On Tuesday, March 8, New Fairfield’s Permanent Building Committee (PBC) met to discuss the two new school buildings. They also thanked Ms. Ann Brown, who recently resigned from the committee, and welcomed new member Ms. Maureen Clegg.
Colliers International’s Mr. Mark Schweitzer reported on the status of the Consolidated Early Learning Academy (CELA) Furnishing, Fixtures, Equipment, and Technology packages. Minor changes have been made at the request of the state’s Office of School Construction & Grants Review. There’s hope that those will be approved and will soon go out to bid. All parties have an eye on the calendar, as the school opens in less than six months.
CELA’s next approval chain involves the playground equipment selections. There will be an equipment review at an upcoming PBC meeting, in addition to a joint approval of equipment for the PBC and the town’s school board.
Invoice and change order approvals at the meeting revolved around value engineering, especially on the high school project, with PBC member Mr. Mike Del Monaco requesting confirmation on the proper credit amount for a switch in electrical cables that should be far less costly in material and labor. Much discussion is being had and many decisions are being made regarding change orders and invoices at a Friday weekly meeting that had been referred as a “subcommittee” meetings but, as of this meeting, are now being called “work group” meetings. It was noted that the state guidance on the grant funding split for the high school and the existing locker room repairs, a matter that has been touched upon at recent PBC meetings, has still not been determined.
The report on CELA’s construction site accompanied photos of classroom painting and final drywall installation. O&G’s Mr. Zach Rowley stated that there are small portions of the roof that need to be completed, but that the schedule is on track. He explained that a large slab will be poured outside of the addition to Meeting House Hill School during the school’s spring break in April. When asked, he clarified that all current plans meet the parameters of the critical path and that there are no procurement issues with remaining construction materials at this point. There was a change order requested and approved for higher technology capability in a classroom.
The high school’s construction site is moving forward with roof insulation and fireproofing. Seeing photos of the fire-proof sprayed elements, New Fairfield’s Fire Marshall Mr. Derrik Guertin asked to see the spray’s specifications, especially given that the sprayed areas in the photos were exposed to the elements. O&Gs Mr. Joe Vetro assured Guertin that all specs are being followed, including watching temperatures closely, as the spray cannot be applied under 40 degrees. Slabs are being poured and steel is going into place in the main lobby, the gym, and more. Vetro detailed a dance that he is doing with plastic sheeting that is allowing areas of the building to proceed efficiently in terms of both productivity and cost.
There was a brief discussion regarding what had been Meeting House Hill School’s playground equipment. Though some PBC members thought that the equipment was being stored, they learned that it was not salvaged in the demolition last summer. They asked all parties to consider how best to save appropriate Consolidated playground equipment before any demolition proceeds.
The next regular Permanent Building Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, March 22, 7:30 p.m.
By Sarah Opdahl