How is it back on track, when all of these things that we agreed on are now not going to happen? They might be keeping the price the same, but they are not giving us what we voted for.

"Value engineering", what a joke! Common sense told a lot of us the the initial numbers were only ballpark. No project of this magnitude ever hits the mark dead on. The mission was to sell the taxpayers a bill of goods and the PR machine succeeded. Now that the project is a "fait accompli" , the taxpayers are left to pick up the pieces.

This is total mis-management and we voted for the project as it was.......not as it has been modified. Who is being held accountable?
The planning oover-runs is inexcusable and should have been considered.

Just as I expected with this project. Like many in town I would love a nice school for our children, and updates were necessary. The original sum was a lot to swollow but we sucked it up and voted to pass the project. Now we learn soil tested previously all of a sudden does not pass! They didnt account for steel in the ceiling to account for snow load! Where the heck do we live?!!! Shouldn't this have been standard practice. Why is the town not going after the designer and architect firm for this? We should get what we voted for, for the price we voted for, and the politicians in this town need to stand up and speak up for us!!!

This project has become a big joke. Complete mismanagement. Remember our taxes are going up 11% soon for the next thirty years for an incomplete building.

1. steel only represents 5% of the total building cost.
2. The soil engineers totally screwed this up and should pay for it. If you test soil, and that is your only responsibility, then you should be liable for the mistakes.
3. The architects should pay for all of their screw ups also.

This town will not allow for an over ride for a very long time, and the state and the architects are to blame for the gutting of our new schools.

We should get exactly what we voted for for this school at the price we agreed on. People should be held accountable for this mismanagement.

NOT ONE PENNY MORE......do what we all have to do. Live within our budget. Oh wait, their budget is unlimited becasue it is not their money but ours.
If you go buy something at 100.00 and that was the price tag in the store. You get up to the register and then they charge you 125.00 are you going to allow it? No, you will argue taht the preice was marked at 100 and that is what you will pay. But we are doing the excat opposite with this Taj Mahal. WAKE UP. Not ONE penny more.

And now let’s add the mismanagement of the razing of unnecessary trees to create more problems and lower property values; Oh wait the new proposal is to spend more of our money to fix the problem they created. NOT OINE MORE PENNY

The trees! I drive by the site now and I am amazed at the way it looks! Unbelievable that someone in charge didn't realize what was going on! The progressives won't be happy until they totally ruin this town.
NOT ONE MORE PENNY!

It breaks my heart to see what they did to the trees. Why did that whole hillside have to be cleared? School is up above and the sports complex is down below.

If these line items were so unimportant, shouldn't they have been removed from the budget before the project was voted on and approved?

Joe,

I am not looking for support. Just stating facts. I do not like it when people hide behind aliases, first names, or intials. If you are going to blog, have the courage to use your full name.

Jeff, I could not agree with you more on people using aliases. But it is allowed.

Jeff;
Even the School comitte admits they screwed up. There is no reason for ALL the btrees to hav ebeen razed. They could have left a buffer area as promised to the residents. The promises of the over ride are now broken as they need more money because of bad planning. How much more will they keep asking for. NOT ONE PENNY MORE. The over ride vote is a frace as it was loaded by particants who wanted the school. Put it to a gereal vote during the polls. ps Now we also have to spend more money on another over ride.how much is that 25-50k?? NOT ONE PENNY MORE

When I previously commented that the SSBC should consider an 'errors of omission" filing against the architect, I was not being facetious. He/she was responsible to have had a structural engineering review of his/her plans, prior to providing an estimate of the construction. The example being the Middle School roof. An engineering review would have calculated the dead & snow loads required for that roof, and subsequent cost. Same with soil analysis.So if the architect did not perform "due diligence", then they are responsible for cost inaccuracies, and should bear those costs differentials. I've been an expert witness in these types of cases. If the architect blew it, he owns it. Jerry Venezia & Delaney are lawyers. They know that.

The Board of Selectman have the authority to halt this project, and should until a complete review is undertaken. A rush to another special Town Meeting & election is not the answer. Credibility is the major issue at present, and some dedicated volunteers are caught in the cross fire. That is very unfortunate. Does it really make a difference if this project is delayed while these issues are sorted out? Its more apparent each day to me that the SSBC was ill advised, as to scope & cost, and as a result the public feels they were mislead. So the best course would be to stop...take a deep breath, and start the costs analysis a new. Would it really make a difference if the school came online in 2014 vs. 2013? Credibility is the overriding concern at present. Announce that the project will halted & reviewed. That's the only way to deal w/a deteriorating credibility issue.

Agreed 100% Ed, now that's a common sense approach! And Jeff, if you or anyone else wants to know my name, all you have to do is ask. There is no hiding here!

MPG...we have failed you. As a former Selectman, my responsibility is to you! Not Special Interest. Why they have not done so, comes down to the Selectman & School Committee politics. They do not serve us well. They have very much sold their integrity, for what they believe is the better good. In essence , they sold their appointed committee for the schools down the tubes. They take no responsibly, (listen carefully) they shield their responsibility. I have never seen this type of politics in North Reading. I feel sad for the SSBC, truly. They have been positioned for an agenda, by Maurceri, Venzeia, Delaney and others. The SSBC takes the fall, but the politicians remain unscathed Maurceri, Venezia as an example, they have been around a long time in North Reading politics(20+years). I served three years. Time to leave. I had no agenda( make the trains run on time?) Time for new blood. But they stay....why? An agenda they want incorporated...or just the the assumed power they acquire. The SSBC has been drawn into politics that they should not have faced. I put that solely to the politics of the elected Selectman & School Committee, these individuals run for office, but take little responsibility. if any for mistakes. So they leave it for the volunteers to take the fall...how sad.

MPG, I agree with your posts . Because you offered. What is your name?

Ed,

I do go to the committee meetings.

Where was the due diligence. If I'm going to invest my money I expect that those asking for my money have done their due diligence .At the meeting tonight it was stated that the town got a 4 to 1 vote in favor of the project, That vote of confidence was based on the 108 million dollar budget that the town officials committed to . The voters were assured that it would be all that was needed. It was also stated that "we are in this together" What about the tax payers that are already tapped out and cannot afford another penny? A 500.00 tax abatement just doesn't do it

The reason people do not post btheri full names is becasue of the Special Interests groups. I hav elived here for over 20 years and have seen parents ostracize other parents talk behind their backs to their cliques and even prevent their children from playing with the children of those who oppose their special interests. It is almost like the Scarlet Letter. NOT ONE PENNY MORE.
Explain to me that IF you hired and acrchitec and a General Contractor to build your home. They designed (and you paid them what 26 Million?) your house, The contractor then priced it and you agreed to have it built. A few months later the contractor come sback.....well I did not know you needed that many 2x4 to support the roof, the griound was not accepatble, and we forgot that you are on a flood palin area ....so we now have to charge you another 30,000. Would you not challenge their incompetence? We are not talking about cost increases due to materials etc..we are talking incompetence. AND they wikll nOT guarantee theri final costs which I will guarantee you will be more in the long term. Remember the BIG DIG. NOT ONE PENNY MORE

This town is like our country….more divided than ever. WHY? Because politicians and decision makers misrepresent the people with their incompetence. Than IF you raise a fuss you become ostracized as being unpatriotic, against progress, not wanting what is best, etc. North Reading and the country NEED to live within their means. Spend only what we can afford based on current conditions and NOT what we want based on borrowing, manipulating numbers, promises, and especially emotions. We were told one figure and it was approved by a Vocal majority (many who have more money than most, can afford it, and intimidated their neighbors and ashamed others); Now they want more? AND what will happen when they want more next time? This BIG DIG will continue to rise in cost. NOT ONE PENNY MORE.

John Intorcio,

I will ask you if you will pay my tax increase for the next 25 years so I can afford to stay in my home and we can have the school we voted on? I personally have not one more dime to give , so once again I ask , "WILL YOU PAY FOR MY INCREASE AND I WILL VOTE YES FOR YOU!"

....it seems to me the town committed to a decision: Namely to resolve the physical and educational gaps of two schools (HS & MS). I believe the plans didn't change (nothing additional was added), but market conditions have, the cost for the solution did change. At the time of the over ride vote, If the original estimate was slightly higher (lets say 10%), it would have passed just the same. Asking twice for the same project hurts twice as much, that is for certain. But the way it resolves the identified gap in the schools remains the same. Ultimately it seems the cost to the town will be less if it is tied to the original project, rather than trying to add it back afterwards piece meal.

If the people in charge are transparent and can give credible evidence that no funny business was going on, then I see no choice but to buck up and do it the most efficient way, the manner it will cost the town the least in the long run.

Last Spring's town warrant proposed taking several properties by the current HS entrance by eminent domain. I've talked with the owners. They had no notification from the town...only the printed warrant. Why was that proposed? Aren't they building a new entrance? Is or was the cost of taking these properties part of the original plan and projected cost. I never saw it discussed as part of the original proposal. More importantly...are these takings still part of the plan??

To Mr. Prisco & Mr. Webster: rather than accuse those that have questions...perhaps you may see that, as elected officials, you do not have complete details relative to this project. My comments to the Transcipt...to stop, take another look is fair advice. Your attempts to explain shortfalls, are not sufficient. Your propensity is to listen only to proponents. You do not serve the entire community. At some level, you have to see, that something has gone terribly wrong. Big commitment, big money, long range bonding has to be reviewed. This project has no credibility going forward. You path to this endevour is destructive. My perception is that the Selectman & School Committee have chosen a bonding and cost analysis that is incorrect and detrimental. The HS & Middle School improvements simply cannot drive residents from their homes. I don't know why that's not your primary consideration. From what you have posted on these pages, it obviously is not a priority.

Mel must say, you have posted few facts...really Mel! You have to represent, as a elected official, all points of view. Yes ,sadly, I have talked to residents By the way I wrote that to the Transcript, you have an advanced copy? Yes you should represent the total community... not an agenda.. Not mine but, the guy down the street. Don't you see that? Gotta say Mel you seem caring, But you have to see the "others impacted" prospective. May I say you have been mislead? My point has never been the costs...but costs to THIS community! Mel really,you do seem to be a dedicated person. I hope you have absorbed my admonitions also as constructive. Public forums is to advocate differing points of view To be attacked in that endevour, does not serve your (elected) position well. But I have listened to your prospective....w/comments as to validity. Its a public debate Mel, allow me dissension, sans personal accusations.

Michael L., so very sad to be ostracized on this issue. Can't seem to make the case that $150 to $200 per month is devastating to families in town. Those w/ children in the schools. There is a blind's eye to that dilemma. Not only to retirees, but middle class families. They have lost their way! Steve O'Leary is the rank & file member on the BOS. His cause is the middle class & elderly a true Democrat, quite exemplary. But on this issue he has gone along...I can't get him to return a phone message! So basically they count the votes, and then decide whom they may support. At the end of the election, they choose the winner...smart politics, but not best representative of the community. I elect you for your principle, not your ability to count votes. To say at the conclusion of an override election, "I was on the right side".is not sufficient. Principle is first and foremost. Insulting to take their prospective. Count the votes from special interest w/no representation for the dissent.

On previous comment....the only chnage for the incresae was incompentancey NOT marlet conditions. Again HOW much will this BIG DIG cost in the end? HOW much will remediation for the razed trees and Mound of soil cost?
AND
HOW much more will this new Taj Mahal cost us in insuarnce, utilities, etc etc? has that ever been calculated ort announced to the voting public.
OUR children's education has not suffered in the sub-par schools; but our living standards have due to the increased taxes and fees.
NOT ONE PENNY MORE

to be clear, this was a response to #Michael L

"Both the middle school and high school have outlived their usefulness."

That's funny, my youngest is a product of both. He's graduating this year and has been accepted to 3 top colleges, and has received some partial scholarships to boot!
It's not the physical buildings that lead to success, its the teachers and parental involvement.
There is a lot of suspect motivation behind those who pushed for this project and are now pushing for more.

Ed,

Tree removal was necessary to build the school and save money. I am not aware of any land takings. Where are you getting this information? The waste water treatment plant was required by the DEP. They would not allow installation of a standard subsurface waste disposal system. That was discussed years ago, not new information. If you go to the meetings, you would know the details. Stop making assumptions. There is no transparency. The Transcript or the Patch cannot possibly report every detail of the project. Also, the 90% construction documents are now available to the public in room 14 at Town Hall. That will show what you are paying for.

Ed,

Yes, I have a copy of the warrant. It was passed over at town meeting as it was deemed not necessary. Not sure if this will be pursued in the future.

Yes, the DEP DID require the waste water treatment plant. This has been known for 13 years. It was part of the original project to renovate the middle and high schools. When you are checking out the contruction documents at town hall, you can stop by the board of health. The DEP has authority over any local boards. I do not have the wrong information.

Have to disagree with the DEP "required". The DEP reviews waste disposal systems proposed in or near wetlands or flood plains. They either approve or deny an application. Their decision is solely based on the proposal's impact to the wetland or flood plain. They don't require one type or another. The proposal either meets their compliance standard or it doesn't. But they don't require a type of system. I understand the soils in that area do not drain well, so a waste treatment was one way to achieve compliance with DEP standards. There may have been other methods that would have also achieved compliance. My septic system is within a wetland buffer zone, so probably quite different from yours (I have 3 concrete pits vs a 20 x 40 septic "field") Point being there are different methods to achieve compliance in relation to DEP standards. But they do not require one method over another. Simply review a submission for compliance, and approve or disapprove.

Bottom line people......THIS project has incompetency all over it and will cost more after this next request gets approved............nickel and dime people and they will be passive. I say NOT ONE PENNY MORE. Get it from the parties repsonsible for their missed calculations.

Isn't that the issue Jeff? Extra capacity. Apparently the design of the waste treatment plant is also for other municipal bldgs to connect. So that extra capacity is part of a 25 yr bond for the School project. So when one looks at the total costs, we're paying for a use not relevant to the school project. May be a good idea, but not as part of a 25 yr. bond and non-reimbursable by the MSBC. How is connecting Housing Authority units part of a School bond?

The MSBA will never reimburse any type of waste treatment, even a standard septic system. They only care about the educational facility. Why does it matter what the bond is for? The town of north reading is the owner of the bond, not the school department. The town of north reading owns the schools and the school committee is the caretaker of the school buildings. If other buildings tie into it, so what. The DEP was going to make the police station and batch projects tie into a common treatment plant designed to handle all municipal buildings in the town center. They were allowed to install standard septic systems knowing the treatment plant would be part of the school project. So when any septic system fails for a town building in the center, they will have to tie into the treatment facility. The DEP is concerned about protecting the ipswich river and as you noted, the town center has poor soil conditions for spectic.

So what is wrong with extra capacity? Seems like a smart move to me. If the system were designed to handle the enrollment capacity and the enrollment ballooned, the system would be stressed and that would be a major problem. As an engineer myself, you never design something that barely can meet the requirements. There needs to be a safety factor or in this case, extra capacity.

."you never design" Don't think so. Jeff you have had the Kool aid. Its all the same to you?. As an engineer you have to see my issues w/ this project. At least should make some sense to you! You have read my objections. As an engineer sans any politics, advise the SSBC to their failings. Quite allot of $$$, Jeff. I have the utmost resolve for engineers. So stand up & say " not clear, can I hear that again?". Your posts are now more clear to me. Jeff...to many errors, you have to know that. I have NO agenda here. Your an engineer, you have to get it right. Your paid to do that. So incompetence at this level, w/public funds, is not acceptable. I hope you see my admonition. Not allowed. The issues that have costs us the additional $$$$ should have been seen. As an engineer you certainly have seen that. So your questioning of my resolve is unnecessary, relevant to your training. Speek to your uncertainties, your training..You can at least do that. Yoi know better.

Ed Canney.

."you never design" Don't think so. Jeff you have had the Kool aid. Its all the same to you?. As an engineer you have to see my issues w/ this project. At least should make some sense to you! You have read my objections. As an engineer sans any politics, advise the SSBC to their failings. Quite allot of $$$, Jeff. I have the utmost resolve for engineers. So stand up & say " not clear, can I hear that again?". Your posts are now more clear to me. Jeff...to many errors, you have to know that. I have NO agenda here. Your an engineer, you have to get it right. Your paid to do that. So incompetence at this level, w/public funds, is not acceptable. I hope you see my admonition. Not allowed. The issues that have costs us the additional $$$$ should have been seen. As an engineer you certainly have seen that. So your questioning of my resolve is unnecessary, relevant to your training. Speek to your uncertainties, your training..You can at least do that. You know better, don't go w/the political narrative.

Ed Canney.

No I don't Simon Sewer,, just by your response, "could be funded for different use"..what's could be? Will be... is a different connotation. Simon, really, talk some sense. Last year they planned to take properties. So last year it was $108M...this year is what figure? Many more $$$. So last year is last year, always changing numbers! Peabody Court & Police Station disposal is funded by a New Schools Override! Really...straight face that's okay? "Frustrated" by my conclusions, go to the informational meetings...be serious Simon! The information at these "informational meetings" changes week to week.

WHAT did I just read in Transcript? The High School still had a building life of 25 years BUT we NEED a Taj Mahal?
And as for the comment on the 50 year old house....yes rennovations would be needed BUT not build a new house at prices we can not afford. Look at the older houses in town, Boston, hundreds of eyars old and functioning perfectly. Look at Europe HUNDREDS of years old and functioning perfect. But the new McMansions being built are razing older homes because they want the new and can afford it BUT many of the citizens in this town can't.

Was this a letter to the editor or story? I find it hard to believe that building has 25 more years, structurally. Even buildings 50 to 100 years old need major structural work to bring them up tp code.

If the zoning code was changed to 2-3 acre minimum 15-20 years ago, you would have at least half the homes you have now. Therefore, you would not need the school or a down sized version you have now. If you build it, they will come. . Poor planning done by the town leaders 15-20 years ago caused this to happen. No long term plan capital plan, home contruction gone wild with no foresight as the impact to the schools. Kicking the can down the road has got us to this point.

And once again, there has NEVER been a lack of maintenance as long as I have been involved, which is approximately 15 years. Also, to repeat, we received an additional 2 percent in reimbursement from the state because of how well the high school and middle school have been maintained.

One other note of interest. When the high school was "renovated" in 1989, the design was for 540 students. Currently, there are more than 730 students at the school.

Renovated after '89 Mel...come on! Jeff we didn't kick the can down the road. We made a correct assessment as to what was needed.

Mel, we were well aware of the elementary school population @ the time, i.e to grow significantly from 500 in the secondary schools. Why we built a new wing (you conveniently ignore that), did you know that Jeff...NEW WING, didn't think so. The HS has not been maintained to acceptable standards. I don't care who your Superintendent or maintenance director may be. You don't have a building in the shape you describe and say in the same breath, its been properly maintained. It has not. And what guarantees can you make to maintain a new HS? When and if you ever understand that you'll see why you are in the this position. Misinformation will never resolve this terrible dilemma.

Hey Ed Canney.......those are serious accusations....ARE THEY TRUE?

Hey Brad Jones..............those are serious accusations are they true????

Gotta love this town! Don't like the message, shoot the messenger. "Bill" and "Michael L" why don't you two give us your life story before you post?

Beginning next week, I will begin to rebut letters to the editor in the Transcript that do not state facts. Calling SSBC members criminals is slander and outrageous. They are townspeople like all of us and care deeply. They are volunteering countless hours to see this project through. Stop with the emotional tirades. I respect anyone's position who say this is a financial burden. Just vote no in March. It will not stop the project. Please respect these volunteers. To get the real facts, go the SSBC meeting every Tuesday at 5:30 or the remaining 2 informational session.

They'd have to reveal them selves by name first.

Vince from Marblehead & Bill from Boston, USA are the same person. A former disgruntled employee in North Reading. I'm well aware who he is. As you may see from his postings he has some "problems". I had nothing to do with your termination from North Reading and neither did Brad Jones. But by your posts, apparently there may have been good reason. This is not the place to air your perceived grievances.

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