On Tuesday, October 11, New Fairfield’s Permanent Building Committee (PBC) was pleased to hear that the elementary dismissal’s traffic management is continuing to improve and it was reported that Town Engineer Mr. T ony Iadarola is working very closely with Langan Engineering to complete a plan for more permanent curb cuts to present to the Zoning Commission. In other elementary news, the playground equipment has arrived at the campus and installation is expected to be complete on or around Thanksgiving w eek.

The PBC briefly discussed a request by Town Finance Director Ms. Olga Melnikov for the committee to approve transferring funds from the contingency account to the construction account when the items are proposed rather than after approval. Understandably confused, since this would assume approval for all requests, the committee chose to table the request to ask for justification.

PBC members doubled down on a request for a summation of cost savings and expenditures for the last-minute switches to the high school’s data closets, media center, and more earlier this year. They have asked for this from Colliers at previous meetings but it is not complete. “I think it’s important for us on the PBC to understand all that money and where it came from and where it went,” PBC Chair Mr. Don Kellogg said.

In an update on the Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for the elementary addition, Colliers International’s Mr. Mark Schweitzer explained that final “as builts” are being reviewed. The construction team is quickly working to fix issues as they arise, such as fourteen areas that needed altering in the ceilings in the previous week. The construction and design teams are continuing to finalize the punch list for the elementary campus.

O&Gs Mr. Joe Vetro gave an update on the new high school construction, highlighting that glass is being installed throughout the building and the greenhouse area in the science wing is underway. Construction crews are also adding metal panels around the windows. All masonry is nearly complete in the gymnasium, which is the area that was most delayed by a mason shortage and is the final space that needs masonry. The PBC approved expenses for temporary heat for the site for workers to be comfortable working through the cold temperatures that are approaching. There continue to be supply chain issues affecting some materials, such as lighting, and there is ongoing research for possible substitutions.

There were a series of change orders approved for landscaping alterations, detention pond stabilization, an added sidewalk on the elementary campus, new gates for the elementary fencing, countertop modifications, added fire door technology, and more. The next regular Permanent Bui lding Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 25, 7:30 p.m.

By Sarah Opdahl