. And so, yeah, that that's probably what people remember is >> Mike talking about the school and the impact on the school. If we it didn't develop the land, >> right? >> So >> I think um
079>> because a lot of people went to all those meetings and he was adamant about the fact that we should develop that property. >> Oh yeah. He felt there would be no school impact because he used that fluky number of the average number of kids per household in the state of New Hampshire was less than one. So it's not really bringing many kids in. It was all capacity. >> Yeah. So if there's an opportunity for me to >> That's a good point though. I think there is there is an information. >> I think there is and I think it's more than just the population. I think it's maybe we are have it have an opportunity to speak at the Slackboard meeting where you are speaking there. I think that's a at a well attended Slackboard
080meeting. >> Um and then a couple of maybe the fall festival um is a great one. um where along with the um you know the the you know the kickoff reading thing it's it's a lot of young families there >> um and it's a great >> the Santa holiday festival too. >> Yeah, I think anytime Yeah, that one's a big one and the PTO is represented because they're doing the food for that. I think any of those townwide type events where, you know, all of Main Street gets together >> um is going to be really helpful. Granted, it is a lot of kids, but there's a lot of adults there. Memorial Day is usually the one where everybody is there regardless of, you know, kids are not, especially the thing down at Memorial Field, but
081um I think I'll be there at least in some capacity. Um we can answer questions and stuff. >> Well, the community people with kids is small enough that you really need to reach beyond the parents with kids. >> Yeah. I think that if we don't get the parents to vote, we're in trouble, but yes, I I don't think we should be >> narrow may not do it. Yeah. >> Yeah. Absolutely. I don't think we should be narrow focused. I think you're absolutely right. >> Okay. I'm going to before I forget write down all of these notes. >> Um send them out with >> when we get home. also email at my >> okay >> written up not those >> do we still have room parents in the school or not >> they are coming back
082next year >> y >> I don't know if that's another letter that could be possibly ped >> that's a good one yeah >> room parents >> you know every grade has a a classroom as a group parent >> organized events or whatever >> okay >> but they often have a phone sheet they have the parents in the classroom >> yeah they do that's a good idea okay >> I think these them. >> Exactly. [laughter] >> Well, you might not want to do it and not want to do the other. >> No, exactly. But >> yeah, [laughter] >> but it might be something that could be a request at the beginning. Like one of the things that >> needs to be part of your responsibility is that we are going to be heavily involved in this
083project >> and we'd like your help with that as a >> room. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, next time we're going to build out all this stuff. Um I'll do a first pass edit so we have a something to work on and then [snorts] um I'll talk to the school board. We should have a meeting before the 16th and um kind of talk about what happens with, you know, other funding. Is that possible? I have a sneaking suspicion I can't. I just I don't want to speak out of turn on it, >> of course. >> Um and we'll go from there. Anything that comes up, thoughts, um ideas. >> Do you want to set the next meeting or potential? Oh, >> June 16th at 6. Sorry, you came in late. I'm
084so sorry. >> That's okay. >> Did you say June 16th? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I wonder if you can get realtors involved. But when I mean realtors in terms of somebody who could say this is what a school means to >> home values and attractiveness of a community because people really look at that when they're picking communities. >> Yes. you know, maybe there's some way of getting, you know, a couple of realtors at times saying this is a big selling point for >> uh if you know, and I know that's a painful topic because some people don't like the fact that their homes are increasing so much in value because it drives up their tax rate, but for >> but there are also people who say, [laughter] you know, I want my home to
085go increase in value. So, when it's time for me to sell, I want somebody to say, I want to get into this community because it's got a great school. and uh what a realtor could do to support that. You know, where that's a again, it's not a the same thing as a par as a parent, but it has a there's a community benefit of the profile of having a good school because that, you know, >> can [clears throat] we get some like third party endorsement type of deal where realtors say this really does make a difference? >> So, do you know any realtors? >> I'm sure there's some. >> Okay. All right. I like that. >> Yeah. >> All right. I'm going to I'm not going to put it together tonight. I've got homework to
086do, but I'll put it together by hopefully next week. Um and then we'll we'll go from there. Okay. Anything? Okay. Awesome. Let's shut this down. Okay. Thank you.