Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

I cannot help but put my two cents in for this discussion.  I have been a dedicated teacher almost all my life in the City of Newton which is known for its quality of education.  After we have built such a state of the art school for our children in Lincoln, do we have to spend another 3.4 million

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

t seem that this extra space is yielding an equitable education for all. > > -- Forwarded message - > From: Philana Mia Gnatowski > Date: Mon, Oct 2, 2023 at 13:48 > Subject: Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations > To: Peter Buchthal

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

Hello LT, I wanted to weigh in on this lively debate as both a former LEAP employee and as someone who grew up in Lincoln and chose to move back and raise her kids here. I believe that LEAP must remain in its own dedicated space on campus. In my experience as LEAP's middle school coordinator for

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

*I respectfully disagree with your conclusion.* *We have been told the LEAP is a critical part of our student offering and it must be on the Hartwell Campus. I agree an extended day offering is very important to all school districts at this time. However, I believe Leap could be relocated to

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

Those asserting that the school is too big for our student body are not doing so blindly, they are referencing the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) guidelines

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

This is helpful-more specificity to better understand why some classrooms appear used for only potions of the day, or even go empty. It would be helpful if the schools could provide this type of narrative, rather than simply saying something cannot be done. This is Lincoln, we need to know why!

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

Hi Kristine thank you for your offering of why LEAP can't go into the school. These same reasons is why it is difficult  to have COA  have programming in many venues.Thank youLynne L Sent from AOL on Android On Fri, Sep 29, 2023 at 3:09 PM, Kristine Barker wrote: Good afternoon, I am

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations / location of LEAP

ce a week. Why wouldn't we use the school for more hours of the day? -- Forwarded message - From: melinda bruno-smith Date: Fri, Sep 29, 2023 at 9:44 AM Subject: Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations To: Magruder Donaldson Cc: Peter Buchthal , Listser

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations / location of LEAP

The question of where Leap will run its program during construction is relevant to the question of why “it would be absurd “ for Leap to share space in our state of the art new school facility in lieu of spending a few more million . No one is questioning the importance of a quality after school

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations / location of LEAP

ect adds ~$3.4M to the cost. We owe it to our community >>> to at least consider the possibility of saving money for the town while >>> ensuring the best for our children. >>> >>> Our net-zero brand-new school offers adequate space and access to new >>> play

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations / location of LEAP

ortion of the project adds ~$3.4M to the cost. We owe it to our community >>>> to at least consider the possibility of saving money for the town while >>>> ensuring the best for our children. >>>> >>>> Our net-zero brand-new school offers adequate

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations / location of LEAP

> ensuring the best for our children. >> >> Our net-zero brand-new school offers adequate space and access to new >> playgrounds, and since the LEAP program runs after regular school hours, >> there's no scheduling conflict. We would be making the transition for kids >>

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

Good afternoon, I am a Lincoln resident, a parent to a student who attended Lincoln School and an educator in a neighboring district. I believe this is a unique perspective as I can see things from the perspectives of a parent, a resident concerned with the town’s finances and an educator. My

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations / location of LEAP

; attending the program much easier. The math team already meets in a hub once >> a week. Why wouldn't we use the school for more hours of the day? >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>> >>> -- Forwarded message - >

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

Bob your thoughts are exactly why CC shd be large enough for all activities, etc. in one place so people don't have to go to various places for activities as they do now which is not the ideal situation. Why can't the CC have the same needs listed as LEAP interests??Lynne LSent from AOL on

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations / location of LEAP

I was an instructor for an after school arts program in Malden. We ran the class in the school art room, messy projects and all sorts of creative work. We set upour projects and cleaned up at the end. It’s not evident why Leap requires a space other than the school facilities.In my experience it

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

Dear Lincoln- I would love to extend an invitation to anybody who would like to come visit LEAP during the peak hours of operation. We run during the hours of 2pm-6pm m, t, th, and f, 12pm-6pm on Wednesdays. On an average day we have over 100 children and 20 staff in constant motion. We are

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

I believe that a major issue for LEAP using space within the schools is that they have a variety of activities with furniture/supplies/equipment, etc. in place for the kids when they arrive. Sharing space with the schools would most likely require extensive setup/tear-down on a daily basis (along

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

Agreed. Sent from my iPhone Melinda Bruno-Smith On Sep 29, 2023, at 8:16 AM, Magruder Donaldson wrote:  There must be a way to accommodate LEAP in the new, spacious school… Craig Donaldson On Thu, Sep 28, 2023 at 7:03 PM Peter Buchthal mailto:pbucht...@gmail.com>> wrote: The school is

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

There must be a way to accommodate LEAP in the new, spacious school… Craig Donaldson On Thu, Sep 28, 2023 at 7:03 PM Peter Buchthal wrote: > The school is too big by any standard. We have 550 students with a > declining school population. The architect and school administration at > the time

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

The school is too big by any standard. We have 550 students with a declining school population. The architect and school administration at the time told us the building was designed for 650 students. More recently, the school architects publicly told fellow architects that the school was

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

lues and beliefs", without a close look > at the relevant facts -- including the relevant numbers -- is so mind > boggling that words fail me. > > > Message: 24 > Date: Tue, 26 Sep 2023 19:04:53 -0400 > From: Lis Herbert > To: Lynne Smith > Cc: Dennis Picker , Lincol

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

AgreeCarol Ryan Winter stSent from my iPhoneOn Sep 28, 2023, at 8:40 AM, Lynne Smith wrote:What Dennis said! I agree with him.Lynne Smith5 Tabor Hill RoadLincoln, MA 01773781-258-1175Sent from my iPhoneOn 28 Sep 2023, at 8:26 a.m., Dennis Picker wrote:At Special Town Meeting last year, I

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

What Dennis said! I agree with him.Lynne Smith5 Tabor Hill RoadLincoln, MA 01773781-258-1175Sent from my iPhoneOn 28 Sep 2023, at 8:26 a.m., Dennis Picker wrote:At Special Town Meeting last year, I opened my comments by saying that I recognized the need to spend money to address genuine needs

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

This is not the first time I've heard lost state funding for the school mentioned as a reason to move quickly on the new building project. My understanding is there is no state funding at stake now. I will vote to kick the can down the road. I don't want a white elephant. If the cost will

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

Thank you for explaining town governance to me.Sent from my iPhoneOn Sep 27, 2023, at 7:08 PM, Edward Young wrote:"And to that point: the number crunchers say it’s okay, and I believe them."No, actually, the number crunchers say what the numbers are, and then the voters say what’s okay.On Sep

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

I don’t believe for a second that numbers don’t matter — far from it. But I have no doubt that there is a vocal minority of people who seem to believe that by throwing numbers around — only the numbers they have seized upon as important — they give the impression that they must know what they are

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

ng that words fail me. >> >> >> Message: 24 >> Date: Tue, 26 Sep 2023 19:04:53 -0400 >> From: Lis Herbert mailto:lisherb...@gmail.com>> >> To: Lynne Smith mailto:ly...@smith.net>> >> Cc: Dennis Picker > <mailto:dennis.pick...@gm

[LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

gt; Subject: Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations Message-ID: mailto:CA+LeGX1Oe7XTQxNKfa6L_f1e-64iB5r30=jub8eaxvmmqa8...@mail.gmail.com>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" I'm sorry, but the hair-splitting -- 13,000 vs. 11,400 sq. ft. -- so clou

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

I would also like to dispute “build it and they will come”. This has never been evident at the many wonderful public facilities in Lincoln and our neighboring towns. We have many opportunities for meet ups and chance encounters already. You just have to get out of your car.I encourage people to

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

I’ve just sent a query to FinComm re: how more indebtedness may affect Lincoln’s credit rating. Also — while most are urging to build now because it’s likely more expensive later — consider interest rates now. Cost of building materials are at an all-time high It may end up being cheaper to

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

I don’t think being fiscally responsible is “ cheaping out”.  IMHO that’s an entitled and bougie perspective that not every tax payer in Lincoln has the means to support.Carol RyanSent from my iPhoneOn Sep 27, 2023, at 2:47 PM, Paul Shorb wrote:I'm with john, Lis, Wendy, Katherine, and others in

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

I'm with john, Lis, Wendy, Katherine, and others in this thread and others in town who say: let's build a decent, attractive community center, don't cheap out. The arguments for it being located at Hartwell seem compelling. We have smart people on FinComm. They do NOT believe the town’s current

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

Amen -- Sara Mattes > On Sep 26, 2023, at 6:23 PM, Margo Fisher-Martin > wrote: > > John, > > This is about affordability and what makes sense. Everyone is entitled to an > opinion, but there should be no public shaming - ever- regardless of one’s > views. > This is not a

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

So, if the call went out to all town groups about whether they’d like/need space, why wouldn’t they say, “yes” ? The question of need and want did not seem so clearly defined. My son was in LEAP during his school years in Lincoln (and before that in Brookline) — colocating such a program w/the

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

Agreed On Sep 27, 2023, at 12:06 PM, Michael Dembowski wrote:  Agreed On Sep 27, 2023, at 11:47 AM, Laura Crosby wrote: Agreed. Sent from my iPhone On Sep 27, 2023, at 10:59 AM, John Mendelson wrote:  You write as if everyone agrees the school has too much space. I, for one, don't.

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

I probably lean toward option 3 at this point but could be swayed toward option 2. I'd add in the $150k for improving the bike path. Hartwell is not perfect, but what site is? I see the Hartwell site being very workable in the present and, if we can build more multi-family housing around the

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

As I understand it, there was a town-wide query to sent to all the groups in town asking whether they would use a community center. Apparently LEAP was one of the groups that said they’d like space. > On Sep 26, 2023, at 8:41 PM, Peter Buchthal wrote: > > > People of course are allowed to

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

Well said, Lis! Thank-you! Katy and Tom Walker On Sep 26, 2023, at 7:04 PM, Lis Herbert wrote:  I'm sorry, but the hair-splitting -- 13,000 vs. 11,400 sq. ft. -- so clouds the discussion that it becomes meaningless, especially when there is a suggestion to make up that 1,600 sq. ft. with

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

Agreed On Sep 27, 2023, at 11:47 AM, Laura Crosby wrote:Agreed.Sent from my iPhoneOn Sep 27, 2023, at 10:59 AM, John Mendelson wrote:You write as if everyone agrees the school has too much space.  I, for one, don't.  In my view, if there are lessons to be learned from the school building

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

Agreed.Sent from my iPhoneOn Sep 27, 2023, at 10:59 AM, John Mendelson wrote:You write as if everyone agrees the school has too much space.  I, for one, don't.  In my view, if there are lessons to be learned from the school building project, it is wise to examine the reasons why the town voted

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

You write as if everyone agrees the school has too much space. I, for one, don't. In my view, if there are lessons to be learned from the school building project, it is wise to examine the reasons why the town voted down the project in 2012, thereby rejecting $20.9 million in state funding.

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

People of course are allowed to have their own opinions, but I don't believe this building project is about accepting our responsibility for taking care of our elders. As I have mentioned before, my father lived to 97 and was a big user of his local Council on Aging. You apparently believe that

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

so well said. build it and they shall come Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS On Tuesday, September 26, 2023, 7:48 PM, Lis Herbert wrote: I'm sorry, but the hair-splitting -- 13,000 vs. 11,400 sq. ft. -- so clouds the discussion that it becomes meaningless, especially when there is a

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

I'm sorry, but the hair-splitting -- 13,000 vs. 11,400 sq. ft. -- so clouds the discussion that it becomes meaningless, especially when there is a suggestion to make up that 1,600 sq. ft. with other spaces in town. Aren't there administrative costs -- time and staffing -- associated with that way

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

I certainly pay my fair share of Federal and State tax dollars for things I should not have to afford to pay for but I still do my part, why only at the local level does it get scrutinized? I voted against a Millionaire Tax, and I voted to not put in place a form of Government that seems to want

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

John, This is about affordability and what makes sense. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but there should be no public shaming - ever- regardless of one’s views. This is not a tolerance or acceptance situation. This is a small town and we cannot always afford everything we want. Best, Cookie

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

I am so surprised that a community that encourages acceptance and tolerance would further not doing the right thing like providing a place for kids, adults and elders should be able to congregate. It is about space, about money, about having to be held accountable for past neglect like

Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

Dennis, Thank you for your thoughtful discussion of the Community Center size. I agree that the CCBC has not responded to the questions that many have been asking regarding space needs for existing programs. The 13,000 sq ft space not including LEAP or Maintenance is clearly too much. In

[LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations

The amount of finished interior space is a major driver of the cost of the proposed community center. There are some who believe that even the bloated 2018 proposal is not large enough. That design included yet another lecture hall (Bemis, the Learning Commons and the Brooks auditorium are not