Committee approves community-use requests, flags fire-safety steps for kitchen recertification

On May 6 the Roxbury Village School Committee approved two immediate community-use requests — Roxbury Connected on May 11 and Roxbury Roots on May 30 — on a motion by Heidi Albright seconded by Tom Frazier; the motion passed 6-0-0. Kristen Getler will follow up on communications with the requesting groups.

The committee discussed an interim process for community bookings that would include a five-point checklist for groups (expectations for returning keys, cleaning the space, etc.), maintaining inclusivity for community groups, using a Google calendar for scheduling, and approving requests at the committee meeting following a request. Members also discussed a potential future flat fee to offset building-availability costs.

Heather Holter updated the committee on kitchen recertification and conversations with the Fire Marshal. The committee needs to identify a new vendor for alarm monitoring; the minutes note the prior vendor, Johnson Controls, provided monitoring services at about $252 per year plus $500 annual testing. The group discussed seeking an all-inclusive vendor able to provide alarm monitoring, sprinkler services and a fire-suppression hood for the kitchen range (Vermont Life Safety was raised as a possible vendor). The Fire Marshal advised lining up required vendor work, then filing a Change of Ownership form and scheduling an inspection; the kitchen would likely be inspected to 'mixed use' standards.

Heidi gave a brief financial summary and said the committee will discuss finances in more detail at the next meeting.