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SPENCER/EAST BROOKFIELD – Following up on discussions from last month’s meeting, the David Prouty High School Building Committee heard an update about the project’s demolition contractor setting aside bricks to be transformed into an alumni wall or bench featuring names and dates of graduation.
However, when the structure came down (“B” wing), “it crumbled and crashed and was not salvageable as we hoped,” Nick Pimentel of Colliers (OPM) said. He described the bricks as “disintegrating” and in a condition that would not allow them to be used for another purpose.
Stephen Hemman of the Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools said he had spoken with new principal Mary LaFreniere about a memorial wall in the future being done outside of the construction process.
In another follow up, the board voted to buy a new 20’ by 20’ storage trailer (container) for $3,650 locally at Island Industries. Members were given the options of renting a unit ($1,900 monthly), getting a refurbished container ($2,350) or the new one.
A different vendor quoted a price of around $6,000, which was reviewed at the last meeting.
At the time, member Mark Carpentier spoke about his familiarity with the local business and said that he would check prices.
The storage trailer will house facilities and custodial equipment during the construction process. Afterwards, Superintendent Paul Haughey said the container could be used for athletic equipment like hurdles, mats, etc.
Gary Suter, the district’s business manager, said storage space is needed for school records (archives) such as payroll invoices.
Haughey said keeping the trailer on a permanent basis allows for multi purposes and it would not sit empty.
In other business, Nicole Ferreira of Fontaine Brothers showed photographs to committee members to highlight the project’s progress. These included the Pre-K temporary server area, the gymnasium, locker rooms, tiled corridors, and life skills, science and criminal justice classrooms.
She also reviewed photos of the back side of the “A” wing, which has been demolished completely and said there have been inquiries regarding where the piled fill will go.
Ferreira said most of the fill will be re-used and is not available.
Haughey asked to be informed if there is any extra down the line.
On the financial side, a total of approximately $4.3 million in invoices was approved. The bulk of that amount was for Fontaine Brothers ($4 million) with the next highest being Jones Whitsett Architects at $88,444.
Pimental reported budget contingency at $1.9 million.
The next DPHS Building Committee is scheduled on August 21 at 6 p.m., via Zoom. The September 18 meeting will take place at DPHS with a site visit at 5 p.m. and meeting at 6 p.m. There will also be a Zoom option.
