Meeting Minutes 3/10/09

The following are the notes from our first meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 focusing on how use the courtyard space between G, E & D corridors. This meeting was an opportunity for Algonquin only students/groups/faculty to have input on how this outdoor space will be used.

Meeting Attendees:
John Barry
Diane DeSantis
Paul DiDomenico
Chrissy Connolly
Wendy Ascher
Susan Whalen
Andy Mariotti
Chrissy Doucette
Lauren Osepchuck
Bud Richardson
Mike Gorman
Kim Mitchell
Karen Perry
Rosanna Giorlandino
Michelle Sheppard
Susan Halpin

Theme/Use of Courtyard Space

• After much discussion it was agreed that this courtyard would be used as a quiet, contemplative outdoor space for students and faculty to enjoy. There will be several areas that will be dedicated to specific purposes such as memorials for ARHS faculty and students, a vegetable garden to be used as an outdoor lab for classes, and perennial flower garden.
• This will not be a space for students to play Frisbee and have athletic games.
• School groups such as Art Honor Society will be encouraged to contribute and showcase work to enhance the garden theme.
• The courtyard will be a community effort where members of the Algonquin/Northborough/Southborough community will work with each other to create this space.
• We will work with the current master plan and change it to fit our budget, needs, and ideas. It is very important that the courtyard space have a cohesive, aesthetic beauty and not be a “hodge podge” of ideas.
• We will work in phases as money and time permits to add parts to this garden area. A brick walkway through the courtyard joining D & G corridors will be in the first phase. The vegetable & perennial garden consisting of 3foot wide raised beds will also be in the first phase.
  

Time Frame

• The brick walkway and raised bed vegetable and perennial gardens will be in phase 1 to begin in the next few weeks. This plan is entirely dependent on money and man power. As we change the master plan to fit our new ideas and needs we will phase in the additional ideas.

School/Community Help

• ARHS CLEAN group, and National Honor Society has offered their help right away. Life Skills students are willing to take on active rolls in planting and maintenance.
• Northborough Garden Club, Southborough Garden Club, Northborough Senior Center, and local landscapers will be contacted to see if labor or material donations may be possible.
• Several members of the Algonquin parent committee have already volunteered plants and time to help us with our project after seeing articles in the Harbinger and APTO Newsletter.
• Northborough Venture Crew 11 (Co-ed division of the Boy Scouts) has offered their help. Members are Algonquin students as well.
  

Money & Fund Raising

• Selling bricks to fund the walkway was suggested.
• Class gifts from previous graduating classes may be available to help fund our project.
• Murphy Sisters Foundation may be a funding possibility.
  

Issues to be Worked Out

• Taking care of the garden during summer break. Several members of the group that work through the summer have offered their personal time to water and weed.
• Perhaps an online watering/weeding schedule for the summer will be developed.
• Organizing some Saturday work days to assemble, fill and plant the raised beds in the next month or 2.
  

Action Items

• Susan Halpin will lead the committee to get the raised vegetable and perennial gardens created this spring.
• Susan Halpin will contact members of the community (Garden clubs, local landscapers) to inquire about help.
• Susan Halpin will apply for the Southborough Ed Foundation grant.
• Diane DeSantis has offered help from National Honor Society. Students will have the opportunity to earn their monthly community service hours helping with this project.
• Bud Richardson will research best materials with which to construct the raised beds.
• Mike Gorman will work with local landscapers to tweak the current architectural plan to best suit our needs and budget.
• Mike Gorman will create the budget needed for the ideas presented.
• All members of the group will be looking for grants and other sources of funding we can apply for.