Minutes
Quincy School Committee
Facilities, Transportation & Security Subcommittee Meeting ~ Wednesday, September 23, 2020
A meeting of the Facilities, Transportation & Security Subcommittee was held on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 5:30 pm in the Coddington Building. Present were Mayor Thomas Koch, Mr. Anthony Andronico, Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mr. Doug Gutro. Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Mrs. Emily Lebo, and Mr. Frank Santoro, Subcommittee Chair. Also present were Superintendent Kevin Mulvey; Public Buildings Commissioner Paul Hines; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
Public Buildings Commissioner Paul Hines shared a report of school building improvements completed in school buildings since schools closed in March. In addition to the detail provided, Mechanical Engineer Mr. Scott has provided a separate report on HVAC/Ventilation to School Committee at an earlier Special School Committee meeting. Commissioner Hines announced that Quincy Public Schools is the recipient of a $25,000 School Water Improvement Grant, which will be used to install bottle refill stations at school sites. In addition, Director of Energy & Sustainability Shelly Dein has secured a $200,000 Green Community Grant which will be used for LED lighting conversion at the Point Webster Middle School.
Highlights of the projects included completely renovating the restrooms at the Atherton Hough Elementary School, all are now fully operational and handicap accessible; asbestos abatement at the Bernazzani Elementary School, including retiling a number of classrooms; the Lincoln Hancock pool and locker room renovation is underway; Merrymount had asbestos abatement, retiling, and a renovation of the elevator. At Montclair, three new classrooms and offices were built out in the basement level, asbestos abatement, retiling, and new windows are ordered for the basement classrooms. At Parker, a new staircase and walkway installed on the Faxon Road Side and at Snug Harbor, abatement and retiling plus the replacement of the main electrical switch gear. At Wollaston, a planned abatement project in the basement was expanded to include new ceilings, flooring, and lighting and new lockers installed on the 1st and 2nd floors. At Broad Meadows, a major renovation is underway for mechanical services and at Point Webster, the AC system chillers were repaired, new lockers installed, and replaced rear exterior accessible ramp. At South~West, warranty items are being pursued. At NQHS, rooms have been revamped to create new offices on the ground floor and ongoing painting of the interior hallways, ceiling tiles, and flooring. At QHS, the hot water boilers have been replaced and shades installed on the Coddington Street side of the building.
Commissioner Hines thanked the Principals and the custodians for their cooperation and the Public Buildings Maintenance staff (electricians, plumbers, construction workers) for their efforts including numerous work orders for regular repairs and maintenance.
Ms. Owens will update the School Improvement/Capital Improvement projects list to reconcile with Mr. Hines’ master list. Mr. Gutro asked to see a reconciliation of the Capital Improvement Plan. Mr. Gutro asked about asbestos abatement; Commissioner Hines said that Bernazzani, Lincoln Hancock, Snug Harbor, Wollaston, Montclair, Atherton Hough, Merrymount all had some abatement. Montclair and Wollaston are close to being asbestos-free.
Mr. Gutro asked about lead abatement in water pipes, Mr. Hines said this work is ongoing, Merrymount, Montclair, and Wollaston had some areas addressed. Merrymount will have additional work completed in Summer 2021. Mr. Hines emphasized that all operational water bubblers are in compliance with current regulations, but the City’s goal is to be at zero.
Superintendent Mulvey thanked Mr. Hines, the principals are grateful for all of the work completed over the last six months.
Mr. Santoro said that he was in the process of touring the schools with in March to prioritize the School Improvement Plan requests and would like to resume these visits when that is possible.
Commissioner Hines updated on the status of the Dr. Richard DeCristofaro Special Education Learning Center. The building has been acquired and Wessling Architects has completed the conceptual drawings, the vision for the building is amazing. Earlier this week, City Council appropriated the $14 million for the construction and construction documents are underway. The next step will be bidding and selection of an Owner’s Project Manager and a contractor to follow; the buildout is projected to take 18-20 months.
Mr. Andronico thanked Commissioner Hines, will be looking forward to a more detailed presentation on the DeCristofaro Learning Center at an upcoming meeting.
Superintendent Mulvey presented a list of North Quincy High School locations where the Yakoo image appears: the gymnasium floor; four wall locations on the first and second floors; Creedon Field signage; and banners in the gymnasium.
Mr. Gutro asked about a timetable for the new mascot name, Superintendent Mulvey said that discussion would begin in October when the students return to school. Mr. Mulvey said there will be involvement by students primarily with support from parents and staff.
Mrs. Lebo asked about the locker rooms, Mr. Bregoli confirmed that there is a banner in the girls locker room that can be removed.
Mr. Andronico made a motion to adjourn the Facilities, Transportation & Security Subcommittee meeting at 6:05 pm. Mr. Gutro seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.