Fwd: [EGNA]: Sign petition in support of Pierce Project

[Marissa Vogt]

Hi Precinct 4 neighbors,

Next week the Select Board is expected to discuss putting a "debt exclusion" vote on the November ballot that would ask voters to approve raising our property taxes to fund a new Pierce School (for more information about the building project see https://www.brookline.k12.ma.us/Page/2453). The Pierce building project has been in the works for several years, but the most recent estimated cost is very high (about $230 million - though we're expecting to get about $45 million in aid from the state) and some folks on the Select Board and School Committee have expressed reservations about asking voters to approve this project now since we are expecting to have an operating override on the ballot (seeking voters' permission to raise property taxes beyond the 2.5% limit) in May 2023.

This week the Town's finance committee (Advisory Committee) voted to recommend a 3-month delay in putting the debt exclusion question on the ballot. We heard last night during the Pierce building committee meeting that this delay could postpone the opening of the new school (from July 2027 to September 30, 2027) and would be fairly costly. It's also worth noting that the estimated costs to renovate the building to bring it up to ADA compliance and other building codes is ~$130 million and this amount would not be eligible for state aid. 

I completely understand that folks are concerned about the cost of the school. Unfortunately a lot of the cost (about $50 million) is due to complexities with the building site and materials (the budget includes $15 million for hazardous waste removal and $13 million for the town and school parking garages). From what I've heard at various community meetings, any efforts to reduce the cost at this point will require a significant redesign and pause on the project, which will jeopardize the state funding -- the estimated total cost to the Town of delaying the project by 5 years would be $80 million. I am sensitive to the cost concerns and I understand the desire to delay the debt exclusion vote to be sure that we have lots of community support for both the Pierce project and the operating override, but based on what I've heard from various public meetings I don't think it makes sense to delay the project further.

Please consider signing these two petitions related to the Pierce school project -- 

* Petition urging the Select Board and School Committee to continue the Pierce project without delay: https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/affirming-our-support-for-the-pierce-rebuilding

* Petition in support of a trial closure of School Street so that kids can safely access their playground after the bridge is removed during construction: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeOTp0LV44P2qWxVMirmiU0wi0YzIOlPbVSPpJ8VkkDrD8VYA/viewform

Below you can also find a message containing the contact information for all of the School Committee and Select Board members, and I would encourage you to contact them individually to express your support.

Finally, for folks (like myself) who have never been inside the Pierce school, I recommend watching this video by Pierce Principal Jamie Yadoff that shows the current building conditions and highlights the need for a new building: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi0rABw0C_I 

Cheers,

Marissa

(parent of a rising Pierce kindergartener and BEEP preschooler)

Marissa Vogt (she/her/hers)

Town Meeting Member, Precinct 6

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Lisa Sears <sea...@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Jul 21, 2022 at 10:09 AM
Subject: [EGNA]: Sign petition in support of Pierce Project
To: <egnabr...@googlegroups.com>

Hi Neighbors,

I hope everyone is staying relatively cool during this heat wave!

I hope you will consider signing this petition to the Select Board and School Committee in support of the Pierce Project. (Include address/relation to Pierce in comments).

During this week’s Advisory Committee meeting, there was discussion and concern about the town’s fiscal liabilities and there is now talk about delaying the Select Board vote on the needed override. A delay would result in significant cost increases to the project, including the potential loss of MSBA funding. Please also email school committee and select board members in support of the project. Email addresses below:

Select Board Members emails:
hham...@brooklinema.gov
bgr...@brooklinema.gov
jvans...@brooklinema.gov
masch...@brooklinema.gov
msan...@brooklinema.gov

School Committee Members emails:
david_p...@psbma.org
andy...@psbma.org
helen_ch...@psbma.org
steven_e...@psbma.org
valeri...@psbma.org
suzanne_f...@psbma.org
jennifer...@psbma.org
mariah_...@psbma.org

Advisory Committee secretary:
lport...@brooklinema.gov

Thank you!

Lisa

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