NOTES OF SEPTEMBER 10, 2013 RYE TOWN HALL COMMITTEE MEETING
Revised Final Revision B – Provided by the Rye Civic League
Present from Committee (counterclockwise around table): Peter White, Victor Azzi, Paul Goldman, Mark Luz, Priscilla Jenness, Craig Musselman, Paula Merritt, Lucy Neiman. By telephone for part of the meeting: Beth Yeaton. Non-voting Committee members present: Cyndi Gillespie, Mike Magnant, Kim Reed. Not present: Peter Kasnet.
Present from SMP: Anthony Mento, Jason LaCombe, Eric Palson
Editor’s note: For ease in finding particular sections using the archived video and audio on the Town website, the elapsed time is indicated. Use the slider and the elapsed time indicated at the bottom of the video window to fast forward to the desired section. Videos on the Town website may currently be accessed at www.town.rye.nh.us by clicking on “Town Hall Streaming” at the bottom left of the screen. Follow the link for “Town Hall Live Streaming,” then find the meeting by date under “Previous.”
The video starts at 5:01:45 p.m. (elapsed time 0:00). The video stops at 6:40:21 (elapsed time 98:35) due to the non-public session, and starts again at 6:56:09 (elapsed time 98:38) after the non-public session has concluded.
Interview of SMP (0:17 elapsed)
(0:17 elapsed) The meeting is called to order. Chairman Azzi announces that the order on the agenda will be altered to permit SMP to be interviewed first.
(3:04 elapsed) Eric Palson commences his presentation, and states that he always planned to be involved in the project. He is happy to be the primary contact and there will be no additional cost. Mr. Palson addresses these and other issues on page 7 of the official minutes of the 8/29/13 meeting. Mr. Palson discusses other projects that the firm has done and how they will proceed with this one.
(24:40 elapsed). The discussion turns to LEED Certification in response to a question from Paula Merritt and numerous follow-up questions from Lucy Neiman. Editor’s note: LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is a rating system for “green” buildings.
(32:30 elapsed). In response to a question from Craig Musselman about aesthetics, Mr. Palson states that the solution is likely to be contextual. Any addition would be a strong sibling, but would not overpower the existing building. An “angular, modernist” addition would not be the best solution, Mr. Palson says.
(50:40 elapsed). In response to a question from Victor Azzi, scheduling issues and public involvement are discussed. Mr. Palson states that the public can tell when their blessing is being sought, rather than feedback. Mr. Palson talks about what causes a project to be accepted by the voters. An “elephantine” solution will cause them to say the project is out of control.
(67:35 elapsed). Craig Musselman asks how Mr. Palson would deal with the “arithmetic issue” created by the Heritage Commission’s, and others’, limit of a 24 or 26 foot extension. Peter White interjects that there could be a basement. Mr. Palson responds that the one/two building decision should be reasonably cost neutral, except for the duplicative access.
(84:32 elapsed). Craig Musselman refers to the narrowing down of the space requirement over the past year. He asks whether SMP will be free to tell the Town the truth: either that the space planned is too much, or that it’s not enough. Mr. Palson responds that the public is likely to object to offices being larger than in the private sector. The discussion turns to the AG design. Chairman Azzi responds that a lot of programming work was done after AG did its work, and that the prior AG drawing is not a good starting point.
Committee discussion and recommendation that SMP be selected (93:30 elapsed)
(93:30 elapsed). The Committee dismisses SMP and they leave. Chairman Azzi refers to letters received on behalf of AG: from Art Guadano, Gregg Mikolaities, and Matthew ____, a structural engineer with JSN. Chairman Azzi states that there is a misconception that the Committee changed its mind because of one or two letters. That was not the reason, rather it was the collection of references obtained that caused the Committee to reconsider. Craig Musselman notes that information was obtained regarding SMP, and requests a non-public session. Chairman Azzi notes that he had not been aware of this information. The Committee then votes to go into non-public session.
(98:38 elapsed). The non-public session concludes. It lasted from 6:40:15 p.m. to 6:56:09 p.m.. Peter White moves to recommend that the contract be awarded to SMP. Paula Merritt seconds the motion. All are in favor. Paul Goldman comments that SMP is perfectly capable of doing the work. The meeting then adjourns (the public is already gathering for a well-attended Planning Board meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the same room).
