Meetings
Week of November 10, 2014
Monday 11/10/14
BOS Kiva 6:30 pm
E
Session
Wednesday 11/12/14
Assessors 160 Patriots Rd 2 pm
Housing Bridge St. 4 pm
Planning Scout Hall 6:30 pm
Sr.
Center Scout Hall 6:30 pm
Thursday 11/13/14
Cemetery Scout Hall 6:30 pm
Friday 11/14/14
COA Scout Hall 6:30 pm
The Baldwinville Road property comes with several advantages, the most significant of which is its distinctive lack of wetlands. Wetlands have contributed to the elimination of two other parcels up for consideration. There are wetlands on the property, but they are confined to the back portion of the parcel — well away from the road and construction zone.
“Right out of the gate there would be no mitigation at all,” said committee Chairman Kirk Moschetti.
According to conceptual plans, the site contains ample space for parking, athletic fields and expansion, should the town decide it ever wants a larger facility.
As a bonus, there are also unused buildings on the property. Mr. Moschetti said the 12,000-square-foot former garage could serve as the “perfect” police station, or eventually become a full public safety complex.
“It’s centrally located,” he said. “It does make a lot of sense.”
A vote to borrow money to purchase the land would need to be done separately from the vote to go ahead to build the school, which could be on the ballot for the May election.
With the town’s bond rating recently revoked, Narragansett Superintendent Ruth Miller was concerned about Templeton’s ability to borrow for the project, as well as its all around affordability. The committee agreed that it would discuss these issues with Mr. Markel before proceeding with negotiations.
Mr. Moschetti also cited the 21E environmental test as a high priority in any negotiation, as the site was formerly an automotive salvage business.
“The first thing they would do is a contamination test,” he stated.
The test is standard for any commercial property that will see its use change after a sale and is not indicative of any potential contamination, Mr. Moschetti said. The price of cleaning up any pollution that is present has been worked into the site development costs already drawn up by project manager Jonathan Winikur and Strategic Building Solutions and Mr. Moschetti — who said he was familiar with the property and did not expect much to be found through the test.
Mr. Winikur said any work that will need to be completed on the new site will be covered by the $500,000 previously voted by Templeton residents. The committee agreed that a final decision regarding the future building site must be made.
“We have to pick one site to spend the money on,” Ms. Miller said. “We’re going to just squeeze by with this money.”
Early in the meeting, Mr. Moschetti made a motion to disregard the Crow Hill property due to its “astronomical” site development costs. The Brooks family property and Brooks Road properties were also discounted due to the large amount of wetlands.
The committee agreed to hold an additional meeting before presenting their choice to the Board of Selectmen.
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School could be built at MBW Salvage site
Eryn Dion
News Staff Writer
News Staff Writer
TEMPLETON - After giving all five proposed sites for the future elementary school building a thorough vetting, the Templeton Elementary School Building Committee voted Tuesday night to designate 411 Baldwinville Road — or the former MBW Salvage site — as their proffered site, pending successful negotiations.
These negotiations, which will likely be conducted by interim Town Administrator Bob Markel and members of the committee, would revolve around the $750,000 price tag of the 23 acres of land and the completion of a 21E environmental site test.
These negotiations, which will likely be conducted by interim Town Administrator Bob Markel and members of the committee, would revolve around the $750,000 price tag of the 23 acres of land and the completion of a 21E environmental site test.
The Baldwinville Road property comes with several advantages, the most significant of which is its distinctive lack of wetlands. Wetlands have contributed to the elimination of two other parcels up for consideration. There are wetlands on the property, but they are confined to the back portion of the parcel — well away from the road and construction zone.
“Right out of the gate there would be no mitigation at all,” said committee Chairman Kirk Moschetti.
According to conceptual plans, the site contains ample space for parking, athletic fields and expansion, should the town decide it ever wants a larger facility.
As a bonus, there are also unused buildings on the property. Mr. Moschetti said the 12,000-square-foot former garage could serve as the “perfect” police station, or eventually become a full public safety complex.
“It’s centrally located,” he said. “It does make a lot of sense.”
A vote to borrow money to purchase the land would need to be done separately from the vote to go ahead to build the school, which could be on the ballot for the May election.
With the town’s bond rating recently revoked, Narragansett Superintendent Ruth Miller was concerned about Templeton’s ability to borrow for the project, as well as its all around affordability. The committee agreed that it would discuss these issues with Mr. Markel before proceeding with negotiations.
Mr. Moschetti also cited the 21E environmental test as a high priority in any negotiation, as the site was formerly an automotive salvage business.
“The first thing they would do is a contamination test,” he stated.
The test is standard for any commercial property that will see its use change after a sale and is not indicative of any potential contamination, Mr. Moschetti said. The price of cleaning up any pollution that is present has been worked into the site development costs already drawn up by project manager Jonathan Winikur and Strategic Building Solutions and Mr. Moschetti — who said he was familiar with the property and did not expect much to be found through the test.
Mr. Winikur said any work that will need to be completed on the new site will be covered by the $500,000 previously voted by Templeton residents. The committee agreed that a final decision regarding the future building site must be made.
“We have to pick one site to spend the money on,” Ms. Miller said. “We’re going to just squeeze by with this money.”
Early in the meeting, Mr. Moschetti made a motion to disregard the Crow Hill property due to its “astronomical” site development costs. The Brooks family property and Brooks Road properties were also discounted due to the large amount of wetlands.
The committee agreed to hold an additional meeting before presenting their choice to the Board of Selectmen.
I have just finished the book The Underground History of American Education by John Taylor Gatto and recommend it highly for all those who have ever attended compulsory education classes or have been home schooled. Mr. Gatto spells out in a very readable way what is wrong with our current system and what might be done about it. The first twenty seven installments can be found at Templeton Times blog 01436.
ReplyDeleteThere has to be a point that the Elementary School Building Committee has to make a decision. Never mind the constant going around and around, that may be the reason people do not take much stock in this committee and the fact that more than a few bucks have been thrown away to come up with 0. I seriously doubt you will find any pollution on the land Bill Putnam owns. Salvage yards have to recycle or have picked up by companies that do this, oil, transmission and break fluid. I seriously do not think anyone is dumb enough to pollute their own land, in this day and age. Who is buying the land, the school or the town?? I hope it is the town, as it will be a great place for the police department we need so badly. The biggest question is where is the money coming from ?? We need some industry to help the people in our town carry the load. Until that is done, I can see no big changes coming down the road. This really stinks to high heaven !! Bev.
DeleteWho picks up the tab for the 21e study?
ReplyDeleteHow much does the 21e study cost?
When will we know the results of the 21e study?