On Tuesday, April 12, New Fairfield’s Permanent Building Committee (PBC) met to discuss the ongoing school construction projects and vote on approval for elementary playground equipment. The committee was also prompted to pay a not-to-exceed fee of $25,000 to redesign an area of the high school. A lengthy discussion followed regarding why these changes were prompted and whether the changes will cause a snowball of financial and schedule ramifications.
Director of Buildings and Grounds Dr. Richard Sanzo explained that during recent conversations about furniture, fixtures, and equipment, staff members flagged two different areas of changes they would like to have made. First, the IT staff realized that data closets that were added following an industry standard at the high school are more than what is needed. They explained that it would simplify maintenance if multiple data closets were scaled back; plus they wanted to have the library and media center space redesigned, including moving a couple of walls, to fit the design change wish list. In addition, other faculty are now hoping to use the closets for general storage.
Mr. Mike Del Monaco pushed back on the changes, saying “we can’t just give carte blanche…what’s driving these changes? I mean, this is the last thing you want to do, unless it’s absolutely necessary.” Sanzo explained that “there are some programs within our school, particularly in the media, learning commons, library area that have evolved over the past couple of years since the original ed specs.” The second set of changes include moving walls, a framing and door swing would change, and electrical and data outlets would be altered. He offered the news that there are some savings projected in the reuse of recently purchased equipment, such as switches, ports, and copiers that would have been applied to the overall project but can instead offset some of the new changes.
Mr. Paul Boniello pointed out that although some expressed hope that these changes could go through very quickly, the plans for these changes would likely take at least a month, especially given that the plans would need to go through the town for approval. O&G’s Mr. Joe Vetro, nervous about stalled work for contractors, such as the framer, repeatedly asked whether he can move ahead with the proposals before the official plans are signed off on but was told that he could not. Caution was called for, instead, especially since the ultimate changes could climb into the six figures. Some committee members questioned the unknowns well, such as how these changes might affect HVAC and more.
Vetro explained that the framer is already near that area and if the design team hasn’t “made those changes, it happens.” There was a discussion about this issue and ultimate agreement that “I really have to stick with the contract” Vetro said. It was agreed that they would change any framing that is installed in the area when the designs are finalized.
About the IT changes, Del Monaco stated, “I wish they had just picked that up during the design process” and Sanzo agreed, saying “To be quite frank, I agree with you and I’ve kind of tried to ask that question as to why are we at this point, right? The same as you’ve asked and we’re now talking about eliminating the closets. I quite honestly haven’t been able to quite get a clear answer on that.” The PBC ultimately agreed to the not-to-exceed $25,000 design fee, with the understanding that they wanted to see and approve the revised designs to monitor scope. They also want the engineers to review the changes.
The PBC and New Fairfield’s Board of Education (BOE) approved the playground plans for the elementary campus, which will allow the design team to take the project to the state for approval before going out to bid. Design staff walked the group through the equipment plans a final time, highlighting a host of climbing apparti, a multitude of swings, a gaga pit, and more. They also mentioned the way that they imagine the spaces will be used, such as a series of backless benches that staff can sit on while supervising. They answered questions from the BOE about safety, division of space between the lower and upper grades, and what a gaga pit was. With an overall budget of $500,000, Colliers International’s Mr. Scott Pellman was “happy to also say that the estimate for the playground installation is about $14,000 below budget.”
It was noted that the abatement, before the demolition of 78 Gillotti, is $100,000 more than originally estimated due to prevalent asbestos in a joint compound that was used throughout the house, in the exterior shingles, and more. “They basically found the whole place contaminated with asbestos,” said Vetro.
Sanzo said that the construction on the school buildings will be full steam ahead during the district’s spring break. Vetro explained that at the elementary school they are working on flooring and have started casework. He also noted that they’ve also just started the sidewalk. PBC members urged O&G to take steps to finalize the schedules for both buildings, and do all hands-on prep, to be ready for the busy summer. Board Chair Mr. Don Kellogg said, “We have to go into the summer knowing exactly what has to get done in that time.” Vetro said that they would work to do that but acknowledged that there will be unknowns.
Vetro noted that the high school site has become a massive storage zone, as he has been procuring as many future materials as possible, to avoid more supply chain delays. “In fact it’s come to the point of having a problem getting guys to be able to get parking because I’ve stored all of our materials,” Vetro said. He went on to say that almost all the concrete has been poured. Interior stud walls are going up throughout and the ductwork is going in place.
The team approved a bit more value engineering for the high school, including downgrading the doors in the back of the auditorium, metal framing, to use shallow molding in lieu of standard molding, and tiling changes. There was also a decision made to change a space behind the existing cafeteria from a masonry wall to drywall.
The next regular Permanent Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 4/26, 7:30 p.m.
By Sarah Opdahl