|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
SPENCER/EAST BROOKFIELD – The team working on the new David Prouty High School building project highlighted milestones, approved change orders and discussed topics including installation of a time capsule at its most recent meeting.
Nick Pimentel, representing Colliers (owner project manager), noted the start of 2025 would mark the last six or seven months of phase one, a step in the process he described as “huge.”
He said furniture bids are done and out for procurement. In January and February, the focus will be on technology so that when the new school is occupied in September 2025, it will be fully furnished, Pimentel said.
To date, $4.5 million of work has been put into the contract for Fontaine Brothers, with $2.9 million of that associated with the Massachusetts School Building Authority grant.
Ed Kopec of Fontaine Brothers reported on work including areas anticipated to occur during the second and third week of January such as gym and pre-K storefronts; gym drywall and painting; the south wing roof; ceilings followed by tiles; and transformer installation.
Ongoing work “for the foreseeable future,” he said, involves electrical, ductwork and boiler.
Kopec said ongoing drainage improvements by Dippin’ Donuts is “another big piece of this puzzle,” as are other milestones like construction of stairs providing access to all levels and putting binder down for road paving when the seasons change.
Chair Mike Ethier said he is looking forward to April when committee members will again have a tour prior to a meeting to see the progress that has been made over the last few months.
The committee voted an amount “not to exceed” $113,595 toward furniture, fixtures and equipment from the owner’s contingency budget, leaving $1,386,404 in that account.
Following an explanation from Kristian Whitsett of architect Jones Whitsett, the committee approved $441,461 in change orders, leaving the new contract sum at $95.3 million.
Among the larger ticket items were $235,925 for additional storm water improvement work; $80,510 for kitchen layout modifications; $32,891 for interior ground electrical support; $22,534 for additional camera locations at the gym and auditorium; $21,495 for football field irrigation, and the balance for several smaller expenses.
In other business, Steve Hemman of the Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS), talked about putting a time capsule in behind a plaque in the school’s main vestibule.
Hemman noted it is a traditional practice to gather items reflecting the times – keeping in mind that simply putting a thumb drive of materials would not work and could go the way of the floppy disk and be obsolete.
Whitsett said they will hollow a rectangle out of the wall, providing a “great spot for it.”
Members spoke about involving students with the help of school administrators and putting the contents of the time capsule in when the ribbon cutting ceremony is held.
Board member Heather Messier said she had been contacted by the owner of the Spencer Country Inn, who wanted to donate the original David Prouty bell. Messier said she reached out to Superintendent Paul Haughey about the donation.
The School Committee is the entity that must accept such a gift.
Members discussed whether the bell should be preserved inside or outside the building. Ethier said they could get more information for the next meeting on the bell’s size, composition, etc.
Board member Ralph Hicks noted he had seen bells in the foyers of other schools and it would be better preserved when protected from the elements outside.
A subcommittee will meet on January 13 and the board next meets on January 27.
