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Messages - Scott Mitchell
1
« on: September 22, 2017, 11:23:23 AM »
MK,
General Conditions are basically the overhead for the entire project. According to Black River this would include everything from the portable toilets of the job site to site supervisor (and other staff) to trucks used to saw blades to fasteners, etc.
Scott
2
« on: September 22, 2017, 08:50:58 AM »
Good Morning, A quick reminder that there will be a public meeting on 10/9, the location has changed from the Library to the Multi-purpose room at BFA. Also, please vote on 10/10. There have been requests at the previous meetings as well as on social media for a breakdown of the costs of the project. I am working to get these socialized with the community. As always you can contact me with any questions by email at smitchell@fwsu.org or by phone at 309-8974.
Preliminary Project Budget - Prepared by Black River DesignCONSTRUCTION AND SITE (Hard Costs...)
Construction Estimate (Base) $13,158,612
10% Contingency $1,315,861
Construction Subtotal $14,474,473
Asbestos abatement* $10,000
FEES
A/E Design Fees $1,052,689
Permit Fees
DPS Permit (0.008/$1) $115,796
Act 250 Permit $0
Zoning/Local $0
W/W, Stormwater, Erosion Control $10,000
Clerk of the Works* $150,000
LEED Consultant $0
MEP pre-construction field work $5,000
Lead/Asbestos Consultant/Monitoring* $5,000
Construction Testing Services $10,000
HVAC Commissioning $30,000
Legal Services* $5,000
Surveying* $2,500
Soil Borings* $2,500
Professional Fees Subtotal $1,388,485
MISCELLANEOUS COSTS
Bid Advertising* $500
Printing/Postage/reimbursables* $10,000
Moving/Storage Expenses* $30,000
Interim Financing* $0
Builders Risk Insurance* $10,000
Allowance for above $50,500
OWNER PURCHASES
Furniture* $35,000
Phone System* $0
Equipment (Smartboards, Door access system, AV, Kiln, etc.)* $40,000
Subtotal $75,000
TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET $15,998,458
*Indicates budget items to be finalized/determined by Owner |
Cost BreakdownSitework New water main $45,000
At new gym $123,500
At historic entrance $20,975
At new auditorium $39,575
Repave library parking lot $121,360
Courtyard/patio $50,000
stormwater treatment $30,000
New gym addition $2,088,288
Auditorium addition
New area $2,065,070
Existing stage/gym renovation $162,500
MS Gym infill $891,800
Sprinkling $32,000
Multi-purpose & Media Center $272,140
Existing Library $198,950
Cafeteria $152,720
Restrooms
MS $80,000
HS upstairs $80,000
HS downstairs $80,000
Locker Rooms $96,200
Elevator Replacement $109,050
Art $50,800
Music $142,635
HS Science $432,500
Roofing
Existing MS gym $60,000
Reinforce MS gym roof $40,000
Existing Art Room roof $56,250
HS Gym Roof $166,800
Reinforce HS gym roof $22,240
Elementary School MP roof $127,500
MS Science/Art $200,640
Convert HS Art to HS Classrooms $45,976
Health/Nurse $211,140
Sprinkler system
New service $12,000
1972 (HS Gym) building $200,000
Remainder of MS/HS (inc. basement) $344,000
Other renovations
Flooring
Wood floor replacement $246,825
Other $162,860
Ceilings $510,000
Cutting and patching $136,000
Misc doors, accessories, etc. $50,000
Replace 1972 water piping, fittings, etc. $108,000
HVAC
DDC controls $510,000
Heat piping and equipment $411,000
Electrical
LED lighting conversion $699,960
Fire Alarm modifications $10,000
Misc Code violations $10,000
General Conditions $659,500
Mark-up, Insurance, Bonds $792,858
Total: $13,158,612 |
3
« on: July 26, 2017, 09:40:41 AM »
Dave, thank you for bringing the contact issue on the website to our attention, this has now been resolved. In answer to your questions; * Regarding future school growth ... is there data showing Elementary population growth is expected to continue? What about numbers supporting the "continued school growth in the next 25 years" claim? • Since the last U.S. Census in 2010, Vermont’s population has declined by 1,400 people. Only four counties in Vermont — Addison, Chittenden, Franklin and Lamoille — experienced population growth over that period.
• The greater Burlington area, essentially Chittenden County and parts of Franklin County, was the only area of the state that saw any widespread population growth.
• The fastest growing areas around Burlington are the close-in suburbs including South Burlington, Essex, and Williston and also Milton, Fairfax, Georgia, and St. Albans Town.
• The fast growing towns are, in general, north of Burlington (Milton, Fairfax, Georgia, and St. Albans Town) with easy access to I-89
o Art Wolfe - associate professor of economics at the University of Vermont. (BFP 6/1/17)
o http://www.vtgrandpa.com/forum/index.php?topic=20188.msg52409#msg52409
• High School population should see modest growth over the next 10 years. K class is the largest in the school next year. * Besides targeting potential growth is this renovation also an attempt to 'compete' for tuition-paying HS Students? I do not like the word “compete” when it comes to the education of our students as the money that we receive and tax assessments come from the state and there is a mandate to provide equity across the school system. We are looking to attract more students from sending districts by updating our facilities. We have also been expanding our program offerings to better meet the needs of our current student population. * What school programs have been impacted by the lack of an auditorium and what was the impact? • BFA and local communities have very active dramatic arts programs. Their primary rehearsal and performance spaces are currently our HS and MS gymnasiums. Unfortunately, whenever the ensembles need to have rehearsals and performances,
they are displacing school classes and other groups that would be using the gymnasiums. The addition of a new performing arts center would allow for unlimited access for these performance groups, without impacting classes or other aspects of the use
schedule.
• Our current HS Band and Chorus programs have roughly 25 students. However, we have seen an increase in participation in the MS Band and Chorus programs whose participation triples the number of the High School. With the immense growth of our music
programs in recent years, the new performing arts center would provide a space designed for performance.
• It would also allow assemblies to be held during the school day, without causing the displacement of classes that would typically be using the High School gymnasium during that time.
• The current performing spaces were designed for sporting events and not performances. This provides a challenge acoustically when these spaces are used for Concerts or Theatrical performances. * As for more space for community use, what is the present and future community demand for meeting or performance space that is not already met by current school/library/town hall/Fire Hall/Baptist Bldg. facilities? • Our three current gymnasium spaces, as well as the multipurpose/lunch room, are used essentially non-stop both during the school day, after school hours, and on weekends. Especially during the winter, space is at a premium. On a typical winter season day,
our facilities are in use from 3pm until at least 9pm every day. With school organizations taking priority, this minimizes the ability for community programs such as youth basketball, indoor soccer, boot camp, zumba, yoga, etc. to have ample practice space and
time.
• BFA Fairfax has its largest number of co-curricular programs in school history, with anywhere from 65 to 80 percent of our school population participating in at least one co-curricular club, sport, or activity over the course of the school year.
• Likewise, the number of programs being offered within our local community through the recreation department and other community organizations continues to grow. Although the increased participation numbers are wonderful, challenges are created in the
availability of ample practice, rehearsal, and meeting space for all the active teams, groups, and organizations.
• In order to meet the community needs as best we can, we often have to limit the amount of practice time, or increasingly more often, have our school teams NOT practice on certain days to allow use for the community.
• With new gym space, the various community groups and organizations would be able to have multiple, even daily, practice/meeting times. However, currently those groups are limited to one or two times per week, and most often not at ideal times (for
instance, children's recreational basketball programs practicing well past the dinner hour into the late evening).
• Even though the new building plan maintains the number of gymnasiums at 3, the new middle school gymnasium to be built will offer separate community access. One of the biggest challenges is that our facilities are not accessible on Saturday nights and
Sundays. This new gymnasium would allow access on nights and weekends, which would enable community organizations to receive the amount of time and space that they need, without impacting the use of school groups. * Are additional costs for upkeep, maintenance. energy, etc. due to the added space factored into the estimate? The upkeep is not factored into the estimated percentage increase, as this is only for the Bond. The Facilities budget will increase, as it does most years. However, with the improvements being made in other parts of the building to increase efficiency, as part of the Bond, we believe the impact to the facilities budget will be negligible. Thank you for your questions Scott Mitchell
4
« on: October 31, 2016, 10:10:31 AM »
I'm so happy they lead with that quote. I want to clarify, the education system and the way it is funded, no individual school.
I do want to thank all of the committee members and community members from all 3 towns who took part in this process.
-Scott
5
« on: October 03, 2016, 10:05:42 AM »
To our neighbors in Fairfax, Fletcher and Georgia,
We are reaching out as school board members and community volunteers who have been
working together in response to the passing of Act 46. We have been meeting twice a month
since January to explore the best options for our communities, and we have narrowed it down to
pursuing one of two final courses of action, which may require your vote this coming Town
Meeting Day.
The idea behind Act 46 is to merge smaller districts into larger districts which can contribute to
stable budgets and can help to equalize education for children throughout Vermont. The state
has given guidelines for preferred structures to become a supervisory district, including a
minimum requirement of 900 students, which none of our districts in the Franklin West
Supervisory Union currently meet. This committee has worked through nearly a dozen different
scenarios and has come to settle on these final two:
Alternate Structure: Fletcher and Fairfax merge into one PreK-12 school district;
Georgia stays as its own K-8 school district with high school choice
Fairfax and Fletcher would merge to become one school district. The key points of this
merger would be a) one school board with members from both towns b) one school
budget that both towns vote on c) the district will still have two elementary school
campuses d) and Fletcher students will attend Fairfax Middle School and Bellows Free
Academy Fairfax.
Although Georgia does not meet the suggested number of 900 students, they are
suggesting they are large enough (with over 860) to remain their own school district. If
Georgia’s proposal is accepted, it would be “taken under advisement”. This means
Georgia would still be susceptible to a merger with another district that does not meet the
state structural requirements if the state deems this necessary when statewide
restructuring is finalized in 2018. This merger could not take away Georgia’s high school
choice, but it could force Georgia to share a budget and board with another district that is
also PreK-8.
Georgia would submit this proposal alongside that of the Fletcher/Fairfax merger with the
hopes of remaining in the Franklin West Supervisory Union - meaning that Georgia would
continue to share in the cost for and services of the superintendent, curriculum
coordinator, special education services, financial services, etc.
It is important to note that in this scenario, Fletcher and Fairfax would only merge if both
towns voted in favor of this individually during a general election. Georgia would not need
to vote, but would simply fill out the lengthy application to be considered as an alternative
structure.
Unification: Fletcher, Fairfax and Georgia merge into one PreK-12 school district
The key points of this merger would be a) one school board with members from all three
towns b) one school budget that all three towns vote on c) the district will continue to use
the three elementary school campuses and two middle school campuses d) a new union
high school would be built that all three towns attend
The first step in this proposal was for the committee to look at the financial feasibility of
building a high school that could serve our towns if we merged into one school district.
When pooling the budget for BFA Fairfax with the tuition money that Fletcher and Georgia
send out each year, we would be able to cover the cost of an appropriate bond for the
construction of this school and the operating costs - we crunched some numbers, we sent
them to an engineering firm to check our work, and we felt confident enough to continue
moving forward and exploring the pros and cons of such a venture.
It is important to note that in this scenario, all three districts would need to vote in favor of
unification for it to move forward.
Both of these proposals carry their own unique risks and rewards, which are worthy of sharing
with you - the members of our community. The Act 46 Study Committee would like to welcome
all members of Fairfax, Fletcher and Georgia to attend our meeting on Thursday, October 13th
in the GEMS Library at 5:30. Our two subcommittees will be giving presentations on the details
involved in each proposal, and we will also take this opportunity to engage in public discussion
and answer questions. It is also an opportunity to become informed voters when you face a decision (as necessary) in
the spring of 2017.
We hope you will plan to attend,
The Franklin Supervisory Union Act 46 Study Committee
6
« on: July 21, 2015, 01:57:23 PM »
Soccer for Middle School, 7/8 will not begin until after the school year has started.
7
« on: March 03, 2015, 02:00:20 PM »
That's right. Please feel free to Write in my name for School Director. I will be happy to serve.
8
« on: July 23, 2014, 01:33:51 PM »
Deb, if you head up 108 it is right after the soccer fields on your left.
9
« on: May 14, 2013, 08:01:22 AM »
It reopened a week or 2 ago. Not sure if they got snow last night that would have closed it. But checking the VTrans website there is no mention of it being closed again.
10
« on: January 16, 2013, 11:56:56 AM »
Gee Henry I noticed that around November election time and thought it was done on purpose, which is why I didn't bring it up. Thank you for all the good you do.
11
« on: November 06, 2012, 08:58:46 AM »
As I was at the polls this morning I was encouraged to see so many cars lining Hunt Street. Thank you all this is what makes the democratic process work.
-Scott Mitchell
12
« on: November 06, 2012, 07:28:24 AM »
Roger,
We believe that we have answered these questions in actions over the past 40 years of service to the community. My apology is to you is that you do not believe that community service and public records speak to his views on the issues. If you would like to send us your contact information we will be happy to respond to specific questions you have on the issues. If you do not feel comfortable with reaching out to the candidate please you can send them to me at mymitchellmail@gmail.com.
I encourage you and all people with questions to contact us.
Respectfully,
Scott Mitchell
13
« on: November 06, 2012, 06:39:12 AM »
Roger,
It is no trouble to respond to the voting public and there is no secret on John Mitchell's stance on issues that affect the community and Vermont, his record of service speak volumes.
In regards to googling his name, many other subjects come up before the PAC article which you posted earlier. The paper did not reach out to John for his comments and his name is mentioned once in the article in conjunction with the Republicans running for Franklin County Senate and mailers that went to his opponents, as he has received mailings from his opponents as well asking for him to vote for them. Surely you received these as well.
I apologize if you think we have not answered your questions on the issues and you are correct this is a great place to get word to the public. I believe many people on this forum do know where John Mitchell stands through his record of service. I would like to leave you with words from Gary Gilbert, the Democrat who's seat is becoming vacant and who also endorsed my father, " John Mitchell sees his candidacy as public service and not the start of a political career."
Nhibbard, I would like to point out my father is not responding I am responding in his stead. I encourage you to reach out to him or look for him at the polls this morning. He would be pleased to talk with all of you and address any of you questions on the issues. One thing about my father as all those who have known him will tell you he has no problem sharing his opinion.
Thank you again Roger for your interest and while I do not believe we have won your vote, I appreciate the dialogue and encourage everyone to please Vote for what is best for Fairfax, Vote for John Mitchell. Oh and also for the Town Office.
Respectfully,
Scott Mitchell
14
« on: November 05, 2012, 11:51:01 PM »
Roger,
Again thank you for your opinion. I am not sure why there is a resistance of contacting the candidate. This evening he had a conversation for over an hour with an woman in town who seemed to want to know his stance on many issues as well. I understand your need to have questions answered and the most efficient way of doing that I believe would be direct contact. He is not a politician by nature as such prefers direct contact to impersonal "press releases."
I would like to know though why you waited so long to voice these concerns? I realize that we all live very busy lives and being an informed voter is important, however you reference many broad topics of which there is public record of John Mitchell giving testimony to the Vermont Senate Transportation Comittee, the chair of which, Richard Mazza, has endorsed him.
We understand that you have questions and John Mitchell stands by his record of service to the community, the state and the nation. My father did not mean to be rude,but you can understand if he felt attacked by your comment of "cross it off his 'Bucket List'" as most of what is listed he did as a volunteer to benefit the community and the state in which we live.
I apologize for continuing on at length and would like to ask all that read this to vote for John Mitchell for State Representative for Fairfax. Roger, we look forward to seeing you at the polls
Respectfully,
Scott Mitchell
15
« on: November 05, 2012, 07:53:02 PM »
Roger, thank you for your concern and for taking part in the democratic process as everyone's voice should be heard. If you have a specific concern over any issue I encourage you to contact John Mitchell at mitchelljohn694@gmail.com or you can look into his voting record on the Fairfax Select Board as his voting is a matter of public record.
Interestingly enough, my father was approached by both major parties to run for public office because of his experience in government matters as well as he service to the community of Fairfax and the State of Vermont. What you know about him speaks of his character and commitment to the community. While the issues are important the population is diverse and with Fairfax having only 1 Representative in Montpellier, I personally want someone who listens to all sides of an issue and then speaks out and votes along those lines and not how a party or group wants him to vote. John Mitchell will vote for what is right for Fairfax and for Vermont if elected.
During my childhood he devoted his time to volunteering for youth activities. Even today where parents seem much more involved with their children's activities we still struggle for enough coaches, scout leaders and volunteers. Back then he still found time to give all this and more to the community. He found time to do this while working full time in Burlington for a business he was instrumental in building into one of the States largest petroleum distributor.
As for the PAC issue I can tell you that he does not have any control over what they do and while he is on all their mailers understands that they have the rights to their opinions as well as we all deserve to be represented.
What it all comes down to for everyone is please get out and vote tomorrow. I ask you to please vote for John Mitchell as he will do what is best for the community as he has done in the past and will continue to do whether elected or not.
Thank you all for reading,
Scott Mitchell
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