Redding Pilot
Redding
Region 9 caps field and facility plan’s cost

Mar 27, 2008

by Rachel Kirkpatrick
rkirkpatrick@thereddingpilot.com

Voters will decide whether to launch the Joel Barlow High School fields and facilities project on May 6, if they approve a third question on the ballot for a request of $375,000 for “soft costs” related to the design.

On Monday evening, the Region 9 school board selected Milone and MacBroom for the design, engineering, permitting, cost estimation and services, and preparation of bid documents — the soft costs — for what is now being referred to as a fields and facilities project. The firm was recommended by the Fields and Facilities Committee with the blessing of the Financial Oversight Committee, pending reference checks that will be reviewed at a follow-up meeting tonight, March 27.

Simultaneously, the board also approved a recommendation by the Fields and Facilities Committee to cap the total cost of the master plan project at $5 million. In the approval, the board essentially adopted what has been referred to as “phase one” as the overall project.

“Phase one” is based on a proposal created by Clough Harbour & Associates LLP, the Rocky Hill-based design firm hired by the board to work on the project. It includes two new grass fields in front of the school, a grass field where the old tennis courts are located, and artificial turf installed on both the current stadium field and the field beside it at the southernmost point of campus. That southern field would become the new stadium field, slated to be used as the primary field for football, lacrosse, and championship events. Lighting and stands to seat 1,500 would be added. The current stadium field would also be lighted, with a seating capacity for 500. And parking would also be addressed.

Dominating the discussion Tuesday night was whether to include the “soft costs” on the ballot May 6. Some board members were concerned that the school’s budget would be at risk, or that the “soft costs” would not be approved because of the proposed increases in the school budget.

Cathy Gambos, school board member (Easton), said she is not comfortable voting for a firm for which she does not have references.

The recommended firm, subject to reference checks, was the second-lowest bidder in terms of cost, of the four proposals received, according to Chris Hocker, a school board member (Redding) and member of the Facilities and Fields Committee.

Dr. Allen Fossbender, superintendent of Easton, Redding and Region 9 schools, said the firm chosen has an “excellent standing in Connecticut,” and reminded her that the firms had to qualify to get to the RFP process.

Thomas Logie, school board member (Easton), said he is uncomfortable putting the item on the May 6 ballot because there has not been a discussion on the scope of the project.

“Scope could change many more times once we get into the design, so I don’t think we can define scope any better than we have,” said Tony Neidenbach (Easton) in response.

Speaking of the towns’ current financial situations, specifically Redding’s projected revenue shortfall, and an expectation of increasing taxes, said Frank DeSalvo, a Financial Oversight Committee member, anything added to the ballot is going to be difficult to pass.

“But it has to be on the table; this can’t be put off forever,” he said.
“I think most people realize that we’ve been dealing with this issue for close to a year and-a-half now,” said Arthur Poltrack (Redding), chairman of the Financial Oversight Committee. “I don’t think it’s fair to withhold the decision from the people.”

He added that the chance of passing it beyond May 6 is probably even less.
“You’ve got a freight train coming down the line,” said Leon Karvelis, Financial Oversight Committee member. “Those facilities are in desperate need of improvement.”

Later in the discussion, Mark Lewis (Redding), read of a list of the proposed improvements identified for a “phase one.” Based on the current conditions of the fields, and outlined needs, Mr. Lewis said, $5 million can buy “just about everything you’ve got on there.”

Dr. Fossbender added that in the future, another board can deliberate the needs of the fields and facilities at that time.


© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers