Peasley subcommittee finalizes perception survey, schedules outreach ahead of June decision

Erica Hall, chair of the Peasley Building Committee communication subcommittee, opened the remote meeting at 7:34 a.m. on April 16 and led a discussion to finalize a community perception survey and assemble outreach plans ahead of a decision expected in June. The subcommittee voted to appoint Hall as liaison to coordinate poster boards and printed materials for outreach.

The consultant overseeing the survey described it as a perception instrument rather than a statistical poll and said she removed two items after feedback: a multiple‑choice spending question that listed incremental amounts (example amounts mentioned included $20 million, $40 million and $60 million) and a question staff flagged as leading. Committee members agreed the revision keeps the survey focused on community attitudes while avoiding potentially biased wording.

Committee members mapped specific outreach tactics for an April 27 information session (4:30 p.m., wrestling gym) and town meeting: add a QR code to flyers, provide printed surveys and a drop box for paper responses, and arrange for principals to give school faculty time to complete the survey to improve response rates. Members identified priority outreach venues and audiences that include the senior center, the town library, recreation programs that attract parents of young children, and a nearby housing complex that was described during the meeting as having roughly "70 to 100 units." The subcommittee agreed staff or volunteers will phone and schedule presentations at those sites and report back with dates.

Hall and school and town representatives also discussed a two‑part approach: community forums and an open‑house site visit at Peasley to give residents a chance to see the building. The group emphasized the compressed calendar: committee members said they expect a decision in June (they referenced June meetings leading to an action by June 25) and asked for broad input before June 1 to inform that timeline.

Members reviewed website and multimedia plans to make materials available online: the town site will host survey links and QR codes, basic ‘Meet PMA’ and MSBA information buttons, and forthcoming short narrated videos and graphics that explain options and the MSBA process. The committee asked staff to collect renderings, timelines and Q&A graphics for the webpage and to coordinate with town communications staff to post content in the days after town meeting.

Votes at a glance: the subcommittee approved the April 2 meeting minutes by roll call; it voted to appoint Erica Hall as the liaison to coordinate posters and materials with the architect/vendors (roll call in favor recorded); and it adjourned at 8:09 a.m.

Next steps: Hall will coordinate poster and flyer production with the architect and designer, staff will circulate the finalized QR code and survey link for posting, committee members will make outreach calls, and the group will reconvene as needed before the June decision window.