Rochester new school project pushes ahead despite neighbors' opposition

ROCHESTER — The steps toward building a new elementary school at 753 Salmon Falls Road appear to be moving forward despite persistent objections from neighbors of the property.

"Is it too late to move this project," asked one resident Ray Wayman, during a recent public forum. "Or are we too far in?"

The Rochester School District bought the property for $250,000 earlier this year. Abutters on Salmon Falls Road, and in two housing developments there, Tara Estates and Ida Circle, say they are concerned about many issues, including increased traffic, water and wetland impacts. They say they do not believe the location is right for a school.

The Salmon Falls Road site is 40.88 acres. The building site will be about 12.2 acres as the back part of the land is primarily wetlands. Three Department of Environmental Services permits will be required, for alteration of terrain, wastewater discharge, and standard dredge and fill needs. The land has utilities available and city water and sewer will be provided.

State school building aid covers 60% of a project's cost. The state Board of Education's calculation for Rochester's planned school is just under $26.3 million. This means the state would provide Rochester with nearly $15.8 million, which is about $4.4 million less than Rochester school officials were seeking.

The Rochester School District proposal was for a $33.6 million school with $20.17 million estimated in state building aid. The balance will need to come from the city.

"I think the matter of the funding is scheduled to come to the council at our September meeting," said Mayor Paul Callaghan. He and the council have expressed their support for the expenditure in previous interviews.

City Manager Katie Ambrose also said the funding is tentatively scheduled to go before the council in September.

"City and school staff will be working together this month on the financial analysis that will inform what is presented to Council," she said.

Responding to neighbors' concerns

Dave Totty, director of facilities for Rochester schools, ran the July 24 public forum in the absence of Superintendent Kyle Repucci. He and Gordon Leedy of Tighe & Bond, an outside firm hired to work on the project, presented the conceptual plans.

"People are concerned about water impacts, about impacts to the wetlands," Totty said. "The school district and the city are not going to build anything that does not comply with the state regulations. We will design a system that works as our project cannot negatively impact the current flow of water."

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Totty said traffic on Salmon Falls Road is an enforcement issue. He said sidewalks are not in the current plan, but noted it was possible to add them if the need was shown.

"We can set limits and the police can enforce them," he said. "That is a function of government. We will do a study, to include turning points at both Tara Estates and Ida Circle."

Susan Vaillancourt, a resident of Ida Circle, said the main entrance and exit to the new school on Salmon Falls Road concerns her.

"A true traffic study has yet to be conducted," she said. "It was acknowledged that turning lanes should be considered but no information was provided as to how that would be accomplished with deep drainage ditches on both sides of the road. There was quick discussion of sidewalks, which apparently will not be part of this project but may be addressed after the completion. The way it was worded it sounded like it would be an afterthought at best."

Wildlife impact studies will be done, and Totty said if needed they are prepared to relocate endangered species of turtles and snakes.

Leedy, a landscape architect and certified planner at Tighe & Bond, is the project manager for the building project. He stated all regulations will be followed, including acquiring all city permissions and board reviews as well as three permits needed from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

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Building the new school is part of a consolidation plan for the city's eight elementary schools. It calls for the closure of the Nancy Loud and School Street schools, as well as the elimination of five modular classrooms at the Chamberlain and William Allen schools. Totty said there is a likelihood that some redistricting of students will be required.

Initial plans for the new school are for a 66,000-square-foot building for students in grades K-5, with a parking lot for 75 cars. There will be a bus loop to handle 8 to 10 buses, and a loop road for parent drop off and pick up, with an estimate of 275 cars in the morning and after school. Multipurpose playing fields and playgrounds are included in the plans.

"We are finalizing our contract with our construction manager so it will be up to them to identify next steps regarding studies," Superintendent Kyle Repucci said Thursday.

Asked if there is a target date for completion and for the school opening, Repucci said "We hope the school will be ready for the fall of 2025."

Residents near Salmon Falls Road site still upset about school location

Wayman said he attended last week's forum on the school project and the one held last month, and his concerns remain the same.

"It is a crummy location and a horrible idea," said Wayman. "Sure, the building manager addressed many of the publics concerns, like wetlands, traffic, drainage, and access, and they all sound well and good. I imagine the engineers and professionals will do all of their studies and write up all of their findings but at the end of the day, it will never change the fact that this is the most terrible location available. It appears though that it is full steam ahead and no one is getting in their way."

Wayman said he asked if it was too late to change the location because there is land on Franklin Street near Chamberlain Street School on the market that he believes is suitable.

"It appears to be a great location with adequate access from the road and lots of acreage available to do all they want to," he said. "There are way less traffic issues to deal with and the kids would be still familiar with the neighborhood. Anyway, they aren't going to let a few folks from the public deter them."

"The presentation was very helpful in answering some questions regarding design, placement of buildings on site, wetland concerns and traffic concerns," said Vaillancourt. "Unfortunately, my thoughts have not changed, and I am more dismayed that this project is poorly thought out, has multiple inspections to be completed, and deferred planning that could further impact the area in a negative way."

Vaillancourt said evaluation of wetland conditions under the proposed building have not started.

"Therefore, there is no guarantee that the soil under the proposed building will support the building, nor would pilings be guaranteed to support the building," she said, adding concerns a new school may add sewer problems.

Salmon Falls Road resident Colby Jerrann agreed. He said he thinks they are going to find they are trying to build on a swamp.

"They do not know what is underneath that property," he said. "They bought like 40 acres, and I think the most they could use is about 10 acres. And the traffic there is dangerous. ... I know because I live adjacent to the property."

Vaillancourt said she will continue to attend public sessions, but she is not hopeful city leaders will be swayed.

"I believe there is a better location in the city for this school that will be safer, less expensive to build with less chance of multiple problems down the line, but the decision has been made," she said.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Rochester new school project pushes ahead at 753 Salmon Falls Road