| MSC Preliminary Minutes March 25, 2009 |
| DRAFT PRELIMINARY MINUTES MIDDLETON SCHOOL COMMITTEE HOWE MANNING SCHOOL GYMNASIUM REGULAR MEETING MARCH 25, 2009 The Regular Meeting of the Middleton School Committee was held on Monday, March 25, 2009 at the Howe Manning School Gymnasium, Middleton, MA. Members Present: Teresa Buono, Chairperson; Richard Harris, James Pearl, Deirdre Donarumo and Rock Mastrangelo Others Present: Dr. Bernard Creeden, Superintendent, Faye Raynard, Village Reporter, Chelsey Pletts, Salem News; Karen Abbott, Dan & Julie Sulzinsky, Kim & Steve McHugh, Mark Teller, Chris and Kelly Watrous, Kathleen Lane, Laurie Benoit, Rebecca Pearl, Kelly MuMet, Mindy Wogan, Beth Perullo, Kim Cosco, Mia Cloonan, Lisa Kirchner, Michelle O’Grady, Tracy Sullivan, Malvena Baxter, Michelle Fitzgerald, Eileen Kennedy, Dawn Maczynski, Alexis Karras, Josie Tin, Don Lee, Wilfred Lewis, Larry Davis, Christina Harris, Ethan Harris, Paula Lanfranchi, David O’Brien, Kosta Prentakis and Dawn Cobak, Recording Secretary. T. Buono called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. A. ROUTINES: 1. Remarks from the Public: None 2. Reports from Other Committees: • The Tri-Town School Union Committee had met the previous week and approved a $10,000 reduction in the Central Office budget. The reduction number had previously been $18,000. B. REPORTS: 1. Report of the Superintendent: Dr. Creeden announced that the Central Office had received two RFPs from companies to conduct the Regionalization Study. Dr. Creeden stated that there had been a meeting with the MSBA, (Mass. School Building Authority) and they had approved Middleton to receive funding for the new school at the Howe Manning site. If desired, a Rep from the MSBA will be available to come to Town Meeting to answer any questions. There will be an Omnibus Budget Hearing tomorrow evening, D. Donarumo and Dr. Creeden will attend. The Finance Committee will be meeting on Monday evening and Dr. Creeden and T. Buono will attend. The School Article will hopefully be placed in front of the other articles on Town Meeting floor. Kosta Prentakis would like the School article to be placed before the Zoning articles. Kosta Prentakis stated that the Board of Selectmen are offering to all Town Boards who would like to make a presentation, that the presentations can be shown on television prior to Town Meeting. This is in an effort to give the residents all of the information they need to make informed decisions. Dr. Creeden explained that he and Steve Greenberg will be attending a meeting in Marlboro, MA to learn about the new stimulus funding. The meeting will hopefully describe how the money will be distributed and what the rules will be for use of the money. C. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Public Information Forum on the Proposed New Howe Manning School: T. Buono gave a Powerpoint presentation on the Proposed New Howe Manning School. Reviewed were issues such as lack of space, previous attempts to obtain funding from the Town, spending freezes, the new building and parking lot plans. T. Buono explained that the MSBA has offered partial funding to the Town towards the building of a new school at the Howe Manning site, and if the Town does not come up with the difference at this year’s Annual Meeting and election, the Town will lose the money forever. T. Buono explained that the difference between this year and previous years, is that this year the final cost of the project is known. A question was asked regarding the tax impact to the Town. T. Buono explained that Ira Singer, Town Administrator, will determine the tax impact to the Town and can present this at Town Meeting. A member of the public questioned the possibility of funding from the Federal Government. T. Buono stated that the Town has applied for Federal funding, however no word has been received yet. A question was asked regarding placement of the new building. T. Buono explained that the new school would be constructed behind the existing building, while the existing building was still in use. A question was asked regarding any possible plans to replace the playing fields that would be lost. T. Buono explained that there are currently plans for a few new fields to be built in different locations in Town. T. Buono explained that Frequently Asked Questions would be posted to the School webpage. It is still being determined whether the 5 page document could be mailed to each household. 2. Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Development: 3. Correspondence: None 4. Other: None D. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting were not available for approval. 2. Bills and Payroll: R. Harris moved to approve the following Bill and Payroll Warrants. Second by D. Donarumo. Payroll Warrant dated 4/2/09 in the amount of $248,694.40 Bill Warrant #09-18 dated 03/25/09 in the amount of $59,123.76 Bill Warrant #09-18A dated 03/25/09 in the amount of $120.00 Bill Warrant #09-18CAFE dated 03/25/09 in the amount of $7,349.33 Journal Entry #09-11 dated 03/25/09 in the amount of $1,550.00 Motion carried 5-0-0. E. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, D. Donarumo moved to adjourn at 8:47pm. Motion carried 5-0-0. Respectfully Submitted, Dawn Cobak Recording Secretary |