001All right, let's get started. Um, did everybody have an opportunity to go over Palab's amazing email? And we have So, we had the opportunity to have Mike is. I'll check him to see if he's going to come. Um, us, we did a bunch of presentations. Palavi did a number of as well. and we kind of collected all of our content, all of the feedback and Potty was amazing this weekend and kind of condensed it down into um kind of three main points for um us to be able to kind of just go yes, no. Um when we review that, did you want to kind of go through those? >> Yeah, I don't remember what I wrote. >> You have such a skill. Thank you for doing that. >> Thank you. >> There you go. and
002you can read it instead of trying to read it on your phone where you go. >> Yeah. So, I think that thematically like everyone looking at this is going to have a suggestion, but the three that I wanted to make sure we address came from three prominent members of the community that if we don't get their support, I think people will may not align themselves to our plan. There are going to be people that are unfamiliar with school traffic, may not have had kids here in a while or at all, and they're going to look to these voices for I can share. >> I I chatted with a couple folks and the three that um I wanted to make sure we address was Kobe suggested a double lane going around the school to allow traffic
003to [snorts] pass. And I know a couple of us heard that at the select board meeting. My first reaction and I think a few other people's was the extra cost that that's going to involve. Well, >> it's the extra cost and the safety consideration. We're trying to cut down on the number of cars >> passing through. Exactly. right? Or passing another vehicle. So I thank him for the suggestion. I >> Well, but if we put it as a safety issue, then we can say no thank you. >> Yeah, I think we should someone will have to draft up a a nice response to him. I want to acknowledge that, you know, >> what I loved about that meeting was the fact that everyone agreed there was a problem >> and they were all looking for
004other ways to, you know, develop a the a solution. So everyone thinks there's a problem. So I don't want to discount anyone's views. Um yes. Yes. So, we'll just have to make sure we respond to that nicely. The other is the concern about access to the front door. I saw your email, Mike, and then there was a conversation with Keith. It's still not clear to me, but I feel like this shouldn't be a showstopper because we definitely going to be in a car zone. Once we get the final word on what the fire um house wants that the fire chief wants, >> we just design it in. >> Okay. So, no one has any concerns. >> Okay. I thought, >> excuse me, plug, this is sidebar, but I talked with Wayne Young this morning and
005he said he had spoken with the chapter. He said >> he needs the access to the front of the school. So, >> vehicle inside access, >> fire truck. Yeah, fire truck access to get to the front door. Not absolutely at the front door, >> but maybe maybe it could be partway there. You know what I'm saying? Maybe he doesn't have to part the >> So, let me do this. As we go into the next phase of design after this, I'll talk to uh Chief Buxton and Chief Young and go through with them like what needs to happen in the front and we can make it as pedestrian friendly as possible and get as close as the fire truck needs to and try to keep as much of that front area pedestrian only as possible. So
006I think there can be a happy medium there. >> Oh yeah, absolutely. >> Right now redirecting the traffic around if the fire access is needed. Well, maybe we have less green space, but we can put down pavers or something that they can use that it doesn't necessarily go all the way around so that people wouldn't be coming away. >> Yeah. So, and that doesn't affect current cost cuz right now it's to take up pavement and we would just resurface some of it and take up part of it. >> Exactly. >> Would that guys I brought extra copies if anybody needs means it >> you're making faces Susie? >> I'm trying to understand which way people are thinking about the green space. if it's all of this right here >> or if he's coming up to
007the front this side and then in front of the old building. >> In front of the old building. >> So, we still keep this as >> green. >> I think my only variable depending on which way the fire chief goes is whether we rip up the asphalt in the semicircle in in front of the front door or we keep it paved but block it to denote it as a no zone. >> This section. >> Correct. And then but then and I'm thinking in my mind >> Susie like we put some nice planters on casters. Do you know what I mean? So like the car won't go there but it could go there in an emergency >> and it could look nice I think even though like you said pavers might be an option or stamped
008concrete or something. >> Stamped concrete is probably >> or stamping parking lot. So in an emergency it would come through here. >> Okay. So this the only thing that >> Yes, >> it's just this one. >> It's just this little >> that little >> this little almost like a baseball diamond shape right up in front of the >> Where's the crosswalk there? Is that That's not before the >> I think there's more than one coming up the hill. The crosswalk is >> There are two Mike. There's one right at the edge of the stairs of the old building across in front of the flag pole. [clears throat] >> And then there's one right here >> coming up from the parking lot. >> The one I was talking about is the one in front where I
009think if I remember right that's as far as he needed to go. He didn't need to go >> all the way around. >> So we could ask him to minimize >> exactly he's more than will do that. >> Yeah. Great. >> We can just >> minimize the make the access accessibility to the fire trucks as much as they need but not as >> but not all the way around. >> It's not going to be they just whatever they need we'll get to and that's it. >> Yeah. >> Um and we'll go from there. sounds like not a >> the only issue that we'll have to navigate at that point and I'll navigate that with TF Moran is >> right now in that front part that's where we have >> a handicap parking spot. So we'll
010have to figure out how that >> kind of factors in. >> No big deal though. >> Maybe that gets moved. >> This is not a new version. It's the same one. It's just easy for us to point. >> Yeah. Well, and to clarify, TF Moran is in the process of doing the set plans, right? Not yet. Not yet. >> Not yet. Not yet. We are gonna um I wanted to make sure we had this meeting first. >> Um so that um if all of a sudden we decided on something crazy, >> um which hopefully we don't won't then they go to set plan. Set plan will be done before the vote in March. It's only going to take a couple weeks. Do >> you need that before the vote in March? No. >> So, do
011you want to say >> we No. And the reason is is the re we technically don't need it for the vote, but if we want this project to be done in the summertime, it gives the this to be done gives the opportunity as soon as like on wood this passes, we can immediately go out to bid. >> Okay. Whereas if we don't do it, it it makes it so that we're potentially into June before we can go out to bid and that's when we really want to be deciding on vendors and then getting people to go. >> And a lot of contractors probably have already done their committed committed their work for the summertime. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, we're what we'll end up doing is um we've get this set plan as long as
012it's ready by the 10th of March, which is voting day. If we're ready to go, >> if it passes by 2/3 majority, three-fifths majority, then we can immediately get out to bed. If not, then we >> So, the plan is to have the RFP >> Ready to go. That will be handled by facilities and the SAU, myself included. Yep. Once the vote happens, then it goes and we'll talk to the Brian Sans, our facilities director, and he'll organize that process. >> All right. >> Sorry, that was it. >> Okay. So, the last item that I think I want to see I think is more um more up for discussion is um the police were concerned about potential backup into the road and they wonderfully did several different views and actually measured it out which is
013the best way to look at it and when I when I look at all the diagrams it seems clear to me that reversing the flow of traffic minimizes back up into the main road. Does anybody disagree with that? >> All right. >> Go ahead. At the back stairs as it is now basically. >> Well, I think then the second idea was whether we keep it at the back or move to the side because if you move it to the side it further reduces the potential for backup into the main road. But I feel like that came with a whole host of problems. >> So that actually does that comes with a litany of issues. Um, it actually is not feasible for a ramp. When I talked to TF Moran, >> the side being the one
014side over there next to the multi-purpose room. >> So that hill cannot have a ramp on it. It's too steep. >> Um, you can't get >> um that can't >> can't happen. So then you have a whole another problem there. >> And then one of the main benefits of having drop off and pick up at the back door is you can go to the playground or you can go to the door. Now we're having people go to one door and then crossing traffic again, which is what we're trying to minimize to get to the playground. >> Is there any concern about kids getting out of the um bus, not next to that door? So, they're going to have to walk in front of the bus to come to school. >> They do that. I mean,
015is that what they do now? The bus is stopped. It's stopped. It's stopped and the traffic is stopped. >> And there are a couple things, too. I've been thinking about this [clears throat] um especially in regards to backup is you know currently in the morning it had just been me um and then Melissa came another additional personnel came out which sped it up. That could be something that we can do on our our end is just create a duty schedule that has three to four people out there and that speeds up getting every child in. And so when we're turning over four cars at a time, >> then there's not going to be. Now the what's interesting is that >> still at the one door though. >> Yeah. But >> they can walk to the
016car. >> Um what's interesting is in the morning and in the afternoon, parents like to get here and just wait. >> And that's what actually causes the buildup. If people would come when doors open, which are 8:15, then there's a cleaner flow. I can't do anything about I can encourage our community not to come till 8:15, but they like to many it there are a few community members, parents that like to get here so that they can get out and go to work >> and instead of having to wait. But if they knew that our drop off time was quick and that there were multiple people out, they I don't know that they would be as adamant about somebody that wants to be first in line. >> 100%. >> But what if what if you
017had no line and it was like at the airport and you had to just keep going in circles until the school opens. >> Oh, that doesn't work. >> I think that's another safety concern. >> Yeah. >> Well, and the I mean my dad was one of those. He would 20 minutes before he's like if I'm not 20 minutes early, I'm >> late. Yeah, he [laughter] he was always one of those people that would just sit there and wait. But if he was told like you can't line up until X, Y, and Z, he's also a rule follower. >> So, you know, I think >> we don't have too many rule followers anymore. >> I know, not in New Hampshire. [laughter] >> But we can do a couple different things. One is facilitate the duty schedule
018to help people get them into their vehicles as quickly as possible and get them out the door. and then do some community engagement things and saying, "Hey, we really can't have you lining up earlier than X." I >> I I do have a question though because when I look at this image, and I realize it's probably not two scale and so forth, but it doesn't seem to me like reversing the flow changes the number of cars that can fit in on on the property off the street significantly. And so [clears throat] why and we had some issues with going that other direction because of the turnout um at the other side. >> Yep. >> And the the blind corner. And so yes, there was a there was a rationale why we wanted to go the
019direction we we drew on here. >> So I I was just curious about >> I think it added >> about whether that distance really works. I guess >> I think it added how many cars like three or so. I mean, we Mike and I did like a little snoopy calculation. >> But, >> um, I think it adds about three cars. >> I mean, the good news is >> worst case >> cuz why couldn't we just >> I mean, you can always change it. >> Exactly. The good news is we could change it if it's done. >> You can't change it once it's done because you have to put your signage. >> Well, yeah, but don't >> your parking lot your parking here goes one direction. >> Oh. Oh. Oh. >> So, we have to decide
020now. >> Okay. Because you could reverse it, but you can't reverse the the uh parking spots and how they're in. >> So, why couldn't you have it so people pull in? >> It is painted, but you also um you're also going to have the cutouts on the end and stuff like that. So, you're going to potentially lose a couple of spots. But why couldn't you pull in further and have you know so if the people who want to come early >> because they want to leave as soon as they can >> can pull over to the corner >> you know their children will still going [laughter] >> come up further. You're right come up further then we have our four faculty members come out >> and there so we're building some capacity of where the
021first drop off is right and the kids could walk and then moving on. I like that. Yep. I think >> it's like having them come in and stop come all the way to this corner. >> Yeah. To the corner back. >> Yeah. You can have them go as >> past the school. So past the door. So they're not >> That's right. >> Unlike now where the first person's stopping at the front row. >> You have people go past the door that is used as the entrance because they're going that direction so that the kids are That's right. >> not having to go in front of the cars, the bus, and so forth. and personnel. >> Okay. So, >> so reverse it. >> No, I think No, >> don't reverse. >> You said between personnel and
022potentially gaining three spots by going farther down the the road. >> Yeah. Okay. >> But that would I mean, >> we'd have to do the personnel part. This doesn't work without more faculty out there. >> Well, there there is one other way you can add capacity. I don't know if it's a good idea or not, but the it's it's a two-lane drive into the school by the between the school and the firehouse. You could have two lanes if it's all one way traffic. You could have two lanes of cars. They'd have to merge at some point, but that would increase the capacity number of cars in that spot to prevent a backup onto the >> I think that's naturally going to end up happening anyway. If if people are coming in and they're that is
023wide enough for two lanes and that the width isn't going to change, >> right? >> You're going to effectively have a turning lane into the >> parking >> teacher parking lot, teacher faculty parking lot and then if all of a sudden people realize that, you know, there's a backup, they're going to start budging up and making two lanes anyway. I think that's a natural cause and effect. I have a sneaking suspicion that's going to happen, but we can start facilitating that like earlier in the year if it does become a problem. I think and that's a that's something that you can do with faculty. That's right. >> So is that >> Yeah. I mean allow the faculty to get in without maybe having to wait behind the traffic if you reverse the flow. >> Most
024of your faculties here anyway, right? >> Yeah. >> The faculty here before the kids. >> The thing is the faculty would have to leave in the same direction. So it's a one-way road. >> There there are some faculty that are not here and would still need to get in somehow. happens at the high school every day that there while parent there's it people that need to keep moving are forming a second lane to go around the parents that are dropping off and it happens for drop off and pickup >> and we don't want that to be happening as much >> I think what we're saying is that it's a natural effect I think we can try to prevent it >> yeah oh yeah 100% you can you can make that pinch point to one lane
025>> well it be one lane by the time you actually drop the kids off >> because there is only for one lane Yep. Cars parked back there. >> I know that our par profofessionals park right here. I think potentially our par profofessionals and our teachers would swap where the earlier people who come park in this area. >> Okay. >> So that our paras come and park in that area >> around back here. Exactly. >> Yeah. There's a lot that can be done logistically with arrival and departure. >> Okay. So, just so I'm understanding because I thought we were going the other way, but so we're we're talking about staying with the what is on this paper right now. >> Yeah. Because that prevents the children from having to cross in front of the bus, for
026example, when they're getting off the bus, >> but stopping people >> back here past the school building. >> Yeah, they'll stop as >> it won't be that far past. It's not going to be that far away. >> The way the police laid that out, they assume that the cars were already at the front of the building. >> So in that graphic, it's set up where the cars are positioned at the front of the building now. So it's kind >> So then when they when they measured the length at drop off of six 700 ft and then they applied that same measure to [snorts] coming in on this side >> and dropping off >> at the back and that extended like I think that was 300 feet or it was 300 was like 200 feet out
027into the road. >> That's fact. I mean that's measured distance where they pinned it on the map and then said drew the outline of where the road would go. >> So it's this piece that you lost that >> you lost this part >> meaning coming in at the firehouse. >> Yeah. guaranteed it's going to go out because they measured it from cars parking right up at the front of the school. And then they and then they get the initial distance and then when they measured it um to the back from the back entrance here, that's where it spilled like 200 feet out. >> And then if it goes around, if it goes in the other way, there's hardly any spill over. if it comes in on the west side at pickup time and there's no
028spillover at drop off. So to me it's very difficult to go against those facts and say we're going to ignore what obviously there's going to be a problem on 87. >> Mike, can I interrupt you on this part that I completely appreciate and I understand that that is factual, right? The the measurements are factual. Up until two years ago, we actually always dropped off in the back >> and there and this had never been brought up as a frequent concern that cars were being backed up that much. Never once was I asked by any of our safety officers or told that that was a safety concern. >> Is it happening now? I >> no because they have this whole spot now this >> if you're at the back >> you're missing all of this road
029that but so how so how far does it >> back to the firehouse it'll be at the firehouse >> at the firehouse >> it'll like it'll go from the front of the school around to the firehouse >> today >> so it goes down the whole length of the building right and then to the fire >> to the front of the firehouse or the back of >> depending on a morning on a morning drop off what >> on a morning drop At pick up, it goes to the farmhouse. >> At drop off, it does not. >> I I was here today just to see because I was curious. I'm not sure, you know, where we get the 700 ft from, but uh this line did not go beyond the back corner of the the schooling. There
030were 20 cars that pick up today. I don't know that's a typical day or an a typical day, but um that's how many cars are there and they're all out of here from time the first kid was in the car and the last one was eight eight to nine minutes which it was when I was here in April. The line did extend further back. It didn't go all the way down. >> It went to the back corner when I was here and I watched in April. It was 20ome cars at that time. So, but the thing is one of the things the police didn't account for is if you have two lanes of traffic, you have an extra 200 feet to work with >> and that that from their diagram and that you where it's
031two lanes uh of traffic, >> four cars or something >> four cars could be parked on an angle, >> you know, roughly. >> It's possible there could be one or two cars back back up at this Cassic, but but um that that would be assuming 35 cars, which was not the case today and wasn't the case when I was here in April. And maybe in the future there are more houses, you know, I don't know. But I think if you have two lanes of traffic, you can avoid that that that problem. And of course, if you drop the kids a little bit beyond the entrance way and you have more people facilitating in and out of the cars and all those things combined can help. Now, I understand when um Beth and and Mike met
032with the chief, he suggested you could try a trial. Uh I know we you know of dropping the kids off in the back and you could do that for a couple weeks before before you make a final plan. If you see that it's not that this isn't much of an issue, then you know it's not a real concern and it's you know you sort of prove it under the current population. So it's maybe the best thing to do at this point is say again going back to what Pavi said earlier, we hear and understand your concern and we will work with you before we settle on a final plan to make sure that you are comfortable with our plan which makes sense in terms of >> I like the idea of doing a I don't
033know if you like the idea. >> The only thing that I mean I would absolutely kind of see what that does. Um but after this meeting we have to go to set plan. We we need to get that we need to give TF Moran the time to get this right. So >> is there a huge difference if we reverse? We're not going to change the plan the physical. >> The only thing that we're changing when we reverse are the parking spots along the way. >> So could you ask them to hold off on putting the parking spots in until >> uh No, I will have them put the parking spots in and then I will have them change the set plan. >> Okay. >> The only problem with that is that it's more cost, >>
034right? And I really do not I want one set plan. >> I am absolutely not going to go back to them 20 times, five times, two times for a second set plan. >> So whatever we do, we do and we stick with it. So whether it's going to be two lanes and that doesn't mean that you guys can't like theoretically, you know, or even physically try the two lane thing, but we need to come to a decision today so that we can make sure that we're ready for March. >> Jane, can I just piggyback on that in that >> if we do I I love the idea of collecting more data. However, the current setup is that people are allowed to come around here and come out back out to the fire lane. >> That
035it will not prove because we won't have two lanes of traffic. >> There's no way to get out >> to be able to it will confuse people >> because I'm asking them to do something that's not our natural flow. >> Does that is that making sense to everybody? You >> mean for a trial? >> For a trial. I can do a trial in that it won't be two lanes. >> You can do one lane. Sure. If it works with one lane, it'll certainly work with >> And the other thing to take into consideration is [clears throat] right now a very cold winter. >> All of our walkers are probably not walking. >> There are a bunch of them walking and there are more cars because parents want their kids to be in a warm car
036versus on a bus. And some people feel like it's safer, I'm just telling you, safer to be in their own car versus a bus that's on the road for 30 minutes. >> So there's that perspective and what the what the kind of situation is now, plus um we have um a couple of different things as well, which is every elementary school plus the middle school and the high school. And this is not a reason but it is something that should be taken into consideration has a backup every day anywhere between 10 minutes and 15 minutes. >> That's right. >> And even those backups are shortlived. They are no longer than 10 to 15 minutes every day. >> Take a different >> what? That's right. >> High school sure does. >> High school. Absolutely. And the
037high school has new drivers. Middle school every single day has a backup and the middle school driveway is very long and has a backup all the way. >> But but does it have it onto a main road? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Oh, on to whatever that road is high school. >> High school. Absolutely. On >> to 27. >> Every day will exit or >> do I know you will see a mile [clears throat] back up? >> I know. I can't get to the gym sometimes. I [laughter] can't feel like the only variable between the flow of traffic are the angle of the parking spaces on the diagram. >> Yep. >> So, can we not draw lines and block it out in a different color and just call it angled parking >> and not for
038the set plan >> and not show an angle of the line? >> Not for the set plan. Because what it ends up doing is it change there's a different grade here. So depending upon the fill and whether they need a retaining wall on one side or the other, they need to know which way the the angles are going for this plan. >> So Jane, are you advocating for keeping the plan as it is now? >> Actually, I don't care. I honestly I don't care. I would I >> the only thing that I would like is figure out which direction we're going and then I'm good to go. >> But I do care because [clears throat] we talked about it and we talked about the flow in terms of the children and where they are relative
039to the vehicles. I will tell you that I it as far as um decreasing the probability of anything having the students get out of the bus and go straight into the >> into the building is the safest. >> Going around a bus though everything should work. >> It just minimizes that daily risk, >> right? Well, they'll they'll they'll be either going around a bus to get into the building or going around a bus to get into the playground depending upon if it's fair weather or not. >> So, typically our wake up wellness has changed that where we aren't on the back. We come in and we have activities in the building. >> So, we're not even crossing. We wouldn't even be crossing over that. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> So, then if that I mean
040>> that's true, then we should keep it. So, Susie, are you willing to to to let us, you know, to try dropping off at the back for, you know, a week or two? And and if we prove it works pretty well with one lane of traffic, I don't see that it's a reasonable objection really on the police's part. If if uh you know, surely would there be more capacity for for traffic in the future with two lanes, >> you know, and if if it's a disaster, then maybe we have to >> But it hasn't it wasn't My point is that it wasn't a disaster before. There wasn't ever it wasn't ever [snorts] even brought up that it was backed up. And the only reason I pause is because though it doesn't feel like a big
041deal to change our children's daily routine, >> it's an ask and and I'm willing to do it. >> It's more the parents, >> but [laughter] it but it is an ask. And I and I want to be sensitive to our morning flow for our students. It's not going to crush them. It's not going to >> be terrible, but routines are routines. We're talking about five-year-olds who are used to coming in here, going to their activities, and we're going to switch it for two weeks, and then switch it back on them >> when we already have data from when it was already in effect years ago. >> But if you all think that it's worth doing that, then I'll take that and and I will. >> Now, when I did drop off every day, you were
042at the back of the school, >> so I never had a backup when I was coming from that side. >> Yeah. >> Did you pick up back there or not? >> Everything was back there. you picked up at the end of the day. >> We had done a pickup was at the front pickup. >> I don't think we've ever done a pickup back there. >> Yeah. >> No. >> Um and and then um >> Shoot, I lost my thought. >> Oh, I think it's more intuitive to enter on this side because you see the school. I think people coming to the school infrequently might not realize that the entrance is over here because you don't even see the school. Mhm. >> I'll put in my three cents just >> I would vote to keep it
043as it is here >> partly because that's the established routine and when you change that completely you're introducing an element of uncertainty and [clears throat] potential danger. >> Um having the entry to this adjacent lot that we are going to be using heavily. I think that's important um to do that from rather than coming in over here and then going all the way around. And I really do like the idea of being able to get the kids getting on the bus without going around the front. I think people might say you're introducing that element of peril, >> you know, with poor sight lines from the driver. I mean, I just for all those reasons, I like the way this is. I I just want to ask, would there still be a two-way entrance on the
044west side >> as it is here? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, during >> we had planned on that um just to be able to get in and out of the dirt lot when it's available like it's not going to be available on a daily basis. >> Exactly. >> Um so that is >> there's people that are using that field right now. >> Of course they are. >> Yeah. So, some people will come in, pull into that area, >> drop their kid off, and >> well, the interesting thing about that is I have a sneaking suspicion because of because this will be plowed now, there's going to be a bit of a hurdle to get over that snow bed. >> So, I don't think that there's going to be as much use of this side lot
045on days like this, whereas right now they're just driving over >> snow, right, >> without it being plowed. So I think that's going to be a little bit a little bit more challenging. >> You could ask them to well >> into that. >> Last question is for the walkers. >> Yeah. >> Where are we envisioning? What is their route as they're coming into school and leaving? >> So their route as they're coming in, we want to look at this one. It's a little bit bigger. >> So they're coming in from the new uh entrance, the new crosswalk. >> This is only a ramp. And then [cough] they can take this staircase here. >> Okay. >> Or um they can go all the way around and come in at the ramp on this side. >> So
046this is >> I' I've got set here. I just don't know which one you're showing. >> This is a sidewalk, right? >> This is going to be gone. >> So this is um this is an older plan, but the ramp doesn't change. So there'll be a a a crosswalk here, stairs here. Sorry. if they want to take a shortcut. This all will be >> So they would end up at the the current front. >> So there's gonna have to be somebody >> and this is the ramp all the way around if somebody needed to actually use a ramp all the way around. >> Okay, that was my main question. Are we having walkers come in the front? Yep. >> Okay. Because that only makes more sense to me to not ask them to go all
047the way around to the back. >> They're not going to go all the way around to the back. They'll go in the front door for walkers will come in on the front door. That's >> So now you need somebody at the front door man. Well, there'll be a new there's always I don't know why have them walk down. I don't >> to the back, right? >> You can't see what you're then they have to go they have to go across traffic >> into >> if you had them go to the back side. >> No, no, they wouldn't because they go right here. They stay they stay right on the side. They're not >> I thought there was a sidewalk. That's no longer the case, Jane. >> Um yeah, there's a sidewalk there >> on the
048west side of the school. Yeah, >> there's a there's we're creating like a pathway there. >> I don't think asking them to enter the back is a heavy lift. >> Me neither. >> And I don't I I think you're right, Ellen. I think if you wanted them to enter in the back at the rest of the students, you could. >> Yeah. >> If you wanted them to enter in the front, you could. That's really up to you. >> I just think it it would reduce the burden on faculty to have two intake stations >> and they right now walk up the driveway with all the traffic, >> right? [laughter] So now they're walking through lovely green space >> and they're already walking to school. So I don't think a few more feet's going to bother.
049>> It's good for them. >> Yeah. Like they're already walking for a reason. >> Maybe we should drop all the kids off here and make them walk up. >> That would [laughter] be a problem. Just open the door on 87 >> and go. I mean Yeah. I mean it's up to you. >> Like that's I think that's fine. >> I [snorts] think we should make sure that there is a paved sidewalk that goes all the way to the back of the school. Yeah, that's there's going to be some type of pavement there. It's either going to be cut off what's there and kind of resurfaced a little bit with some green on the side or something. >> I think regardless of what of what we decide in terms of whether or not to change the
050flow, the key is about how we communicate it and making sure that we're collaborative and that we talked about, you know, how to craft the language with regards to um the concern that Hobie brought up. It's the same thing, right? It's all in the delivery and I mean this the framing of it and making sure that they know we want to be collaborative. But just because perhaps we didn't agree with someone's input doesn't mean that we don't still find their points really valid. That you can agree to disagree and still work together, >> right? I think they're valid points and we're going to make sure that we take them into consideration as this is getting implemented. I think that's really um important whether I I do like our entrance here because you have access to
051this parking lot >> um for visitors >> without having to go >> without having visitors park back here >> uh or go through all of this traffic to be able to get there which is a really nice >> um way because if this isn't available >> it's you know you're going to have to go through all of this just to get into this lot and I really >> I I I I really have to agree with Pilavi on this. Making this um kind of a two-way and this two-way. It I kind of like making this one way and potentially budging people up, making sure that there's a two-lane access there um up until you get over here and then pinch point it back down to one. And that's an easy thing to start on the
052beginning of a year, >> you know, get everybody out there all hands on deck. This is the new flow two one >> and then anybody kind >> I mean it has significant number of cars if you keep it to two lanes, right? Yeah. >> Mhm. >> I mean, you're doubling this whole entire >> that whole thing. Yeah. Piece. >> Mike, how do you feel about those things? >> I really have serious concerns. I mean, this this is a picture of mid December of the pickup. You pass that around. That's the actual shot of the cars lined up back to the firehouse. Yeah. >> And that wasn't like on a day that what they had >> normal day that that and >> it looks like it's to the teacher lot. >> Yeah. I think it's it's
053hard that perspective is difficult. It's like I would say it's more than halfway down >> that >> but it's not on 87. >> no, no. My point is is that >> you're taking >> obviously it's not because you're looping it all the way around the school. >> Yeah. >> So if you take this whole distance >> uh that is currently being used by cars and they can't access that and then you take the measurement that the police did, it's absolutely going to go out to 87. The concern in my mind also is you can have cars backed up coming west on Miscass as well as coming east. In other words, you got two directions of entrance out on 87. M >> so do you have an issue with the cars potentially back into that intersection
054>> onto 85 >> 85 not just them lining up on 87 because now cars come down >> they're going to come in both ways and then if they're backed up getting in from this side of Piscassic and then they're coming in from 85 >> you've got pretty good mess there of traffic backed up both ways and potentially into that >> intersection I It really troubles me when and I'm not, you know, I don't have any skin in the game in terms of but where they have spent a lot of time documenting the distance >> of this array and in fact it proves out that there is more space on that side using this side even though Jane and I kind of tried to figure that out manually but the way Bill measured out that perimeter
055there is more room on the west side than the east sign for cars to stay within the property. I think that we have to stay true to form which is our charge has been to increase the safety you know for everyone for students for families for vehicles for walkers for buses >> and that's the perspective and and my other observation would be is that it' be very very important to get the lane and if you go the other way and that he understands the logic and the reasoning behind it particularly after all the work >> they have put into saying here's here's where here's a workaround. Here's some real there's some facts to work with and um kind of like some provable cases >> that um they've you know offered alternatives and >> I know
056early on Beth we talked and everyone was gung-ho to go with you know someone who met the plane and everyone was enthusiastic to reverse the flow and then go to the side. I struggle a little bit with we were enthusiastic back when we met early in December >> but now we're not >> and even after we've developed all these facts that clearly say >> I would also counter that though argue against myself >> it's a snapshot >> you know so how long does this traffic backup last >> that snapshot is is it really 10 minutes is it you know that's that's whereas every day you've got the issue of the kids crossing in front of the bus and like that. >> Snapshot assumes that the that the traffic starts that the first car stops and
057waits at the door. >> If we're not waiting at the door, >> then that's not the same issue at all. >> Two or three car lengths though by jumping to the corner. >> No, cuz you've got this whole >> No, no, they're not talking about dropping the kids off over here. They're talking about just going two car lengths past the door. Maybe here >> you might get like 50 ft, maybe a couple cars. >> Yeah. Otherwise, you have to have the teachers parked at station here and then walk the kids back to the door. >> So, I think the best you could do is go to the corner of the building. >> I thought Jane's point was really valid in that in all of our schools, we do have traffic backed up into the roads.
058>> It's not a great argument, but it's a fact. >> It's a fact. It's a data point. >> And how do we mitigate that fact? >> That's right. Well, I do think the difference is at CMS, is that a main transit road? >> Meaning the entrance to CMS >> doesn't go out to that crossroad. Whatever that road is, it is the entrance. It's a pretty busy road. >> Main Street is Main Street Road, >> right? And Lincoln Street is Lincoln Street Road. Like those are high school has brand new drivers. >> Road. Yeah. >> Like it's 27. It is an absolutely 100% major road. You've got tractor trailers going through there all the time. In other words, we have backups already happening and we still mitigate >> at the high way to go past, >>
059right? But how can he sign off on something that creates a traffic issue? From his perspective, it would seem odd, right? So, I think we need to address a a few of these concerns with him as to why we want to keep it the same >> and our potential solutions. Jog it up a couple car lengths and double the number of faculty to speed it up. and we need to get his approval >> because if I had nothing to do with the school and I heard that he didn't support this plan, I don't know if I'd vote for it >> on the two lane option. >> Yes. And the two lane option. I put I took a bunch of notes as we were talking of all the reasons why we want to keep it the
060same. I think we need to just sit and talk to him about it. >> Have a follow-up conversation. >> Yeah. I would agree with that. >> I and I also have similar reservations about that. If if if he doesn't have his support, I'm not convinced that there's really much of a safety issue to reverse the flow. And I'm pretty convinced that there's not going to be a traffic back up that way. The kids can come out on the left side of the cars, so they don't have to cross in front of a car. And the buses, you know, you're not going to be passing the buses. You're going to have either as well. I don't think it's ideal, but um I'm not, you know, I think that I would prefer to have the police on
061on board. Yeah, >> I think he's a tough >> self. >> So, we looking at reversing >> favor of it. >> No, >> I think we need to >> stay the course but setting up a subsequent meeting to talk it through. >> And then if he is adamant and says that all of these additional points that you brought up are not good enough for me, then I think we have to just reverse the flow and get the set plan done. But I think we need another meeting with him. >> I agree. >> Okay. So, we'll talk to Chief Young [clears throat] um and Chief uh Buckton about kind of our double up, keeping this like it is, doubling up, >> more people, >> um faster, >> um kids in cars and some education to utilize
062buses as often as possible. all the things to make sure that we're making the number of drops drop offs quick, efficient, and as few as possible. >> Okay? And I just want to say this, we are talking about humans, little humans at that. And though I think efficiency is important, I also am not going to rush a child out of a car, I won't do it. And so I think having more faculty is fine, but I don't want to be and I I'm not suggesting that you say that that you were suggesting this. I just want sometimes we think efficiency >> overrides humanity and it doesn't. I want our children to feel welcomed and some of them take a hot second to get out of the car. Susie, I I was sort of being silly
063about telling them they can't park for pickup until a certain time, but I wonder if that would seriously help. Like you would say, if you get here more than 10 minutes ahead of pickup, we're going to ask you to keep moving because we can't have you backing up. >> Might create more problems if there was a place for them to park out of the way. But I would think if they would >> be a nice lots. >> Yeah. No, I think or it's the last person who comes in at the edge, >> then they circle around. So, we tell them don't don't back up into the main road. Maybe they go park in town hall for or the library for a few minutes. >> There are options to wait. >> Yeah. Who drives in and
064out of >> some just you know, you can say you can't come in. >> Well, or just the reasonleness is you can't block the >> I don't like to do that messenger. >> Huh. We're not going to have a body to be down there saying that either. >> No. that I think you know it's regular communication with parents. >> You might not have a body, but I mean there's usually a police officer down there and I'm going to assume that >> they might still people down there, especially in the beginning, you can't park. >> Yeah, like the airport concept. I forget troopers down there. >> That's right, man. [laughter] >> Your person doesn't FLY IN THE CAR. YOU GOT TO GO ANOTHER LOOP. >> YEAH. YEAH. WE DON'T HAVE ANY HUMANITY at the [laughter] >>
065We should hire someone from Massorth. >> Okay. So, this is what I'm going to propose that we do. I'm going to have them do the sad plan. I'm going to have them do it on the current >> specs. >> Um that will be ready for March. In the meantime, Mike, do you mind setting up a a conversation with yourself, myself, Susie? Would you like to be involved in that as well >> for the three of us to sit down and talk to Chief about kind of our mitigation strategy for this >> and feedback? Um, as well as um >> I need to talk to Chief Young immediately. So, if you can share his contact details about what's going to happen in the front of the building >> because that affects the second plan. >> Oh,
066the you want Jeff. >> Oh, Jeff Buckton. Yeah. I need if you can share Jeff Jeff's information with me. >> I just need to have a quick conversation about how much access he needs in the front. >> Okay. >> And then I can go to set plan. >> And then the next step for us is uh the bond hearing is going to be on the 14th followed by a schoolboard meeting. Um and then the probably the one of the most important meetings is going to be the deliberative session on February 5th. that is when um the town's people can come and change all kinds of things including the amount on the bond. Um so please come bring your friends, bring your bring anybody who is a New Fields resident. Those are the only people that
067can vote at the deliberative session. >> Don't you have to be a registered voter? >> You have to be a registered voter >> to speak. >> To vote to vote. >> To speak. >> Yes. >> Vote where? >> Deliberative. Right. Right. >> To the liberty if you have to be a registered voter in the >> but you can bring people who are not registered. >> They can't speak. No, they can't speak. >> They can still show up. They can still be bodies. >> They can't speak and they can't vote things up or down. >> You get like a card. >> Have you been to one? >> You get like a card. >> I've been to one. >> Yeah. >> You've only been here two years. I've been to one. >> Yeah, [laughter] you're right. That's
068critical. >> That this is this is the critical one. This is the one where we get a a really a good idea of >> is this going to pass by the majority that we need to. This is not a majority vote. Is it is a 2/3? >> This says that the ERCSD deliberative session is Wednesday, February 4th. >> That is the exit. That's >> the cooperative school district. I always call it exit >> lobby. I think that's and Beth, I think that's where we have to get our school community out. >> Yeah. That's why I want to double check that is the meeting that you talked about unfortunately. >> The bond meeting is essentially telling people what the bond is about and talking about it. So I will want people there on this committee because
069I don't >> Do we have here a town hall? >> It's going to all the school multi-purpose room. >> Yes, the deliberative session is in the multi-purpose room. >> Well, the deliberative session and the bond hearing will both be here. the session isn't at the town. >> Not I've never been to a school one that >> No, no, there are two of them in town though at the school and one for the town. >> Yeah, I've only been in the town and those are the bond one is important because you guys are on the committee and if there's questions then I'm going to have you guys, you know, talk and talk about the project. So that's important. Um but the deliberative session as um the voting public and everything like that, it's really important for
070us to make sure that we get the word out. >> And you can use that flyer. That's why I sent it that was already created as a way so you don't have to reinvent the wheel. >> PDF article. >> Don't challenge with the article. So I'm just going to say >> what' you say? >> There's a challenge with that article. There are two things in that article. One is that it talks about the glare >> and we're not fixing the glare. >> That's true. >> The second is it talks about that we're we we're focused on ADA compliance and I think we're going to get some feedback. I >> say use the article for to get people out. I shared the article more for us. >> Yeah. But I'm saying FYI had those two >>
071whoever wrote the article must have thought they were important points. But I they're the kind of thing it's like, "Aren't you ADA?" You know, I don't want to have that be in part of our session, >> right? I think our talking points are our talking points. I sent the article more as an FYI, just so we page. Yes. Well, >> um, >> were you asking to PDF the the article for those of us that can't let me see what I can do? >> Jim already did it. Did you PDF it? >> I PDFed. Yeah, I have a tot reply all. >> [laughter] >> Yeah, thank you. Thank you. Yeah, because I think I reached my limit. >> Subscribers goes [clears throat] down the line. >> I think [laughter] I am, but I think I reached
072my limit. >> Okay. So, >> okay. >> You're going to share with me Buckton's details. Can you set up a meeting for the three of us? Maybe Pavi, you want to join us, too? >> It's fine. I feel like I can I took a bunch of notes. I'll email this to you, but I think the most compelling evidence is you did it for years and we didn't have an issue. Yeah. >> And we just people who hit the end of the driveway just get turned away. Yeah, >> right. I mean, I feel like there's >> Well, they may question how many cars are doing it now versus how many cars did it before because pre and postco is very different in terms of the number of people driving their kids. >> Postco is going to
073vary by the who's coming, the age of the kids, and the weather. >> So, I don't think you can solve for everything, but we're not create we're not aiming to create a bad situation every day. Yes. >> Which you have at all the other local schools. [laughter] You can avoid it, right? >> Yeah, exactly. So, >> February 5th is where did you say that was? >> Everything is here for >> the deliberative session is typically in the multi-purpose room. The bond hearing will be in the usual room. >> The usual school board in the front of the house. >> Has anybody talked to the one that I have to bring parents to? That's the one in >> Mike. Februaryth here. >> February. >> Have you had any discussions with Michaelu >> on a Wednesday? >>
074Yes. I would if we can get to so he he was the person who spoke last time >> and and you know so >> in trying to get you know the people and John was in the um the one we were in John was in I'll talk to about >> been away for like two weeks I tried to get >> Michael well Michael was in that meeting too right? No, please. >> Was he any of this stuff? >> Select board. >> No, he wasn't in the select board and always had a plan. >> Yeah, I just think >> No, we hear you. >> That's a good idea. >> We talked about the importance of that here before and it sounds like people have been making attempts. >> Yeah. And I don't know where Hobie is.
075I don't I don't know where Hobie Cat and Mark are. >> He just wants that. >> We're I think we're in a good >> But did Marker cat anything? >> Yes. Would you are we? >> Yeah, I think we're good. I think we're good. Is everybody good? >> Excellent. >> All right.