Letters to the Editor
Committee takes a moment to explain

To the Editor:

Dear Ashburnham Residents,

The Public Safety Building Committee has been meeting on a regular basis for nearly one year now and has worked diligently to review various options and ultimately a redesign of the previous public safety building proposal. We were given the task of providing the best possible building for the Police, Fire and Dispatch Departments while attempting to stay within the current funds available (approx. 5.2M).

Since our first meeting in May of 2006, we have been working collectively with representatives from those departments, the architect and project manager to re-design a building that would meet the departments current and future needs. Both the Police and Fire Departments provided a list of requested space needs to the committee in June for the committee's review and consideration for the redesign. The building committee ultimately supported the space needs request with a few adjustments and provided them to the architect for schematic design options. The architect provided several building designs and floor layouts for the committee to review and the committee after much discussion and input chose what it felt was the best design to meet the public safety departments' needs and to be within or close to the funds available. The building decided upon was approximately 22,000 square feet, one story (with a fully utilized basement) and constructed of concrete, wood and steel including four double deep apparatus bays.

In the fall, the architect was given approval to design the final building plans for the project and the committee requested a cost estimate on the building project as the architect finalized those plans for construction bid. In December, we received a cost estimate for $4,744,099 to complete the base building and remaining site work. The committee also requested three bid alternates to finish the police and fire locker rooms, finish the remaining two of the three detention cells, and to finish the training room area. The bid alternates amounted to an additional $477,265 and would be completed during the construction process if funding allowed. The committee felt that the estimates for the base building was close to the funding available and hoped for a competitive bid process that would benefit the town. The committee also knew that we could not reduce the size of the project any further without jeopardizing the ability of our public safety departments to effectively and efficiently perform their required services.

The project went out to bid in late-January and bids for the general contractor were opened on March 13. Eight GCs bid on the project with the low bidder being B.W. Construction with a base bid of $4,748,258 and the alternates at $467,755. Since this time the committee unanimously recommended to the Board of Selectmen that a letter of intent be issued to B.W. Construction for the base bid of the project. On April 2 the selectmen unanimously voted to send a letter of intent to B.W. Construction for the base bid of the project. The committee has also drafted three funding options, which include the bid alternates for the voters to consider at the May 5 Annual Town Meeting. These options would fund partial or the full completion of the project. These options, the financial impact and the committee's recommendation will be presented at the Annual Town Meeting.

The Public Safety Building Committee Not all overrides are the same

To the Editor:

The enclosed letter is provided to help frame the reasons for a school override request and to better explain the differences between the override of 2004-2005 and the current request for an override.

The good citizens of Ashburnham and Westminster passed a school override for the Regional School District during the 2004-2005 school year. This override helped to restore and improve school programs. A standards-based curriculum renewal cycle was implemented to improve student learning and achievement. Student athletic fees and co-curricular fees were absorbed into the school district operating budget. A comprehensive strategic improvement plan was developed and implemented. A computer leasing program was instituted. The 2004-2005 school override was a recovery override.

The 2007-2008 proposed school override is a much different override from the 2004-2005 school year override. The 2007-2008 proposed override is a survival override. Rather than restorations or growth increases, this shortfall is due to increases in fixed costs such as bus transportation, health insurance, special education and state mandates. Simply put, this override is a level services override. A level services override does not allow funding for new programs or new services and only allow funding for increases in fixed cost services.

The school system has been through some turbulent times. Unfortunately, the state does not provide enough funding to cover the increases in fixed costs and state mandates. A failed override will move the school district in a backwards direction. It is the intent for this administration to leave any difficult times behind and continue to provide the students with a high quality education and services that will foster community pride. As Superintendent of Schools, I ask that you to please vote in support a level services override.

Michael Zapantis

Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School Superintendent

Family's appreciation expressed

To the Editor:

Our family would like the opportunity to thank everyone involved in the recent benefit hockey game. We have been truly blessed over the years to have always had wonderful neighbors and friends wherever we've lived. Ashburnham has always held a special place in our hearts and this is one of the many reasons why. There are no words to describe how heartwarming it was to see everyone come together for this cause. The evening was nothing short of spectacular. We could never begin to tell you how grateful we are for everything. The money raised will go a long way in providing the necessary transportation for Cris now and in the years to come.

A very special thanks to the following: the entire Napolitano family, David Uminski, Jay Wetherbee, Lincoln Stiles, Carol Buono, Rose Lawrence and the Briggs staff, faculty, and students (especially Kallie Napolitano and Katherine Lemieux), Cushing Academy, the Oakmont Spartans, the officials and performers, Ashburnham and Westminster Police Departments, the Ashburnham Fire Department, all the local businesses, members of the Ashburnham Community Church, and especially the residents of Ashburnham, Westminster and surrounding communities who supported the fundraiser.

Please forgive us if we've forgotten anyone. There were so many people involved behind the scenes that we not even aware of. God bless you all. You've touched our lives and hearts in a way we'll never forget.

The Rasmussen Family

Ashburnham