A.        New Business:

1.         Discuss Boyle Athletic Complex:

Town Manager Rossi thanks everyone who attended this evening as well as everyone who served on the School Athletic Committee for approximately three (3) years now. 

David Russas, Chair Asset Management Commission, explains that the Asset Management Commission has worked approximately three (3) years that the School Athletic Committee has been working on this project and further explains that Angelo Mencucci, Director of Building & Grounds, Smithfield School Department reached out to three (3) companies to inspect the Smithfield High running track and get quotes as to the cost and work needed to replace the track. 

Mr. Russas reviews the following reports from the following companies

Traverse Landscape Architects

·       Tracklite Systems, Resilient Technologies, Inc. DBA

·       R.A.D. Sports

Mr. Mencucci explains that a representative from the Interlocal Trust came to inspect the track today, and he is awaiting his report.  Mr. Mencucci further explains that the Trust accesses the safety of the track, not making a determination whether the athletes can use the track. 

Mr. Russas states that some students have left Smithfield High School and they enrolled in other schools in the State with better athletic facilities.  Mr. Russas feels that are off to a good start by sending a letter of intent from the School Department to RIDE and hopefully the Town will get a 35% reimbursement as long as they abide by the RIDE requirements.  Mr. Russas feels that this project can be completed by the year 2021.  The Facilities Committee and Asset Management Commission have reviewed the school‘s athletic facilities and have organized a ten (10) year plan prioritizing their needs, such as the boys dugout on the field that is nearing completion.  Mr. Russas states that the patching of the track can no longer be done for the future of the athletic complex. 

Superintendent Paolucci explains the RIDE project referring to page six (6) of the School Department’s presentation as follows:

Breaking Ground – Necessity of School Construction approval process and timeline. 

·       Identify your tem – Pull together a School Building Committee, composed of city and school representatives.

·       Letter of Intent – Send a statement of interest signed by Superintendent, School Committee, and municipal representative.

·       Local Support – State II must include School Committee and City Council approvals. 

·       Memorandum of Agreement – Signed by School Committee and Superintendent. 

·       Voter Approval – For bonds, unless the municipality has a public building authority. 

·       SBA Stage I Preliminary Approval – Authorization to move forward with Stage II. 

·       State Agency Reviews – DOA Planning, RIHPHC, Commission on Disabilities. 

·       SBA Stage II –Preliminary Approval

·       Council Approval - With recommendation from SBA Advisory Board, Commissioner makes recommendation to CESE.

·       Memorandum of Agreement – Signed by Commissioner

·       Enabling Legislation – For projects that are using bonds or other forms of indebtedness. 

·       Council President Alba states that it appears that the Stage 1 deadline is due in three (3) weeks. 

Town Manager Rossi states that at this time the School Department is not sure if the track can be used for the spring. 

Superintendent Paolucci replies that the School Department is not sure if the track can be used in the spring until after the winter thaw.  She is hoping the School Department can get one (1) more year’s use of the track. 

Chris Coderre, Athletic Director, states that there are specific rules to use the track at Bryant University, and he will inquiry about that, in the event they cannot use the track this year in the spring. 

Council member Kilduff asks about the installation of turf on the field. 

Superintendent Paolucci states that there is an eight (8) year turf life of the field. 

Council member Kilduff asks about leasing the field and using those funds to maintain the turf on the field. 

Anthony Torregrossa, Town resident, states that the committee should check with North Smithfield to see how much revenue they receive for the care of the fields.  Mr. Torregrossa also states that the lights cannot stay on past 9:30 p.m. due to the surrounding residents. 

Richard Iannitelli, School Committee, asks Athletic Director Coderre how many tracks meets are during the course of the year. 

Director Coderre replies that there are approximately five (5) meets as well as practices. 

Town Manager Rossi is concerned about the deadline dates. 

Superintendent Paolucci replies that if funding is available this spring, then these deadlines must be met, however, in this case we would not be prepared for the Spring deadlines.  We would most likely be ready for the Fall deadlines.  The letter of intent may have to be submitted once again. 

Council President Alba is concerned about the Town of Smithfield up fronting the funds and the Town not receiving reimbursement from the State.  Council President Alba also asks for an explanation of the duties of the Building Committee. 

Superintendent Paolucci explains that the Building Committee oversees the following items:

·       Overseas the work of the OPM.

·       Create a Stage 1

·       Overseas the OPM during Stage 2

·       Discuss the scope of work and vote on that scope of work and best candidate for the project. 

·       Forward their recommendation to the School Committee and Town Council for approval. 

John Chapman, RAD Sports, Inc. and Sean Boyd, PE, Project Manager of RAD Sports, Inc. reviews the letter he sent Director Mencucci and discusses the condition of the track.

Mr. Boyd explains that there is an abundance of loam that would be needed to be removed and underneath the loom was sandy gravel material.  They would make track and facility larger, proposing to flip the runway to the street side and expanding the field footprint to accommodate two (2) soccer games in opposite directions. 

Council member Kilduff asks if the surrounding neighbors are comfortable with this change. 

Mr. Torregrossa explains that when the lights were installed on the field the neighbors were notified, however, the neighbors were very positive with the new light installation. 

Further discussion takes place with Mr. Boyd regarding the proposed changes.

Council President Alba states that she is concerned about the funding for this project and would like to see the Building Committee discuss the possibility of leasing the field in the future. 

Superintendent Paolucci states that funding has been discussed by the committee, such as the 35% RIDE reimbursement, corporation donations, school fund balance impact fees, etc.

Council member Cerra states that the committee needs to know up front that a bond issue for this Athletic Complex is not an option. 

The following are a list of the proposed members of the School Building Committee: 

Superintendent of Schools – Judith Paolucci

Member of School Committee –

·       Rosemarie Cipriano

Local Official responsible for building maintenance

·       Gene Allen, Public Works Director

·       Angelo Mencucci, Director of Building & Grounds, Smithfield School Department

Representative of the office or body authorized by law to construct school buildings in the municipality.

·       T. Michael Lawton, Council Vice-President

·       Randy Rossi, Town Manager

School Principal

·       Daniel Kelly, Smithfield High School Principal

Member who has knowledge of the educational mission and function of the facility.

·       Christopher Coderre, Athletic Director

·       Robert Caine, Recreation Director

Local budget official or member of the local finance committee.

·       Jason Parmelee, Finance Director

Member of the community with architectural, engineering and/or construction experience. 

·       Michael Tartaglia

·       Anthony Torregrossa

Another member of the community to be announced and appointed at the February 4, 2020 Town Council meeting.