New Fairfield’s Permanent Building Committee (PBC) met on Tuesday, June 28, to discuss the Consolidated property and the new school buildings. In moving forward on the demolition of Consolidated, the PBC discussed how elaborate the design and ensuing work will be in regards to a potential bus lot on the property. First described as “grading” in the area of the potential bus lot, it was noted that a l arge amount of drainage and ot her work will be needed if the bus lot proceeds in that location. Colliers International’s Mr. Scott Pellman said that they would take the matter “offline” with the team. He did say that he doesn’t “want to provide extra fill on the site or do anything that [would mean] if a decision was made later, you would have to do negative work. So I think we need to take a look at that with the design team. And then we’ll provide an update to the full committee.” The goal is to bring the Consolidated demolition property documents to the state for review and approval at the end of July.

Colliers International’s Mr. Mark Schweitzer gave an update on the move from Consolidated to Meeting House Hill School (MHHS). He explained that they were able to move into existing spaces, such as the library and the reading room and book room. All internal moves at MHHS have also already happened.

O&G’s Mr. Zack Rowley assured PBC members that the schedule to open the elementary campus is on track. He showed photos of finished spaces and pointed out the areas that still need to be addressed, such as a section that was waiting for lockers to arrive and be installed. The gym flooring is being installed and the rock climbing wall and basketball hoops are now in place. Rowley also explained that they have just completed the blasting and excavated for the underground fire protection storage tanks.

There was a report from O&G’s Mr. Joe Vetro about t he new high school detailing the work that’s being done on electrical systems and sheetrock. He showed photos of the library/media center and of the exterior brickwork that’s being installed. Vetro said, “they’re moving along now with the veneer that we’ll be starting in a couple of weeks,” and said that the windows would be next, “so we’re right on schedule–where we need to be right at this point in time.” There was a discussion about testing the plumbing and tanks for leaks.

JCJ Architecture’s Ms. Christine O’Hare explained that the design team has been busy finalizing the furnishings, fixtures, and technology (FFT) package for the high school with district staff. “We still are gathering some pricing information so we weren’t ready to discuss it tonight. We think actually, probably mid-July is when we’ll have the most up-to-date information.” She said that JCJ Architecture is planning to be at the elementary campus to help with install logistics for a few week period when the FFT is being delivered.

There were a number of potential change orders for the Committee to discuss including unexpected abatement and demolition for the existing structure at MHHS’s East entrance. There were also additional funds requested for the movement and re-installation of 21 Smart Boards from Consolidated to MHHS. There are also 14 Smart Boards at MHHS that need to be installed in the existing classrooms. MHHS has used a different type of board, and reusing the Smart Boards will ensure that the campus is on the same technology. Other approvals included additional funds to take care of conduits in separating the Middle and High School and additional plumbing needs.

The Permanent Building Committee’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 12, 7:30 p.m.

By Sarah Opdahl