LINK Crew has happened. Some have been in the building for laptop pickup. It's really happening!
In case you were wondering where everything is, here's a floor plan to acquaint you. See you in a couple days for the ribbon cutting!
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Into the Home Stretch
The ribbon cutting for the new school is just 21 days away!
In today's Boston Globe South section, there's an article on the new building. Enjoy!
In today's Boston Globe South section, there's an article on the new building. Enjoy!
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
The Railings Issue
You may have noticed the article in the Clipper today about the citizen article (Article 30) on the Town Meeting warrant. Bob Doyle wants the railing height raised. (Full text of the article itself is not yet available online; we will link to it when it is available.)
We are so fortunate to have such caring and involved citizens in town. However, we do not believe this article has merit, and think it should be voted down.
Here's why:
We're on the home stretch of the building project and are so excited to see it open to the students in the fall!
Town Meeting begins on Saturday March 8 in the PAC. Please come and be part of the process. Article 30 is not likely to come up on the first day, so we hope you will come on subsequent days as well!
We are so fortunate to have such caring and involved citizens in town. However, we do not believe this article has merit, and think it should be voted down.
Here's why:
- The railings are the code minimum height of 42” which is the standard installed throughout the country in schools, malls, public facilities -- and the PAC.
- Newly constructed schools in the region (Oliver Ames in Easton, Whitman-Hanson, Norwood, Plymouth North, Hanover, etc.) all have clerestory areas with railings of this height.
- Installation of a 6’ high guardrail constructed of a bar assembly would be very costly and have severe impact on the aesthetic of the building – it would look like a penitentiary!!
- Installation of a 6’ glass railing assembly would be even more costly and would require redesign of the ventilation system and atrium exhaust design (which was a very detailed modeling procedure requiring extensive computer analysis and review by DFD and their consultants). It's unclear whether the existing ventilation and smoke exhausts systems would work with these areas closed off without extensive modifications.
- The SBC discussed this issue at length with Mr. Doyle over the course of multiple meetings. SBC never promised to raise the height of the railings. They did promise to look into it and the architect proposed a couple options to raise the rail 6” but the SBC agreed that the additional height was not merited. There is no data to suggest a 48” rail will prevent any of the events Mr. Doyle asserts.
- The article has no mechanism for funding a change that would be extremely costly both for installation itself and subsequent delays. The railings are completely installed.
- The article also ties in the construction of these 6’ railings tied into obtaining an occupancy permit. The only one with authority to provide an occupancy permit is the Building Inspector and since these are designed to code there is no justification not to grant occupancy. This has been confirmed by Town Counsel and the State Building Official.
- The building has been designed with safety in mind in every possible way; the railings are not the only safety mechanism in the Atrium. There are extensive security features installed as well and the layout of the school and corridors provides clear sight lines for the teachers and administration to view every corridor from multiple locations. The perfect square: stand on one corner and see down both hallways (Two teachers to monitor four corridors.)
We're on the home stretch of the building project and are so excited to see it open to the students in the fall!
Town Meeting begins on Saturday March 8 in the PAC. Please come and be part of the process. Article 30 is not likely to come up on the first day, so we hope you will come on subsequent days as well!
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Accounting Procedures: Clarifying Article 14 of Special Town Meeting
Upon reading the OpEd on the Duxbury Clipper website today, we
were surprised and not the least bit amused to see that the author is claiming
“shenanigans” around the school building project for Town Meeting. What
shenanigans, we wondered? While we can’t speak to any of the other issues
mentioned, we’re happy to tell you about the school building project issue. The
school building project issue has no fiscal impact and is supported by the Selectmen, the
Finance Committee and the Fiscal Advisory Committee. There is nothing to
hide!
The author is referring to Article 14 of the Special Town
Meeting, a sort of Town Meeting within Town Meeting to deal with immediate
bookkeeping issues – issues where funds need to be made available before
beginning of the fiscal year on July 1.
Almost two years ago, there was an allocation error while
creating the budget for the building project. Some money that was supposed to
have been allocated into the fieldhouse contingency fund was not. It’s
disappointing, but it’s water under the bridge at this point. Since all aspects
of the project were voted and approved by the town, changes like this also have
to be voted and approved. Article 14 allows the building committee to move some
funds from one account to another -- in this case, from the main fund to the
contingency fund for the fieldhouse where it is needed to address several
unexpected issues: minor cost increases, unmapped underground utilities, and
unknown buried structures. The amount of funds needed for the fieldhouse (the
amount to be transferred) are offset in the main fund primarily by savings
realized in the construction of the administrative offices.
If the vote to move funds is successful:
- The accountant moves money out of one account and into another, making it available to complete the fieldhouse.
- The fieldhouse is completed on time, likely in time for fall football season.
- There is no additional amount added to the project as a whole, no additional cost to the taxpayer, and no additional impact to your tax bill. There is NO fiscal impact in voting to approve this accounting procedure.
- Taxpayers will not see a refund or lowering of the tax bill as a result.
- The fieldhouse will be “occupyable” – as long as you think no floor, no utilities, no lockers or benches, and an empty shell of a building is “occupyable.”
- We’ll need to organize a group to advocate for additional funds for the fieldhouse at next spring’s town meeting, and at that point it might cost the taxpayers more.
But what does this mean to you? It means we could use a
presence -- YOUR presence -- early at Town Meeting to be absolutely sure this
passes.
Town Meeting begins at 9AM Saturday morning, March 9, 2013. We’ll see you
there. (And please stay for the day!)
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Amendment Fails
The amendment -technically a motion, actually - as failed overwhelmingly.
The motion was to rescind funds for furniture and equipment, administrative space, and the field house.
Betsy Sullivan, Gary Magnuson, Ted Flynn, and others spoke eloquently against this. Even Will Zachmann noted that the people had spoken on this topic. Mrs. Sullivan noted the Finance Committee only saw this at 1:45PM. "Sneaky," "bad taste," and "deceitful" we're all terms used in comments against.
For those of you able to come to Town Meeting, thank you! Thanks to all of you for your continued support!
The motion was to rescind funds for furniture and equipment, administrative space, and the field house.
Betsy Sullivan, Gary Magnuson, Ted Flynn, and others spoke eloquently against this. Even Will Zachmann noted that the people had spoken on this topic. Mrs. Sullivan noted the Finance Committee only saw this at 1:45PM. "Sneaky," "bad taste," and "deceitful" we're all terms used in comments against.
For those of you able to come to Town Meeting, thank you! Thanks to all of you for your continued support!
Field House in Jeopardy
We have further details for you.
Colleen Brayer plans to offer an amendment to article 12 to rescind all funding for the field house.
The would be bad because:
We need locker rooms and toilets to legally use the turf field, and retrofitting current facilities is cost-prohibitive.
It will cost less to do this as part of a bigger project than solo a few years from now
Contracts have been signed
The people have already spoken in two town meetings and two elections
PLEASE get to Town Meeting this afternoon to vote down this amendment.
Colleen Brayer plans to offer an amendment to article 12 to rescind all funding for the field house.
The would be bad because:
We need locker rooms and toilets to legally use the turf field, and retrofitting current facilities is cost-prohibitive.
It will cost less to do this as part of a bigger project than solo a few years from now
Contracts have been signed
The people have already spoken in two town meetings and two elections
PLEASE get to Town Meeting this afternoon to vote down this amendment.
TOWN MEETING ALERT!!!
We've received word from inside Town Meeting that someone may try to rescind part of the money for the school building project. Yes, really. Apparently a person can make a motion from the floor -- and, without a subsequent ballot vote -- the money would be gone. Gone.
We'll continue to monitor what is going on, but the bottom line is that if you can get to Town Meeting today, PLEASE DO!! A showing may be enough to stop this person -- and if a motion is already on the floor, it's too late to go into TM. PLEASE show this person/persons that the schools and the school building project continue to have our support.
We'll update as we can -- but please show your face at Town Meeting. Other town issues would benefit from your input as well.
THANKS!! And we'll be in touch again today, I'm sure....
We'll continue to monitor what is going on, but the bottom line is that if you can get to Town Meeting today, PLEASE DO!! A showing may be enough to stop this person -- and if a motion is already on the floor, it's too late to go into TM. PLEASE show this person/persons that the schools and the school building project continue to have our support.
We'll update as we can -- but please show your face at Town Meeting. Other town issues would benefit from your input as well.
THANKS!! And we'll be in touch again today, I'm sure....
Monday, February 27, 2012
School Building Committee Green Energy Forum February 27
Tonight, Monday, February 27, 2012, the School Building Committee will be hosting a forum regarding MA CHPS and energy use in the new school building under design. This is a terrific opportunity to learn more about green energy initiatives, ask questions, provide feedback and offer input into the school building.
The forum will be held at 7PM at Alden School, room 104. This is the same room used by the school committee.
See you there!
The forum will be held at 7PM at Alden School, room 104. This is the same room used by the school committee.
See you there!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
School Building Design Forum February 8
On Wednesday February 8, the School Building Committee and Mt Vernon Group will be hosting a design forum. This is an opportunity for the community to learn about and talk about site plans, overall exterior images, interior public spaces, overall floor plans, more detailed plans of the wings, typical classroom plan., and more.
The forum will be held in Alden room 102 beginning at 7PM. Your participation is encouraged!
See you there!
The forum will be held in Alden room 102 beginning at 7PM. Your participation is encouraged!
See you there!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Turning Off Twitter Text Messages from DuxburyCARES
If you have been following DuxburyCARES on Twitter and you have been receiving text messages of DuxburyCARES tweets on your phone, you may want to turn off that feature. While we do not expect to be tweeting much, the account will remain active and may be used occasionally.
To unfollow DuxburyCARES tweets by text messaging:
To unfollow DuxburyCARES tweets by text messaging:
- Text "OFF @DuxburyCARES" to 40404. Twitter will send back a confirmation that you are no longer receiving DuxburyCARES tweets to your phone.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
THANK YOU!!
Wow, what a day!
Thanks to the efforts of every single one of us who believe that this building project is the right choice for our children and our community, the school building project passed the Special Town Election today, 1931 to 1528.
We'll have more to say about the election in a couple more days -- but for now, thank you...from the bottom of our hearts.
Thanks to the efforts of every single one of us who believe that this building project is the right choice for our children and our community, the school building project passed the Special Town Election today, 1931 to 1528.
We'll have more to say about the election in a couple more days -- but for now, thank you...from the bottom of our hearts.
Friday, November 4, 2011
What People Have Said About the Building Project
“I support this proposal because we have an obligation to provide the best educational opportunities to our children that we can, for as long as we live in our wonderful community. Education starts in the classroom with teachers, but a quality education requires a variety of positive influences, including parents, the teaching environment, and technology. I know the additional taxes required to fund this proposal will be challenging for many of our residents, especially those living on fixed incomes. That said, I hope that each of us can weigh the positives and negatives, both for ourselves and community, and vote to support this very well-thought out proposal.”
“The proposed tax increase for the school building project is not unprecedented in our town. Duxbury has a tradition of valuing high quality public education and previous generations in Duxbury willingly made similar investments in our schools. Now it is our turn to renew that investment.”
“The Duxbury school system provided both of our children with the educational foundation necessary to gain access to fine universities, and on to achieve their individual successes. An integral part of the system's ability to do so is having the adequate facilities within which to educate.
I wholly support the school building project, and urge others to do so as well.”
“Growing up in town with a spectacular school system is what brought my family back to Duxbury. We wanted to give our children the opportunity I was lucky enough to have. As a real estate agent, I see the same desire from families with whom I'm working. Schools are a huge deal to families. I have a few looking in town now due to the prospect of the new building. With the education our town provides combined with state of the art facilities that can maintain current curriculum, these children will be given the best opportunities any parent can hope for from any school district.”
“I’m a classic Yankee. I clip coupons, I buy and sell at consignment stores, and try to save anytime I can. But I also know when it is time to spend money and now is that time – it’s time to spend money for new schools.”
“As a parent, I want my children to have an educational foundation that will help to ensure their success in the years to come. As a former teacher, I know that this foundation includes excellence in teaching, strong community support, and dedicated family involvement. School facilities have a measurable influence on student achievement. As such, it is important that appropriate, up-to-date facilities designed to provide the best environment for our children to grow and learn are integrated with these concepts.”
“Innovation in education is the key to our children’s success as they venture into an increasingly challenging and competitive college and work force. Conditions at DMS and DHS, that were long ago adequately meeting needs of our students, have spiraled downward significantly. It is not a question of what we would “rather do” financially, it is a matter of fact that now is the best, most fiscally responsible time to rebuild. We simply cannot wait!”
“Massachusetts has often been at the forefront of educational reform. In the spirit of that reform, less than seven months ago, I stood in the House Chamber surrounded by members of the General Court and asked them in my State of the State address to work with me to 'take every step, to prepare every child, for an even more competitive future.' The centerpiece of my Legacy of Learning initiative included an ambitious school building program. Today, I am pleased to say that, working with the Legislature, we delivered on that promise.”
“Our children only get one shot at a good education. They deserve better than crumbling school buildings and half-century-old science labs.”
YES for SCHOOLS! Vote TOMORROW, Saturday, November 5, 7AM-4PM, Duxbury Middle School.
- Shawn Dahlen, DHS ’71, Chairman, Board of Selectmen
“The proposed tax increase for the school building project is not unprecedented in our town. Duxbury has a tradition of valuing high quality public education and previous generations in Duxbury willingly made similar investments in our schools. Now it is our turn to renew that investment.”
-Gary Magnuson, Duxbury Parent, Chairman,School Committee
“The Duxbury school system provided both of our children with the educational foundation necessary to gain access to fine universities, and on to achieve their individual successes. An integral part of the system's ability to do so is having the adequate facilities within which to educate.
I wholly support the school building project, and urge others to do so as well.”
- Brian Daley, Realtor, 57 year Resident, Duxbury Parent and Grandparent
“Growing up in town with a spectacular school system is what brought my family back to Duxbury. We wanted to give our children the opportunity I was lucky enough to have. As a real estate agent, I see the same desire from families with whom I'm working. Schools are a huge deal to families. I have a few looking in town now due to the prospect of the new building. With the education our town provides combined with state of the art facilities that can maintain current curriculum, these children will be given the best opportunities any parent can hope for from any school district.”
-Andrea Daley Berry, Realtor, DHS ’91, Duxbury Parent
“I’m a classic Yankee. I clip coupons, I buy and sell at consignment stores, and try to save anytime I can. But I also know when it is time to spend money and now is that time – it’s time to spend money for new schools.”
- Selden Wells Tearse, Duxbury Parent
“As a parent, I want my children to have an educational foundation that will help to ensure their success in the years to come. As a former teacher, I know that this foundation includes excellence in teaching, strong community support, and dedicated family involvement. School facilities have a measurable influence on student achievement. As such, it is important that appropriate, up-to-date facilities designed to provide the best environment for our children to grow and learn are integrated with these concepts.”
-Jill Huie, Duxbury Parent, Former Chandler School Teacher
“Innovation in education is the key to our children’s success as they venture into an increasingly challenging and competitive college and work force. Conditions at DMS and DHS, that were long ago adequately meeting needs of our students, have spiraled downward significantly. It is not a question of what we would “rather do” financially, it is a matter of fact that now is the best, most fiscally responsible time to rebuild. We simply cannot wait!”
- Allison Agnew Berry, DHS ’88, Duxbury Parent of Four
“Massachusetts has often been at the forefront of educational reform. In the spirit of that reform, less than seven months ago, I stood in the House Chamber surrounded by members of the General Court and asked them in my State of the State address to work with me to 'take every step, to prepare every child, for an even more competitive future.' The centerpiece of my Legacy of Learning initiative included an ambitious school building program. Today, I am pleased to say that, working with the Legislature, we delivered on that promise.”
- Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney as he signed the current Massachusetts School Building Authority into being, July 28, 2004
“Our children only get one shot at a good education. They deserve better than crumbling school buildings and half-century-old science labs.”
-Arne Duncan, US Secretary of Education, October 14, 2011
YES for SCHOOLS! Vote TOMORROW, Saturday, November 5, 7AM-4PM, Duxbury Middle School.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Voting Reminders for Saturday's Election
If you are going to be out and about on Saturday, use the first two of these PDF documents to remind voters to get to the polls. You can use the latter two PDFs up through Friday as reminders.
It's going to take all of us to get the vote out for Saturday. Voting takes almost no time at all but it will make the difference between this final vote going through -- or the proposed school building project dying. Reach out to friends, neighbors, other parents on your child's sports teams -- everyone.
See you Saturday at the polls!
DuxburyCARES Nov 5 Reminder 1
DuxburyCARES Nov 5 Reminder 2
DuxburyCARES Halloween Reminder 2
DuxburyCARES Halloween Reminder 1
It's going to take all of us to get the vote out for Saturday. Voting takes almost no time at all but it will make the difference between this final vote going through -- or the proposed school building project dying. Reach out to friends, neighbors, other parents on your child's sports teams -- everyone.
See you Saturday at the polls!
DuxburyCARES Nov 5 Reminder 1
DuxburyCARES Nov 5 Reminder 2
DuxburyCARES Halloween Reminder 2
DuxburyCARES Halloween Reminder 1
Monday, October 31, 2011
Halloween Reminders
Thank you everyone for coming out on Saturday to vote for schools. We had a terrific turnout!
We have ONE MORE VOTE to get through. The Special Town Election is this Saturday, November 5, 7AM-4PM, Duxbury Middle School. The school building project is the only item on the ballot and we must prevail here for the project to be set into motion. This Saturday is the FINAL vote.
To help remind residents of this vote, we have created a couple of reminders that you can distribute this evening while passing out candy or when escorting your costumed children around the neighborhood. Download the version you prefer, copy, and cut into four or eight. They are easily dropped into treat buckets!
Thank you again for all your support so far -- let's take this all the way!
DuxburyCARES Halloween Reminder 1
DuxburyCARES Halloween Reminder 2
We have ONE MORE VOTE to get through. The Special Town Election is this Saturday, November 5, 7AM-4PM, Duxbury Middle School. The school building project is the only item on the ballot and we must prevail here for the project to be set into motion. This Saturday is the FINAL vote.
To help remind residents of this vote, we have created a couple of reminders that you can distribute this evening while passing out candy or when escorting your costumed children around the neighborhood. Download the version you prefer, copy, and cut into four or eight. They are easily dropped into treat buckets!
Thank you again for all your support so far -- let's take this all the way!
DuxburyCARES Halloween Reminder 1
DuxburyCARES Halloween Reminder 2
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
What to Expect at Town Meeting
General Information
Special Town Meeting is on Saturday, October 29, at 9:00 at the Performing Arts Center attached to Alden School. There are 10 articles on the warrant. While we do not expect Special Town Meeting to last all day -- indeed, we hope to be done mid-day -- we cannot control what happens on the floor and therefore cannot say exactly when anything will happen.
You must be a registered voter in the Town of Duxbury to vote at Special Town Meeting. There is no absentee voting -- you must be there in person to cast your vote.
For Article 1 -- the school building project -- to pass, 2/3 of the voters must say yes. That's 66.67%. For every vote against the project, there must be at least two votes for the the project. Twice as many people for as against. However, you want to say it, it means your vote matters. In Hingham this past Monday night, their school building project for a new middle school passed by 82 votes. 2000 people attended that special town meeting, and it came down to that small number of voters.
There is no planned break -- no lunch break -- as at Annual Town Meeting.
Before You Arrive
We strongly encourage all families to make child care arrangements in advance. While there likely will be some walk-in availability, programs may cancel if not enough kids are pre-registered. Programs are available through:
More information on childcare options can be found at Town Meeting Childcare Update.
Checking In
When you arrive at the PAC, you will need to check in. Check-in begins at 8:00AM. Checking in is done by precinct first, street name second, street number third, and name last. For example, I am in precinct 4, and I live on Temple Street. I would go to the table for precinct 4, tell the checkers I live on Temple Street, then my street number, then my name.
When the checker checks off your name, he or she will hand you a slip of paper. Hold onto this slip of paper! If the vote needs to be hand-counted (rather than decided by voice vote) you will need to hold up this slip of paper - your "ticket" - to be counted. In addition, if you intend to sit in the PAC proper, you will need to show this ticket to safety staff to show you are a registered voter who has checked in properly.
If the vote goes to a counted vote, you must hold up this ticket for your vote to count. DO NOT LOSE THE TICKET!
We recommend you arrive EARLY to allow time for checking in -- with luck there will be a big turnout! (You could arrive early to check in, then take your kids to childcare, then come back and sit down.) And don't forget to thank the checkers; they have been there since very early in the morning, getting everything set up. Town meeting would not happen without their work.
Seating Areas
Provisions are being made for several overflow areas. In the PAC itself, seats are reserved for registered voters, and town officials intend to enforce this. Overflow areas will include the Alden cafeteria, gym, and PAC practice rooms, and possibly other areas, and kids are welcome in those locations. If the PAC and cafeteria are full, ushers will direct voters to the next space to fill, and spaces will be filled in sequence to avoid scattering. However, with a high turnout expected, we need to be aware and respectful of maximum occupancy numbers, fire codes and public safety. Kids count toward the maximum occupancy number - and this is why it may be good to have your kids covered elsewhere. And if you have made arrangements for your kids, please sit in the PAC so we can fill as many seats with supporters as possible!
What Happens on the Floor
At 9:00AM, the moderator (Friend Weiler) will call the special town meeting to order. After the Pledge of Allegiance and certain formalities, article 1 will be brought forward. The school building committee will give a presentation on the project, and several other town representatives and officials will be prepared to speak and add commentary. The floor will then be open to meeting attendees to speak and ask questions.
When and Where to Speak
If you would like to speak about the project or to a comment or ask a question, go to one of the several microphones around the PAC. There will be microphones on each landing for those seated in the upper section, two in back on the lower section, and one up front. The microphone up front on the floor is NOT reserved for town officials only. Especially if you are seated in the lower section, feel free to go up to this microphone; it's possibly the best mic in the PAC for being seen and heard, and the line to speak there may be shorter.
Note also that although those in the cafeteria or PAC practice room or other overflow area will be counted in any voting, you must come into the main PAC to speak.
Once at a microphone, wait to be acknowledged by Mr. Weiler, then state your name and what street you live on. Please keep comments succinct and to the point as there are likely others who would like to speak as well. Please listen carefully to the comments of voters who speak before you to be sure you make new points at your turn at the microphone; redundant comments will only delay the proceedings. Please also be respectful of others' points of view.
Motions
At any time during the discussion, a citizen may make a motion from the floor related to the article. While we cannot know what, if any, motions will be made, we can offer some information about types of motions that could be made. When motions are made, listen very carefully to Mr. Weiler. He will give direction as to what votes on a motion will mean.
Motion for contingency amendment: A citizen could make motion for a contingency amendment on the article. This might mean the article as printed would be amended so that if the article as a whole is approved it would or would not include something specific.
For example, if a citizen really, really wanted to have an indoor track, he or she could offer a contingency amendment stating that the main article (1) be approved contingent on adding an indoor track for x amount of money.
Similarly a contingency amendment could be presented that would remove a specific item from the proposal, or remove a percentage of the total appropriation from the proposal.
In any case, town meeting then must vote an amendment up or down, and then discussion would continue on the article in light of the now approved amendment.
While we can't tell you how we think you should vote on any given amendment or motion because we don't know what amendments will be presented, we do recommend that special town meeting attendees follow the recommendations of the School Building Committee. The 14 volunteer members of the School Building Committee have put thousands of hours and their cumulative 400+ years of experience into this proposal to squeeze out every bit of value and benefit from the project.
The discussion on the floor of town meeting does have the potential to be....interesting. Town meeting is nothing if not good people watching! We encourage you to stay calm and focused on the end result. We may not all agree with project, but we do all still have to live together in town.
Motion for secret ballot: a citizen could make a motion that any vote on the article is done in secret. There are any number of political reasons a citizen might prefer a secret ballot. In Hingham this past Monday night at their special town meeting, the vote on the funding for a middle school went to such a ballot. It took well over an hour to cast and count all the ballots.
Motion to move the article to a vote: At any point in the discussion, a town meeting attendee can make a "motion to move." Such a motion will stop all discussion on the article, and move the article as it currently stands to a vote. In this case there could be two votes in quick succession: the motion to move is first voted, and if voted up ("yes"), the vote on the article would follow.
Securing the Vote
Once the vote is taken, it's done, right? Not necessarily. Those of you who attended spring town meeting probably remember the motion for reconsideration.
In short, a motion for reconsideration is a way a vote can be brought up for a second vote, invalidating the first. You can read a detailed discussion on motions for reconsideration here: Motions for Reconsideration, or a Crash Course in Parliamentary Procedure.
Provided the vote goes in favor of the proposed building project, we have someone who will stand up and make a motion for reconsideration. If the first vote has gone in favor of the schools, the motion to reconsider the vote should be voted down ("no"), as we will not want to bring up the article again for further discussion and another vote.
Additional Articles on the Warrant
After article 1 and (hopefully) the motion for reconsideration are done, Special Town Meeting is not over. There are are nine additional articles on the warrant, and each deserves our consideration. The supporters of those articles were there through the schools article and it would be a show of respect for their causes to listen to their articles.
Please DO NOT VOTE and RUN! While it is your right to participate in democracy in any way you choose, this appears extremely disrespectful to the process. We’ve been able to bring many empty-nesters over to the school’s side, and we don’t want to lose them. An immediate mass-exodus could lose some of those critical votes that we will need at the ballot box on November 5. They listened to our article, let’s listen to theirs!
Thank you so much to all of you for your support and action. Let's not let our guard down now! WE CAN DO THIS!
More Information
Special Town Meeting is on Saturday, October 29, at 9:00 at the Performing Arts Center attached to Alden School. There are 10 articles on the warrant. While we do not expect Special Town Meeting to last all day -- indeed, we hope to be done mid-day -- we cannot control what happens on the floor and therefore cannot say exactly when anything will happen.
You must be a registered voter in the Town of Duxbury to vote at Special Town Meeting. There is no absentee voting -- you must be there in person to cast your vote.
For Article 1 -- the school building project -- to pass, 2/3 of the voters must say yes. That's 66.67%. For every vote against the project, there must be at least two votes for the the project. Twice as many people for as against. However, you want to say it, it means your vote matters. In Hingham this past Monday night, their school building project for a new middle school passed by 82 votes. 2000 people attended that special town meeting, and it came down to that small number of voters.
There is no planned break -- no lunch break -- as at Annual Town Meeting.
Before You Arrive
We strongly encourage all families to make child care arrangements in advance. While there likely will be some walk-in availability, programs may cancel if not enough kids are pre-registered. Programs are available through:
- Before and After Dark (781-934-7633)
- DHS girls volleyball team (Barbara Vetch - barbaravetch@comcast.net)
- Duxbury Student Union (admin@duxburystudentunion.org)
More information on childcare options can be found at Town Meeting Childcare Update.
Checking In
When you arrive at the PAC, you will need to check in. Check-in begins at 8:00AM. Checking in is done by precinct first, street name second, street number third, and name last. For example, I am in precinct 4, and I live on Temple Street. I would go to the table for precinct 4, tell the checkers I live on Temple Street, then my street number, then my name.
When the checker checks off your name, he or she will hand you a slip of paper. Hold onto this slip of paper! If the vote needs to be hand-counted (rather than decided by voice vote) you will need to hold up this slip of paper - your "ticket" - to be counted. In addition, if you intend to sit in the PAC proper, you will need to show this ticket to safety staff to show you are a registered voter who has checked in properly.
If the vote goes to a counted vote, you must hold up this ticket for your vote to count. DO NOT LOSE THE TICKET!
We recommend you arrive EARLY to allow time for checking in -- with luck there will be a big turnout! (You could arrive early to check in, then take your kids to childcare, then come back and sit down.) And don't forget to thank the checkers; they have been there since very early in the morning, getting everything set up. Town meeting would not happen without their work.
Seating Areas
Provisions are being made for several overflow areas. In the PAC itself, seats are reserved for registered voters, and town officials intend to enforce this. Overflow areas will include the Alden cafeteria, gym, and PAC practice rooms, and possibly other areas, and kids are welcome in those locations. If the PAC and cafeteria are full, ushers will direct voters to the next space to fill, and spaces will be filled in sequence to avoid scattering. However, with a high turnout expected, we need to be aware and respectful of maximum occupancy numbers, fire codes and public safety. Kids count toward the maximum occupancy number - and this is why it may be good to have your kids covered elsewhere. And if you have made arrangements for your kids, please sit in the PAC so we can fill as many seats with supporters as possible!
What Happens on the Floor
At 9:00AM, the moderator (Friend Weiler) will call the special town meeting to order. After the Pledge of Allegiance and certain formalities, article 1 will be brought forward. The school building committee will give a presentation on the project, and several other town representatives and officials will be prepared to speak and add commentary. The floor will then be open to meeting attendees to speak and ask questions.
When and Where to Speak
If you would like to speak about the project or to a comment or ask a question, go to one of the several microphones around the PAC. There will be microphones on each landing for those seated in the upper section, two in back on the lower section, and one up front. The microphone up front on the floor is NOT reserved for town officials only. Especially if you are seated in the lower section, feel free to go up to this microphone; it's possibly the best mic in the PAC for being seen and heard, and the line to speak there may be shorter.
Note also that although those in the cafeteria or PAC practice room or other overflow area will be counted in any voting, you must come into the main PAC to speak.
Once at a microphone, wait to be acknowledged by Mr. Weiler, then state your name and what street you live on. Please keep comments succinct and to the point as there are likely others who would like to speak as well. Please listen carefully to the comments of voters who speak before you to be sure you make new points at your turn at the microphone; redundant comments will only delay the proceedings. Please also be respectful of others' points of view.
Motions
At any time during the discussion, a citizen may make a motion from the floor related to the article. While we cannot know what, if any, motions will be made, we can offer some information about types of motions that could be made. When motions are made, listen very carefully to Mr. Weiler. He will give direction as to what votes on a motion will mean.
Motion for contingency amendment: A citizen could make motion for a contingency amendment on the article. This might mean the article as printed would be amended so that if the article as a whole is approved it would or would not include something specific.
For example, if a citizen really, really wanted to have an indoor track, he or she could offer a contingency amendment stating that the main article (1) be approved contingent on adding an indoor track for x amount of money.
Similarly a contingency amendment could be presented that would remove a specific item from the proposal, or remove a percentage of the total appropriation from the proposal.
In any case, town meeting then must vote an amendment up or down, and then discussion would continue on the article in light of the now approved amendment.
While we can't tell you how we think you should vote on any given amendment or motion because we don't know what amendments will be presented, we do recommend that special town meeting attendees follow the recommendations of the School Building Committee. The 14 volunteer members of the School Building Committee have put thousands of hours and their cumulative 400+ years of experience into this proposal to squeeze out every bit of value and benefit from the project.
The discussion on the floor of town meeting does have the potential to be....interesting. Town meeting is nothing if not good people watching! We encourage you to stay calm and focused on the end result. We may not all agree with project, but we do all still have to live together in town.
Motion for secret ballot: a citizen could make a motion that any vote on the article is done in secret. There are any number of political reasons a citizen might prefer a secret ballot. In Hingham this past Monday night at their special town meeting, the vote on the funding for a middle school went to such a ballot. It took well over an hour to cast and count all the ballots.
Motion to move the article to a vote: At any point in the discussion, a town meeting attendee can make a "motion to move." Such a motion will stop all discussion on the article, and move the article as it currently stands to a vote. In this case there could be two votes in quick succession: the motion to move is first voted, and if voted up ("yes"), the vote on the article would follow.
Securing the Vote
Once the vote is taken, it's done, right? Not necessarily. Those of you who attended spring town meeting probably remember the motion for reconsideration.
In short, a motion for reconsideration is a way a vote can be brought up for a second vote, invalidating the first. You can read a detailed discussion on motions for reconsideration here: Motions for Reconsideration, or a Crash Course in Parliamentary Procedure.
Provided the vote goes in favor of the proposed building project, we have someone who will stand up and make a motion for reconsideration. If the first vote has gone in favor of the schools, the motion to reconsider the vote should be voted down ("no"), as we will not want to bring up the article again for further discussion and another vote.
Additional Articles on the Warrant
After article 1 and (hopefully) the motion for reconsideration are done, Special Town Meeting is not over. There are are nine additional articles on the warrant, and each deserves our consideration. The supporters of those articles were there through the schools article and it would be a show of respect for their causes to listen to their articles.
Please DO NOT VOTE and RUN! While it is your right to participate in democracy in any way you choose, this appears extremely disrespectful to the process. We’ve been able to bring many empty-nesters over to the school’s side, and we don’t want to lose them. An immediate mass-exodus could lose some of those critical votes that we will need at the ballot box on November 5. They listened to our article, let’s listen to theirs!
Thank you so much to all of you for your support and action. Let's not let our guard down now! WE CAN DO THIS!
More Information
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Dennis Daly's Thoughts on the School Building Project
Dennis Daly, a Duxbury resident, is the lead project architect on our proposed school building project. We asked him his thoughts on the project. Here is what he had to say:
A Special Opportunity
The chance to design the new Co-Located Middle and High School is an important challenge for me as an architect, and an exciting privilege as a Duxbury resident. Our civic buildings are an important way in which we express who we are, and our schools express the importance we see in educating ourchildren and investing in the future.
Duxbury is rich in history and tradition. The original configuration of our town's symbolic center features three buildings that our predecessors saw as most important and expressive of who they were. The First Parish Church, Town Hall and Partridge Academy stood side by side as Duxbury’s Spiritual, Governmental
and Educational Temples. As times and needs changed, so did our buildings. When the Partridge Academy burned down in 1933, the original Duxbury High School built in 1927 and now the home of the Duxbury Free Library had, already replaced its need. That was the beginning of what has become a vibrant cultural and educational campus. We are now engaged in the further development of that campus with our generation's contribution to a rich tradition.
The Co-Located Middle and High School will complete a campus plan in which all students from grade three through grade twelve as well as Duxbury residents at large can share in utilizing all the amenities offered in this one place. The design of the building is developed in response to the requirement of creating two separate schools, a Middle School (grades 6-8) and a High School (grades 9-12). The building is to be composed of four component parts. The first and defining part is the central spine or “Main Street” upon which the other three parts, High School, Middle School and Community buildings are arranged. These components will each have their own identity, and address along “Main Street”. This new symbolic village center has been designed to fulfill the educational needs of our Middle and High School students as well providing community spaces that are not only educational but also provide cultural and social opportunities available to all our citizens.
As taxpayers in this wonderful community my wife Linda and I have enjoyed watching our older son and daughter reap the benefits of a first class public education and enter college as proud graduates of Duxbury Junior Senior High School (remember that?) an old and tired building even then in 1998, and our younger son attend both the Middle School and High School as a member of the Pilgrim Area Collaborative and enjoyed the special gift of the “Best Buddies” program. We got our monies worth because of the vision of the town’s residents in the 1960’s and the sacrifices they made. Now as our surrounding communities take advantage of the opportunities that the Massachusetts School Building Authority provides with generous reimbursements by building new state of the art schools to replace buildings as old or younger than ours, we understand that it’s
our turn to provide for the younger families that follow us.
A Special Opportunity
The chance to design the new Co-Located Middle and High School is an important challenge for me as an architect, and an exciting privilege as a Duxbury resident. Our civic buildings are an important way in which we express who we are, and our schools express the importance we see in educating ourchildren and investing in the future.
Duxbury is rich in history and tradition. The original configuration of our town's symbolic center features three buildings that our predecessors saw as most important and expressive of who they were. The First Parish Church, Town Hall and Partridge Academy stood side by side as Duxbury’s Spiritual, Governmental
and Educational Temples. As times and needs changed, so did our buildings. When the Partridge Academy burned down in 1933, the original Duxbury High School built in 1927 and now the home of the Duxbury Free Library had, already replaced its need. That was the beginning of what has become a vibrant cultural and educational campus. We are now engaged in the further development of that campus with our generation's contribution to a rich tradition.
The Co-Located Middle and High School will complete a campus plan in which all students from grade three through grade twelve as well as Duxbury residents at large can share in utilizing all the amenities offered in this one place. The design of the building is developed in response to the requirement of creating two separate schools, a Middle School (grades 6-8) and a High School (grades 9-12). The building is to be composed of four component parts. The first and defining part is the central spine or “Main Street” upon which the other three parts, High School, Middle School and Community buildings are arranged. These components will each have their own identity, and address along “Main Street”. This new symbolic village center has been designed to fulfill the educational needs of our Middle and High School students as well providing community spaces that are not only educational but also provide cultural and social opportunities available to all our citizens.
As taxpayers in this wonderful community my wife Linda and I have enjoyed watching our older son and daughter reap the benefits of a first class public education and enter college as proud graduates of Duxbury Junior Senior High School (remember that?) an old and tired building even then in 1998, and our younger son attend both the Middle School and High School as a member of the Pilgrim Area Collaborative and enjoyed the special gift of the “Best Buddies” program. We got our monies worth because of the vision of the town’s residents in the 1960’s and the sacrifices they made. Now as our surrounding communities take advantage of the opportunities that the Massachusetts School Building Authority provides with generous reimbursements by building new state of the art schools to replace buildings as old or younger than ours, we understand that it’s
our turn to provide for the younger families that follow us.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Shawn Dahlen's Thoughts on the School Building Project
Recently we asked Shawn Dahlen, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, to share his thoughts on the school building project. Here is what he had to say:
"Building a new co-located middle/high school, as proposed by the School Building Committee (SBC), is a significant decision that affects everyone in our community. The SBC has spent countless volunteer hours deliberating the most appropriate way to update our aging school buildings and provide educational facilities for our children for the next 50 years. This process started long before our last Annual Town Meeting (ATM) and subsequent debt exclusion vote. Both of these previous votes were overwhelmingly in favor of the SBC moving forward with schematic design and cost estimates for a co-located middle/high school, on the site proposed, for which the voters approved $2.9 million of funding. At last year's ATM, the SBC told the voters the estimated cost for schematic design for a non-model school would be about $2.9 million, the new co-located middle/high school would be about $130 million including the design cost and the projected MSBA state contribution would be about 43%.
The SBC is coming back to us for the final approval, having spent $1.55 million of the approved funds for schematic design for a model school. The proposed co-located middle/high school will cost residents less than the SBC previously anticipated, and the town will receive a higher percentage of MSBA state reimbursement than projected. SBC members have done their job, as directed by our votes, and now it's time for residents to make a final decision. I urge all residents to learn as much as they can about the proposed school project so they can make a well-informed decision. The SBC has held several public informational meetings, and the DuxburyCARES website is full of information about the project.
I support this proposal because we have an obligation to provide the best educational opportunities to our children that we can, for as long as we live in our wonderful community. Education starts in the classroom with teachers, but a quality education requires a variety of positive influences, including parents, the teaching environment, and technology. I know the additional taxes required to fund this proposal will be challenging for many of our residents, especially those living on fixed incomes. That said, I hope that each of us can weigh the positives and negatives, both for ourselves and community, and vote to support this very well-thought out proposal."
Thank you, Shawn, for your support and leadership on this matter.
YES for SCHOOLS. YES on 1.
Special Town Meeting
Saturday, October 29, 2011 -- 9:00AM
Performing Arts Center, Duxbury
"Building a new co-located middle/high school, as proposed by the School Building Committee (SBC), is a significant decision that affects everyone in our community. The SBC has spent countless volunteer hours deliberating the most appropriate way to update our aging school buildings and provide educational facilities for our children for the next 50 years. This process started long before our last Annual Town Meeting (ATM) and subsequent debt exclusion vote. Both of these previous votes were overwhelmingly in favor of the SBC moving forward with schematic design and cost estimates for a co-located middle/high school, on the site proposed, for which the voters approved $2.9 million of funding. At last year's ATM, the SBC told the voters the estimated cost for schematic design for a non-model school would be about $2.9 million, the new co-located middle/high school would be about $130 million including the design cost and the projected MSBA state contribution would be about 43%.
The SBC is coming back to us for the final approval, having spent $1.55 million of the approved funds for schematic design for a model school. The proposed co-located middle/high school will cost residents less than the SBC previously anticipated, and the town will receive a higher percentage of MSBA state reimbursement than projected. SBC members have done their job, as directed by our votes, and now it's time for residents to make a final decision. I urge all residents to learn as much as they can about the proposed school project so they can make a well-informed decision. The SBC has held several public informational meetings, and the DuxburyCARES website is full of information about the project.
I support this proposal because we have an obligation to provide the best educational opportunities to our children that we can, for as long as we live in our wonderful community. Education starts in the classroom with teachers, but a quality education requires a variety of positive influences, including parents, the teaching environment, and technology. I know the additional taxes required to fund this proposal will be challenging for many of our residents, especially those living on fixed incomes. That said, I hope that each of us can weigh the positives and negatives, both for ourselves and community, and vote to support this very well-thought out proposal."
Thank you, Shawn, for your support and leadership on this matter.
YES for SCHOOLS. YES on 1.
Special Town Meeting
Saturday, October 29, 2011 -- 9:00AM
Performing Arts Center, Duxbury
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Special Town Meeting Child Care Update
We have an update to the list of child care otions during Special Town Meeting. Add in the DSU event listed below. Big thanks to Before and After Dark, the DHS Volleyball team and the DSU for putting together these options!
We strongly encourage voters to make childcare plans sooner rather than later! Sign up NOW!
Special Town Meeting Child Care Service Offered by Community Education (Before and After Dark)
Child care services for preschool age (3 years old and up/must be toilet trained) to school age children will be available at a reduced cost for Duxbury residents attending Special Town Meeting on Saturday, October 29th. Community Education staffers and DHS students will provide care in the Extended Day program classroom at the Alden Elementary School. The service is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of the town meeting lunch break, when parents are asked to pick up their children. The cost is $12 per child per day, or $6 per child for the morning session or afternoon session. Each child should bring his/her own drink and snacks. Families must register in advance for the child care service and may do so beginning October 12, 2011. Registrations will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the number of children attending will be limited to ensure proper staffing ratios. Please call the Community Education office at 781-934-7633 if you wish to register your child for the reduced cost child care service.
Community Education also provided the slightly out-of-date 2010-11 Babysitting List that was compiled last year at Magic Dragon with students that were participating in the Child Development course at DHS. That program has been discontinued at the High School, so this list is not up-to-date, but it may provide another resource for families that prefer at home care or need a babysitter for their infant/toddler age children. If you are interested in that list, email us as it has home phone numbers and we don't want to post it publicly.
Childcare offered by DHS Girls Vollyeball Team
The DHS Girls Volleyball team will be offering childcare from 9-12 on Saturday October 29 in Alden room 104. Children must be potty-trained. The cost will be $10 per child with a $20 per family maximum. Please sign up in advance by emailing Barbara Vetch at barbaravetsch@comcast.net.
Duxbury Student Union
Duxbury Student Union is sponsoring a "Special Howl Meeting" event on Saturday, October 29 during Special Town Meeting. Say goodbye to Mom & Dad from 9am - noon as they discuss new schools while we have some LOL fun of our own. Halloween games, contests & prizes in typical wacky DSU spirit. $20 per person or $35 per family. Sign up for Student Union events at admin@duxburystudentunion.com.
We strongly encourage voters to make childcare plans sooner rather than later! Sign up NOW!
Special Town Meeting Child Care Service Offered by Community Education (Before and After Dark)
Child care services for preschool age (3 years old and up/must be toilet trained) to school age children will be available at a reduced cost for Duxbury residents attending Special Town Meeting on Saturday, October 29th. Community Education staffers and DHS students will provide care in the Extended Day program classroom at the Alden Elementary School. The service is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of the town meeting lunch break, when parents are asked to pick up their children. The cost is $12 per child per day, or $6 per child for the morning session or afternoon session. Each child should bring his/her own drink and snacks. Families must register in advance for the child care service and may do so beginning October 12, 2011. Registrations will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the number of children attending will be limited to ensure proper staffing ratios. Please call the Community Education office at 781-934-7633 if you wish to register your child for the reduced cost child care service.
Community Education also provided the slightly out-of-date 2010-11 Babysitting List that was compiled last year at Magic Dragon with students that were participating in the Child Development course at DHS. That program has been discontinued at the High School, so this list is not up-to-date, but it may provide another resource for families that prefer at home care or need a babysitter for their infant/toddler age children. If you are interested in that list, email us as it has home phone numbers and we don't want to post it publicly.
Childcare offered by DHS Girls Vollyeball Team
The DHS Girls Volleyball team will be offering childcare from 9-12 on Saturday October 29 in Alden room 104. Children must be potty-trained. The cost will be $10 per child with a $20 per family maximum. Please sign up in advance by emailing Barbara Vetch at barbaravetsch@comcast.net.
Duxbury Student Union
Duxbury Student Union is sponsoring a "Special Howl Meeting" event on Saturday, October 29 during Special Town Meeting. Say goodbye to Mom & Dad from 9am - noon as they discuss new schools while we have some LOL fun of our own. Halloween games, contests & prizes in typical wacky DSU spirit. $20 per person or $35 per family. Sign up for Student Union events at admin@duxburystudentunion.com.
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