School Dept. wary of Mann Chemical proposal
Published on August 5th, 1998
STONEHAM, MA - Following a recent meeting with the buyers of Mann Chemical property on Central Street, Interim Superintendent Robert Barbarisi told the School Committee last Tuesday night that he had "serious concerns" regarding what was being proposed for the site and implored the committee to get involved.
According to Barbarisi, the buyer's architect described plans for a 4-story building with 165 parking spaces and multiple curb cuts. This, he stated, would have a serious impact on the Middle School and on the new Central School which will share the Middle School's campus.
Middle School Principal Jim Andreottola reminded the committee that his school is projecting over 700 students in the next few years with the new Central School anticipating over 400 once opened.
With such a large number of parking spaces proposed on the Mann property, Andreottola voiced his concern over the potential volume of cars with such proximity to the schools, all of which will be exiting onto Central Street.
"I have big concerns for health and safety of staff and students," he stated.
Janice Road resident Jill Kennedy reminded the committee that the buyer was moving ahead with plans for the site and was anticipating a site plan hearing with the Board of Selectmen in September. She urged the School Committee to keep this timetable in mind as it discussed what action should be taken.
"It's still not too late to do something before the building goes up," Barbarisi stated.
Reportedly, no purchase and sale agreement has yet been signed. In a conversation with the Independent, School Committee member Jeanne Craigie stated that it makes sense to at least consider the possibility of acquiring the property.
Whether it be used for additional school parking or for much needed open space in that area, Craigie stated that the long term benefit to the town will outweigh the cost, especially in light of what is being proposed. The already congested area will soon sport an additional elementary school and a total of 1100 students with a likely increase in traffic.
"As a group, we ought to think about it...If we win, we win, if we never try, we'll never know," she stated.
At last fall's Town Meeting, the Board of Selectmen's warrant article to direct the town to purchase the property, possibly for additional Middle School parking, was defeated. With the buyer's intentions now clear, Barbarisi suggested that the School Committee sponsor their own warrant article for purchase of the site.
Committee Vice-Chairman Jeanne Craigie stated that if the committee were to seriously consider taking action on the property, the Finance Board and Board of Selectmen should be present at the discussions.
Chairman Stephen Gucciardi agreed that support from these two boards would be essential. He requested that Barbarisi find out the recent purchase price of the property and stated he would have a letter sent to both boards, as well as to the School Building Committee, advising them of the upcoming discussion at the committee's next meeting on August 13.
Barbarisi called the matter a School Committee issue and reiterated the importance of the School Committee taking on leadership of the matter.
"Probably the latest you have is fall Town Meeting," Barbarisi stated. "At least discuss it and decide if it makes sense...I still think it can be done. I think it will cost more but will provide a better site (for the schools) and will protect the town's interests."
In other School Committee news, safety concerns on Beacon Street were brought to the attention of the committee, also on Tuesday, in an attempt to rectify a problem with cars encroaching on the playground area.
Beacon Street resident Robert Coles provided committee members with documentation detailing correspondence he has had with the town regarding the problem, as well as pictures of possible solutions from other areas in town.
According to Coles, cars entering and exiting the parking lot at the former East School, now home to the Visiting Nurses Association, poses a dire hazard as no barrier exists between that lot and the children's play area.
Coles stated that the issue has been an ongoing concern and referred to 1986 correspondences between School Department administration and the town counsel which involved the school. With the extension of Beacon Street and development of Landers Road in recent years, Coles stated that there are "many more kids now," and that the risk of injury is even greater.
Traffic on the residential street has been a growing concern in recent years with the growth of the VNA which leases the building from the School Department.
"I don't care whose cars they are," said Coles, who stated that the lot is utilized both by VNA employees and visitors as well as those using the playground and field.
He requested that a fence or other type of barricade be erected to provide a barrier between the cars and the children to prevent an accident. He cited the Al Duff Park at the Central School which features a chain link fence to delineate the parking area from the recreation space.
Gucciardi thanked Coles for his input and advised that the committee would take the matter under advisement and make a decision shortly.
"Certainly, we have great concern over the safety of our children," stated Gucciardi. He thanked Coles for his hard work in bringing the problem to the committee's attention.
Coles stated that he was impelled to alert the committee about the safety issue and stated that he feared that a child would get hurt if nothing was done.
"I see it every day...I couldn't live with myself if something happened...that's why I'm here," he stated.
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