THOMPSON SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
Monday, April 17, 2006
Thompson Middle School Media Center
Minutes
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman David Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Members Absent:
David Johnson, Chairman Laurence Consiglio, Vice-Chairman
Suzanne Wargo, Secretary James Naum
Merc Robbins Fred Wojick
Jody Houghton Joseph Adiletta
Robert Bentley
John Rice
William Witkowski
Also present:
Vikas Nagardeoleker, Fletcher Thompson, Project Architect
Steven Kononchik, Gilbane
Michael Martin, Financial Director of the Town of Thompson
Dr. Michael Jolin, Superintendent of Schools
Bill Birch, Director of Facilities
III. CITIZENS COMMENTS
None.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Robert Bentley, seconded by Jody Houghton to approve the minutes of the March 6, 2006 minutes. John Rice asked that clarification be added under COMMUNICATIONS regarding the Letter from William H. St. Onge in that a sentence be added to the end of the last paragraph stating. ³(land purchase re: Crystal Water to the Town of Thompson)². Motion was amended to include this language. Passed‹Unanimous.
V. REPORT OF THE FINANCIAL DIRECTOR‹MICHAEL MARTIN
Michael Martin presented the report of the Financial Director.
VI. PAYMENT OF BILLS
The statement for secretarial services was provided to the Board for is information.
Motion by John Rice, seconded by Merc Robbins to approve payment of Invoice #7 from Gilbane dated April 3, 2006 in the amount of $6,250.00. A roll call vote was taken. All members voted yes. Passed‹Unanimous.
Motion by Suzanne Wargo, seconded by Robert Bentley to authorize release of payment to the State of Connecticut Dept. of Environmental Protection for the DEP Stormwater Permit in the amount of $500.00. This payment had previously been authorized by the Chairman. A roll call vote was taken. All members voted yes. Passed‹Unanimous.
Motion by Merc Robbins, seconded by John Rice to approve payment of Invoice #015878 from Silktown Roofing dated February 28, 2006 in the amount of $522.24. It was noted that Gilbane asked for roof cuts in order to conduct testing. The roof cuts were authorized last month by the Committee with an estimated cost of $1,200.00. A roll call vote was taken. All members voted yes. Passed‹Unanimous.
Motion by John Rice, seconded by Robert Bentley to approve payment of Invoice #0010709 from Fletcher Thompson dated March 23, 2006 in the amount of $142,848.43. A roll call vote was taken. All members voted yes. Passed‹Unanimous.
Motion by Robert Bentley, seconded by John Rice to approve payment of Invoice #3716 from Smith & Wessel Associates, Inc. dated February 1, 2006 in the amount of $7,830.95. It was noted that Gilbane has approved the payment of this invoice. It was noted this invoice is for the initial study only. A roll call vote was taken. All members voted yes. Passed‹Unanimous.
VII. REPORT OF THE ARCHITECT
Vikas Nagardeoleker presented the report of the architect.
The survey is completed and has been received from CME. The survey was necessary to finalize design documents before submission to the State.
An Application has been submitted to the State Traffic Commission regarding drainage issues. Correspondence has been going back and forth and the Commission is asking for more information. The project is decreasing the drainage needs. Fletcher Thompson will continue to monitor this issue while the approval is pending.
Vikas discussed the alternates that are being considered at this point:
1. Repairs to the track $ 75,000.00
2. Pave the overflow parking 43,092.00
3. Replacement of Middle School
Stairs 19,286.00
4. Renovation of Middle School
Band Room (demolition of
Office and practice room) no cost est. at this time
5. Replacement of corridor ceiling
Tiles no cost est. at this time
6. Standard roof deck vs.
Acoustical tile in multi
Purpose room deduction
7. Add existing emergency lighting
To the emergency generator no cost est. at this time
8. Multi purpose room seating 16,000.00
Discussion was held regarding item no. 7. Vikas noted that all new construction would be tied into the emergency generator and will have emergency lighting. In addition, each school will have a certain large area that will be designated as emergency area and lighting will be provided to those areas. If the existing emergency lighting is tied into the generator it will increase the load to the generator thus making the need for a larger, more expensive generator. In addition, all areas that are added to the generator will undergro further ADA scrutiny with additional handicapped accessibility enhancements required. Robert Bentley asked if Bill Birch and Dr. Jolin are comfortable with the replacement of batteries in the existing emergency lighting on a regular basis. Dr. Jolin and Bill Birch responded that they are both comfortable with the replacement schedule. Jody Houghton asked if the existing emergency lighting meets codes. Bill Birch responded that it does meet code. Robert Bentley asked about the replacement of ceiling tiles. It was noted the cost to replace the ceiling tiles is not reimbursable.
David Johnson asked Bill Birch to provide an update on the possible grant from the Department of Public Utilities Control. This grant would allow the school to take advantage of savings and rebates if we agree to go onto the generator at certain peak times during the year thus reducing the load on CL&P. Research will be done on this and the pros and cons to participating in this program will be reviewed. Savings could be substantial and advantageous.
Exterior Signage was discussed. There is a $5,000.00 placeholder in the design documents for signage. Possible signage was discussed including signs on Route 12 indicating the school entrances. The possibility of naming the Early Childhood Center and auditorium was discussed. David Johnson asked the committee to consider any names they would associate with these two buildings and bring them to the Committee¹s attention by August. A former Superintendent of Schools, Jerry Ryscavage was discussed as a possible name for the auditorium. Discussion was held in consideration of naming the Early Childhood Center the Thompson Early Childhood Center.
Vikas reported a focus group has been established to work on selecting the playground design and equipment. The budget for this includes $30,000 for equipment and $4,000 for surfacing.
The PCT is scheduled for April 25, 2006
The next subcommittee meeting is scheduled for May 18, 2006
The next Building Committee meeting is scheduled for May 22, 2006
VIII. REPORT OF THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
Steve Kononchik reported the project is on schedule. The bids for the abatement project are due this week. There is a 90 day turnaround time from the date of the PCT which would allow for the bids to go out after Labor Day.
Steven Kononchik recommended a Construction Sub Committee be formed to meet with the construction manager to deal with day to day minor construction issues. It was suggested the committee be authorized up to a certain dollar amount. The recommendation was 4 members who can meet on a weekly basis and more often if needed.
After discussion, William Witkowski, Fred Wojick, John Rice and David Johnson were chosen for this committee.
Motion by Merc Robbins, seconded by Jody Houghton to form a Subcommittee to meet with the Construction Manager, as needed, with the Construction Manager to have an authorized decision limit of $10,000.00 and the Subcommittee to have an authorized decision limit of $25,000.00 based on a minimum 3 out of the 4 member approval and any level above that amount will be presented to the full School Building Committee for approval. In an emergency 2 out of 4 members or 3 out of 4 members at a regularly scheduled subcommittee meeting can authorize changes. A roll call vote was taken. All members voted yes. Passed‹Unanimous.
A meeting with the Town is needed to discuss egress during construction. Temporary emergency egress needs to be developed and reviewed with the Town. Jody Houghton asked if practice drills will be conducted with students to evacuate the building if necessary. Steve Kononchik stated he would consider this possibility.
IX. REPORT OF THE BUILDING SUB-COMMITTEE
The naming of the Early Childhood Center was previously discussed.
X. COMMUNICATIONS
The following communications were provided in the Board¹s packet for their review:
Letter dated March 8, 2006 from Matt Stosse of Connecticut Water (Crystal Water) to Dennis Blanchette, J&D Civil Engineers regarding the installation of the water line.
Letter from Matt Stosse of Connecticut Water (Crystal Water) to Jo Cohen of Fletcher Thompson regarding denial of irrigation request.
Email response dated March 24, 2006 from Gilbane to David Johnson regarding the cost estimate for emergency lighting.
Project Status Updated dated March 24, 2006 from Fletcher Thompson regarding drainage, emergency lighting and exterior signage.
Letter dated April 3, 2006 from Janet Blanchette of J&D Civil Engineering to Robin Cabelus Executive Director of the State Traffic Commission regarding STC application and the traffic investigation report.
Letter to Dr. Jolin dated March 14, 2006 from David Wedge, Bureau of School Facilities regarding approval of final plans.
In addition, a letter was received from Gordon Richardson requesting a meeting to be considered as project manager. Dr. Jolin will contact Mr. Richardson with an appropriate response.
A letter was received from Fletcher Thompson¹s auditors. This letter is a standard annual procedure and David Johnson insure that a response is provided.
XI. CHANGE ORDERS
None.
XII. OTHER BUSINESS
The next Building Committee meeting will be May 22, 2006. It was noted the asbestos abatement bids will be available at that meeting.
XIII. PUBLIC
COMMENT
None.
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Robert Bentley, seconded by John Rice to adjourn the meeting. Passed‹Unanimous.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Roberta Baublitz
Recording Secretary