The Public Facilities Committee voted to approve the following (see Report and watch NewTV video):
- Schematic design and site plan for Countryside School. According to the report, members of the Denisco Design Team presented the plans. Concerns raised by councilors included traffic and speeding which will be addressed in the next design phase. The Public Hearing was opened and three members of the public commented with concerns expressed about stormwater runoff, traffic, and the accessibility of special educational services located on the 3rd floor. Several Councilors suggested moving mechanicals away from the front of the school to improve the attractiveness and the senselessness of building in a flood zone. The Committee voted (6-1-1, Councilor Norton Opposed and Councilor Crossley Not Voting). See Countryside 5-58 Site Approval Plan Documents or for additional information, go to https://www.countrysideelementaryschoolproject.com/.
The Finance & Public Facilities Committees voted to approve the following:
- Authorization to borrow $74,730,950 for the construction of the Countryside School project. The Committees voted as follows: Public Facilities (6-1, Councilor Norton Opposed and Councilor Crossley Not Voting); Finance 6-1 (Councilor Norton Opposed)
- Authorization to reduce the bond authorization for the Lincoln-Eliot Elementary School project, in the amount of $5,109,609. Total project estimated cost of $55 million. Using $10 million from Free Cash to reduce principal and interest payments on bonds by $600,000 annually. The Commitees voted as follows: Public Facilities (7-0, Councilor Crossley Not Voting); Finance (7-0).
The Finance Committee Held:
- Request to establish and appropriate funds to a Debt Service Stabilization Fund (DSSF). According to the report, the intent is for the Administration to create a separate fund to keep surplus money from rolling into Free Cash at the end of the year. DSSF would pay certain debt obligations, both current and future, allowing the City to direct more money to the Newton Public Schools, while still keeping up with pensions and capital projects. 2/3s of the council must approve a DSSF, but only ½ the council must approve to put surplus money into a DSSF.
NPS Superintendent Dr. Nolin stated Newton has some acute needs in the school systems, including support and intervention needs at the elementary school level, massively outsized STEM classes, and the need for more one-time curriculum resources at the high school level…. Newton did not fare as well as other districts in the region in terms of holding steady against the pandemic crisis academically.” She appreciates the Mayor’s efforts to provide more resources for the NPS. The School Committee has not discussed DSSF and has no official position on it, though several School Committee members were present and spoke at the meeting.
Urgent need was expressed for DSSF because NPS is under contract negotiations and wants to understand available resources. Though NPS would not know how much money DSSF would make available year to year.
Councilors had many conflicting opinions and wanted more clarity on DSSF and wanted the School Committee’s opinion on DSSF. The Committee voted to hold the item 5-2, Councilors Grossman and Kalis Opposed)