Frequently Asked Questions

The project started with a study of potential locations for a new school building. It was determined that the most feasible and best location was behind the school on the existing Shaun F. Beasly Oval, which left the area of the existing school for the new Shaun F. Beasly Oval.

The new Shaun F. Beasly Oval is located approximately 30 feet from Farm Street and the elevation varies along the road from approximately 1 – 4 feet lower than Farm Street. Ball control netting is proposed around the field.

For reference the field at the Galvin MS is closer to the road than the field at the new High School.

Yes.

The Upper Parking Lot is being expanded but there will be green space between the Upper Parking Lot and the new school similar to what currently exists. The Green Space behind the School (between the existing Shaun F. Beasly Track and Upper Parking Lot) will remain after the project is complete.

Please refer to the links below which provide parking plans and parking counts for conditions before and after construction.

BEFORE CONSTRUCTION PARKING COUNTS

AFTER CONSTRUCTION PARKING COUNTS

The project includes replacement and upsizing of an existing culvert which currently runs below the softball field. The culvert replacement work requires disturbance of the softball. The project will upgrade and restore all disturbed areas of the softball field.

The crosswalk will be located across Hemlock Road east of the new entrance drive off Hemlock Road. The two existing crosswalks across Farm Street entrance drive between the high school and Woodville School will be consolidated into a single crosswalk south of the new driveway. These crosswalks will have Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs).

Crosswalks are also planned at each “leg” of the roundabout along with RRFBs.

No vehicles will be allowed to turn left out of the drive between the high school and Woodville School onto Farm Street during peak hours of arrival and dismissal.

Speed bumps in the roadways are not part of the project. The addition of speed bumps would have to be reviewed and approved by the Wakefield Traffic Advisory Committee. The roundabout is designed to result in traffic calming.

Yes, regularly occupied rooms such as classrooms and office spaces are required to have windows with integral manual ventilators to provide direct access to fresh air.

To meet the sustainability (LEED) requirements of the project, electrical vehicle charging equipment (Level 2) will be installed at a minimum of 6 parking spaces. An additional 4 parking spaces will have DC charging equipment (Level 3) installed to comply with the State’s Stretch Energy Code.

During the feasibility and schematic design, the Town elected to pursue LEED Silver in order to qualify for an additional 2% of MSBA reimbursement. The LEED Gold certification was discussed at the time, with Gold being an aspirational goal but not a required goal. The project’s stringent budget and the current market pricing conditions restricted the Town in their decision to fully pursue Gold LEED Certification. The project is optimizing comprehensive sustainable design criteria within the MSBA, LEED Silver and MA Stretch Energy Code’s required criteria for energy performance, indoor environmental quality, sustainable sites and water efficiency, as well as a green educational program contributing to an Innovation in Design LEED credit.

The northern portion of the new building will bear on existing soils improved by ground improvements. The southern portion of the new building will bear on native glacial till or imported structural fill. In the southern portion of the building (areas outside of the ground improvements) all unsuitable soil will be removed entirely and replaced with structural fill. Ground improvements will be designed and installed by a specialty contractor and their approach will be reviewed/approved by the design team, and Geotechnical Engineer of record.

A roundabout and signalized intersection options were studied early in the project. The analysis was presented to the Wakefield Traffic Advisory Committee (WTAC) and the team was directed to move forward with the roundabout option.

The project will install roadway signage including street signs, yield signs, and other pertinent signage which will also be reviewed and approved by the WTAC.

The main difference between a Rotary and a Roundabout is size. Rotaries are much larger (like the Rt. 129/95/128 rotary), which allows higher vehicle speeds. Roundabouts are designed for a lower circulating speed, which calms traffic and allows for safer movement for all users (vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists). Roundabouts also require the entering traffic to yield to vehicles already circulating. There is no yielding required for rotaries. Lastly, there are no changing lanes within a roundabout as you have within a rotary, making circulating much safer.

Mass.gov – “What are roundabouts?”

The roundabout will not be raised above Farm Street and will be at a similar elevation as the current roadway. Mountable concrete truck aprons will be provided on the inside curb and will slope up a few inches above the circulatory roadway.

All sidewalks are currently proposed to be concrete, and areas behind the sidewalk will be loam and seeded for grass.

The WMHS project will not include any blasting.

The northern portion of the new building will bear on existing soils improved by ground improvements. The southern portion of the new building will bear on native glacial till or imported structural fill. In the southern portion of the building (areas outside of the ground improvements) all unsuitable soils will be removed entirely and replaced with structural fill. Ground improvements will be designed and installed by a specialty contractor and their approach will be reviewed/approved by the design team and Geochemical Engineer of Record.

The Wakefield Traffic Advisory Committee (TAC) and the Wakefield DPW/Engineering Department after reviewing the Traffic Mitigation Light Options ultimately decided on the construction of a Roundabout. The Wakefield TAC and DPW chose the Roundabout due to the “Traffic Calming Effect” that a Roundabout would have when it comes to mitigating vehicular speed on Farm Street. The PBC ultimately endorsed their decisions since it is the TAC/DPW’s area of expertise.

The WMHS (Wakefield Memorial High School) Project Team has also been coordinating with the NEMT (Northeast Metro Technical Vocational High School) on several fronts, one of which is the proposed traffic. The WMHS traffic analysis has incorporated the NEMT project’s vehicular volume, access, etc into the analysis.

The roundabout is designed to accommodate an 18-wheeler, by the use of the truck aprons in the center of the roundabout.

The back corner of the building near the Wiley Street Abutters will have windows as it contains the District Offices. This section is one story so it would be below the grade change up to Wiley Street. The District Offices are expected to be occupied between the hours of 8 AM to 4 PM.

There will be low exterior lighting along the east side of the building to provide safe egress and circulation around the back of the school.  This lighting will be designed to minimize spillover to the wetland and the neighborhood beyond.

• Site work: Commencing Spring 2024
• Hemlock Rd Work: Summer 2024
• Site Work: Completing Fall 2024
• Equipment Deliveries Scheduled: 2025
• Energy Park In-Service: Q1/Q2 2026

Click here for Energy Park project updates

• Official working hours are Monday through Friday: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Typically: 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m).
• Saturdays are not anticipated as a regular occurrence but will be utilized when required.
• Saturday working hours: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Typically: 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m).

• None anticipated.
• Vibration Monitoring stations have been installed and a baseline reading has been completed.
• Vibration Monitoring will continue through the life of the project.
• Bond is making Existing Conditions Surveys available to neighbors before major construction activities begin to document existing conditions as a baseline for a comparison should any damage from construction occur. These will be completed by 4/23/2024.

Construction staging, laydown, and contractor parking will be located within the High School site, and also in the temp lot created in the grassy area beyond the outfield of Walsh Field (baseball fields) at Farm Street and Hemlock Road.

School Drop-off/Pick-up times for the both the Wakefield Memorial High School/ Northeast Metro Tech School are listed as black-out times for contractor deliveries for the duration of construction.

The Truck Route Plan directs trucks from Route 1 via Main Street in Saugus to Farm Street, or from 95 via 129 to Farm Street. Nahant St. is not included as one of the available truck routes.

Available parking counts will vary during the various phases of construction. There will always be the minimum required quantity of parking available for the high school teachers and staff based on discussions with the school. There will be limited parking for students.

Buses will enter the site from Hemlock Road and will drop off in the morning at the main entrance and stage for afternoon dismissal in a dedicated bus lane just past the school’s main entrance.

Passenger vehicles can enter the site from either (1) Hemlock Road and drop off (AM) or stage (PM) in a dedicated vehicle loading zone located before the school’s main entrance or (2) from Farm Street in a dedicated vehicle loading zone located north of the new Shaun F. Beasly Oval.

The project includes an accessible walkway from the end of Wiley onto the proposed walkway system around the school. No vehicular access will be allowed from the end of Wiley Street onto the high school property, and a gate is proposed at the end of the northern parking lot to prevent vehicles from driving onto Wiley Street.

One cannot access between the school property and Wiley Street during construction of the new school building.

Alternatives:

• Water Street to Farm Street
• The softball field will be under construction and not accessible between June 24, 2024 thru November 1, 2024
• The construction fencing will be readjusted to allow passage thru the softball field starting November 1, 2024.

The Roundabout will be constructed after completion of the new WMHS during the spring/summer of 2027. Bond Construction will coordinate proper police and traffic management practices and will provide specific plans/details regarding traffic flow and closures on the project website and to project abutters.

Yes, abatement will occur and will be in accordance with all Federal, State, and local laws. Abatement procedures and will be permitted and monitored by a  licensed professional.

The Wakefield Memorial High School Project Teams and the Northeast Metro Technical Vocational High School Project Teams hold bi-weekly meetings to coordinate construction schedules and activities between the two project.

No, Bond Cosntruction is not anitpating any issues with the blasting or the construction of the NEMT (Northeast Metro Technical Vocational High School project that would impact the construction of the new WMHS.

Bond did not include Wiley Street in their sub-contractor parking plan and indicated Wiley St. as a no parking zone. The School Department will also enforce a similar plan preventing student parking during/after completion of the building project.

The new field lighting will be directed down toward the field of play of the field and will be fully programmable. All luminaires will be directed down and will be equipped with internal shields, louvers, and external shields so that the spillage of light and glare control will not exceed 0.02 footcandles/500 candela on adjacent properties.

There will be multiple trainings at the end of the project reviewing O&M (Operations & Maintenance) Manuals with Town/School Maintenance staff. O&M Manuals will be a requirement for sub-contractors to provide, and to conduct trainings with Town/School staff, which will will also be recorded and stored with the O&M Manuals. This will allow future staff to be able to review the project trainings on the equipment at later dates.

The new school will exceed the MA Energy Code by 20% and as a result will gain an additional 2% reimbursement from MSBA. The current goal will be to strive for LEED Silver Certification.

WMHS LEED Scorecard

Sustainability Presentation

Sustainability Features of the New WMHS

WMGLD Energy Park Project

WMGLD Energy Park Video

• Code Cost Upgrade – Only $178 Million –  Not likely to be reimbursed by MSBA – Does not address any education deficiencies in the current High School.
• Addition/Renovation – $272 Million
• New Construction (Option 3B) – $273 Million – Preferred Option approved by the Permanent Building Committee.

Public Forum #11 Presentation – Project History and Decision Making Overview

The new school will be located on the existing Shaun F. Beasly Oval and a new field and track will be constructed in front of the new school in the location of the existing school. The new track and field will also be called the Shaun F. Beasly Oval.

10.07.23 New WMHS Site Plan

Renderings of the new school are posted below.

Aerial View from Northwest

Main Entry Elevation

Outdoor Classroom

Outdoor Commons

Dining Commons (Main Entrance/Ground Floor)

Dining Commons (From Media Center (Library/Second Floor)

Media Center (Library)

Media Center (Library) Looking toward Front Entrance

Auditorium

Hallway

The new school will include all academic and academic support spaces required to meet and fulfill the Educational Plan developed by the District.  Floor Plans and a Space Summary of the spaces within the school are posted on the Project’s website. The project also includes full site development and a new Shaun F. Beasly Oval with a track and field.

Wakefield Memorial High School Proposed Space Summary

WMHS First Floor Layout

WMHS Second Floor Layout

WMHS Third Floor Layout

The new school is planned to open at the start of January 2027. The new track and field and remainder of the site will be complete by December 2027. The Project Team will look for ways to accelerate the Project Schedule.

Project Schedule

The design enrollment for the new school is 1,000 students.

MSBA Design Enrollment Certification Letter

Flexibility has been built into the design to accommodate student growth and bubbles in student enrollment from year to year.  MSBA requires planning for a minimum of 15% growth.

WMHS Visioning Kick-Off Meeting

WMHS Visioning Workshop #1 Notes

WMHS Visioning Workshop #1 Recording

WMHS Visioning Workshop #2 Presentation

WMHS Visioning Workshop #2 Notes

WMHS Visioning Workshop #2 Recording

WMHS Visioning Workshop #3 Notes

WMHS Visioning Workshop #3 Recording

WMHS Visioning Workshop #4 Notes

WMHS Visioning Workshop #4 Recording

Project Diagram

Public Forum #11 Presentation – Project History and Decision Making Overview

As part of the Preferred Schematic Report, the District planned in their Budget Analysis for the cost of maintenance and staffing of the new school and will build these costs into the District’s future budgets. This will allow the Facility’s Maintenance Plan to be maintained as required for the size and scope of the new school.

WMHS Budget Statement

Currently, the project;s total project costs are $273 million. The MSBA’s maximum grant to the town will be approx. $65 Million which leads to a maximum town share of approx. $208 Million.

MSBA is an independent public authority that administers and funds a program for grants to eligible cities, towns, and regional school districts for school construction and renovation projects. The MSBA’s grant program for school building construction and renovation projects is a non-entitlement competitive program.  All projects eligible for funding must comply with MSBA’s procedures and standards. MSBA’s Mission: Partner with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally appropriate, flexible, sustainable, and cost-effective public-school facilities.

Link to MSBA: https://www.massschoolbuildings.org/

It is anticipated that funding will be by a Debt Exclusion which would require a referendum election. At a Town Meeting vote, the registered voters would be asked to exempt the amount of the Town’s borrowing from the limits of Proposition 2 and ½.

Description of the Local Process for Authorization and Funding
Wakefield MHS Proposition 2 1/2 Ballot Election Results – Certified Vote

Proposition 2 ½ refers to a Massachusetts General Law enacted in 1980 that places strict limits on the amount of property tax revenue a community can raise through real and personal property taxes.  A debt exclusion is for the purpose of raising funds for debt service costs and is referred to as a debt exclusion. Debt exclusions require voter approval. The additional amount for the payment of debt service is added to the tax levy limit or levy ceiling for the life of the debt only.

The WMHS Debt Service Comparison file below outlines the initial tax payment (schedule) by assessed home value on page 3.

WMHS DEBT SERVICE COMPARISON

Calculate the Tax Impact for Your Property

Wakefield MHS Proposition 2 1/2 Ballot Election Results – Certified Vote

The Town has a program for Seniors that provides opportunities for tax discounts.

Wakefield Senior Tax Discount Program
Link for Seniors: Wakefield Senior Discount Program

The Preferred Schematic Report provides a list of the Town’s current Debt Service and indicates the expiration dates.

Town’s current Debt Service

Wakefield Permanent Building Committee (PBC)
The Wakefield Permanent Building Committee (“PBC”) oversees all projects for design, construction, reconstruction, renovation, alteration, or enlargement of any building owned by the Town, or undertaken on land owned or leased by the Town of Wakefield.

The PBC has the sole authority to procure engineering and architectural services, award bids for construction, enter into contracts on behalf of the Town with respect to matters within its authority, and administer such contracts in accordance with applicable law.

Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”)
The Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”) is a quasi-independent government authority created to reform the process of funding capital improvement projects in the Commonwealth’s public schools. The MSBA strives to work with local communities to create affordable, sustainable, and energy efficient schools across Massachusetts.

The MSBA’s grant program for school building construction and renovation projects is a non-entitlement competitive program. The MSBA’s Board of Directors approves grants based on need and urgency as expressed by the City, Town, Regional School District or independent agricultural and technical school and validated by the MSBA.

LeftField – Owners Project Manager (“OPM”)
LeftField is an Owner’s Representative and Project Management firm, established in 2007. They specialize in owners project management services and have significant experience in the public sector, working with municipalities and building authorities. Leftfield’s staff has managed many MSBA-funded projects since MSBA’s inception in 2004. As an Owners Project Managers, they work in conjunction with the Owner serving as an extension of their staff. Their primary role is to protect the Owner’s interests, to ensure that the Owner is well-served and that the established goals and objectives are met in the most efficient manner, physically and fiscally.

Designer – SMMA

Since 1955, SMMA has forged extraordinary relationships with clients, established an enviable record of success, and designed award-winning environments. From two locations in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island, they are an employee-owned firm specializing in architecture, engineering, interior design, and site design.

Within each of our areas of practice they seek to lead, inspire, and deliver design excellence. For the last three decades, SMMA has designed/is currently designing 70 K-12 schools. For each school, they create learning environments for the next generation while also making the facilities resources for the communities. Their other markets of expertise include Corporate & Commercial, Federal Government, Higher Education, and Science & Technology. SMMA is thought of as leaders in the markets they serve, putting processes in place for continuous improvement, knowledge sharing, and project management.

Construction Manager – Bond Construction

Founded in 1907, BOND’s business model is driven by client focus and the firm’s values: integrity, respect, and trust. As a 5th generation company, BOND offers a wide range of services: preconstruction assistance, construction management, general contracting, and civil and utilities services. BOND Building customizes each construction program by working closely with clients to accommodate their culture and daily activities and to proactively minimize disruption and avoid surprises. We produce high-quality construction on time and on budget, creating customer satisfaction and building ongoing client relationships. BOND routinely manages the safe and orderly operation of significant construction projects in the midst of active campuses, and on occupied and constrained sites.

In April, 2019, the Town of Wakefield submitted a Statement of Interest to the MSBA for Wakefield Memorial High School. The Statement of Interest was the first step in partnering with the MSBA for a potential new Wakefield Memorial High School. In December 2019 the MSBA invited the Town to enter into the Eligibility Period which required the Town to provide certain documentation necessary to meet the MSBA requirements to proceed into the MSBA Core Program and conduct a Feasibility Study.  Having fulfilled the requirements, in December 2020 the MSBA Board formally issued an invitation to the Town to conduct a Feasibility Study.

During the Feasibility Study, the Town and its team collaborated with the MSBA to document existing conditions, generate an initial space summary based on the School Department’s educational program, establish design parameters, develop and evaluate preliminary and final design alternatives, and recommend the most cost effective and educationally appropriate solution for a new High School.

The Feasibility Study is a requirement under of the MSBA’s multi-step approval process in order to qualify for state funded reimbursement for a potential future building project.

The MSBA has developed eight distinct modules that are intended to provide a guide to the procedures and approvals needed for the MSBA and the District to work together in a collaborative manner.

The “Program Overview” and listing of eight modules can be viewed here:
https://www.massschoolbuildings.org/building/modules_overview

Email the project team at WakefieldMHS@leftfieldpm.com