SC chair fears Plymouth Rubber impacts

School Committee Chairman John Bonnanzio last Thursday gave the public his first impressions of the proposed housing development on the 40-acre Plymouth Rubber property on Revere Street. Bonnanzio believes the project would have a sizable impact on the Canton Public Schools — more so than what the developers are suggesting, he said.

A view inside the former Plymouth Rubber factory

Bonnanzio is part of a town advisory committee that has been working with the developer on their latest plans for the historic property, which was once the site of Paul Revere’s copper rolling mill. A team of independent experts led by zoning attorney Mark Bobrowski has studied the proposal, and on March 20 they presented their initial findings to the advisory committee, which includes Bonnanzio, Selectmen Chairman Bob Burr, Planning Board Chairman Chris Connolly, Town Administrator Bill Friel, and Building Commissioner Ed Walsh.

Members of the School Committee, Planning Board, and Board of Selectmen will next meet to discuss the full report on Tuesday, April 9, at 6 p.m. in the library. Eventually, a special town meeting will be scheduled to vote on the project.

Bonnanzio said the current proposal calls for 348 townhouse-style units, including 204 multifamily units, and the developers estimate that 48-65 children will be added to the system as a result of the project.

Bonnanzio noted that the soon-to-be-built Avalon apartment project on Randolph Street will add 22-34 new students into the system, meaning that the two projects combined could add between 60 and 100 new students.

The developers have indicated that the Plymouth Rubber property will generate $122,000 to $173,000 in net revenue for the town, but Bonnanzio said in his opinion the expenses — for education and other town services — are much greater than what the developers are projecting. “I will believe it when I see it,” he said.

Bonnanzio tabulated the educational expenses of the five largest multifamily projects in Canton and estimated the total educational cost to be $2 million more than the tax revenue generated by the properties.

“I think the math in this report is suspect,” he said, referring to the Napleton proposal.

Bonnanzio also reported that the developers are holding firm to the proposed number of units because of the costs associated with cleaning up the former industrial site. He added that the project is 100 percent residential, with no current plans to add a retail or commercial component.

Related to school building and future enrollment, the School Committee approved a town meeting article proposing the creation of a school building study committee to assess the existing school building facilities and determine whether they will be efficient in future years based on enrollment trends and population growth.

The committee would consist of seven members, including representatives from the Board of Selectmen, FinCom, Capital Planning Committee, a designee from the school department, and two at-large representatives to be appointed by the town moderator.

In other news:

* The committee firmed up its spending plan for the next budget year. The committee will have $774,134 in new money, and after several meetings of deliberation they decided to set aside $455,688 for program and staff enhancements and $318,466 to offset future special education expenses. School business manager Ken Leon said the special education budget had a deficit of $417,325 as of January 31 based on unanticipated transportation and out-of-district tuition costs. The deficit will be paid this year with reimbursements from the state circuit breaker program and from savings in other school accounts. Some of the proposed enhancements were put on hold and will be revisited next year, including the addition of a .4 wellness teacher position, new social studies and French textbooks at the middle school, and $2,000 in supplies.

* The committee enthusiastically supported the idea of Student Services Director Debra Bromfield to establish a fundraiser to purchase three pieces of playground equipment — estimated to cost between $2,000 and $5,000 — for the Rodman Early Childhood Center playground located next to the CHS tennis courts. In addition, Bromfield, supported by a dozen early childhood teachers who attended the meeting, proposed naming the playground in honor of Susan Lipton, who worked in all of the district buildings for over 27 years and aided the development of many children. The committee, which is in support of the dedication, delayed the formal vote until its next meeting while it awaits public input.

* The committee has been informed that the Cabot Fund, a trust established by Dr. Arthur Tracy Cabot to benefit outdoor youth activities in Canton, has grown in income. Last year the committee approved $13,545 in disbursements to various organizations, and this year the disbursements will amount to $15,545. The committee announced that all organizations that applied last year will receive last year’s amount. The committee anticipates receiving four new applications and will split the remaining $2,000 equally between them. The committee suggested that the Rodman Early Childhood Playground Committee apply for a disbursement this year.

* Martha Lawless, Canton Public Schools’ food services director, gave an update on the progress of the new CHS breakfast program and reported consistent sales since its opening on February 1, as well as a bump in sales during the recent MCAS testing period. The next addition to the program is a “grab-and-go” service where students can purchase items to eat or drink in studies or in the hallways during passing times. Lawless said she has also applied for grants to purchase food service equipment to possibly expand the breakfast program to other schools. In addition, she recently put together a committee of Kennedy School parents and staff to communicate tips to students on how to make healthier food choices, with an emphasis on choosing fruits and vegetables.

* The committee supported the suggestion of member Dave Emhardt to post information about user fees on the school website, including what purpose they serve and when parents can expect to pay them. Emhardt said he was approached by some parents who were not informed that they had to pay a school play fee until three days before the performance.

* Prior to Thursday’s School Committee meeting, the zoning board met and approved the expansion of the Hansen School playground project.

* Bonnanzio, who was recently reelected to a one-year term, announced that he would step down as chairman at the committee’s next meeting on April 11. He praised the work of the two newest members, Emhardt and Robert Golledge, who were both elected to three-year terms in Tuesday’s annual town election.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Apr 4 2013. Filed under News, Schools. Both comments and pings are currently closed.