October 13, 2016 Meeting of West Bay Rotary

West Bay Rotarians George Abendroth and Maria Libby presented as part of the Building Vision Committee considering options for the middle school redevelopment as part of a process that began when voters rejected a new school at the polls in 2015.  George shared some history and plans leading up to voting by the residents of the towns of Camden and Rockport on the options. There is a series of public forums as well as presentations at community groups, like West Bay Rotary, to help share and get input on ideas to make a recommendation to the School Board in anticipation of a November 2017 vote. The committee already recognizes that “doing nothing” is not an option given the capacity of the current facility. Materials were distributed to members via email in advance of today’s meeting.

 

If the bond passes, construction work would begin in the summer of 2018.

Issues include traffic safety, fire safety and egress, structural issues around stairways, mortar deterioration, leakage due to foundation cracks, mechanical systems that are piecemeal and segmented that have become outdated and are less efficient, improperly vented kitchen equipment and other ventilation, mold, lead paint and asbestos issues, space that is inappropriate for the volume and needs of students.  “Patches” to these issues are believed to have a 10-year life.

A new facility on the campus on Knowlton Street would be 30% smaller than the current facility, while anticipating future needs. The materials provided in advance of the meeting include cost estimates for the options being considered as well as the related property tax impact for Rockport and Camden taxpayers. It is not yet clear whether the original Mary E. Taylor brick structure would be retained.

Members had the opportunity to ask questions about the various options, mostly focusing on the construction of a new school, its location, disruption when school is in session during construction and the cost of maintaining the new facility.  We learned about funds from the state that were granted to offset the current bond debt payments at the high school to the extent of approximately $700,000 against the approximately $900,000 payment.  Otherwise the Camden-Rockport school district does not get significant state funding but is instead almost entirely locally funded. George encouraged all to continue to direct questions to him, and his email address is geoabend@gmail.com.

Buckets on the table are being dedicated to New Hope for Women.

Polio Walk noon on Saturday October 22, checks payable to the West Bay Rotary Charitable Foundation to support the event.

The club was asked about sending 7 Interact kids to the United Nations in New York City and indicated collective desire to support it financially.

Community Service met yesterday, there’s a work party beginning with breakfast on Monday at Marriners at 7a to continue work on the Toboggan Chute. See Mark Masterson with questions.

Habitat: On November 12 there will be a build day, shifts from 8a-12 and 12-4p doing interior work on a project in Camden. See Mark Coursey with questions.