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SPENCER/EAST BROOKFIELD – The Spencer-East Brookfield School Building Committee on November 21 voted to approve funding for furniture and other expenses and heard work and financial updates about the $116 million David Prouty High project.
Kristian Whitsett of Jones Whitsett Architects said “there is nothing as complicated as bidding out furniture,” when presenting a $1,137,921 list to proceed with purchase orders.
He explained that procuring furniture takes longer than equipment and would be done as soon as possible, eventually being installed in two timelines within the project.
He explained there are a variety of ways to procure furniture including through bids (as are done with construction). To capture savings, Whitsett said, specific items can be chosen from each of the bidders.
Other means are through the Collaborative Procurement Program of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to take advantage of bulk purchasing on some things and via the Massachusetts Higher Education Consortium, which Whitsett said is available throughout New England and “all part of stringent procurement laws.”
He said it is “time consuming but well worth it,” to select the low bid for each item from WB Mason, Hurtz and COR.
Stefura Associates is the consultant for furniture.
Whitsett said the board will be asked to address equipment needs later because there is more flexibility with delivery times. They are in the process of trying to bring costs down while still ensuring the district gets what it needs, he said.
He added that contingency funds may have to be used for equipment.
The building committee also voted to approve approximately $57,000 worth of reimbursable services for things like stormwater application and permitting fees, costs related to Department of Transportation (DOT) permits and changes to the site’s scope.
Overall, that takes the cost of proposals to $692,784. Whitsett said $1,075,000 has been set aside for these expenses and at “just under $700,000…we still have plenty of room in the budget.”
Another change order list for $271,055 was approved. Some of the higher ticket items there were modifications to the ceiling for the weight room and criminal justice room ($23,947); tapered roof insulation changes above the existing auditorium ($25,500); and an additional pier inside of the ICF wall to ensure structural stability ($56,952).
Also included was $119,439 for the irrigation system underneath the football field. Whitsett said this work was part of the MSBA grant that added $4.5 million in extra funding to the project.
The work does not include plumbing and electrical but he expects that to cost $25,000 and keep the total under the $150,000 target.
“Overall, we’re tracking very well compared to the approximate cost for these MSBA additional funding line items,” he said.
Ed Kopec of Fontaine Brothers noted that there is a lot going on at the site with “a lot of new trades getting introduced.”
Kopec said drainage improvements by the baseball fields would continue through early December and the following week would get into abutters’ areas.
Resident Dawn Stevens of Greenville Street said she is concerned about water problems and how they will impact her property.
Whitsett replied that the drainage work they are doing now is an improvement over what was depicted in the original construction documents.
Superintendent of Schools Paul Haughey suggested the architect meet Stevens “to walk her through the plans,” and give answers to her concerns.
Kopec also reviewed ongoing work and timing. He noted December would feature tasks like the roof of the Pre-K area; gym storefronts, concessions, drywall and framing, electricals, etc
“It’s going to start to look like a real school and it is going to happen real fast,” he said.
Haughey noted that photos of the project’s progress can be found on the school district’s website with updates done twice per week.
The next two meetings will be held on December 19 and January 16, both at 6 p.m. by Zoom. A February meeting will also be held via Zoom with an exact date to be determined.
