By Sarah Opdahl

 New Fairfield’s Permanent Building Committee (PBC) met on Tuesday, August 8 to discuss the rapid-paced construction site at the new high school. With less than a month until school opens, the school and surrounding property are abuzz with everything from furniture installation to continued parking lot creation. Conscious of a squeaky-tight timeline, the PBC, was happy to hear the site is progressing as expected and a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy is nearing their grasp.

Final cleaning and placement of items, such as the choir room’s bleachers, were part of the highlights share d by O&G’s Mr. Joe Vetro. In addition to new items, the school was recently filled with heaps of boxes that contain items saved from the former high school. In addition to the moves, testing is occurring on various systems for the new high school. Fire alarm and lighting testing is ongoing. Though many tests have passed, some tweaks were needed, such as the decibel level of the horn strobe that needed increasing for fire safety. An underdrain issue is being discussed for the exit drive and it was noted that “it appears all the heating and ventilation issues have gotten resolved.” Timing is critical for any fixes, as State officials need to inspect each aspect of the school before it can open.

PBC members asked for an update on training for district facilities staff, which will be critical in the handoff. Though O&G will have a presence on site for the near future, given the work that is needed on the demolition and exterior, handing over the building to internal staff is of utmost importance. Vetro explained training will be spread over the next few weeks to avoid inundating the staff with too much information at once. The PBC also asked all involved to support the school administrators in making the transition for staff and students as seamless as possible. Way finder signs and other navigational devices were identified as needed items.

In readying the former high school for demolition there were significant issues found that may complicate a smooth closing and shoring up of the Middle School. Most interior demolition of the auditorium is now complete, with all masonry down, but the wall where the demolition will cease is more complex than previously expected. One issue is the elevator that abuts the auditorium wall—it is apparent that this was constructed later than the surrounding building. PBC Chair Mr. Don Kellogg explained, “That whole alcove area was constr ucted after the auditorium and stairs to the pool were constructed to kind of fill in to create the elevator, presumably for ADA compliance.” He went on to say, “that piece of the building was constructed up against the exterior precast panels of the auditorium. The structural engineer is evaluating exactly whether or not that precast needs to stay in,” and if so, how to support it.

A second issue that arose, the demolition crew “did not find a foundation that’s running on the East/West Point…the side of the auditorium…they didn’t find a foundation wall,” Kellogg said. It appears there was a continuous slab pour down into the auditorium, though more investigation is needed. A flurry of activities, including digging test pits, removing additional masonry, and other measures, are planned in this area to ascertain best next steps in conjunction with the project’s structural engineer .

At the elementary school, playground issues reported on in past months remain. Colliers International’s Mr. Mark Schweitzer has pressed the manufacturers to have a plan in place to remediate all issues before the school year begins. In addition, tests were run with buses following driveway work. Schweitzer said, “It was better,” though “there was still some encroachment on the oncoming traffic lane.” He went on to describe tri als with various bus amounts and, though no scenario was perfec t, they are “still working through that.” An eleven-month walkthrough was completed with the administration and items were identified for repair. Schweitzer noted that it is primarily millwork doors that are not sitting properly or closing properly.

The next regular Permanent Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 22, 7:30 p.m.