001Good evening everyone. Welcome to the Board of Education Facilities Committee meeting. Today is Wednesday, March 25th. The time is now 5:00. Um with that, I have board members, Garrett Oliver, Nelly Cole. I also have from from our district, we have Sandra Feoelis, uh William Hodell, and Dan Phillips from CSG. First item on the agenda is approving of minutes. Did anybody have any changes, concerns, or motion to approve? Motion to approve. Thank you. Seconded by? I'll second. Thank you, Nelly. So, meetings have passed. And now, Sandra Feoelis, meeting is all yours. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. Thank you, Chair Carpio, and um Nelly, and Garrett. Thank you so much for joining us, and other members. And um we bring you some updates, but it it should be a fairly straightforward meeting. Dan Phillips is
002going to start us off um by bringing us some updates on school construction that is managed by the Construction Solutions Group. And then um Bill Hodell will bring us some school projects that are managed in-house from our facilities team. And then at the very end, I just wanted to bring up a request that came from our band director, Chris Rivera, who had reached out um to the facilities committee through me. And I I'll bring that up at the end. But with that, Dan, would you um mind getting us started? All right. Uh can you see my the correct screen? We can see the correct screen. If you could zoom it, it might be a little helpful. right. >> There you go. Yeah, thank you so much. Yeah. All right. So, first we'll start with the
003Norwalk High School project. As you know, if you've been by the school, the building envelope continues to progress. Uh we're working our way around the building. The end closest to the existing high school is the furthest along. And if you drive around the backside on King Street, you'll see that uh the concrete block walls at the music, pool, and gym areas are uh very close to being closed. As far as the uh entire building, more than 50% of the glazed openings have been installed. There's some that remain out for uh logistical reasons, whether that's loading of uh different floors from different areas. Uh and then the further behind areas, which is the the music, pool, and gym, that glazing is going in now. Site improvements uh over on the Naramake side of the campus, the
004JV softball field, the modular block retaining wall is nearing completion. We're planning to gear up for some of that JV softball work to be completed over this upcoming summer. As far as the interior work, as we get into some of the photos, and you can see in this picture uh top right here, we do have interior finish walls going up, uh frame sheetrock walls, concrete block walls, and in some areas we've uh started taping and painting. There's ceiling grid uh in some of the corridors and classrooms. And for that, us, that means that most of the uh mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-in overhead is complete, allowing us to continue with those finishes. And just a uh update on the the The schedule, we remain on schedule with the project scheduled to be complete for the
005fall 2027 semester. And then fall of 2028 the balance of the project which includes the rest of the site development, the new football field, field house, concession stand, tennis courts, that work. And we'll jump down to a few photos. This one I like to grab the drone photos which aren't always up to date, but as we were saying, the right side, this is the Norwalk High School wing with the P-Tech wing in the background here. And then over to the left that would be the band performing arts area which building envelope is a little further behind and just that has to do with the phasing of the project working from one end to the other end. Here is a photo of the building envelope at the bus drop-off. So, this will be landscaped and receive
006sidewalks. To the right here is the kind of gym area, locker rooms, weight room, and this entrance straight ahead of us will be the bus drop-off entrance that goes straight into the commons at the heart of the school. To the left here, here's one example of an area that remains open and that's for loading materials in and out of the building as part of the the construction phasing. We kind of saw this from the drone image, but these are the openings in the taller ceiling performing arts band space. Kind of looking to the left in this other photo here. If you spin around looking the other direction, it's the other wall within this space. Here is our P-Tech project rooms, which is a a multi-story space. There's one project room in the P-Tech wing. And
007then I think I have another photo here which shows the uh two project rooms in the Norwalk High School wing. And again, glazing farther along on the ends this end of the building. Here's a photo of roofing as it continues its way to the backside of the school. This is the top of the auditorium space. In the background here, the line of trees, this would be King Street for a little orientation. Interior This Here's a a classroom space, the walls painted. Uh all the interior the electrical rough-in is completed in the walls, including the box for our smart boards, and all our technology. Uh the overhead is going in. Uh once that overhead's completed in this space, the uh ceiling grid will go in and allow the ceilings to be installed. Here's a an image
008of a corridor with ceiling grid going in. This would receive ceiling tiles. And as you can see, much of the overhead rough-in is completed above that ceiling, allowing us to continue with the finishes. That's all we have for the high school update if there's any questions. Uh all right. I'll jump into uh the indoor air quality upgrades uh HVAC projects. Brookside This work was uh completed Yes, maybe late last year. Uh we are in the it's substantially complete. Closeouts in progress. There are a few items that are being followed up right now as far as a punch list or um items that need to be resolved. So, we are continuously working on that project. But, um generally, the bulk of the scope has been completed. At Rowayton, we're currently coordinating work that's going to take
009place over April break. So, that will look a little different uh when everyone returns from the April vacation. We're setting up some site fencing at the entrance of that school, and that allows us to start working on our underground electrical to a new transformer location at the exterior of the building. Also, at the inside of the building, there will be ceilings in the corridors that are being opened up, and that's to allow us to do our overhead work through the uh remainder of the school year. And that work is done off hours. It's very similar to what has just been uh performed over at Naramake. So, we're taking some lessons learned there as far as uh cleanliness and communication, and bringing that to the Rowayton school. At Brian McMahon, we're working uh out back primarily
010at the loading dock area. There's a new enclosure with chillers that were just set. We'll show a photo of that in a moment. But, uh over the next couple of weeks, we will be installing handrails for the stairs and ramps, and um continuing to work on that chiller completion. Those were just set, so moving forward to the the startup and commissioning of those for the summer months. Silvermine project substantially complete. Again, similar to Brookside, there's we're still actively uh involved in the project for anything that's comes up. Uh we do have a few punch list items that are still being resolved and that's uh the the closeout package for that hasn't been completed at this point. Naramake similar to uh we described at Rowayton, the ceilings were out in the corridors. We're performing a lot
011of that work now. Ceilings are starting to go back in areas as items are completed. And another item that we I did not mention at Rowayton, but Rowayton and Naramake we do have both have transformers being replaced at the exterior of the school. That's being coordinated to be completed over the summer months. And we're currently working with Eversource, which requires easements for that work to be completed. Something that we had just completed at the high school for the new new utility service. So, we're going to uh continue to to push on that and maintain the schedule for summer of this year with the transformer replacements. And just jump into the Brian McMahon photo. Here's a photo of the two chillers that have been set. Piping going into the school and the new enclosure walls at
012the back of the school. We don't have too many photos for this project. Really, what was in the update was uh the overall project schedules uh for reference. But that's really the the high-level overview of where we're at right now. Are there any questions regarding the HVAC projects at this point? No questions, but the size of the chiller, I didn't think it was that big. Yeah. Um I have some pictures I could show you when they were putting it in place. I'd love to see those. Okay. No, thank you, Dan. You can move on, I think. All right. Thank you. I was that right down for your update? >> Yep. Yep, that's all we have. >> Yeah, thank you. Bill, do you want to go through some school project updates? Sure. Thank you, Dan. >>
013Um good evening. Yep, do you hear me? Yes. Okay. Yes, sir. So, the next item on the list, I know we've talked about this a lot, Alan Lowe in particular, and that is um Ruby Shore Elementary School uh is about to receive uh roof solar. Um unlike the uh projects in the past where we leased the panels, the solar panels for 20 years, um due to the local utility there, uh they didn't have an incentive program. So, these panels are going to be installed and we're going to own them as opposed to lease them. We're going to own them and maintain them, and that installation is going to be covered under the 60% reimbursement. So, that is in a sense somewhat equal to or comparable to um the savings that we would have received over
014a leasing term. Uh, keep in mind there is no incentive program. So, in order for this to happen, this is the only way Allen and his team were able to get creative and um, do this for a much lower cost. So, that is uh, out to bid I believe they're looking at the bids right now. That's going to be managed by Newfield Construction who also managed the project itself. And we expect that project to take place over the summer. Thank you. Diana and and um, Nellie and Garrett, this had been quite a point of contention about the solar at uh, the South Norwalk school, the Ruby Shaw school. So, I'm glad to actually see this come full circle. Yes, I remember those meetings. It was yes, it was happening. No, it wasn't happening. Yes, it
015was happening. No, but I'm thankful that it was finally um, worked out and thank you to the team for all the hard work. Okay. So, moving along, um, we have a busy summer and we just lost a week because of inclement weather, but we still have to get everything done in time. So, we have locker replacements at two middle schools, both Ponus and West Rocks. I know the faculty, students, and mainly the parents are very uh, happy about that. At Brookside, we're milling and paving, replacing the entire parking lot. In addition to that, the uh, school leader there asked us to put up some basketball hoops. Not a full court, but we're going to put a basketball hoop which is appropriate for the elementary school. And we have that in a few other elementary schools
016such as Tracy. Um, that will be taking place this summer. The Wolfpit is closed. It will be taking on the asbestos abatement and air conditioning installation. Uh in order to do it, we need to disturb some of the asbestos. That's why the school is closed. Plus, the amount of wiring and air conditioning work is not as as best served when the kids are not around. We have two other projects that we're having a bit of a I don't know, a struggle with, but we're still working with the state uh due to their reimbursement rate, and that is the UST underground storage tank at 46 Concord. And also the asbestos abatement at Nathan Hale. And we don't have an update just yet, but that is in the planning so long as the state uh considers this
017uh a reimbursement project. Um there's been a lot of talk about roofs lately. And uh we had such a terrible summer, the roofs not only had so much snow, but there was so much snow on it that turned to ice. It separated the membrane in quite a few schools. Um as a result, we have been repairing them. We're still repairing them. In some cases, they've already been done, but in some cases, uh we are still waiting for the next rain to see if they will leak. But nonetheless, what I am doing is I'm um requesting a study because the roofs are near the end of their useful life. Um the state will reimburse roof replacements if they're 20 years or more, and these are all fit into that category. So, we are going to get
018an assessment study done on an overall plan as to what roof should be the priority and when. In addition to that, we know that the city is looking to put roof solar on all the schools in most city properties. You can't put solar on a roof that's 20 plus years old. So, this would benefit that program as well. So, we're working on that. Um also, we are looking at uh the custodial contract and we are looking to uh rebid that out as a cost-saving measure. Well, as you might know, we have a a mixture of in-house custodians and outsourced custodians. This would pertain to the outsourced custodians only and we've been with this group for a number of years and it's time to bid that services out um to uh seek best pricing. Um other
019than that, I don't know um Sandra, if you had anything else. I'm looking at my notes. I think I have I just wanted to make Oh, one other thing. I'm sorry. Uh the uh new sign for Ru- Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School is in progress. Mhm. And uh we hope to have that up actually before the end of the school year or whenever we are given permission or acknowledgement to install that, but that's in processing right now as we speak. Yeah. And uh Chair Carpio, I don't know. Did you Were you part of that email where we were trying to get a date on everyone's calendar for May 29th? For for the unveiling of the new sign. I believe you were. >> I know. Don't remember that one. >> Okay, let me double check. There's
020so many. I think they were not yet and I think that it wasn't necessarily confirmed. So, I will Sorry, I'm grabbing a pen. So, we will make sure that everybody on the committee and it would be for the unveiling of the sign, okay? Okay. Is it 29th of May. Maybe. Yeah, it it's uh quite a ways out. We were going to have Janette reach out to the members, but if you can keep that in mind that that's the date that's been thrown out because the family also wants to join. Okay. Okay, sounds good. Thank you. Of course. Um, any questions about anything that that Mr. Holdell presented because I know that we kind of threw a lot at you at the same time. Um, can you discuss again a little bit more on the contracts
021that he was talking about, please? >> I could see your face. So, the the last time that we went out to bid, like any serious bid for the custodial contracts was in 2014. That was the that was the last time, right, Bill? Yes. Afinaco came on in 2014. Ever since then, they've been giving us updated um, quotes and they've been pretty competitive with their pricing. More recently, um, Afinaco was absorbed by another company named Pritchard. So, Pritchard is a larger corporation. It has other companies under their umbrella, but we did see some increases with Pritchard. And so, uh, we're interested to see what can we what can we see out there that, uh, maybe is it's more competitive now. Post-COVID, that that, uh, the workforce was really unstable and it didn't make sense for us
022to lose the workers that we had because everybody was sort of scrambling for, um, employees, but we have seen some stabilizing, um, in that in that particular, uh, field. And more recently, New Haven went out to bid and I think them going out to bid and them bringing in a different company is promising and I think we're we're, um, okay to see see that. Bill, did I do a good job? Yes, you did. You covered everything. >> Okay. Bill, this is everything Bill told me. So, when he was asking. So, I think that, um, if you have anything else to add, Bill, you're you're welcome to. No, I think you >> We're hoping to capture some savings, yeah. Yes, yes, savings. So, we'll keep you updated on on that whole process. The superintendent is, um,
023aware and has been supportive. Okay, thank you. Yeah, for now it makes sense, cuz I was like, we haven't done that, and then you said 2014, I'm like, "That makes sense." >> 2014, yeah, 2014 was the last time that we went out to bed, you know, there. But, now there's some competition out there, and I think that that's important to strike while the iron is hot. Mhm, mhm. Um, if you're okay for us to move on, I did want to bring up something else that that was brought to, um, our attention. Recently, I received an email, um, from band director Chris Rivera. Um, Chris Rivera, who is an esteemed colleague and has been a band director for, uh, quite some time, made the request from this committee, um, to name a storage um, building that
024belongs to the band, to name that after a person that was recently retired that also was a band instructor. Um, his name is Douglas Oravetz. I don't I don't know Mr. Oravetz, but I think he was an esteemed colleague and a member of the the band community for quite some time. So, he wrote an entire, um, descriptor as to why they wanted to honor Mr. Odavis in his retirement. Um, I would like to share that with the members of this committee and then have that be brought to you for your consideration and I think if you find it favorable, then we would move it to the board and then the board would make the request, or I I would make the request on behalf of the facilities committee, um, to the city to name the
025this building. This small building that's actually in Andrews Field, which is used by our band. Would we have to do any type of community meeting or we can, depending on how it is, like I haven't heard of it quite yet from the band families. So, I'm sure, because he's so connected with the families, that he knows, you know, we've already talked about this with the community. >> Yeah. >> certainly circle back with, uh, Mr. Rivera to see if this is something that he is bringing forth from the community. I can I can respond and ask that. I just wanted first to even have, um, your consent for me to move forward with pursuing this further and then I I would bring it back to you. I don't have a problem with that. Um, Garrett, Nellie,
026how do you feel? Yeah, I'm definitely open to that. So, yeah, please, Andrea, if you could. >> as well. Okay. So, I can I can bring it back to Mr. Rivera, ask him if this is something that the community has discussed, and then I can forward you guys in writing just the the, uh, bio for, um, the person that they are proposing to name this facility after. And from there, we will be meeting again, so I can bring it actually as an item on the agenda. We can discuss it and then if you choose if you so choose to move it forward to the full board, then we could do that. Sounds like a plan. Okay. Thank you for allowing me to add that in at the very end. No, thank you for bringing it
027up. And with that, those were the updates that we had for you. Dan and Bill and I are still here and willing to answer any outstanding questions. Even about something else if you had something else in mind. I'm good. Nelly? Garrett? I'm good. Okay. >> Thank you guys. Appreciate it. Thank you so much. Yeah, thank you. >> As always, thank you for all the information and the hard work. Thank you. >> And we'll all be running over to our next >> That's right. And I'll I'll meet you here, so I'll see you soon, okay? All right. And Nelly and Garrett, both feel better, okay? Thank you so much for jumping on the call. >> Yep. Motion to adjourn. Motion. Thank you, Garrett. Seconded. Seconded. Thank you. Good night, everybody. All right, good night. Thank you,
028Bill. Thank you, Dan. And Felix, thank you. Bye. Bye.