First, it’s important to understand that a MSBA capital program project that makes it to the local vote process is bound to a Project Scope and Budget Agreement (PSBA) with the MSBA. For the example of the Green Meadow Elementary School project, the project scope is a two-story, new

construction building at 90,300 GSF with the site laid out with the new building behind the existing, and the total project budget is $83.6M with $66.9M of it being the construction budget. Based on that, the current Green Meadow Elementary School project can only be locally voted on with that project scope and budget. If the project vote fails, the Town is not then able to spend some time re-designing a new project scope and budget under the current PSBA with MSBA and go back out for a re-vote.

The appropriate next steps a Town takes if that project vote fails is very much dependent on the actual vote outcome. If a project’s failed vote is by a minimal amount, the MSBA may allow a minor extension to the PSBA timeline, to accommodate another Town vote on the project. This scenario has happened before, and the project passed its local vote the second time around. If the project’s failed vote is by a large amount, that project team is probably going to see that the project, as currently designed, is not receiving the required local support, and the most appropriate next step is to remove itself from the MSBA program. That project would then need to start the MSBA capital program process from the beginning by submitting a Statement of Interest (SOI) to the MSBA and be up for consideration for acceptance into their grant program amongst many other MA school districts. You can read MSBA’s policy statement regarding projects that fail to vote to approve the project funding HERE.

Green Meadow School

Frequently Asked Questions

Fundamental Questions

What is the timeline of the project?

Why do we need a new elementary school building?

What is the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) and what is their connection to the Green Meadow Elementary School project?

What is the Green Meadow Elementary School Building Committee?

What is the current project status? Where are we now and where are we going?

When will the Town vote to fund the project?

Is there a project Facebook page, and if so, where is it located?

Where can I find the past MSBA submissions?

Where can I find Building Committee meeting minutes?

Was there substantial opportunity for community input for the Green Meadow school project from the start, i.e about the basic design and location of this school including use of renewables as an energy source, energy efficiency and conservation, etc)?

Wouldn’t it make more sense to reopen the Fowler School site as a possibility for Green Meadow, providing geothermal for both?

Was there a third-party review by professional engineers of the site, building, and HVAC system?

I do not feel I can vote for the existing Green Meadow School Plan. Is there any way we can stop this now and start over with more community engagement?

What happens if the Town vote for this project fails? How do we restart the process with MSBA?

Project Site

What was the process in determining the appropriate site for the proposed Green Meadow Elementary School project?

What’s been the process / due diligence taken to understand soil conditions (foundation-bearing suitability and environmental concerns) on the chosen, existing Green Meadow Elementary School site?

Has the existing building been analyzed such that there isn’t a concern with its structural integrity as construction operations and ledge hammering happens adjacent to it?

How is the new school going to be built while the existing building and site is occupied? What is the plan for construction access, etc.?

How much tree clearing is going to take place to construct this project?

Are the proposed play areas shown on the plans intended for School use? Public? Both?

Doesn’t the current, proposed site layout pose greater risk to walkers from Great Rd. that will need to cross another street to access the new building? Could this end up requiring a crossing guard?

Please advise on the coordination and thought process behind the current location of the playground area to the side / west of the new building as it relates to safety, etc.

Were bicycle lanes considered for the roadways within the school site?

For the solar field issue, does the possible installation of a solar field have to be on this GM property? Can a canopy over the Crowe parking lot be a consideration? Can it be located somewhere else within the school’s complex or elsewhere in town?

Design Alternative Selection

What was the process in coming up with the chosen new construction design scheme?

Was energy consumption and production potential estimated for each of the seven schematics developed and provided to the building committee and/or the public along with the different design options?

Building

What are some of the sustainable features being incorporated with the project design?

What is the HVAC system that was selected for the new building?

Can I please see the energy modeling done for the projected operating costs of each HVAC system?

Is there a reason that 'cooling' is not listed as a pro in options 1 and 2 within the life cycle cost analysis (LCCA)?

Project Costs

What will this project cost?

How much will my taxes increase?