001I am again. >> We're ready when you were on. >> It was a gift. >> Well, it's a gift to this company. >> The healthy car is a good >> Okay, we we're not going to wait. So, yeah, that's seven. We're going to go ahead. >> As far as I know, they're both JC. You nailed it. >> Good. Amy, >> did you see Ed in the parking? >> I did. >> Come on. Okay, good evening. It's 7 o'clock. Welcome to the Summer's Board of Education meeting, Monday, October 27th. Rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay. Tonight we um want to welcome Dr. Galloway who's
002watching the meeting from home. So, he had his rotator cuff surgery. He's doing great. He'll be back in sometime this week. So, we wish him well. So, we'll start off with a a motion for approval of minutes from October 14th. That's from Kim and a second from Shane. Corrections, additions. All those in favor? One, two, three, four, five. I think six and we have two extensions. >> Okay. >> Thank [clears throat] you. >> Okay. Administrative reports. So, with the absence of the superintendent, we're going to skip down to number two. Um, introduction of student representatives. Jamie. >> All right. We have six students this year. So, we are very excited to introduce them. F um five of the six are here. We've decided to put them on a little bit of a rotation so that
003you will see three of them um every other month. So, three and three. So, your October, January, March, and May crew are going to be Carolyn, who you recognize from last year, >> John Breton, who you should also recognize because he also received an award here last year, >> and Daniela Powki. And our second group is going to be November, February, April, and June. We have Aiden Rich, Jessica Chen, and Aza Drama. And Aza was not able to be here because of a work schedule change um at the last minute. So, but with that being said, this week I'm going to turn it or this this month I'm going to turn it over to Carolyn, John, and Daniela. All right. So, for recent activities we've had at the high school, we've had the pep rally
004and spirit week where we all kind of got together as a school, showed our spirit. Uh pep rally, we did things like uh dodgeball, tugof-war, um we did relay races, seniors won for the usual. They cheated. Seniors won and then junior second, sophomores third, freshman fourth. How it should be. And Yeah, >> we had the homecoming dance where all the classes came together, raised money for future senior activities, and then we just want to thank all the teachers and all those who helped volunteer for the dance to work out the way it did. The homecoming dance is a really cool structure and they started this last year where every class has skin in the game in some way, shape or form. So like freshmen might sell tickets and seniors will do the setup, juniors will
005do the cleanup and at the end they split out the money that they earn to the different classes and by a percentage and it's >> 40 30 2010 y >> by grade level. So as you move up to grade level you get a higher percentage of the earnings from the >> Okay. So after our oncoming years, we had our college fair where we had around 70 colleges come and students of all grades could come and ask questions and talk to people from the school just to learn more about them. And then after that we had our PSATs which went really well and we'll get our scores back I think in the next one to two weeks. And we also had our scarecrow festival where juniors and seniors raise money for senior activities and um we
006did that through making scarecrows decorating spooky barn and the juniors specifically also had a food visit. >> Uh okay. Then we had the uh EC US history field trip to Boston uh where the junior class went to uh we walked the freedom jail and we went to Daniel Hall um for lunch and then we came home pretty early. Um then the band marched at the uh Big E. Um it was about a mile. We played a Seven Nation Army. Um and then we also played that for the Fourtown Fair parade. Um and at the four time fair, the juniors had a fundraiser. They sold drinks and snacks. And then uh the seniors also had their uh annual dump tank which went well as well. >> Here's some pictures from all the events. >> Can I'm
007just going to point out one picture. So, all these are all of the events, but there's one student that is in there that has um his Chromebook in front of him in the middle on the top. And these are um the high school partnered with Bumpa Build. >> Oh, cool. >> And we had Bumpa Bumpa um Adam Reard and um Justin Felch and myself throughout the summer. We designed a a cell phone holder for the front of our Chromebooks. And that is the >> image of them being used during a recent algebra test. >> Interesting. >> And then there's some upcoming activities throughout the month. On Thursday, we have a French field trip with our table where the French students will learn about some French cuisine and get to make some great food. >> Uh,
008also on Thursday, we have the ACM field trip, which is uh for anyone interested in aerospace. to learn about the manufacturing and basically what it takes to be an aerospace engineer. >> Yep. And then Friday, we have Mr. N's class. He's taking his R&D class, which is a research and development to Limerock. And then also, I think that's Monday, we have the end of the first quarter. Um >> um yeah. Um and then the band in court, there are uh about seven of us for the band that were selected for um entric, which is basically it's an honorary band where a bunch of towns get together and they spend about 9 hours practicing and then 9 hours the next day and then they perform for all the parents and anyone else that wants them. >>
009So for some sports highlights, uh boys soccer has their first round of the states this Friday. Girls soccer had a great season, but sadly they did not make it to states. >> Yep. Girls field hockey made it to states for the first time since 2012. And our game is >> we played Thursday against East Catholic. Time still to be determined. >> Uh and then cross country had their uh state meet last Saturday. Um and we had one person qualify. Um and that's on Friday at 10:45. >> That one person is him. Uh, and we also wanted to thank um a bunch of parents who uh fed the Spartan scroll because our care cabinet was sadly empty and a bunch of parents made some great donations and filled that back up. >> It was like Christmas
010at the high school today. The Amazon delivery guy came through separate times and every time he came, he came with a cart full of boxes. So, >> the the message in the Spartan scroll was really well received by parents and we're super appreciative for everything that we received um because I think a lot has changed in the economy and there are a significant number of families that are struggling right now and the things that were coming off of our care cabinet shelves are not typical things that we're seeing go away and now all of the sudden there we're ramping up and having to fill up more and more and form. >> So, is this open to all the students? >> Yes, and it's through an anonymous process. So, um students, there are QR codes throughout
011the building. Um and there's also links through our um our uh Google classroom for the school. Students can sign up for what they need out of the care cabinet. They're given a fake name when like you might pick up under blue lion and then the student will find the bag with the blue lion on it at the end of the day and just grab it. No students names or parent information or anything is shared. It is completely anonymous. >> It's great. >> Yeah. >> And they're using it obviously >> and they're com like I said last week we were almost empty it and um Mrs. Stoultz uh and RCCC run this run the care cabinet and um Mrs. Stoultz came to me last week highly concerned that we weren't going to be able to keep
012up with the supply and demand. Um so we're super appreciative of this. All right, >> and that is it. >> Nice first job, guys. >> Anyone have any questions? No questions. >> No mic. >> Your question. >> All right. This always gets put on me. >> So, there's a lot of great things going on at at school. If there was one thing that was missing that you'd like to add that we could be helpful with, what do you think that would be? Um, >> I know. >> Things are generally happy. >> Did you hear that? >> Things are generally happy for high school. [laughter] >> I'm going to take that as a win. >> I feel like any support for anything is just greatly appreciated from all the students and faculty. >> All right. Well,
013just make notes before you're in here next month. >> Any have the same. >> I'm like a robot. I have >> each time we're going to keep asking. >> You guys appreciate it. >> Good luck in the cross country. >> Okay. Opportunity to add or delete agenda items. All right. Seeing none, we'll take a motion for the consent agenda from Ed. A second from JT. All right. Questions or comments? All those in favor of the consent agenda? That's unanimous. Okay? All right. Old business, new business, transfers. Stephanie Okay. First quarter transfers were given to the subcommittee uh last week before the week. Yeah, week before. Um so we went over those. Um right now it's a lot of just straightening up accounts that we weren't able to get to. Um whether it was staff moving
014around to different um locations. Um that's a summertime thing that typically happens. um or just adjustments that need to be made as we started the school year. Um so if anybody has any questions about specific um transfers being made, happy to answer any questions. >> All right. So we'll go ahead and approve it. >> Motion to approve the Q1 26. Yes. Fiscal year 26 Q1 budget transfer. Okay, second from Carl. Questions on the motion. All those in favor? That's unanimous. >> Thank you. Those will get um put into the system tomorrow and in the November you'll see that'll be the first uh the column that has the adjustments on it. Ready for CIP? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Go right ahead. Um so in front of you tonight we have the four CIP projects that
015we would like to put towards the CIP committee. Um they'll start hearing about those projects in the coming months. Um the first one is uh phase two of the boiler replacement at SCES is an estimate cost based on phase one which we budgeted 60,000 for. We asked for approval from the CIP committee and board of finance for 60,000 in the um first phase of the boiler replacement. So this would just be phase two um and this would be the replacement of 12 of the boilers at Summers Elementary School and then we'll have a third phase next year which will finish it up. So that is the I think this is first warning, right? First posting of these. So we're not voting on these tonight. >> Just kind of explanation. >> Yep. Uh the field mower,
016uh the maintenance department has put forward a request to replace our field mower. Um we tend to do a lot of repairs on it and um it's getting older and they wanted one that had a little bit wider of a um bed. Yeah. So [clears throat] >> yeah, I I don't know landscaping. I rely on guys for that thing. Um, so they have they're hoping that with a wider one of those um it will get the job done a little bit quicker because we take care of all the fields um here by NBA and then some of the fielding behind the high school uh we share with the town. The town does some of the um baseball fields, but we do the rest. >> And that one's been in the plan for this. >> The
017field mower we knew about last year. It was proposed last year. We >> to go into next year. Yep. So that's not new. >> Um and that the boiler was not new. That was also part of a fiveyear. >> Uh these two that uh from the middle school are new. We did not know about these. Uh but the principal at the middle school is proposing. Um after we every year we go and do a walkthrough with the fire department just to go through all of our buildings, make sure everything is safe and that they're good with everything. Um the fire marshall did um point out that the asphalt sidewalk which is in the al cove right outside this music room um is he's concerned about it. Um so I said let's we'll put it towards
018CIP and see what they say. Um it needs to be ripped out and repaved um so we can put that forward. >> So that's a safety >> that's a safety concern. Yep. And then the uh last request for this coming year is the dividing curtain at the MBA gym. Right now it is a solid and I they pull it across but it doesn't doesn't [snorts] function properly. Um and to put in the repair cost I'm going to estimate is probably about half as much as just replacing it with a curtain that would have some mesh at the top and then a vinyl bottom and that would allow them to split the gym in half. Um, so the the principal there put in a request to have that go to CIP and that's 27,000. So if
019you have any questions about any of these after you review them, feel free to email Dr. Galloway or myself and we will get you answers before the next board meeting u when you'll probably be putting those forward or deciding not to put something forward. >> All right. And the details are in the packet. If you didn't have time, you can >> the form the the main form is in the packet. Um I have um some quotes and and such that I have and so on. >> If they need additional information. >> Okay. And then we'll vote on it next meeting. >> Correct. >> Okay. I've also included, I believe, the draft of our five-year plan in your packets for review. Um if there's anything in the future that we think that we want to kind
020of move around or if we want to consider adding to our five-year plan um we can make that uh change and then we can vote on that 5-year plan. And the CIP committee last year did request a copy of our 5-year which I provided to them. Um so I would probably propose to do that again. Keep them informed. >> Sounds good. >> So we vote on the fivey year or just the one year? >> Just the one year. You're just going to vote on the one year? Yeah, it's going to be a discussion item for the five years. And we'll put that forward in the next board meeting to vote on those projects. >> Um and then uh it was requested that I provide an update on some of our past projects. So last year
021in 2425, we had just one approved um CIP project was the hallway cabinets at SCES. I'm sure many of our SCS parents recall walking down the hallway and there being open shelving um where a lot of our um material learning materials were stored and that was considered a fire hazard. Um, so we had done just as I had started here, we had done a bunch of nice, really nice cabinetry in part of the school and um, it just cleans things up a lot and so we went ahead and asked for the rest of the school to have that cabinetry done which the CIP committee approved and we did that last year. Um, I think that it looks wonderful in there now. It's all everything is behind closed doors, especially with all the new reading materials
022that we have with CKLA. Um we cleaned up a lot of stuff and then were able to store um those materials outside of the classrooms. Um there was a painting project for SCES that was also proposed last year um or for 2425. We tabled that at CIP. It became recommended to go through the HVAC project because they were going to be doing the HVAC project in there. we might as well just wrap it all up into that. Um I'm I'm sure unsure where that stands at this moment with that project. Um but it we we'll either have to do it through that or someday we'll have to propose it and it will be part of our 5-year plan. Um but I don't think anybody really wanted to put it on the 5-year plan until we
023knew what was going on. So um that's where that stands. this year's CIP projects that were approved. We had the library upgrade approved that at the high school. Um we did the painting inhouse on that in that space, took all the shelving, Kley took all of the shelving and cabinetry out before the summer at the end of the school year. We painted um I know that there's some touch-up which um Dr. Rekenberg might talk about or you >> It's just need some extra touch-up, right? They put on they're putting they put on a second coat on Friday. >> Oh, okay. Great. >> Um, and then we have the cabinetry and all the bookshelving on order. So, we're just waiting for that to come in and then once that's all comes in, then we'll be able
024to reshelf the books. >> Any estimate on arrival? >> I thought that we were supposed to get them in October, but I don't think that they've arrived yet. >> Um, I'm not sure if Tenley has an update on delivery. >> The last update that I had was supposed to be this this week. Um, I do know that she did get a little bit of a push back date, but I don't know what the new date is. >> Okay, I can find out. >> Where are all the books now? >> In boxes. >> That's what I thought. Okay. >> Do we have a crew that will be able to get them all on the shelves quickly or? >> Um, well, the shelves are going to have to be built and put together and >> Oh, right.
025Assembled. The what's really nice about the new shelves is that they're mobile. So Ty can roll them up to where she has the books. All of the books are really sorted and placed strategically throughout the media center. So she's able to, you know, things that are going to go together are are already boxed together. >> Um so and she's really really good at having students out. So she does get a lot a good number of students. >> Probably a great community service project. >> Okay, great. >> Um so that is the status on the CIP library project. The second project that we had was the transfer switch at SCS. Um we are working on that. We actually came in under budget on that. Um I've already reported to CIP that we will be saving money
026on that project. Um we saved about $8,000 which is fantastic. and um it's coming in sooner than we anticipated. We thought 15 weeks it should be here before Christmas break and so they are hoping to get it all installed um and working before the winter break is here which would be great. Um it that's more of a scheduling thing if we can get it done before winter break. It's you've got to shut down the power to the school, install it and then re re-energize the building and obviously can't have staff and students in the building when that happens. Um, so we're just trying to find figure out when it gets here, when we can schedule it to be done. And then the last uh CIP project was the first phase of the SCS boilers. Um,
027we have requested an uh a project manager that has worked for us before on the boiler project and the oil tank project over at the high school. Um, so we've asked him to give us a revision on scope of work to make sure that we are clear with what we need and because it's there's a there's four boilers that handle the hot water and then there's two that just handle the heat in the building and so we just want to make sure that we get the best one for those jobs. >> Okay. >> So that's the status on that. So I'm just waiting for an updated scope of work and then that one will go out to fit. >> Sounds good. >> Okay. Any question? >> Questions for Seth? >> Okay. Thank you. >> Welcome.
028And I think I have the last thing. Uh you also received in your packet the 2627 budget approval process >> for our board policy. Y >> um so in the conversation with the budget subcommittee, we discussed dates that the budget subcommittee would be available to meet to discuss. Of course, those are open to anybody to attend. Um so we'll discuss the budget um as we're going and then Sam will present the budget in January for discussion through February and then the board of ed will vote to put a budget through by the second meeting in February. We'll have our public hearing I think it's March 9th. That'll be our public hearing in our right before our regularly scheduled board meeting and then um once the board approves the budget it will go to the town
029and those dates are yet to be determined. But I will of course fill you in as soon as I have them. >> All right. And [clears throat] we have a motion ready to go to follow policy 3110. >> Okay. A motion to approve the 2026 2027 budget approval process process per DBS code 310. >> Okay. And a second to the motion from Shane. All right. Any questions on the board policy? Just basically saying we need to get a schedule ready for you. Okay. All those in favor, >> that's uns. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Now, we have six postings. First postings for the new courses uh coming from the curriculum committee. So, if you have any questions on those, you can contact Jan. Anything you want to comment on? >>
030They're all in the packet. Yeah, >> we got a lot of good things going here. >> Mhm. >> All look good, including welding. >> Yep. >> Right. >> I took welding here. >> Dave Wood. >> All right. This welding is a little bit different. That's >> Yeah, >> I don't think it's listed perfectly in here, but this welding would be for credential from Yes. >> A nunchuk. Mhm. Good. >> We already offer a regular welding class. Okay. All right. We'll move into committee reports curriculum. Uh no meeting scheduled. Okay. Uh policy. We met tonight and we'll have several policies we'll post at the next board meeting. So, we're trying to kind of finish up the uh cape updates before the end of November. And I think we're we're on schedule. So, our next meeting will
031be November 11th at 6:15 p.m. Planning Finance, you have your date. >> Yep. So, we are our first um budget special meeting is on December 1st. I think it's at 5:00 p.m., right? >> Yep. >> All right. Negotiations. >> Uh no meeting scheduled at this time. >> Okay. And building committee. Um, so tonight we have uh Bill Meyer asked to come and present to board. Bill is chair of the building committee for the HVAC project. So, Bill, I'm going to welcome and turn it over to you. >> Great. Thank you. Um, so I wanted to just provide a brief update uh to the board and uh certainly answer any questions if anyone had any. Um, we've been meeting twice a month um working to move the project forward. you know, we had a few setbacks
032um going back um couple of years now. Um you know, where we had initial estimate, we had received a a grant um the the money that was allocated wasn't enough to get the project done. Um we went back an additional appropriation. Um we actually went to bid in February. The bid came back, I think about a million half dollars more than um the appropriation, the extra appropriation. Um so we kind of went back to the drawing board. Um we brought in a new uh owner's representative. Uh we're now working with uh STV instead of collers. It's a new group. Um been the committee I think so far. I mean you're on the committee as well. Chime in. Um been very happy I think with the work of STV. Um it's an actual architectural firm. Um
033we've never had an architect involved before. Um so we do now. Um, we've really been working still with CES, the engineers, um, and we asked them to come back and redesign. Um, keeping in mind the budget, keeping in mind what we're trying to accomplish. You know, minimal disruption to the school. We don't want the school to be a construction zone for 2 years where ceilings are ripped out and children are displaced and it's very disruptive to learning. Um, we want to have something that hopefully can be done over summers as least disrupt as least disruptive as possible. Um, we want to be able to get air conditioning in all the classrooms. Um, we want to be able to do all the common spaces as well. Um, the updated design, the committee's reviewed it, I think,
034has so far reacted favorably to it and, um, looks like it's going to fit within the budget. Um, we're meeting with the principal tomorrow from the elementary school. we've invited her to the building committee meeting to kind of run it by her, get her feedback. Um the other issue we've run into is uh the original grant. So the original grant, I think Chairman Kirkpatrick has shared this with the board. Um December 2026, the state um put a hard deadline on it. Um we cannot get the project done by December of 2026. We requested an extension. The state has declined it. Um, so we're essentially going to have to send back that original grant, um, and not accept it. Um, which means we have to apply for a new grant. Um, so we've started that process.
035The building committee, the board of selectmen, we've authorized a lot of that to move forward. Um, we're putting together the application. It's a little bit more involved. Um, but we're making some pretty good progress and, um, you know, we'll be waiting on the state in their decision. Um but we feel that that we qualify for the funding and and it's really um it's a matter of going through the process with these types of applications. They essentially automatically get approved by the state. They're eligible projects. We meet the criteria. We get it based on our reimbursement. Um so more to come there, but I think we're going to be filing that application probably in the next 6 weeks or so is the hope. So, um, Bill, before you jump, I know I know it's probably a
036pain to refile, but isn't that a good thing since the initial funding was based on a number that wasn't really enough to cover the cost? >> So, that that's the advantage. So, now we can apply for the grant based on the new cost and we could also give more time to complete the project. >> So, now we should have another three to four years to get it done. We don't we're hoping it doesn't take that long, but if we need it, the time is there. There's always the the kind of like punch list things, you know, on these jobs and there's a lot of electrical work. There's a lot of So, >> Bill, what is the timeline if if they're going to do it in only summers? >> Yep. >> What What is the timeline
037to get that project done? >> So, we're hoping two summers with maybe some night weekend break work in between, but that's some of the work that STV and the committee are going through. Mhm. >> Um, but this this new design is a lot less invasive. You know, the original design, you remember, was going to rip out all the ceilings in the whole building. Um, I mean, I attended the walkthrough and a lot of the contractors saying, "Why are we ripping out all these ceilings like this?" And then you're going to have students walking around for a year with wide open ceilings. You know, this design avoids that. It's a lot more wall penetrations. It's a lot more external wiring and stuff. >> This is for the mini splits. >> It's going to be mostly in
038classrooms, mostly mini splits. And does that >> I know we've talked about this before. Does that address the airflow issue which I know was the first uh priority of why we were doing this project? >> So they say it does um there's two things actually there's three or four things going on in the classroom. Number one there's exhaust fans in every room which move air um in the ceiling. um there's operable windows and then combined with the mini splits um we're being told by the engineers, the architects, the team that it's going to meet the state's requirements, the IQ requirements and the other districts have successfully done similar projects like this. >> But are we not flowing in fresh air? >> It's just a different it's just a different way. I mean the the original
039project the DAO system >> um is it's kind of like the the outside air exchanges and that this is a different technology for the classroom spaces. The big spaces are going to have that DAO >> they will >> the exchanges you know the calf >> the auditorium the gym but uh the classroom spaces are going to be um the mini split type design. So, with the new grant bill, does that um cover the same percentage as it did in the old grant or has the percentage changed as they >> Stephanie may know? They just redid the numbers. The state just came out what, two weeks ago with new numbers? >> I think it was like a month ago. Okay. >> But, um yeah, it's based on the year that you apply for the grant. And
040we have shifted slightly. Um I think originally we were 59% or 58 and a half%. I think we're at a 60% now. >> Oh, it's even gone up. Okay. And if we can get this in by December, then it'll be 25 grant. If we can't get it until January, then it'll be 26. >> Okay. >> And when's the target to start? >> I'm sorry. >> When's the target to start the project? Let's say the grant goes through, everything goes >> um I mean the some of it's going to depend on the state, right? I mean, we need So, we've been told you need the approval of the state before you can go to bid. So, we need to submit the grant. We need to get the grant approved. They're supposed to give us a decision
041I think within 45 days the state from submitting the application. After that, we go to bid. The the nice thing is the work that's been done. We already have a full design. We already have essentially a bidder's manual. We already have it all ready to go. Um so they tell us that once the state approves it, we can pretty much go to the street. But the danger is if we go to bid before the approval, it becomes ineligible for the grant. >> So we're 3 months before we can go to bid. >> But the idea will be to start June 1st. I mean, we want to get this summer in. >> Yeah. >> Um, and I think when we put the bid out, it would be with the intention of starting June 1st, but our
042intention also is not to require the fifth grade to move. You know, that's the idea would be to keep all the students of the elementary school in place for the duration of the project. >> So, could couldn't we have used I know you said another six weeks with grant writing. Can't we use what's already been done? I think haven't you done it twice, Stephanie? >> I have done it twice. Can't we use that same I don't know if that speeds it up at all if we use what she's submitted before. >> We can. They're just they're different applications. Um so the IAQ application that Stephanie did was um kind of a one-time special unique. It was actually a competitive grant. These are not competitive grants. They're um done by state law through the bonding commission.
043Um like this requires like a space standard analysis, the EDS spec, some of those things. I mean, Stephanie does have a lot of it, but I think we're just now that we've done the redesign, we got to make sure and then we're going to have a new budget, too. >> Y >> um but it's going to be a lot quicker that to your question, if we were starting from scratch, you'd be looking at probably 3 4 months. It would have to go back in front of the this board. It would have to go in front of the board of selectment again, board of finance. We need to go back out to referendum. All those things are done. We're going to use the same referendum, the same approvals we've already received, and just resubmit. Does it
044have to get revoted on? >> I think we get a formal legal opinion, but we believe it does not. We believe that the existing um appropriation gives the board of selectmen um the authority to move forward with a new grant. So >> I guess my other question, sorry, is why just summers? Like what is it? So, it's not possible to do any of this when I feel like a few weeks ago we talked about split work could be done without disrupting during the school year without a lot of disruption. Is that not the case? >> Well, I think I think it would be on the table. It would be up to working with the superintendent and the principal to just see what I mean, we want to get it done as soon as we can.
045>> Yeah. >> It's just a matter of, >> you know, what what works. Schedule disruption, cost, >> right? I guess I'm just not familiar enough. I I I don't know if I owned my own construction company or whatever, whoever's going to do it. Putting a bid out for two summers. I don't know. How does that work? Like, how do they price it? If it's one, you know, one summer, then we're not doing any other work until the next summer. >> Well, you got to remember the original project was 20 24 months, 26 months. So, you price it the same way. >> Yeah. >> You know, um we think we're going to do better here because we learned some lessons with the first bid. Um, you know, we're still going to do the controls and we
046think like we're going to get a better controls package here now. Um, we think with the mini splits, like you said, it's going to be a little less disruptive. Maybe allow some work to happen during the school year. Um, I mean, we want to provide as much information as timely as possible. The plan could still change. You know, we haven't I mean, look at how many times change already. I think we want to get the job done. I think we have a team together. I think the new team we feel pretty confident in this new group STV and >> well I I probably shouldn't ask this why why CES again when they jammed this up so bad. >> So we're still working with Gilbane as well. Um you know it's a small state. Um there's
047not a lot of firms that do this mechanical engineering work. Um my personal feeling I have not seen any real issues with CES. Um I think the issue we have with CES was um we asked them to do work outside of their scope. They're an engineering firm. You know they're not a project management firm. They're not architects. They don't do complete projects. They do designs. Um really the piece that was missing I think originally was having a group like Kier or STV working side by side with CES to kind of give us the whole picture. So that was some of the, >> you know, >> the design was good. >> Yes. >> But the estimator >> Yes. >> overpriced it, but they're still saying the design itself was good. >> Everyone has liked the design.
048>> Yeah. >> But I mean, I I have the same feeling you do. >> Um, we did dismiss collers. Um, they were dismissed formally by the board of selectmen. We terminated the contract with them. We were not happy with their work. And you know we have this new group that was a good one. >> CES was the first one the very first. >> So that's they and they gave us the original estimate that we went to the town with that wasn't even in the ballpark of what it was going to cost. >> And then Gil Bane was the the engineer guy. >> Gil Bane the >> Gil Bane was >> the engineer was CES. So they designed it. the other way around. >> What am I >> Nick? Nick. >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> Was
049there a explanation behind why there was a preference to replace the duck work in the school versus the mini split system? >> Yes. >> I can Can we get that explanation? because we as a board had addressed this upfront and got a lot of push back and then we had to go with the reluctant plan of popping out all the tiles, opening up the roof wasn't ideal. And I think that led to probably very high quotes because when you're quoting a job like that and you're opening things up, that is a recipe for disaster. You're going to find new things. So everybody pads their quote assuming they're going to run into a problem and we we we lost a lot of time in that process. So do you mind sharing that explanation on why that
050was the preference and why all of a sudden we're gung-ho about the mini split system over? >> Well, I mean I think I think we have a lot more information now. You know, I'm not sure that all the right people were at the table before. Um, you know, I mean, the preference AC versus it's really hard when you have a building built in the 50s to retrofit an HBAC system like you described with all the duct works and things and, you know, you're talking about PCBs, you're talking about other contaminants, you're talking about just having the the ceilings open. I mean, there's a lot of issues, you know, I don't there's a lot of issues. Um, and it's very disruptive. I think that um I think this is compliant. You know, we've gotten expert opinions
051on this. You know, we're working with a a mechanical engineer. We're working with the licensed architect. Um these are all going to be stamp prints. They're all going to meet state IAQ guidelines. And you know, we're going to get a sign off that we're fully compliant. Um >> we get that before we do the project, right? Well, they're going to guarantee that the end result because we wouldn't be eligible for reimbursement if uh so the state's going to review the project, the plans. >> Okay. >> And they're going to give us the blessing to move forward. Um but we wouldn't get the state money if it wasn't eligible. >> Okay. >> So, so the last meeting that Gil Baines attended, I asked them to guarantee the 15.2 that we were going to the referendum back
052to ask for the extra money. You remember that? >> Oh, I remember that. and and I wanted money back if the quote wasn't good enough. What guarantees do we have here, Bill? What guarantees can we get that the money quoted now is sufficient and that we are going to get the grant? What guarant what guarantees can we build in? >> I mean, I think there there's a couple different things going on here, right? There's the appropriation from the referendum, the $15 million, um, >> which promised us would be way more than enough. >> I think you've probably watched the board of selectment meetings. I asked the same questions there that you asked here. >> Um, and you know, the the bids went out in a really bad time. I mean, February, they said, was probably
053the worst time to go to bid. It was when all the tariff stuff started. The markets panicked. Everyone went nuts. Um, you know, we're hoping things have come back down to earth a little bit. I think they have. >> Um, I mean, are there any guarantees in life? No. Um, but I think with this cost estimate, I mean, honestly, and I hate to say this publicly, I'm hoping we're around 10 million with this, >> but we'll see. >> Yeah, >> we'll see. So, just Gilps has seemed like a a very bad partner to work with as well. Um, I'm glad that we fired Kers. I I hope if other superintendents are listening, they will not use them. Um, they were horrible representative for us. Um, this project has been dragging on for 2 years now.
054Um, due to the fact that CES, Skilbane, and and Kers couldn't get their act together and and I would just want to see it come to a completion. Uh, the people working in that building and the students that are learning in that building um deserve to have better quality air than what they have today and it's well past due. Um, and as a board, I think we feel a responsibility to deliver that for the students and the and the staff. Um, so anything you can do as as committee chair to push that along is welcomed for sure. Um, what about the grant? Um, a little more surrounding that. >> Yeah. >> Is it um a shoe in? Is it >> I mean the last one was competitive bid and you said this is not competitive.
055>> These are not competitive. So this is a regular. So there's priority grants and then non-priority grants. Um this would fall into um non-priority >> non-priority >> non- priority and uh we um but they review these every month the state and then if it's a qualified project it gets funded. So we're hoping to get a decision very quickly. >> Yeah. >> Um and you know I agree to your points with with Gil Bane. Um just to be clear we the board of selectmen has only signed a pre-construction contract with them. they do not have a a contract for the construction management. Um, we're looking at all options. It may be a general contractor. Um, it may be a construction manager. Um, if they can't perform, you know, we we could go back out to bid
056for a new a new CM. We are not under contract with Gil Bane >> other than the pre-construction services. >> All right. So, >> that's good. >> Yes. >> Keep keep that option open. >> Definitely. >> That that may lead to better performance. Um what's the date the application's going to get submitted? >> Um >> it we I don't see it being so the the non-priority grants open the first of every month and they are open for 10 days and then they close and they get reviewed. >> I don't see that happening next week for November. Um because I'm still collecting information for Angela from STB. Um and there's more to the school construction grants than there [clears throat] was for the HVAC grants. So there may be paperwork that has to be signed off
057on um by various players that did not have to be done for HVAC. So I'm hoping and I think the committee is probably hoping for a December 1st and I'll have from December 1st to December 10th. It's a online same exact system that the HVAC grant. So Sam and I will have to get in there and upload um the required documentation and information that the state requires and then um we find out shortly after this grant moves much faster than the HVAC. Hback we I applied in December and we didn't find out until April or May if and that was because that was just a different grant process >> here. We'll probably know by February 1st. >> January I >> I would hope so but I would with the holidays I don't know. Yeah. >>
058And if they want to meet with us before I don't know if they meet with us before they grant it bill um or during that process. >> There's been a lot I think the superintendent spoken about it at meetings. There's been a lot of transition with the office of grants at the state. I guess a lot of >> they're difficult to work with I guess is what I say. I mean they don't respond to emails. They don't they won't meet with districts anymore. You know 3 4 years ago you used to email them and say hey can we have a meeting? They get on the phone with you. they get on a Zoom, they will kind of walk you through it. They'd answer your questions. They won't do it anymore. And it's been very frustrating
059and frankly makes it more difficult. Superintendent have complained. Um I know it's probably all they've done is just sent out emails saying be patient. Um I think Dr. Galloway was one of the ones that complained and literally this is the email out saying be patient. We're really busy. I mean that was the email. >> Yeah. That one they wouldn't even answer the phone. >> Exactly. >> They've gone through like three or four commissioners the last few years. But you saw the corruption trial that just happened. I mean that was that same office. So there's been I mean for good reason. There's been a lot of reform there, a lot of changes, but it's made it very difficult because we're trying to move the ball forward. I mean this committee we've done a lot. I mean
060we did a complete redesign with CES of the whole project in four weeks. Um the plans are done. They've been reviewed. I mean like we're ready to go. Um, so want to move forward. >> And are we taking into consideration the maintenance requirements that come with having a mini split system versus AC? Do do we get any sense of what we're in for in the long term? It was it was a point that was brought up. I forget who had brought it up, but it was a good point. Like we're probably going to be facing a lot more maintenance. I think mini splits is the common sense approach, [music] but at the same time, >> that you or me the uh >> we'll have to we'll have to plan for like filter changes and there's
061going to be uh probably more tax on the tax more tax on the system for electrical. Um we're we're gonna have to figure all that out once once they're all installed and operable. Um I if we're going to do a two summer thing, it's going to be two budget seasons from now. >> We're going to have to start thinking about what that looks like in our maintenance budget. >> Okay. Yeah. Because as I'm thinking about it, maybe that would work out well for us if we staggered it too, right? Maybe we got 50% done in one summer, 50%. Now you're staggering the maintenance cost, too. But you're probably only going op into operation after the entire project is done. >> Oh, gotcha. Okay. So, every everything will be installed, but you won't flip the switch.
062>> Flip the switch until it's ready to go. >> Gotcha. And >> some of that we're looking I mean lead times like with electrical stuff. That's part of it, you know, cuz like to Stephanie's point, you have to have the electrical stuff in place. But if we can get the electrical stuff done for this summer, we'd like to. It just depends on, you know, it's going to be pads and things we got to pour, bring in. It's a lot of electrical. I mean, it's what 1.8 million in electrical or something. It's It's a lot of electrical work. >> So, I'm assuming that >> they would buy all the mini splits at once. >> Yes. >> We haven't decided yet. >> Okay. If they do, where are they stored? If it's going to be Are we
063responsible for storing them? Does the construction company store them until they're put in? typically they will be responsible for procuring them and storing them but again it'd be a conversation. Um I mean I think we want to be mindful of price and you know sometimes it makes sense like to Kim's point you know we're doing it over two summers if you can get a locked in price and we buy them all in year one and store them. I mean there's ways I did this on another project where we bought roofing materials we stored it. You got to work through your insurance. You got to work through a couple of things but it's doable. So I think all the options are on the table. >> About how many splits? >> 64 spaces. 65ish spaces. Yeah. >>
064Are we going to utilize them for heating and air conditioning? Are we going to switch because typically those systems offer both? Are we going to shut down the boiler and and use >> No, they'll be supplemental. So the boiler would be the the the boilers would be the primary heat for the building, >> but we're going to do the building management system, the controls as well. >> Okay. >> So the controls would do um but we're still working the details. I mean, do we tie the splits into the controls? I don't think we've decided that yet. There's pros and cons, I'm told. I mean, >> well, at the residential level, the move is you put solar panels on your roof, you get switch everything to mini split, and you don't have a utility bill at
065home. You just have a fixed price that you pay per month for the panels and the panels power all the mini split systems. Then now you have heating and cooling and it cancels it out. And with I believe the roof replacement on deck 3 years from now could be a consideration. >> Yeah, >> just food for thought while talking about it. And then that would save us a ton of money and utility cost >> or maybe I have no idea >> what I'm in for. Jeff has got a >> we have solar on that roof, but we are under contract until 2032. >> Okay. >> On with those solar panels >> and there's and we're going to be going working around those when we're doing the roof. >> Yeah, we're just doing Yeah. Yeah. We're
066just doing coding. >> Gotcha. >> To get us through until we're done with the contract on those solar panels. They can come off the roof and then we can replace the roof. >> Okay. >> Fair enough. >> Well, I'm glad that we're doing mini splits. just wish we uh did that first. >> Just seems like the most obvious, but it is what it is. >> Bill, to your point too, um it seems like so it's like the air flow, what Kim was saying, but that's the initial >> right season, right? And it makes sense um in in the spring and summer time, maybe in the fall to run, not summer, but you know what I mean, the hotter months to run it and the AC will get you that air flow, but maybe you just
067mentioned like the whole uh like internal control, one switch controls them all. Seems like you'd have to do that in the winter time. If they're not heating the rooms and they're not getting used, does that solve the airflow issue? >> Guys are getting way too technical for me. >> Well, I guess you're right. I mean, you don't want to come back later and being like, well, you only got 60% of the issue done here. >> No, they're good questions. So, I think that's some of the work. And I I Angela, we could bring Angela in like if there were specific questions, I think like Angela Cahill or um Brian Hamill from CES, who you met, I think, will be the ones. I just don't want to give you a wrong answer. >> I remember when
068Brian did his thing, too. Air circulation diagram that made sense. >> And we've gone back and forth on some of these things a few times. I'm not exactly sure where we landed on some of it, so I don't want to misspeak, but I know our intention is to do the entire So, you have pneumatic controls now, you know, air pistons that open and close things, heat controls and stuff. Get rid of that. Those are problematic. Put automated building modern electric building management system in. That's part of this project, a big part. Um, and then do the the cooling of the spaces and the air circulation and how it all ties together. I think we're still trying to figure out. >> Sure. you know, because then there's the exhaust fans in the rooms that I think
069it ties into the building management system. Um, there's there's a lot to it. >> Yeah. And, you know, if you have a specific question, too, like I can just we could email Angela or Brian and get an answer as well if we need to. >> We did talk about the individual controls. >> The teachers will be able to control their >> Definitely. They definitely will. That's the key. Yes. >> The whole thing. But they did an air quality indoor air quality study, right? Where they studied the actual physical age room, right? They measured air movement, air quality of that exact space, right? So we have that report and I think they designed something based on >> what that school says, which is different than another school. They went over the middle school or went to
070a different town. >> I'm not an HBAC technician, but [clears throat] if those if those units aren't on, it's not going to change anything, right? You're talking with like the air changes per hour and if they're not right from October to May, if that machine's not running, then we're going to have the same air flow that we have today, which is not compliant. >> I think he said there's exhaust fans, too. >> But they're already there. >> Exhaust not an air. It doesn't circulate the air. >> Well, you said you said supplemental it because you can't turn the heat on. >> It operates the it's not bringing in new air, which is the the issue that we have. >> It's a it's a very interesting conversation because all of these standards are really for new
071building construction, you know. So, if you build a new building, there's, you know, the ashy standards, you know, for how often you have to exchange it, the filtration and everything. for retrofits. There's really, you know, I mean, to bring to try and bring a building from the 50s up to the standard of a building that you were building 2025, they don't measure it the same way essentially. >> I know, but I'm not necessarily worried about measuring. I'm worried about getting the the students and the teachers the air quality they need. Like, >> yeah, >> you know, >> I mean, to do it the right way, it's probably a $20 million project, and we just don't have the money. Well, rules just bid at 16. Can't be 20. You know what I mean? >> Oh, there's
072escalation. >> We're aware. We're aware. >> It's gone up. They've already told us >> more delay comes more escalation. >> So, what happened? They already said to expect 20% more on the VRF because the refrigerant now is uh got changed as of January 1st. So, now if you're going to go to the new refrigerant, it's 20% more. So, we're going to push 20, I think. And then once you start ripping those ceilings open and you start fighting all these other conditions in a building built in the 50s. >> I thought you just said 10 though. >> Didn't we say 10? >> Well, with the splits. >> Oh. Oh, you're saying the other way. >> Yeah, the original way. >> This new design. That's how we landed at this new design to fit the budget. >>
073So, again, not not directing those questions at you so much. More so like the team Gil Bane. >> Yeah. um SCF and um CES. Remember when we were sitting here and CES wasn't president and we were asking Nick from Gobain like how did they botch this up so bad with their quote and they were just sitting there just like well we don't know. So I think in some ways like that question we were talking about like do you turn on the winter time? It seems like a silly question but >> and hopefully those guys had the answer to it but at the same time some things were overlooked in the past that you know. >> Yeah. So, not a reflection on you more so. >> Yeah. >> No, we're thinking that out here. >> Yeah.
074>> Well, because the other the other proposal was to only do classrooms and not do all the common areas. And I think a lot of people felt that wasn't a great, you know, not do the gym, not do the auditorium, not do the cafeteria. I mean, it's hard to tell parents, families, taxpayers, hey, we just spent $15 million or we didn't do a third of the building. You know, I wish we would have gotten some money back from CES or Gilbane, though. which we were more aggressive about pursuing legal action against those companies collunded some of the overage if we did and if there's any way for [clears throat] us to still do it I would suggest we we explore that >> right thank you all thank you for coming yes Okay. So, CIC we
075already covered anything from correct colon updates at this time. >> Okay. SES anything Shane? >> No updates. >> Okay. Advanced calendar was in your red folder. Uh Veterans Day assembly is at the high school this year. So if anyone's around 9:00 >> for Maple Labor in the high school, 9:30 for the elementary school. >> Okay. All right. Audience, the citizen, staff, students. Lisa >> um regarding the whole um HVAC question um I think Shane was talking about and bill uh that if you have >> like either andor solar mini splits for both AC and heat I I don't know anything I'm a widow I I barely manage my home infrastructure on my own but how if you are relying on blitz for AC and heat. How do you heat your water? Would [snorts] you still
076need a burner for that part? >> Yeah, different system. >> Okay. Um, can you provide an org chart of all the companies that are involved? The arch it's the players keep changing. So like I know that you said an architecture firm is that STB and then there was a mechanical engineer and a GC and how many how many people are involved uh organizations. >> I don't know I mean the chair is running the meeting. I don't know how we run the I don't know how you handle I mean you don't typically have a conversation between two audience members. So I just want to make sure we >> So we've got a a number of them. So, we have the design company that we're still using to do the design. >> Gilbane is involved, but we
077have not signed a contract with Gilbane to do the project. >> They're the design company or they're the architect. >> They're the they're the construction company. >> They'll do the work. >> Construction is guilty. I'm just trying to understand the players because my ultimate questions are um first um who's which of the players signs off on uh gives us certainty that the plan as installed satisfies state IAQ standards. Which one is it? The architect is it guilt? like who who get we get a guarantee before this work starts when this is installed as designed it will meet state standards >> how ces >> I'm not sure >> will someone give that guarantee >> will they guarantee >> that it's compliant yeah they they uh the state will have to approve that yes before we get
078the money. That's why this is more involved. >> So, the state's going to look at it and say you're all good. >> They have to say that it meets all the criteria. >> Okay, >> that's my understanding. And um then the last question was um within the org chart um who presents the building committee um with the final plan that has numbers attached that produces the overall cost and whoever that is that says here's the final detailed plan, here's the cost. That's still an estimate cuz I assume they aren't sending it out to a quiet bid to get solid estimates of for cost. So, do they tell you what their track record is of conforming their estimated final cost with how bids will come in? Like do they do they say you know when we
079tell you this this final plan is going to cost is it I'm sure it's stamped estimate estimate estimate but do they say what their track record is for uh when we when we give you this estimate we have our experience shows that bids come in that or under x% of the time >> that'll all come wonder what the building committee decides what they're going to require when they're talking to this. If that answers your question, that doesn't come through the board of ed. That'll all go through the building committee. Anything else or anybody else? Okay. All right. If that's the case, we will take a motion to adjurnn. I move that we need a second from JT. All those in favor. All right. Meeting adjourned. 803. Thank you for coming. Thank you, Bill. Thanks, Bill.
080>> Thanks, Bill. Hope I learn well.