MINUTES

Facilities Committee Meeting

Plainfield School District

February 24, 2005

The meeting was called to order at 7:10 PM.  Present were Chair Bill Taylor; members M. Higgins, B. Fleming and S. Williams.

Minutes of January 20 were passed without corrections.

Reviewed public forum on Buildings and Grounds held on January 20th and facilitated by committee member E. Church.  A summary of the views and issues discussed was added to the facilities committee’s notebook.  Public comments at the forum generally reinforced the informal feedback that committee members have been getting, as well as the November committee meeting with Principle Mellow.  Two immediate needs identified at the forum are an improved drop off/parking area and the creation of one-on-one to one-on-three meeting spaces in the school.

Reviewed results of HVAC unit inspection by ProControl’s Paul O’Brien.  O’Brien gave a thorough inspection of the 4 units on the flat roof portion of the original building soon after the January committee meeting.  The inspection, which covered cases, bearings, amps to motors, actuators and dampers, found the units to be in good shape and estimated they would last another 5 to 10 years.  O’Brien recommended a thorough control upgrade for each unit to improve their efficiency. 

There was no update on the energy audit project because committee member B. Knight was unable to attend the meeting.

Discussion of road, traffic, parking and outdoor campus.  B. Taylor brought in site map with building locations.  Discussion of how parking expansion/improved drop-off might be addressed.  The committee will ask for board authority for funds for a landscape architect to review plans developed by facilities committee.  Facilities committee also plans to coordinate with town committee developing a war memorial.  Reviewed current playing fields and possible sites for future playing fields.  Identified proposed location of proposed Willowbrook Community Center, which could have implications for parking lot expansion and future playing field. 

M. Higgins agreed to remain on the facilities committee even though his term as chair of the school board is ending.  Committee and school board both are interested in adding an active school board member to the committee.

Next meeting                        March 24th

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Williams