Frequently Asked Questions about the New East Bridgewater
Junior/Senior High School Project

1. Will there be a training room in between the gym and the locker rooms?

Yes. Since the design is still in the schematic design phase, the spaces have not yet been sub-divided into specific spaces but a training room will be designed into the space once the plan is refined further.

 

2. Will there be a second entrance into the gym for easier public access to the bleachers during games?

The design of the entrances are still being worked out with the layout and more detailed discussions, such as control points for entry ways, will be occurring as the design is developed in more detail but public access to the bleachers will be considered when planning for these entry ways.

 

3. How many students was the school designed for?

The enrollment projection approved by the MSBA for East Bridgewater is 950 students but the school is large enough to accommodate more than that. Also, the proposed building has been designed to be expanded easily. The first floor allows for classrooms to be added by expanding the back corridors, which is the reason for not designing the exits at these points.

 

4. Is the kitchen designed large enough that meals can be prepared on site?

Yes. The space is designed for a full service kitchen.

 

5. What is the estimated completion date if the project is completed on schedule?

Construction will take 2 years to complete so it is anticipated that the building be complete by June 2013 in time for the school to be occupied by the start of the 2013 school year. Since the existing high school is currently located where the fields are designed, it will take an additional year for the demolition of the existing school and the sitework to be completed.

 

6. Will there be designated computer labs and how many students will they be able to accommodate?

Over the past 5 years schools are finding that designated computer labs are becoming less efficient and are beginning to move away from them. Instead schools have started making their buildings wireless and using mobile laptop carts so classrooms can be used for multiple purposes allowing for program flexibility.

 

7. Will green materials be used for the interior of the building?

Absolutely. Green materials will be used throughout the entire building. Not only does the MSBA require that a model school be sustainable, but they are awarding an additional 2 points for reimbursement for the school to be a green building. The green innovations designed throughout the building range anywhere from the paint on the walls to high efficiency building systems.

 

8. Will the New East Bridgewater 7-12 School be LEED Certified?

Yes. The building is anticipated to be certifiable LEED Gold. The only certification higher than this is LEED Platinum but the only way to achieve this rating is by having an alternative energy source on site such as a wind turbine.

 

9. Isn’t the LEED Certification process expensive? Is there a cheaper way?

The decision to become officially LEED Certified will be up to the Town. The building will meet the requirements for a LEED Gold Certification but it will be the Town’s decision to file for the certification or not. There are several ways to track sustainability points. The minimum that the state will require is MA-CHPS which is inexpensive.

 

10. The auditorium seats 800 students, but the school is designed for 950. Why isn’t the auditorium large enough to accommodate the entire school?

The MSBA requires that the school be designed as efficiently and as effectively as possible. The cost to build an auditorium is expensive and they (MSBA) feel that an auditorium designed for 2/3 of the student population is acceptable because of how rarely the space will be needed for maximum capacity. East Bridgewater’s population is 950 and 2/3 of 950 is only about 650 students but since East Bridgewater is part of the model school program, they will allow the auditorium capacity to be 800.

 

11. Is the gym large enough to accommodate the entire school?

Yes. The number of bleachers that will be designed in the gym has not been decided yet but there is plenty of space to fit everyone if chairs are added. The occupancy of these spaces however is driven by safety codes and egress requirements but a gym at this size would probably allow for at least 2,500 occupants in compliance with codes.

 

12. Based on the square footage, how many students are the classrooms able to accommodate?

The classrooms designed are about 832 square feet. The state recommends that a room this size seat 22-23 students but they could accommodate about 30 students comfortably. The current classroom sizes in the high school now are around 690-740 square feet.

 

13. Will there be a study that compares how much the town is spending to operate the old building and how much the new building will cost to operate in order to show the cost savings of an energy efficient building?

It is difficult to show the cost savings by comparing the two operating costs. Typically in an old building the building systems have been shut down and not in use therefore they are inexpensive to operate. The new building will be very energy efficient but it will be operating to provide the appropriate air, lighting, etc. that building is not necessarily supplying now. The New Whitman Hanson High School was 40% more efficient than the existing school and the New East Bridgewater School will be even more than that.

 

14. Are there less classrooms in this building layout than what East Bridgewater currently has?

No. There will be the same if not more classrooms than what is currently at the school. Some of the classrooms shown on the plan are designated as SPED classrooms but there are more SPED classrooms shown on the plan than what the academic program at EB calls for at this time. These rooms are the same size as a regular classroom which allows for flexibility in the academic program.

 

15. What is the total square footage of the building?

The building is 211,500 square feet.

 

16. Is the gym the same size as Whitman Hanson?

No. The gym is one and a half full size gyms and Whitman Hanson is two full size gyms. However, it is significantly larger than the existing gym. One and a half “full sized” gyms is larger than the high school and middle school gyms combined.

 

17. How many elevators are designed in the building?

One

1. Is there an opportunity for a road to be built from Plymouth Street to the fire station for emergency vehicles?
This was an issue that was addressed a few years ago and a number of issues prevented this from happening. The road would need to be for emergency access only therefore barriers would need to be created to prevent any public access. This would only slow down emergency vehicles. The town decided this was not an efficient use of town funds.

 

2. Will there be restrictions on access from Plymouth Street to Route 18 through the school site?
This issue has been addressed a number of times and discussion on how to prevent the school from being a cut-through includes the possibility of having gates that would control who accesses the road through the site. Installing large speed tables throughout the campus is also an option so it is not an easy cut-through.

 

3. Does the site change the Central School drop off?
No. Central School has indicated they have created a system that works well now and do not plan to modify it in any way.

 

4. What is the “open area” shown in the middle of the school?
This is a courtyard designed as an economical way to add natural light to the classrooms. The classrooms are configured around this courtyard. It also provides an outdoor area for art students, etc.

 

5. Is the landscape shown in this site plan more complex than what was shown at Whitman Hanson? Who will maintain the landscape and how will it be funded?
This site is half the size of Whitman Hanson so the cost of their landscape was much more than the cost of landscape for this site will be. As part of the MSBA grant, the town is required to submit a long term maintenance plan for all parts of the new school including the site. A sub-committee has been established to develop the maintenance plan which will be completed prior to the town meeting.

 

6. How will the site costs be paid for?
The MSBA will place a cap on the amount of site costs they will reimburse. The cap will be determined by multiplying the total construction cost by 8%. This amount (8% of the total building construction costs) is the value of the site costs which MSBA will participate in reimbursing. Any site cost over this amount will have to be funded by the Town, without any reimbursement from MSBA. This is the reason we will work to keep the site cost as close as possible to the 8% cap.

 

7. How will the drainage issue that exists on the playing fields now be dealt with?
The current storm water management on the site is very limited and does not include adequate drainage structures, curbing, and water collection systems. Much of the water from the upper portion of the site is not currently controlled and is allowed to shed onto the existing fields where there are inadequate drainage and collection systems. The newly proposed storm water management systems will collect the water and take it underground in a controlled fashion. The floor elevation of the building's first floor will be raised significantly above the existing playfield elevation, creating positive flow away from the building and into the surrounding drainage and storm water management systems. A geotechnical study was performed on the site and included approximate 40 borings with depths of up to 90ft. The borings revealed that there is no water on the site which cannot be adequately handled through appropriately designed drainage and storm water management systems. Water was encountered at depths ranging from 8 to 13ft below ground, and additional monitoring wells were installed to evaluate seasonal groundwater fluctuation. The final building and site design will include all necessary measures to easily accommodate these very common conditions.

 

8. Where does the water go when it is pulled from the site?
The drainage will discharge where it does now; into the wetlands. It will be collected, treated and cleaned, and held on site through retention so the peak flow is not increased at a rate that could cause problems.

 

9. Will the barrier fence on Route 18 be removed?
Any barrier that currently exists for safety purposes be maintained or replaced new.

 

10. Can the committee establish a location where information can be displayed for the community to view?
Yes. The Town Hall as already been established as a location for this purpose. The committee will continue to work hard to keep the community informed.

 

11. Where will the water from the wastewater treatment plant be discharged?
Options are currently being looked at. The space under the parking lot at the middle school was found to be a more economical choice to discharge water. Studies will continue. With the school site being close to where the water will be discharged, the water needs to be treated before it can be discharged.

 

12. Is there a chance that the traffic study will recommend re-doing the sidewalks on Plymouth Street?
Yes that is a possibility.

1. Why is the new high school facility necessary?

For many years the deficiencies in the high school have been discussed. Major mechanical failures, insufficient infrastructure within the school, pending significant repair and upgrade costs, and concerns over accreditation and attendance have all lead the town, over the last number of years, to seek a more permanent solution to the challenges presented by the high school.

 

2. When will the new school open?

If approved by the voters, it is anticipated that construction will begin late summer of 2011 with occupancy projected for the start of school in September 2013 and project completion in the fall of 2014.

 

3. Will there be opportunities for community input?

When and where? It is the committee’s intention to solicit community input and comments as we move through this process. Additionally, the High School Building Committee will sponsor at least two community events to seek input on various aspects of the process including design, site, educational programming, and other portions of the project of interest to the community. We anticipate these community-participation events to be scheduled between mid-October 2010 and November 2010. The meeting locations will be announced.

 

4. What kind of disruption will there be to everyday classes during construction of the new building?

During construction, there will be unavoidable interruptions on and around the school grounds. However, the HSBC is committed to minimizing the effect that construction will have on the educational environment. Construction will pose challenges to the high school in terms of land use (i.e. soccer, field hockey, etc.) but the High School Building Committee and school administration are dedicated to working out the best possible usage of the property during construction.

 

5. What safety measures will be instituted during construction of the new school?

The issue of safety of the site during construction has been, and will remain, the number one priority of the project during construction. If the project is approved by the voters, prior to construction, a construction safety plan will be developed and will address issues such as site safety, truck traffic, heavy equipment operation, and perimeter security. Additionally contractors, sub-contractors, and their employees will be required to submit to criminal background checks and will be required to provide an accountability system for exactly which personnel are physically on site at any given time. This briefly described safety plan will be reviewed by the town’s public safety agencies and school to assure all safety measures required are implemented.

 

6. Will the new building be energy efficient?What green technologies will be used in the new building? Will this save us money?

The committee is working hard to implement the latest “green” technologies in the design and construction of the new school. Systems such as automated HVAC, high efficiency lighting and lighting design, low water use plumbing and associated fixtures, renewable resources, and efficient design are all anticipated to work together to meet the highest standards possible for green technologies and construction, thus providing the highest efficiency possible in day to day operations.

7. What kind of new security will be used in the new building?

The design of the new school incorporates an integrated security “system.” This new and more effective security system is significantly more advanced that the one that currently exists in the school. It will allow for easy identification of all personnel and visitors and more efficient use of video monitoring, while maintaining a healthy, vibrant, and exciting environment for learning.

 

8. What will happen to the existing building? Will it be reused for another purpose?

The plan includes the removal of the existing high school. The land will be reused as part of the new high school project. The process of removing the existing high school will be an extensive process requiring hazardous material abatement and demolition. This process will take a period of time and, again, will be required to meet the same safety standards referenced earlier in these questions.

 

9. What will the new building be named? Will it be a Junior/Senior High school?

Since the new building will includes grades 7-12, the School Committee will follow a process for naming it, which will involve the entire community. This process will not take place until much later in the project.

 

10. Will the start and end time of school or the class schedule change when the new building opens?

The issue of school scheduling will be addressed at a later date by the School Committee, at which time the public will have ample opportunity to comment.

 

11. How will the new school be maintained?

As part of the planning and design process, the issue of maintenance for the new facility became a top priority for the HSBC. Prior to a community vote for approval of the project, a comprehensive maintenance plan will be drafted and sent to the School Committee for approval. This plan will be made available to the public before town meeting and shall serve as the maintenance plan for the new building moving forward. Additionally, officials of the town are also studying the feasibility of a more comprehensive town wide facilities management program.

 

12. If the new school will relieve overcrowding at the Central School, will we still need modular classrooms? What will we do with them?

One of the benefits of this project will be the creation of space in both the Central and Middle Schools. The town is aware that in the near future it will face the following needs:

• The addition of a full day kindergarten for all students
• A special education requirement of three rooms for the purposes of the delivery of special education
• The addition of a health room
• The expansion of both the expanded day program and after care program While the construction of the new high school will serve to provide a bit of breathing room in the other two schools, we will continue to use the modular classroom to meet the educational needs and mandates of the future.

13. Why is it necessary to build the new school now? Why not wait?

There are many benefits of pursing this project now. To name just a few:

• Funding by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts could amount to approximately 65% of eligible costs. As a result, the community would then be spending approximately 35-40 cents on each dollar. If the Town of East Bridgewater does not partner with the MSBA now, we will have to pay 100% of the costs for repairs and/or a new school, new fields, and demolition of our existing high school. We are at the top of the MSBA’s list of projects to fund immediately and if we reject this partnership, we will be put at the back of a waiting list that is hundreds of projects long and years away.
• The difficult economic times we find ourselves in has presented an unfortunate double-edged sword in terms of cost vs. funding in building the new school. On one hand, the economy makes it difficult for struggling citizens to fund additional projects. On the other hand, because of this same economy, construction costs are extremely low and provide a rare opportunity to build this project at a significant savings.
• There are numerous major issues facing the current high school that must be addressed soon. A worst-case scenario is that the town chooses to not fund the new school project and a major system failure occurs at the current high school requiring the town to fund necessary repairs in an emergency and inefficient manner.
• From the beginning, this effort has been viewed by the HSBC as not just a school, but a community project. The ability to complete this undertaking enhances not only the educational benefit our students will receive but will provide new opportunities for the benefit of the entire community. This high level of reimbursement and low level of construction costs are unlikely to be available in the future should the community choose to postpone action on this project.

14. Will this building meet the long-term needs of our school population and the town?

The HSBC has been working collaboratively with the MSBA (Massachusetts School Building Authority) to determine the appropriate need and size of the new school project. These decisions are based on calculations utilized and approved by the MSBA for both today’s school population and projected future needs. The committee believes that final school product will meet the needs of the community for many years to come. Additionally, the MSBA has very strict funding and space requirements in the model school program to which we must adhere.

 

15. What new advances in technology will be available to our students?

The new high school will contain some of the latest technology available in terms of student participation and interaction, including smartboard technology, distance learning, and computer technology, which will provide for student computer technology needs well into the future. Additionally, the new technology will be available all members of the East Bridgewater community, not just students and staff, which will enable everyone to become more well educated in the area of technology.

 

16. Will Plymouth Street have to be widened or adjusted in anyway?

Points of access and egress to the facility are still in the design process at this time. During the planning process, the HSBC will research all areas surrounding the new high school in terms of more efficient, safe, and reliable traffic patterns, road and sidewalk improvements, and will develop a site design that will meet the needs of the community for years to come. The HSBC will seek community input as we move forward during the design process.

 

17. Where will the buses enter and exit the school? How will the Route 18 traffic be affected?

The bus entrance and exit to the new facility will be determined as part of the design process. A recommendation will be made to the School Committee and the final plan for student arrival and exit will be based on the needs of the school day. Public Safety officials will work collaboratively with town and school officials to establish the safest and most effective traffic patterns for both buses and private vehicles.

 

18. What is the size of the existing high school site?

The existing high school site is approximately 50 acres.

 

19. We’ve all seen the wet fields behind the school. How can you build a new school there?

The issue of the wet fields behind the high school has been studied by the designers and engineers involved in this project. They have reported that at the time of construction (in the 1950s and 1960s) appropriate drainage was neither designed nor installed for the site. The designers and engineers on this project have assured the committee that with the appropriate design and installation of drainage and other more modern and efficient construction techniques, the drainage issues behind the current high school can be satisfactorily addressed.

1. How much will the new school cost?

The HSBC is very much aware of the concern over the cost of this project. We will continue to work diligently to provide the voters of this community a cost-effective, efficient, quality product that will meet the needs of the town for many years. As of this date, the total cost projections are not available because we are still in the design process. We understand the community’s concerns and apprehension with regard to the total project cost and will provide that number as soon as possible and certainly well in advance of town meeting and the community vote on this project.

 

2. How will this project be funded?

The town will be asked to approve a debt exclusion in February for the purposes for funding this project. Unlike a Proposition 2½ override which makes a permanent change to the tax rate, a debt exclusion only lasts for a specific period of time, usually about 20 years. The full cost of the bond is amortized over a 20 year period, during which time residents pay a specific amount per year until the debt is paid. Once the debt has been paid, the payment is removed from the tax rate.

 

3. Will the new school cost more to maintain?

There are a number of factors that will determine the ongoing maintenance and operations of the new school. The HSBC has determined that the maintenance of the new school must be a priority of the community moving forward. As part of this process, we will submit a maintenance plan for implementation prior to town meeting. In terms of operating costs, the HSBC believes that the new school will be vastly more efficient to operate than the current building and will provide substantial savings to the community due to its design, green technologies, and efficiencies. When determining future operating costs and maintenance costs of the new school one must consider the efficiencies that will be realized in the new school vs. current expenditures to operate and maintain the existing school. Once the calculations of operating and maintenance of the new building are compared with the cost of the old building we believe the net result will be a better value for the Town of East Bridgewater.

 

4. Because of the new building, will there be additional expenses to the operational costs of the school department? How will the school pay for that?

The current and future operational needs of the school department will be subject to public discussions, debate, and ultimately decided by the voters of the Town of East Bridgewater. The requirement of additional operating expenditures by the school department, if a new school is approved, is not an intentional result of the HSBC. However, the funding of the East Bridgewater schools, by its citizens, is and will remain, part of a public process and subject to voter approval.

 

5. What reimbursement rate will we receive from the MSBA?

The exact reimbursement rate for this project is not known at this time and will not be determined definitively until January 2011. At that time, the MSBA will conduct a final review of the project and assign a reimbursement rate as part of a project scope and funding agreement. This agreement will serve as the basis for the funding request at the February 7th, 2011 town meeting. At that time, voters have a choice to either approve or deny the request for funding. If approved, the issues will then be placed on the February 12th, 2011 ballot for final authorization of the full project cost. The MSBA’s reimbursement for allowable expenditures is expected to be approximately 60-65% of the costs, thus making the town responsible for 35-40% of the allowable costs. This reimbursement rate will not be available for additional, much-needed projects (not covered by MSBA) that will be completed at the same time (such as the septic system, removal of the old building, etc.) The full cost of these other projects must be paid by the town.

 

6. Who is watching the costs, and how can we be sure we, the taxpayers, are getting a good value for our money?

The HSBC working with our owner’s project manager, R F Walsh Collaborative Partners, along with the town accountant, town treasurer, and construction supervisors, will all work to assure the appropriate expenditure of funds consistent with the procurement and accounting laws as mandated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Town of East Bridgewater. The HSBC, as part of the process since day one, has worked diligently to assure that the final product will be the best possible value for the Town of East Bridgewater in every aspect. We believe that upon completion of this process, the final accounting will demonstrate that we received a great product at a great value.

1. Will the new building affect our NEASC accreditation?

If so, how? East Bridgewater High School has been placed on probation by NEASC because of facilities issues. A new building will address all facility issues identified by NEASC. Once this has happened we expect our probationary status to change to fully accredited.

 

2. What educational opportunities will the new school provide that the old facility cannot?

The new building will allow opportunities for grade 7 and 8 students to take advanced courses. The design will include teacher work spaces and large group instructional spaces that will facilitate the development and implementation of cross-curricular programs and projects. Environmentally, the school will provide research-based increased opportunities for students to learn because of such things as improved lighting, better air circulation and ventilation and controlled temperatures. The building will also be outfitted with an up-to-date security system providing all staff and students with a safe learning environment.

 

3. How will the new school improve the delivery of curriculum?

There are many examples of how this will happen. They include but are not limited to:

• Every classroom in the new school will have wireless access providing teachers with the ability to integrate technology efficiently and effectively whenever and wherever it is appropriate.
• Educational spaces will be larger making it easier for teachers to utilize a variety of grouping strategies and instructional strategies within one classroom.
• Specialized classrooms (the arts, technology engineering, etc) will have updated resources and equipment allowing teachers to deliver more real world applications and students to take advantage of learning in a 21st century environment.
• Science labs will have appropriate space for students to work, gas jets that are functional, running water and appropriate prep and storage space allowing students to the ability to partake in 21st century science experiences.

4. How will the program of studies be different in the new building?

The core program of studies will remain relatively the same, although the new building will allow us to update the programs that we have into the 21st century. One example of this will be the ability to make our current technology engineering program cutting edge by designing a space that will allow students to design, build and test prototypes through the use of CAD, graphic design, wood and metal fabrication labs and robotics spaces.

 

5. Because we are creating a structure that has to meet the needs of a junior high school and a senior high school population, will the new building meet that varied educational and co-curricular needs of both populations?

Yes. The middle school and the high school will have the ability to function as two different “schools.” Co-curricular activities currently enjoyed by both populations will continue.

 

6. Will the “team” concept still be used with the 7th & 8th grade?

The team concept currently used in our middle school has been very successful. Due to the development of a new strategic plan, over the next three years the district will be looking at the latest research on grouping and scheduling and as a school community decisions will made about any changes that may happen in the new building. This is a good time for us to take a step back and assess the effectiveness of all of our grouping and scheduling practices.

 

7. Will we still have electives like wood shop or metals in the new building?

Yes. Those programs will still be available. The new building will have wood and metal fabrication labs.

1. Why are grades 7 & 8 being moved into the new facility?

The grade level reconfigurations that were approved by the school committee last spring will allow us to improve our PK-12 educational system in a variety of ways.

• Moving grade 3 to the middle school will allow us the space that we need at the Central School to implement full-day kindergarten for all students. It will also allow us the space that we need to expand our PreK program. Research shows without a doubt that students who attend these early childhood programs are more successful in school.
• Moving grades 7 and 8 into the new building will allow us additional space at the middle school for new programs that we would like to implement. One example would be special education programs that would allow us to keep many of our special education students in district with their peers instead of sending them to programs that are out of district.
• Having grade 7 and 8 students at the high school will allow those students to participate in our high school athletic and music programs as well as other co-curricular programs. It will also allow our academically advanced students to take advantage of some of the high school academic programs before they reach grade 9, and ALL grade 7 and 8 students to take advantage of the educational opportunities that are available in a new school building.

2. How will grades 7 & 8 be separated from grades 9-12?

That is still under discussion, but the design will allow for the separation of academic spaces for the students in grades 7 and 8. It will also allow for separate entrances and exits from the building.

 

3. Will there be opportunities for students in grades 7 & 8 to take classes with students in grades 9-12?

Yes, there will be opportunities for students in grades 7 and 8 to take more advanced courses. For example, there are grade 8 students that are academically ready for advanced math classes. They would have that opportunity in this new facility. At this time, however, we do not anticipate that grade 7 and 8 students would take elective courses with the upper grade level students. Certainly once we get in to the new building we will continue to assess our programs and our scheduling and possibly offer more opportunities for the integration of the different grade levels.

 

4. Will all grades be taking the same busses? Will they arrive and leave school at the same time?

The current plan is to bus grade 7-12 students together as has been done for many years.

 

5. Will the 7&8 grade students be able to participate in the high school sports and music programs?

Yes.

 

6. How will the 7 & 8 grade students be able to access the high school co-curricular and academic programs?

Grade 7 and 8 students would be able to access our high school athletic programs according to MIAA guidelines. We have not yet determined what music programs would be open to all students, but the intent is to open up as many programs as possible. In order for grade 7 and 8 students to access high school academic programs they would have to meet predetermined performance standards which have not yet been determined.

 

7. How will the guidance department for the 7 & 8 grade be separated from 9-12?

The guidance area for the grade 7-12 building will be located near the main entrance of the school to allow easy access to parents. We have not yet “designed” the layout of the guidance area, but realize that younger students often see their guidance counselor for different reasons than do older students. We will design the guidance area to accommodate that.

 

8. How will the 7 & 8 changing facilities be separated for Phys. Ed. and co-curricular activities?

The locker rooms will be designed so that grade 7 and 8 students have a separate changing area from grade 9-12 students.

 

9. Will there be one or two principals? How many assistant principals?

That is yet to be determined. In order for grade 7 and 8 students to participate in the athletic programs there must be one principal. At this time that is the plan.

1. Where will the high school teams practice and play during construction?

There is no question that during construction school sport activities will be displaced. This will cause the need for school administration and the community to work together to make adjustments during construction. The community and the schools will need to work together to maximize the availability of space for students to conduct their outdoor activities.

 

2. When will the new fields be ready?

It is anticipated that the new fields will be ready in the fall of 2014.

 

3. Will there be concession stands? Bleachers?

The design process includes new bleachers, athletic fields, football field, and associated amenities.

 

4. Will there be enough parking for all fields? Enough seating?

The design process currently includes maximizing parking for the entire site and seating capacities that will be consistent with needs and building codes in affect at the time.

1. How will the septic issue be dealt with?

For many years, the town has been aware of the septic issue and been under the direction of the DEP and EPA to address it. The septic system affects the Central School, Council on Aging, Town Office/Police Department, High School, and Fire Station. (These buildings are commonly referred to as the Town Complex). As part of this project, this septic issue will be addressed by integrating the town complex into a new waste-water treatment facility which is currently in the design and permitting phase through the DEP. This system along with any temporary systems required during construction, will meet the stringent requirements of the Department of Environmental Protection and will not only address the ongoing septic issues, but will be more efficient in terms of cost and operation than other plans previously considered which could have required the construction of additional septic system solutions.