This thread is about housing LEAP during construction. To insinuate there is a a real risk to kids "so close to an active construction site, with all the potential for safety hazards as well as exposure to toxic construction materials" is absurd and demonstrates a complete lack of faith in town administration and in members of the CCBC. It is a completely unnecessary red herring lobbed into the fray. Did we not just accommodate 550+ students, faculty, and staff virtually seamlessly on site while renovating the entire school? Why would anyone think anything less would be tolerated in the case of this construction project?
LEAP was and is represented on the CCBC by Kathryn Hawkins. See: https://www.lincolntown.org/1346/Community-Center-Building-Committee John On Fri, Sep 29, 2023 at 2:01 PM Sara Mattes <samat...@gmail.com> wrote: > Andy, > This is very important information and I wish it had guided discussions > long before we got to where we are today. > > As LEAP is integral to school programming, it’s location has always been > part of the discussion, but we had not heard so directly and definitively > that there are serious implications for design choice that will influence > the potential cost of ensuring LEAP was is located in such a way as to > continue safe and efficacious programming. > I am surprised that , given the importance of LEAP, there was not a rep. > on the CCBC, raising these issues early and often and incorporating them > into planning. > Susan Taylor was often a voice, but only in reminding all that LEAP and > movement of children around campus needed to be considered. > She has been a strong and effective advocate for these safety concerns. > > But it is imperative for us to know the potential plans (and costs) for > LEAP's ongoing operations as we attempt to narrow down design choices. > > We are now in very uncertain waters. > > Thoughts on how best to proceed to get the best information as we look at > design? > > Sara > ------ > Sara Mattes > > > > > On Sep 29, 2023, at 1:17 PM, Andy Wang <andyrw...@gmail.com> wrote: > > I wanted to point out that the comment the CCBC made about LEAP continuing > in the Pod C during construction was a comment, not a plan. There was also > discussion in a prior meeting about splitting LEAP to the school and the > Hartwell building during construction. None of these have been vetted with > LEAP and EEC (LEAP’s Licensing board) for suitability, safety, or > feasibility. LEAP is actively monitoring the evolution of the plans of the > CCBC and its impact both during construction and in its final > instantiation. It’s hard to say the exact approach LEAP will take until a > specific direction is selected by the town for the CCBC, but it is > definitely something we are tracking. > > Folks can rest assured that whatever approach is taken, safety of the kids > is of paramount importance. > > Andy > President, LEAP board of Directors > > > > > > On Fri, Sep 29, 2023 at 11:29 AM Karla Gravis <karlagra...@gmail.com> > wrote: > >> According to a recent communication with the CCBC, the current thought is >> that the LEAP program will continue to operate in Pod C during the >> construction/renovation phase of the community center. This raises serious >> concerns to me. >> >> If we look at Option 1 (100% design), construction of the community >> center will overlap with the location of Pod C (graph below - the blue >> square is my approximation of where Pod C sits based on CCBC docs). This >> means that LEAP would probably be part of an active construction site! In >> the 75% and 50% designs, LEAP would be right next to the construction site. >> >> I am concerned about having children so close to an active construction >> site, with all the potential for safety hazards as well as exposure to >> toxic construction materials. Not sure how LEAP access to the septic system >> will be impacted during construction. I have to assume that construction >> will last at least 12 months if not more. >> >> In the most recent CCBC meeting, the architects estimated that the LEAP >> portion 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 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 >> 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? >> <image.png> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>> ---------- Forwarded message --------- >>> From: melinda bruno-smith <melindabr...@hotmail.com> >>> Date: Fri, Sep 29, 2023 at 9:44 AM >>> Subject: Re: [LincolnTalk] Community Center- size considerations >>> To: Magruder Donaldson <mcdonaldso...@gmail.com> >>> Cc: Peter Buchthal <pbucht...@gmail.com>, Listserv Listserv < >>> Lincoln@lincolntalk.org> >>> >>> >>> Agreed. >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> Melinda Bruno-Smith >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Sep 29, 2023, at 8:16 AM, Magruder Donaldson <mcdonaldso...@gmail.com> >>> 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 <pbucht...@gmail.com> >>> 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 told us the building was designed for 650 students. More >>>> recently, the school architects publicly told fellow architects that the >>>> school was designed for 700 students. 9 grades (k-8) each have 4 separate >>>> classrooms. Only 2 of the 7 grades have enough students for 4 >>>> simultaneous classrooms. Applying the state education sizing guidelines >>>> for a new school, our 165,000 square feet should support over 1000 >>>> students. >>>> >>>> It would be helpful to our discussion if people can agree on certain >>>> facts. >>>> >>>> What exactly do people like about Plans A, B or C? I like none of >>>> them as I believe the premise of intergenerational mingling as a goal >>>> won't be accomplished with the limited available hours for senior >>>> programming at Hartwell because of the parking, traffic and safety >>>> concerns. The new community center will have senior programming by design >>>> only from 9 to 2:30 on M, Tu, Th, Fr and 9 to 12 on Wed. >>>> >>>> The CCBC presents parking as ample with 50 spots nearby without telling >>>> the community that the current users of Hartwell may already be using many >>>> if not most of the 50 nearby spots. So, we may only have 5 to 10 open >>>> spots at any given time or maybe even fewer if there are events/meetings >>>> going on at the main Hartwell building's multi purpose room, training room >>>> or School business office. >>>> >>>> I am afraid that the CCBC is sticking with a Community Center based in >>>> Hartwell for the wrong reasons. The town has an obligation to its seniors. >>>> I just don't want to build a core town building in a location that comes >>>> with so many restrictions/limitations. >>>> >>>> Peter Buchthal >>>> 71 Weston Rd >>>> >>>> On Wed, Sep 27, 2023 at 10:58 AM John Mendelson < >>>> johntmendel...@gmail.com> 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 >>>>> down >>>>> the project in 2012, thereby rejecting $20.9 million in state funding. >>>>> Hubris, perhaps well-intentioned but overly wrought disagreements about >>>>> site and design, concerns about cost? Likely, all of the above. >>>>> >>>>> To my ear, this dialogue sounds very similar, and I cannot help but >>>>> believe that if we kick this down the road, costs are only going to >>>>> increase and the impact of the project diminished. >>>>> >>>>> I trust the work the CCBC has done and will very likely support their >>>>> recommendation. >>>>> >>>>> John >>>>> >>>>> On Wed, Sep 27, 2023 at 7:22 AM Peter Buchthal <pbucht...@gmail.com> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> 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 if one does not support the CCBC's decisions, you don't >>>>>> support our Council on Aging and its mission. This is far from the >>>>>> truth. >>>>>> >>>>>> Many on Lincoln Talk and others in town simply question the Council >>>>>> on Aging Hartwell generous building space requirements. Residents >>>>>> simply >>>>>> do not want to build a building that is bigger than our needs like we did >>>>>> with the school. There is also a healthy debate on whether it makes sense >>>>>> to build a COA/Community Center on the Hartwell Campus without sufficient >>>>>> parking and limited hours to protect the pre-school Magic Gardens and >>>>>> school age (5+) dropoff/Pickup from automobile running child parking lot >>>>>> mishaps. I am also not aware of any community center anywhere that >>>>>> intentionally colocates a senior center and daycare using a small shared >>>>>> parking lot. >>>>>> >>>>>> Many on Lincoln Talk and the town would hate to see the town build a >>>>>> huge building that is underutilized and repeats the lack of parking at >>>>>> Bemis Hall. >>>>>> >>>>>> As a small community with limited resources and the highest per >>>>>> capita debt in the commonwealth, we need to look at large projects with >>>>>> many eyes and many voices. It is a shame that up to now, the CCBC really >>>>>> hasn't listened to the public's concerns. >>>>>> >>>>>> In an effort to lower the cost and save between 3 and 4 million, I >>>>>> have previously asked why Leap can't be relocated into the school where >>>>>> it >>>>>> belongs. Almost all other school districts have extended day offerings >>>>>> within the school as the hours of a school and after school program >>>>>> dovetail perfectly. Maybe we should ask our new Superintendent if he >>>>>> could >>>>>> house Leap within the school? >>>>>> >>>>>> Does anyone know where Leap is going to run while the Hartwell >>>>>> Project is under construction? >>>>>> >>>>>> Peter Buchthal >>>>>> 71 Weston Rd >>>>>> >>>>>> On Tue, Sep 26, 2023 at 6:03 PM john gregg via Lincoln < >>>>>> lincoln@lincolntalk.org> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> 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 providing a school for children. A place where the >>>>>>> kids would be provided safe care at LEAP for parents who work. A place >>>>>>> where adults could allow care for the ones who actually took care of >>>>>>> them >>>>>>> if they move back home. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> This is the same discussion when deciding about a new school, a >>>>>>> bunch of intellectuals debating why things should not be provided to >>>>>>> others >>>>>>> like was provided to them. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Best Regards, >>>>>>> John Gregg >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>>>> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >>>>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>>> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >>>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >>>> Browse the archives at >>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>> >>>> -- >>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >>> Browse the archives at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>> Change your subscription settings at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>> >>> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >> Browse the archives at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >> >> -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > > > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > >
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