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Essex Elementary School Project

SBC Meeting No. 7

October 14, 2025 @ 6:00 PM

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1. Call to Order & Intro
2. Previous Topics & Meeting Minutes (Vote Expected)
• SBC Meeting No. 5 20250930
3. Invoices & Commitments for Review and Approval (Vote Expected)
• JCJ Invoice No. 1 | ($27,000.00)
• D+W Invoice No. 5 ($46,225.50)
• Minuteman EDDM | ($3,128.42)
4. Community Meeting Report Out
5. Initial Ed Program and Space Summary Review
6. Site Logistics Working Group Report Out
7. Other Topics not Reasonably Anticipated 48 Hours Prior to the Meeting
8. Public Comment
9. Reflections & Actions Items
10. Adjourn

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2

10/14/2025

SBC Meeting Agenda – October 14, 2025 @ 6:00 PM

1. Call to Order & Intro
2. Previous Topics & Meeting Minutes (Vote Expected)
• SBC Meeting No. 5 20250930
3. Invoices & Commitments for Review and Approval (Vote Expected)
• JCJ Invoice No. 1 | ($27,000.00)
• D+W Invoice No. 5 ($46,225.50)
• Minuteman EDDM | ($3,128.42)
4. Community Meeting Report Out
5. Initial Ed Program and Space Summary Review
6. Site Logistics Working Group Report Out
7. Other Topics not Reasonably Anticipated 48 Hours Prior to the Meeting
8. Public Comment
9. Reflections & Actions Items
10. Adjourn

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3

10/14/2025

SBC Meeting Agenda – October 14, 2025 @ 6:00 PM

1. Call to Order & Intro
2. Previous Topics & Meeting Minutes (Vote Expected)
• SBC Meeting No. 5 20250930
3. Invoices & Commitments for Review and Approval (Vote Expected)
• JCJ Invoice No. 1 | ($27,000.00)
• D+W Invoice No. 5 ($46,225.50)
• Minuteman EDDM | ($3,128.42)
4. Community Meeting Report Out
5. Initial Ed Program and Space Summary Review
6. Site Logistics Working Group Report Out
7. Other Topics not Reasonably Anticipated 48 Hours Prior to the Meeting
8. Public Comment
9. Reflections & Actions Items
10. Adjourn

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4

10/14/2025

SBC Meeting Agenda – October 14, 2025 @ 6:00 PM

1. Call to Order & Intro
2. Previous Topics & Meeting Minutes (Vote Expected)
• SBC Meeting No. 5 20250930
3. Invoices & Commitments for Review and Approval (Vote Expected)
• JCJ Invoice No. 1 | ($27,000.00)
• D+W Invoice No. 5 ($46,225.50)
• Minuteman EDDM | ($3,128.42)
4. Community Meeting Report Out
5. Initial Ed Program and Space Summary Review
6. Site Logistics Working Group Report Out
7. Other Topics not Reasonably Anticipated 48 Hours Prior to the Meeting
8. Public Comment
9. Reflections & Actions Items
10. Adjourn

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5

10/14/2025

SBC Meeting Agenda – October 14, 2025 @ 6:00 PM

Community Meeting Report Out

1. Call to Order & Intro
2. Previous Topics & Meeting Minutes (Vote Expected)
• SBC Meeting No. 5 20250930
3. Invoices & Commitments for Review and Approval (Vote Expected)
• JCJ Invoice No. 1 | ($27,000.00)
• D+W Invoice No. 5 ($46,225.50)
• Minuteman EDDM | ($3,128.42)
4. Community Meeting Report Out
5. Initial Ed Program and Space Summary Review
6. Site Logistics Working Group Report Out
7. Other Topics not Reasonably Anticipated 48 Hours Prior to the Meeting
8. Public Comment
9. Reflections & Actions Items
10. Adjourn

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7

10/14/2025

SBC Meeting Agenda – October 14, 2025 @ 6:00 PM

Initial Ed Program and Space Summary Review

9

Space Summary Introduction

Existing

Proposed

MSBA Guidelines

Standardized MSBA Document Format

Updated Throughout Entire Project

Critical Impact on Reimbursement

Three Enrollment Options (165, 250 & 515 Students)

Tracks Building Areas

• Net Floor Area (NFA) is useable floor space inside the room
• Gross Floor Area (GFA) includes MEP, Storage, Toilets, Circulation and Walls

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Net Floor Area (NFA)

Gross Floor Area (GFA)

Spaces

09/30/2025

Existing Floor Plans – First Floor

09/30/2025

Existing Floor Plans - Basement

09/30/2025

1. Call to Order & Intro
2. Previous Topics & Meeting Minutes (Vote Expected)
• SBC Meeting No. 5 20250930
3. Invoices & Commitments for Review and Approval (Vote Expected)
• JCJ Invoice No. 1 | ($27,000.00)
• D+W Invoice No. 5 ($46,225.50)
• Minuteman EDDM | ($3,128.42)
4. Community Meeting Report Out
5. Initial Ed Program and Space Summary Review
6. Site Logistics Working Group Report Out
7. Other Topics not Reasonably Anticipated 48 Hours Prior to the Meeting
8. Public Comment
9. Reflections & Actions Items
10. Adjourn

​

12

10/14/2025

SBC Meeting Agenda – October 14, 2025 @ 6:00 PM

Site Selection Working Group Report Out

Identified Sites

Statement of interest includes:

• Current Essex Elementary School
• Current Manchester Memorial Elementary School

Search of other potential sites in Essex:

• Town of Essex owned parcels 112
• Minimum 9.75 acres 16
• Street access & utilities 7
• Not used by other town function 1

Town Hall, Spring Street Cemetery, Essex ES, Centennial Grove, DPW Transfer Station, Public Water Supply

30 Apple St

09/30/2025

Identified Sites

Sites Lacking Infrastructure - Road Access and/or Town Sewer & Water

0-4 Conomo Point Rd (4 parcels)

0 Apple St Rear

0 Hardy’s Creek Marsh (2 parcels)

0 PODS Island

0 Southern Ave

09/30/2025

A

B

C

Apple Street Site

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30 Apple Street, Essex MA

Identified Sites

Current Essex Elementary School

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12 Story Street, Essex MA

Current Manchester Memorial  Elementary School

43 Lincoln Street, Manchester MA

09/30/2025

Current Essex Elementary School -

Considerations:

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Site Development

• Developed site utilities available currently supporting existing school. Capacities to be determined pending option selected (renovation, addition, or new construction).
• Site is adequately sized.
• Existing EES drawings show previous additions supported on footing foundations, no piles. Some exposed ledge visible. Geotechnical studies to acquire additional information.
• Recognized Environ. Condition (REC) - Oil release in Boiler Room; Business Environmental Risks (BERs) - Asbestos Containing Materials, Lead Based Paints, Urban Fill Soils
• Pond and wetland on site. MassDEP regulations for bank, and 100-ft buffer to wetlands. No additional town bylaws. No flood plain. Likely straightforward regulatory process.
• New building and site layout can be configured for future options.
• Project scope expected to have high level of MSBA reimbursement, similar to past MMES project
• Multiple site access points for construction. Likely lose play field during construction.

09/30/2025

Current Essex Elementary School -

Considerations Continued:

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Site Access

• Road widths currently acceptable for buses to existing EES
• Sidewalks on adjacent streets.
• Busing status quo

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Community

• Current school site and grade configuration meet the Regional Agreement.
• Walking distance to Town Hall/Burnham Library and Memorial Park.
• Established identity for the community

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Education

• Students likely lose play field during construction
• Potential construction phasing disruptions for options including renovations and additions.

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Schedule

• No apparent schedule obstacles

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09/30/2025

Current Manchester Memorial ES

Considerations:

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Site Development

• Developed site utilities in place to support existing school
• Site is adequately sized, however the MMES project fully built-out site leaving limited options for expansion.
• Existing MMES geotechnical report indicates ground improvement for footing support
• No identified environmental contaminants.
• Numerous jurisdictional areas (wetlands, flood plain, river/riverfront).
• Site floodplain elevation includes rain garden and tennis courts. These areas also within 200-ft outer riparian zone, restricting area to be paved.
• Dense site already fully built-out with limited expansion options
• Additional work impact recent MMES project scope thereby reducing level of MSBA reimbursement.
• Construction activities on occupied school site with very limited available space.

09/30/2025

Current Manchester Memorial ES

Considerations Continued:

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Site Access

• Sidewalks on adjacent streets.
• Not walkable for students from Essex.
• Road widths currently acceptable for buses to MMES.
• Longer bus rides for some students from Essex to the MMES site
• Driveway to Summer St. will become service access only

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Community

• Consolidation to MMES site would leave Essex without in-town K-4 per Regional Agreement
• Walking distance to Central St and adjacent to MS/HS
• Increased site density & vehicular traffic for school operations
• Loss of tennis courts likely to accommodate increased parking needs

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Education

• Addition and/or renovation to MMES impact school operations and site circulation

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Schedule

• Timeline to revise Regional Agreement and the regulatory process.

09/30/2025

Apple Street Site

Considerations:

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Site Development

• Simplified or no construction phasing for school operations
• New building and site layout can be configured for future options/growth.
• Off site utility developments needed are not MSBA Reimbursable:
• Water on Apple St that will likely need increased capacity.
• No sewer or drainage observed within Apple St.; Sewer Pump station in Landing Rd. likely needs upgraded capacity.
• No existing available geotechnical subsurface condition information. Geotechnical studies to acquire information.
• Recognized Environmental Condition (REC)- No groundwater monitoring program at the unlined Essex Landing Landfill; Business Environmental Risks (BERs) - Pesticides, former flower farm
• River/riverfront/flood plain on site to be managed with MEPA thresholds. No additional town bylaws.
• Two points of access available, with Landing Rd likely more appropriate for construction activity (verify bridge load capacity for construction vehicles).
• Noise of DPW adjacent to school.

09/30/2025

Apple Street Site

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Considerations Continued:

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Site Access

• Existing road width to widen to support bus traffic, improve sightlines and safety for pedestrians and bikers
• Adjust or rebuild two bridges
• Move existing utility poles
• Affect on resident properties
• Not MSBA Reimbursable
• No sidewalks on Apple St or Landing Rd.
• Similar bus routing as current EES
• Existing challenges with buses maneuvering on Apple St.

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Community

• No direct walking route or connecting sidewalks to town center (no positive aspects adjacent to DPW)
• Introducing school operations into smaller proportioned residential community

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Education

• No disruption to existing schools
• Simplified or no construction phasing for school operations

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Schedule

• Regulatory approval process, time, and cost for upgraded infrastructure.
• Past Town meetings regarding land acquisition have been unsuccessful twice.

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09/30/2025

Site Evaluation

09/30/2025

1. Call to Order & Intro
2. Previous Topics & Meeting Minutes (Vote Expected)
• SBC Meeting No. 5 20250930
3. Invoices & Commitments for Review and Approval (Vote Expected)
• JCJ Invoice No. 1 | ($27,000.00)
• D+W Invoice No. 5 ($46,225.50)
• Minuteman EDDM | ($3,128.42)
4. Community Meeting Report Out
5. Initial Ed Program and Space Summary Review
6. Site Logistics Working Group Report Out
7. Other Topics not Reasonably Anticipated 48 Hours Prior to the Meeting
8. Public Comment
9. Reflections & Actions Items
10. Adjourn

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24

10/14/2025

SBC Meeting Agenda – October 14, 2025 @ 6:00 PM

1. Call to Order & Intro
2. Previous Topics & Meeting Minutes (Vote Expected)
• SBC Meeting No. 5 20250930
3. Invoices & Commitments for Review and Approval (Vote Expected)
• JCJ Invoice No. 1 | ($27,000.00)
• D+W Invoice No. 5 ($46,225.50)
• Minuteman EDDM | ($3,128.42)
4. Community Meeting Report Out
5. Initial Ed Program and Space Summary Review
6. Site Logistics Working Group Report Out
7. Other Topics not Reasonably Anticipated 48 Hours Prior to the Meeting
8. Public Comment
9. Reflections & Actions Items
10. Adjourn

​

25

10/14/2025

SBC Meeting Agenda – October 14, 2025 @ 6:00 PM

1. Call to Order & Intro
2. Previous Topics & Meeting Minutes (Vote Expected)
• SBC Meeting No. 5 20250930
3. Invoices & Commitments for Review and Approval (Vote Expected)
• JCJ Invoice No. 1 | ($27,000.00)
• D+W Invoice No. 5 ($46,225.50)
• Minuteman EDDM | ($3,128.42)
4. Community Meeting Report Out
5. Initial Ed Program and Space Summary Review
6. Site Logistics Working Group Report Out
7. Other Topics not Reasonably Anticipated 48 Hours Prior to the Meeting
8. Public Comment
9. Reflections & Actions Items
10. Adjourn

​

26

10/14/2025

SBC Meeting Agenda – October 14, 2025 @ 6:00 PM

1. Call to Order & Intro
2. Previous Topics & Meeting Minutes (Vote Expected)
• SBC Meeting No. 5 20250930
3. Invoices & Commitments for Review and Approval (Vote Expected)
• JCJ Invoice No. 1 | ($27,000.00)
• D+W Invoice No. 5 ($46,225.50)
• Minuteman EDDM | ($3,128.42)
4. Community Meeting Report Out
5. Initial Ed Program and Space Summary Review
6. Site Logistics Working Group Report Out
7. Other Topics not Reasonably Anticipated 48 Hours Prior to the Meeting
8. Public Comment
9. Reflections & Actions Items
10. Adjourn

​

27

10/14/2025

SBC Meeting Agenda – October 14, 2025 @ 6:00 PM