By Sarah Opdahl

New Fairfield’s elementary playground continued to be a topic of discussion for Town’s Permanent Building Committee (PBC) at their meeting on Tuesday, October 10. The high tower, a piece of playground equipment that was out of commission for several months, was reconstructed and can now be enjoyed by students. Other out-of-commission equipment is slated for future repair. PBC members were dismayed to hear that, even when the installers are able to replace the play surface that is failing in many spots at some point in the future, they will only replace the top layer. According to Colliers International’s Mr. Mark Schweitzer they do not cut away material to the sub base. Originally, the PBC wanted to investigate the base layer to see if there are indicators to explain why the surface is failing. The next step is to test the base in one area.

Exhaust fume hoods in the science classrooms, which were discussed at length at the previous PBC meeting, continued to be a topic of interest. The hoods, which are set up to run continuously when the building is occupied, are noisy due to the air that is moving through them. The sound has been described as a “st andard air noise,” by engineers, and it was likened to background noise. However, New Fairfield High School Principal Mr. James D’Amico explained that the hoods are making enough “pronounced white noise” to make it hard for students to hear their teachers. “It really does affect the quality of the teaching in the room when those hoods are on, which is the entire school day,” D’Amico said. Making the matter worse, the students are not able to move closer to the teacher, as they are sitting at set stations. Teachers have requested manual control of the fans, however, that is not the best current safety practice. PBC members discussed possible solutions, including adjusting the mounting and adding a way to close the sash. They will revisit the issue once more investigation is completed.

Schweitzer explained that all cameras were installed and turned over to the high school, however, he noted that two additional new cameras were requested.

&G is working through substantial completion punch lists at the new high school. One item involves adding cooling in the construction lab, or woodshop, which is outfitted with a dust collector. Any time a machine is turned on, the dust collector turns on. Chair Mr. Don Kellogg explained, “the room was designed without air conditioning due to this, because…all the cold air would be going out with the dust.” This is the only room in the new high school without cooling. The idea now is to “install cooling and interlock it with the dust collector…as you turn the dust collector on, the cooling would be shut off.” The cooling unit would serve simultaneously as a dehumidifier in the room to combat the  water in the air.

In ad dition to the general punch list items, it was reported that the furnishings, fixtures, and equipment punch list is currently being addressed at the high school. Two vendors were onsite on the day of this meeting. Other vendors are waiting for backordered items. It was explained that these items will be installed seamlessly without impacting the current curriculum or how the school operates.

At the elementary school, there are a handful of items on the punch list, including some painting and lighting inside a walk-in cooler that takes on moisture even though it is sealed. Additionally, there is some concern regarding light controllers that have quickly gone bad.

The old high school’s demolition is nearly complete, though the contractor will still be working on cleaning up and removing all the foundations and debris until late October or early November. There are many issues that the contractors are juggling, including steel changes that are likely needed because the existing structural steel is different from what was anticipated when the building was intact. Also, one of the columns is further south than was anticipated.  Each such issue is being addressed.

For what will be the middle school wall, workers completed demolition on one bay back, and will finalize the wall when all demolition is done and cleaned up. To protect the space from the elements, a heavy poly was erected. With a large opening, however, it is hard to maintain with the heavy amount of wind the site receives. There is ongoing discussion about whether to add an overhead door to the water room.

The next regular Permanent Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 24, 7:30 p.m.