We will call our meeting to order. School building committee February 11th. Um, we can do roll call attendance. We'll start with Chuck. Chuck Dunton. Sorry.
>> Chuck Dun Blackstone. >> Carrie Carrie got at Blackstone Blackstone. Jennifer Wang, Milville. Scott >> Scott, director of facilities. Jackie Dio, secretary. Kristen Donado, director of finance and operations. Jill Pell
Gallerani, interim superintendent. Jill Bellis, high school principal. >> Jeff Silverstein, fin. I'm just here for the heat. >> Mike Luckley Black. >> Sarah Lark in Noville. And then, um, everyone online. I can't see who's here,
so >> it looks like >> just go wild. Jane Reio Rachel Anderson Gallagher Milton Bcom. >> Is that everyone? Jackie >> and then virtually Christina Mulligan
from Collier. >> Yeah. Trisha. >> Trisha Puzzi D. >> Ryan Coughlin DRA. >> Okay. And then in-house in-house uh Vivian Verbedian with Collers, >> Jim Barrett, DRA,
>> I'm Greg Smoly with DRA. Thank you everyone. Um we have minutes from January 14th. Anyone like to make a motion to approve those? >> Motion by Jeff. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Mary.
Any discussion? Hearing none, I'll look for um roll call. All in favor? Um Chuck, >> I'm abstain. I wasn't here. >> Carrie, >> yes. >> Mary, >> yes. Jen, >> yes.
>> Scott, >> yes. >> Kristen, yes. Jill, >> yes. >> Jill, >> yes. >> Jeff, >> yes. >> Mike, >> yes. >> Tara, yes. Um, Jane, >> yes. >> Rachel,
>> yes. Sierra wasn't sleeping. >> Do you want to abstain? >> Um, is anyone else online? I'm sorry. I think that was it. >> All right. Um, motion passes. Minutes are approved.
All right. And now moving on to the OP OPM report. We have Vivian and Christina. Great. Thank you all. Uh today we wanted to show a handful of invoices. Here's a couple of invoices for
November and January. And then two DRA invoices, one for January and the other for some of their consultants. 57,000
2020 and 18. We're looking for approval for the invoices in order to process them and for payment. We don't have them in the packet, right? Is that what No one's finding them?
>> Just as a reference, right? So, as presented on the screen, um, is there a motion to approve the invoices? >> Motion by Carrie. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Chuck. And we'll go by roll call to approve.
Uh, Chuck, >> yes. >> Carrie, >> yes. Mary, >> yes. Jen, >> yes. Scott, >> yes. >> Kristen, yes. Jill, >> yes. >> Jill, >> yes. Jeff, >> yes. >> Mike, >> yes. >> Tara, yes. Uh, Jane, >> yes.
>> Rachel, >> yes. >> Sierra, >> yeah. >> All right. >> Sorry. >> That's okay. All right. Motion passes. Okay. So, with that said, this is the budget summary page
showing the four buckets that you all have uh of your total project budget of $1 million. Any questions in terms of the budget summary page? Nothing has significantly changed on the budget summary page. The only
differences are once the invoices have been approved, they're now moved into part of the committed portion and tracking. Otherwise, there's no it's the expenditures to date column that
reflects the invoices and where we are in relation to the committed cost. So, at the moment, there isn't really much more to track. All right, with that um talking highlevel schedule overview,
I prepared this graphic to show you all today. Um just show where we fall big picture uh within the overall schedule. So as you know uh the designer selection
we have DP submission we did submit the PF >> Christina can I stop you for one second Christina it's Can I stop you one second just so everyone knows I see people looking through papers if you look in the packet all the information we're viewing is in the packet so if you go to
I think it's page >> uh seven seven that's where we are right now so all the The things that were on the screen were there. I just people flipping through. So, >> okay. Sorry, Christina. >> I don't know if it's your
computer, but everything we hear online is echo. >> Yes, I am getting the reverb. It's like one step behind because I'm hearing my voice from the room.
So Tim is checking on it as we speak, but in the room here, we're not hearing any reverb. So we're I could kind of present the information as Tim is working on it. So
in front of you or either in your packet or on the screen you will find the schedule overview. This is a very high level schedule and as Christina was mentioning in at the end tail end of
2025 December 18th to be exact we did submit the PSR with your approval and blessing and we had a facilities assessment subcommittee meeting with the MSBA which it was very wellreceived. So I appreciate all the time and effort it
took for many members as including Jill Jill Tara from the leadership group to be online with MSBA as well as DRA's efforts for the presentation. We are waiting still for MSBA to provide us formal uh
questions comments from their review of the entire packet of the PSR. taking note that the packet was fairly large. There are a lot of information presented in it. So, it has taken them a bit of a time and we're hopeful that we should be
receiving the comments. I'm hoping that by the end of this week. So, we've been staying in touch with MSBA in order to get those comments where we have a select amount of time to respond to them and as such the project doesn't come to
a stop or a halt. the DRA team has moved forward and now we're in the schematic phase. So we're starting to enter into schematic phase and the level of detail that is going to be included in the next round and in the next sets will get a
little bit more refinement. Our hope and plan for the MSBA is that the schematic set is due to them on 6:25 of this year. So even though it sounds like June is far away, it's quickly approaching
and all efforts are towards reaching that timeline. After that timeline is done is where we start really focusing more on the vote strategy and getting this project informed into the community. A little bit more work
required to do that in hopes for a positive vote. Any questions on the high level schedule? Happy to answer. >> Okay, I think one. >> Yes. >> Do we have um uh a fairly detailed
uh idea of what the um process the approval process will consist of? Now, >> for the MSBA approval or for the town approval? >> For the town approval. >> For the town approval, we are working through some of the details. There is a
district agreement, a regional agreement, and I know that the attorneys and the towns are both aware and working through some of the language and contractual obligations. I don't have an update for you as of yet, but I know that they're working on it and once we
do, we'll be more than happy to share. >> Okay, thank you. >> You're welcome. >> So, MSBA didn't have an answer. That's our legal fees are paying for this question. our legal fe your legal fees would have to pay for it since the contractually
the regional contract is within the region and not MSBA involved. Any other questions? Seeing none. All right. So to go a little bit deeper into uh the schedule update as you guys
are kind of another visual to help you kind of guide you through the process. On February 25th of this month, we're intending to present yet again to the MSBA having already completed the facilities assessment subcommittee
meeting with them to get formal approval from the MSBA board. that technically signals us having moved on to schematic even though the project didn't uh take a pause. The design team has feverishly been working meeting and refining the
plans towards the schematic. Otherwise, it'd be extremely difficult to meet the June 25th deadline for submission of um schematic design which takes you into modular 4. So in modular 4 where is earmarked as
the schematic design on June 25th we'll be making the target date submission to the MSBA with the intent of going in front of the board MSBA board of approval for the project on uh August
26th and the intent is for a fall town meeting and town vote and we have not formally finalized the strategy yet. So that will um stay
tuned. After that is where it triggers to modular 5 and it's the approval process that both towns will go through and have the appropriation for the funds to move the project forward. >> Yes.
Um, do you have um a good idea as to how long it will take MSBA to give uh an approval um once the um submission is made in on August 26th? >> Usually when we make the submission, our
submission date is technically June 25th. Okay. So that time frame between June 25th and August before they go to their board meeting is when we're having a lot of conversations back and forths uh comments you know providing input to
the MSBA. That timeline is allocated for that purpose. Once we go to the August board it's already more of a funer that yes we'll be presenting in front of the board for approval. >> Okay. Any other questions?
Okay. With that, tonight we also do have a budget revision request being made and this is where an action is required and a vote from all of you tonight. The MSBA requires districts to submit a budget
revision request, formerly known as the BRR, to move funds between one project line to cost code to another. So where if you recall during the kind of initiating the teams there was a
little bit a budget original budget set aside for the facilities um facilities not facilities feasibility study of 250,000 set aside for the OPM and 650 set aside for the A&E
feasibility study as well as a 100,000 set aside for for the environmental and site portion. There was a little bit of overrun on the OPM fees and an underrun on the from the DRRA team. So, we're
just reallocating the budget, moving one amount of money from one line to the other in order to cover all of the commitments. >> Can you explain what the overrun was? So uh for us when we were the feasibility
study and the amount set for the million dollars was done by the town and it doesn't include any input or any costs associated or any proposals from either the OPM team or the architectural team. >> So it didn't match your contract.
>> Correct. It didn't match our contract values. >> So how do you >> Yeah. how that >> Yeah, that can't happen because the the contract has to be approved by our town accountant to ensure the funds are there, >> right? And it's it's it's not a this is very normal and um helping you
understand. So, it's like you guys uh the towns approved the million-doll budget and without any knowledge of what the costs would come in for a OPM service or a designer service, allocations were made for each budget,
for each line item with that. if it you know the DRRA I'll use that as an example the architectural feasibility study was earmarked to be $650,000 the DRA team came in under at $580,05
so there's money in that line item of $69 $69,995 to be exact. Now you could leave it there or you could move it to another line. In this case, we would need to move it up to the OPM line because
originally the earmark amount was 250,000 for feasibility schematic design portion for an OPM and our contract after negotiation with the town came in at 900 319,995.
So the money the overall budget is still remaining a a million. We're just moving the money from one bucket to the other to cover each other. >> How does that impact DRRA with their A&E feasibility? How what's how's that?
>> Are you square with that? Are you going to >> Would that final number the 5805? >> The contract has already been executed and signed. So there the contracts have been executed and signed. So there is no
issue. This is just the paperwork following up to it to make sure that the MSBA recognizes the same and our budgets are aligned. >> So, uh, speaking of the third one that you're not haven't touched yet, but I'm sure there's work been done, the environmental insight, is there enough
there? >> There should be based off of the proposal that was submitted from DRA. The only reason why that hasn't been committed because I don't think your subconsultants have been brought on board yet. from the DRA team.
>> Who's who's doing our accounting for this now? >> Go ahead, Christina. >> When we had all the contract set up, >> we had shown a budget adjustment when we
so when we were signed on signed on that were signed on, these were all within the St. use and specifically the MSBA formal document just high that were
all with all the contracts that were executed to date and then as you know um when we did sign of the consultants under environmental site I know we still need a few others but
there was the agreement written in there that we're not going to go over the 000. So the MSBA is requesting that this document get reviewed and signed just to confirm that we all agree with the
executed documents date. >> So the MSBA approved this fee because they typically have a range and this seems a little high. >> No, it's within range. It's all been approved. All of the contracts have already been executed. >> No, I'm aware of that. I'd like to We don't have a finance person right now.
Right. He left. >> No, I'm the I'd like to verif I'd like to verify that their contract that all the deliverables that we're getting if we're going to give them this is the same. As far as I know, they are I know that was the discussion is that the we
had signed and set this for a million dollars and it was not to exceed that and that was the agreement. Um I can look over the documents to make sure that it's nothing has been taken away but from what I know it that is accurate. >> Right. so that we'll get the number of
estimates that supposed to get. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. There's no difference in that. you're still getting you're actually getting a little bit more because we had to take a slight pause for the PSR and um do a little bit
more digging into making sure that we have all of the room data sheets accurate and all of the information as well as the space summary accurate in the submission for the PSR. So technically you're getting three for the price of two.
>> We did do the pause. I we did have conversations with both DMR and collers that we had an agreement and regardless of the pause we were still moving forward with that and there was no additional expense. >> Correct. >> So uh this budget adjust and this budget
revision request is from the very onset when all of the contracts were executed. It's now just catching up the paperwork with it in order to make sure that the MSBA has the same information as you're already have on your budget sheets that
everything matches that on a con on a continuous basis we do audits with the MSBA making sure that our record keeping their recordeping of all the invoices we submit the pay applications we submit are all in line
and um you know following going through to each other. >> Are we allowed to see those notice? >> Typically the MSBA does the audit, but we also do a maybe quarterly audit with
our files and the towns as well to make sure that everybody cuz what we have is in line with MSBA and what we have is also in line with the town. And when we do um another audit, we'll be happy to share that information and give an
update. It's just there isn't in all fairness, there isn't that many line items to really be completely off. >> So when you say towns, you really mean district. >> Yes. District. >> Yes. >> Want to make sure the terms are right. >> Correct. Thank you. >> So your original contract was for how
much? 300 and $19,995 which is which is what is on the committed line here. >> Yes. That is what we've been tracking since I know since I've started. >> Mhm. >> And that's what was executed in our
contract and the dollar value that we're holding to. DRA's contract just for um is in the budget summary and cost summary. If you guys look on that sheet under the committed costs we have for the
environmental and site we of the 100,000 we do have 68,373 already committed and from we also have for the A&E feasibility study services 580,000
committed under the committed cost bringing their total to 648,373 at the moment. moment there is uncommitted the column next to it in G of 31,627
and $5 from below for rounding bringing their total of 31,632 that is still within the range and I know that once we have a lot more of the schematic phase consultants come on
board that will be committed as Any other discussion? Is there a motion to approve the transfer? >> Christina, if you wouldn't mind going back to the BRRify, the motion to the transfer didn't happen at prior
authorized changes. It's proving that the letter the letters can be signed by all committee members that your previous Thank you for that clarification. There is a copy of the letter if you haven't
noticed in your packet yet. So looking for a motion to approve the letter. >> So moved. >> Thank you Jeff. Is there a second? I'll second. Roll call. Chuck, >> yes. >> Eric,
>> yes. Mary, >> yes. I would like to see the contract again. >> Okay. >> Jen, >> yes. >> Uh, Scott, >> yes. >> Kristen, >> yes. >> Jill, >> yes. >> Jill, >> yes. >> Jeff, >> yes. >> Mike, yes.
>> Tara, yes. Uh, Jane, >> yes. >> Rachel, >> no. and Sierra. >> Okay, motion passes to um approve the letter. So, under the OPM report tonight, we
wanted to bring to your attention the different types of delivery method for this project. No vote is required tonight and it's just more forformational purposes in hopes that we give you all the discussion points, information you
need to make a informed decision and we would look for that decision next month or next meeting. So as far as delivery methods, what does that mean? There are two contractual ways that you can go about um procuring a contractor for this
project in order to move into construction. I know it seems a little bit early to make a decision about what type of delivery method you're going to look for in construction, but the decision does need to ma be made during the schematic
phase. so that if one is chosen over another, we need to provide the necessary paperwork to either the attorney general's office or to the MSBA. There are two delivery methods. The typical one is a design bid build.
And what that means is exactly as it sounds. We design the complete school 100%. We bid it out to a general contractor and with it, if you don't mind going
back, Christina, with it, then you start construction and building the project. The construction manager at risk is a slightly different process where they come in a little bit earlier in the process and they're coming in during the
design portion in order to help with the constructibility of the drawings as well as be more of a partnership with you and they are looking at it in a different um light. If you wouldn't mind moving to
the next. Thank you. So to put it in a schedule, there's always risk and reward, right? So the top bar is the typical design bid build or affectionately known as DBB.
Everything in this industry has an acronym. So why should this be any different? So we are at the feasibility study phase and once we get the town approval we will district approval we will move on to final design documents.
At the end of 100% completed construction design documents is when we'll go out to bid for a general contractor. That is the portion marked in yellow. After that, once we make a selection to
the lowest qualified bidder is where we will move into construction under a typical design bid build process. The construction manager at risk is a slightly different way to um to approach
the project where we are in the feasibility phase and as the design team is moving forward into the final design documents, you have the opportunity to bring on the construction manager
to on board a little bit earlier if you so choose to go down this path. they are coming on board a lot sooner than the 100% construction document completion phase. So with it, if this is the delivery method you would wish to pursue
for this project, we would need to let the attorney general's office know. Make sure that we also have a qualified construction manager on board. And you are not basing it off of the final price of what they're going to build the
project on. Instead, you're basing it off of their general conditions and a partnership with them. Once they are on board and looking at the drawings as well for constructibility and where our cost estimators would no longer do the cost
estimating, it would be the construction manager doing the cost estimating for the project and your check cost estimate would still remain with the design team. At the moment, contractually, both the design team and the OPM team have their
own separate cost estimators that we look at the same they both firms look at the same drawings, provide a cost estimate and a reconciliation for. In this case, for the construction manager at risk, it would be the design team's
cost estimator and the contractor, the g uh the construction management firm that you hire. There is some positives to this with bringing them on board a little bit earlier. You are able to move construction a little bit earlier as
well in hopes that they could work with the team to maybe do some early release packages if necessary and expedite it that way so they're not waiting for procurement of products and move straight into construction. There is some time savings, but that time also
equates to money. Next slide. There's some definitely pros and cons to both sides and we try to give you a high level of pros and cons to both. So a pro
as a comparison. The design bid build is more of a competitive pricing that everybody has the 100% completed set. They're all looking at it the same way. And whatever pricing you receive on bid
day or soon after is what is the cost of the project. With that on both delivery methods, we will always do a qualificationbased process where in
order for them to even submit a bid for the DBB or design bid build process, they have to be considered qualified bidder. On both cases for the construction manager at risk or affectionately known as the CMR we
definitely do a qualification base as well as for design bid build. So in both cases you are getting the most qualified uh submission but the difference is where the CMR is coming on earlier
where the design bid build is more of a fixed lumpsum price. You're waiting for the 100% CD set. You're um bidding it out. whatever the cost they submit is the guaranteed cost
lumpsum amount for the job. Whereas the in the CMR they're collaborating with you during the design phase and they're helping to detect early conflicts if there is any or maybe some uh constructibility issues that might
change the design a little bit. They're working in partnership and in concert with the architectural team >> hopefully. So are we so are we bound by the lowest uh val you know lowest bidder or the lowest comp competent bidder or is that
give us a little bit of uh leeway there >> in the CMR it gives you leeway okay >> in the designb it's just >> correct it >> correct >> good thank you >> yes absolutely so that's why we call it a fixed price versus in the um CMR it's
more of a design phase collaboration Since the CMR team is coming on a lot earlier, you're really not basing it on what the actual cost of the project will be. You're more basing it on their general conditions and that's the fee
that they're going to provide you with. Okay. So the design bid build is considered more of a traditional base where you you know design the building 100% you go out to bid and then you construct. The CMR allows you for a
little bit more flexibility. It allows for them to come on board earlier. In many cases the CMR firm um it's still a construction manager. They come on board and have I have seen them help with boat
strategy as well, logistics, meeting with different groups and entities in town to help kind of push this project along in the design bid build. It does reduce
scope and you I can't say the word ambiguity meaning that you're designing the project 100% before you're going out to bid. Whereas in the CMR as I mentioned they're coming on board before the design is 100% done. So they're helping
with understanding from the design team what is the intent and providing costs according to those intent. similarly to what our cost estimators would do as well. Next slide. Now that we talked a little
bit about the pros, we also want to make sure that you understand the cons to them too. For the design bid build, I'll start there. It is no preconstruction design support. So that means whatever you have in the drawings at the day of
bid is what they're bidding on. That's it. And the design bid build contractors aren't involved in identifying design conflicts. They're not involved in any uh clash detection or any areas that
might be omissions, errors, or constructibility wise, not necessarily peer review in that period of time. We do have a peer review already within our contract, but our peer review is never going to be the same level of a
construction manager. >> I like the idea of having them in early. >> Mhm. >> Uh cuz based on past practice, we've had run into some things, >> right, >> when this is what we thought we were building, but >> Right. So with that, it can, you know, with the design bid build, they're
pricing out whatever is in the drawings. Granted, this is a new construction. It's a new build. The DRA team is extremely experienced. You know, man has been managing the project very well so far. So, there is a
typical amount percentage for errors and omissions, which is standard. There no drawings will ever be 100% accurate. So, we have a question. So I'm looking at we have the design build and I see where the bid comes in where the yellow
is and then I see the yellow on the construction manager at risk. >> Yes. >> So for the for the construction manager at risk you mentioned something that they would also assist with the vote. Does that mean they they come on board before? >> Yes. >> So there would be an additional cost
before >> correct >> the towns even decided that we would be moving forward with >> correct >> building. Okay. for the design build bid build. >> Um this person the contractor that would come on would be after the towns agreed
if they agreed to build. Correct. So okay I just want to be clear because >> absolutely >> there would be an added cost. >> Thank you for that. There is a clear distinction because the reason why we're bringing it up now is for that exact reason that if you so choose to move
forward with a CMR appro delivery approach, we would need to get started. You could bring them on even earlier. Like I'll give a great example. In my town, as I've shared with you guys, I sit as the vice chair for my school building committee that we're doing a
project now, a consolidated elementary school. We brought the CMR firm even earlier than design phase. So the design phase here in this graphic that you're seeing the feasibility study includes
the schematic design and that means that you have voted for as a district to move forward with it and we're bringing them on early in the design development phase. So after you vote. So there's a slight distinction. You can choose to
bring them on now even before the vote. >> When would we get that money? >> Right. But that was my right. It's an added cost. >> It is an added cost. Yes, >> it would be an added cost. Correct. For that reason, graphically we depicted it in the design development phase,
anticipating the district would move forward with the project and if you so choose to move forward with a CMR delivery method, you would bring them on uh very early on. Um I have another question. So absolutely what would
the um CMR individuals who came on do differently than the work that DRA is? What would be different? >> It's not necessarily differently. The DRRA team is still responsible for the design and u moving the design forward
in the timely manner. It's the C um the construction management team would work alongside with them in reviewing the documents, making sure that they're providing the cost estimate with from their subcontractors. So it's not from a cost estimator. It's from a construction manager and their
subs. As well as the difference is that you're also looking at them as more of a partnership and they're looking at the constructibility of the design along with DRRA periodically looking at the drawings and making sure that yes, this
is constructible or if there's any clash detections. For example, if you have the HVAC lines running one way, but the ceiling heights are a little too high that they'll run interfere with the HVAC system and the piping. They the hope is
that they can detect it early on and make those modifications in the design phase versus going out to bid with it and then finding that there's um kind of where they intersect and now it becomes a project cost
>> and that can't happen after the vote. >> It can it can happen after and that's why we hold contingency. >> So in both cases we'll always have a contingency. Okay. The difference between the if you could go to the ons slide.
Thank you. The difference is really on who takes on the risk. Are you taking on the risk? Are you comfortable as a district taking on the risk or are you transferring the risk to someone um to another firm with it for the DBB
it's a mandatory public bidding. So the mo owner must award to the lowest eligible qualified bidder before we ever even go out to bid. We will do a pre-qualification
for this project. So you're not in control of really who you're going to get. You're not interviewing the construct the general contractor. It's whoever was part of the eligible lowest bidder is awarded the project under procurement law.
So if we I just want to make sure because you go ahead. >> Um RA Sure. >> I think if you again um >> this pathway basically
>> how would we go about employing the construction manager like interviews or books or something like that? And then my other question is about how much does for something like that cost?
>> So um I'll answer the first part. The first part yes, we would have to put together an RFP process similarly to how the district did in order to procure the OPM services as well as um the design services. So we would help the district
put together a RFP in looking for qualified construction management firms. Upon receiving their proposals since it is not a fee a direct cost base for the project. You would also shortlist three
firms ideally and interview them and from that you would make a selection. Yes, there is a cost component to it because now you're adding the construction manager to do a lot of the
preconstruction services for the project such as the cost estimating as well as working with the design team to do constructibility review as well. But with having just that million-doll bucket >> where
>> well the you're looking at the milliondoll bucket in the feasibility and schematic phase. If we bring on the construction manager at risk during after the approvals, you already have you could ident if that's the reason why we need to understand which method
you're choosing so that we'll make sure to allocate enough money in the budget or the overall total project budget that you will seek district approval. >> CMR would come on board before the town votes. No, after >> after.
>> You said they were going to help with the town. >> You could you could choose two ways. You could choose to bring them on before the town vote or you could choose to bring them on after the town vote. In the diagram we showed you, they'd be coming on board after the town vote.
>> Doesn't the town vote on the actual schematic design though? >> Correct. And there will be a total project budget cost associated with it. That's what they get one bite of the apple with the towns. >> That's what the district is voting on. It's not just approving the project to
move forward, but approving the project at the cost. >> Yeah. >> So, I guess my question would be, what is the CMR going to do any different that Kers told us >> they were going to do? Because if I remember correctly, Vivian, when you first came on, you said you specialize
in getting the towns to approve. >> Yep. So it's not they're coming on after the vote is happening if you're choosing to go with a CMR. They're the intent for a CMR is more to do a lot more of the constructibility review. You know we as
collers are project managers. We're not construction managers. So their input and expertise comes in more of looking at the design drawings making sure that construction wise they are able to build exactly as intended.
That's the addlement to that. For example, if you have a phase creating construction, taking one wing of the building down, adding another wing, moving kids,
you know, all the crazy that >> I don't understand. That's the bread of aging. So that's exactly where I was headed to only because it's echoing Christina. Thank
you for that. Um where many times we highly recommend a CMR delivery method is exactly for that reason. If you have a very complicated phased project, if you there's some level of complexity to
it that the district is uncomfortable taking that on, we highly recommend bringing a CMR team on board during the design phase. And with that, they can help they can help with logistic planning, phase planning as well.
Whereas this project is intended to be done as a singular phase where we're building on a field area that is not currently occupied with another building and then to tear down the existing.
>> You know, it's >> I just want to make sure everybody understands. I've done both types of projects. Obviously, >> there's going to be change orders with both. Don't fool yourself that if it's a cement risk, they're not they're not going to find everything. >> Absolutely. The only thing pro that I find with a CM
at risk is you can select a qualified contractor. >> You don't have to get the low bidder. Um, and there are a number of contractors out there that I respect that will only do see them at risk because a lot of the design build are the new guys getting into the field or
the ones that you might not want and they just throw a low number and then come back at you with change orders. >> And thank you. You're absolutely right. there will be change orders on both sides. It isn't that it's taking away change orders from one or the other.
It's more of understanding that how you're comfortable with the con uh general contractor market out there at the moment. Most likely the usual suspects we always see are break builders. We always see CTA, Bacon,
Augustini, J&J. So those we would qualify them and most likely all of them will get qualified. >> A couple of those I wouldn't qualify just to be honest with you and I didn't. >> Yeah. >> But I do um I've already had calls from Suffach and Sigly and Fontaine. >> Right. Which are CMR firms. So they're
construction management firms. They do not go after projects that are >> both. Yes. Fontaine will do both. >> They're outstanding. >> They they're very local as well to this um Springfield. to Springfield.
>> Font. >> Uh, give me one second, Rachel. Let me um finish my train of thought. So, there are, you know, construction managers that will do both. Fontaine prefers a CMR, but will be willing to do a lump
sum project as well. And with it, Exactly. SuffK, Conigi, uh, Gilbane as well will do only CMR. So among those you have a difference in the level of players and the level of
sophistication of the construction manager and for that reason you are also there is an incred um a little bit of a cost associated with that. Can I Mary brought up change orders? So my question is is we go to the town
>> we have the project and the cost. >> Yep. >> And there's a certain cost that is in there for also whichever delivery method we choose. Correct. >> Yes. >> Okay. So you go in with that and with all these change orders it has to be within that total amount. Correct.
>> Carry a contingency for it. >> Yes. We would all uh the contractor would carry their own contingency in the number the final number they give. >> Yeah. >> Outside of that we would still have a what is classified as a soft cost
contingency and a hard cost contingency. The hard cost contingency is more for the construction related change orders that are brought forward. Soft cost would be more for owner requested changes that may be during the construction phase you make a change to
add additional furnitureures. We would cover the cost of that from the soft cost contingency moving it up to the furniture fixture and equipment line items similarly to the BR BRR you just approved. >> Okay. So that means whatever the money is
>> Mhm. We know it's going to be spent somewhere. >> What are the I mean with these contingencies, of course, the the companies that come in, whichever method it is, knows what contingencies are in place, right? How often do they ever not say >> or you know what I mean? Put in all the
changes to meet that contingency. Just general question. >> I'm giving back a lot of money. >> Yeah. It's not it's not like that. We usually hold the contingency for your benefit to make sure that you're covered in all unforeseen conditions and that you're not going back to the district to
ask for more money. And the MSBA requires us at the end of schematic phase that when we come to you what is known as the form 311 which is your total project budget. It includes everything that we could think of from
legal costs to printing costs to the construction to anything that we could we you know as well as think of and as well as um swing space move management for when you have to move the students
out and in teachers as well and inclusive of that is a line for both hard and soft contingency. So, in the importance of clean drawings, which I've worked with DRRA and I've had good luck with them. Um, with change orders, Masco
Building Authority doesn't participate. Typically, you don't whatever comes back on bid day, that's what you get your percentages of of what's allowable. >> Mhm. >> So, you want to if you if you're thinking about something, you want to make sure you've covered it. >> Audio.
>> So, like you should look at the drawings, Scott should look at them, I should look at them, too. and we'll form a committee uh of working group not a committee a working group that you guys will definitely be a part of >> and with it
>> I did just text >> yeah I I hear lost audio >> we hear you that you lost audio >> um here. So, um there are some cons as well if you um
not necessarily looking at the slide, but your page 14 that we didn't necessarily finish. Some of the cons So, it's very clear moving forward, we're going to make sure that the presentation is the presentation screen
only and those who have to join us online are going to have to go through Jackie's computer as we've done in the past. We really can't have both at the same time. So, >> did you ask? He's working on it. >> Okay. Is this something that we're voting on
tonight or just thinking? Okay. >> No, no. We're presenting the information for you so that you can have an opportunity to think about it. And if more questions come up, >> please feel free. As well as next month, next meeting is when we're hoping to obtain a vote and answer additional
questions that you that might come up for you. >> Christina gave a thumbs up. >> Yes, I had a question. >> Yes, Rachel. Well, I didn't forget you. >> So, before I had asked what the CMR
potential cost would be because you had said that with that project timeline for so perhaps you know like on average how much it cost. It's a hard one to answer with exact
precision because depending on the firm that is selected, it could range, but on average, if you need kind of like an average, it's usually an eight, we usually say between an 8 to 10%
increase um for the overall cost. It's very hard to say exact since they're not necessarily on board yet and they're not giving you a final cost and it's more for them to come on board. It's a guaranteed maximum price for the
drawings versus having 100% set done go out to bid and come back. So you said 8 to 10% of the total cost of the project. Yes. >> Mhm. It's >> pretty. >> We did do both. >> PR route. So for the PSR submission, we
did ask both cost estimators, the design teams and ours to give a price for both. And taking that into consideration since no vote or decision had been made, we wanted to make sure that whatever direction you go with, we have you
covered. So if the committee decides to not go CMR there would be a reduction >> hopefully but it's hard to say and the only reason I'm not trying to be koi with it it's that the drawings will
further get developed and design will be furthered and um you know we haven't gone through there's an expectation of the level of finishes as well as an expectation for the level of furniture equipment that is going to go into the
project, but those are still in flux. >> Yes. >> So, um the CMR route, um I think you mentioned that there would be um an upfront expense involved with that that would have to be approved by the voters
before the project before the final approval. >> No, the the town or the district as a whole is voting to approve the project. So if you choose to go with the CMR method, we'll already anticipate that
cost in the total project budget. So this >> okay, but that would that would mean but that would mean they wouldn't be able to participate um prior to >> vote. Correct. >> Okay. >> Because we would vote on it. >> So if votes are successful,
>> correct? >> What's the lead time to actual construction s? We'll say the vote is October. >> They don't understand CD. Yeah. So in in this diagram it's typically after the
vote happens you have standard about 6 to 8 months to develop the design development documents. >> Okay. At the end of that if let's say let's take the example from the top right from the top bar feeasability
schematic design happens it's completed we go we do the 3011 creating a total project cost budget we go to town or district vote for the approval of the project. The funds are appropriated for
the project by the district approval to move forward. Afterwards you have still to develop the design. You have to go through the design development phase which is typically 6 to 8 months and then you move to the construction
document phase. >> Okay. >> Which is another about 6 months. So overall it's about a year year you know 14month process to get >> 14 months. So actually so when when the bids would be open would be would that
be like at 12 months or 14 months? >> Uh about 15 16 months >> 16 months. Okay. So we have some district >> to like if we wanted to go in one direction or >> no we need to vote. The reason for the
no answer is because if we were to go with a CMR method, we would need to make sure that we're including those costs in the total project budget to go to district approval and appropriation of the funds. >> Thank you.
>> So, it's really down to a matter of how comfortable you are. You could carry the cost for CMR to a public vote and then elect to go to design bid build. You can't go the other way because you won't have the fees for the CM. >> Right. That makes sense.
>> And with it, if going to the second bar, as an example, you would finish the feasibility and schematic phase, go to district vote and approval with the intent of pursuing this project as a CMR. So the fees associated with it were
approved in the district vote and very quickly uh file with the attorney general's office to move forward with a CMR uh firm. go out kind of like procure the CMR firm, do the interviews, make
your selection and have them involved early on in the design development phase and carry it forward to the construction >> possibility >> document phase and then moving forward to construction. So you're bringing them on a lot
earlier, >> but it's still we need to understand which direction you want to go pursue in preparation for the MSBA submission in June. We need to make sure that those costs are captured. >> Okay. Mhm. >> So >> now in the next page when you talk about
uh the the pie charts there now um do we do you have examples of districts that went with the core uh program bid results versus uh the you know the usual it's the traditional >> yes actually so this is based off of the
MSBA projects not to say that other towns districts have gone without MSBA funding But we're focusing since this one is an MSBA funded project. We're go we looked at that in 2023
there was the delta or difference between design bid build and CMR. Eight out of the 18 were performed as a design bid build and four out of the 18 projects that were approved that year
into the MSBA program were done as a CMR. >> Mhm. And in 2024 again uh out of MSBA only approved six projects for that year to go into the core program and out of the six four
were design bid build, two were CMR. In 25 there was 10 projects approved and out of the 10 six were design bid build and four were CMR. So really the choice is yours and your comfort level in what
you would like to move forward with. There is no right answer or wrong answer. It's just more of your preference and comfort level. >> Do we have any context like what the districts were and in this get some how it's going? >> We could definitely do that and look for
that. I can tell you for um I'll give my district as an example. We decided to pursue CMR and um in town we have um two projects. One was the senior center and
one was the town hall. The senior center was um decided to be a design bid build project and the town hall was decided to be a CMR project. So a a district can choose either depending on the project
or >> now in the in the uh town hall situation was that a rena or was that a new >> brand new both of them were ground up brand new construction but the location of the town hall the proximity to the butters the need for a lot of the ledge
that was in the soil made it more conducive to bring on a CMR firm over a traditional design bid build process. Whereas where we chose to build the senior center was a lot more flat land.
It was you know there wasn't as much complexity to the soil conditions or to the property and decided to pursue that as a design bid build. When we went having done experienced both of them in town, when we went to the school
project, they had such a favorable approach with the CMR. They chose the school building committee chose to pursue another CMR contract for the school project, but we brought them on
even earlier. >> And what town is this? >> Wilmington. >> Wilmington. We brought them on during the feasibility and schematic phase in hopes for them to also assist us with the election and the vote. Jeff,
>> thank you. >> You're welcome. Yes, please. If >> I can, um, our firm's experience kind of is reflective of the table. We're seeing more CMR than >> u GC. That said, uh, two relatively
recent projects, um, Stoton High School, Middleboro High School, both could be seen as complex projects because they share what yours does. They were building adjacent to an existing high school >> and keeping it operational during the
construction period. >> Stoen decided to go the CMR route. They're very satisfied with the outcome. We feel we had a successful relationship there. Similarly, Middleboro, they went the other way. They leaned towards the
DBB >> design bid build, excuse me. And >> they were fortunate in terms of the general contractor that they were able to attract. Fontaine, who was mentioned earlier, they're actually out of the Worcester area. >> Yeah. Worcester. >> And um yeah, I think Springfield was
mentioned earlier. It's it's actually Worcester. Yeah. >> Yeah. and um we had a we had a really strong relationship there as well. So it you can have success on either side of this equation. And >> now the middle borrow one was that a
brand new is that a revampment? >> Both projects kind of paralleled each other. They were approximately 750 to 850 sized high schools. Actually Stone might be a little bigger than that. Um and they were um as I said new
constructions directly adjacent existing buildings that were to be demolished ultimately. So it very much paralleled your situation. >> So I'm currently also working on another project with Christina that for the town of Webster
>> Webster is doing a high school project and it's an addition renovation phased occupied. It is what I would consider a very complex project. >> That that school's probably about probably 45 or 50 years old. >> Yes, it is. We're finding that in the
unforeseen conditions, but with it, it went design bid build and we have great builders doing a occupied phased construction and each phase has its own substantial completion as well. So to
add a little bit more complexity to it that it you can go either direction. >> Okay. >> Who determines whether they're qualified >> and can we remove can we have input to
say we don't want to work with that uh >> Mary just mentioned there's a few that you mentioned that she wouldn't want to work with. Those are all the ones that typically pursue design bid build. And with the design bid build, >> you're gonna who decides whether they're
qualified? >> The um we would write the RFP in hopes of making it as stringent as possible, but there is no way to fully disqualify. >> We couldn't say we don't want to.
>> Ultimately, it comes back to the committee. >> Yes. say stating who you're comfortable with and then your professional team trying to build the case for or against it. >> Right? >> It's your choice. You're you're the owner. >> But in a design bid build, your choices are a little bit more
>> it's more difficult to make the case. >> It is a lot more difficult and limited. Whereas in a CMR, it's a lot um easier for you to make a selection. But with a procurement law, there is
there is some flexibility of if somebody has a case against them, if someone has a record and you're able to prove that, you're able to say, "Look, they this town had this going on or this company did this, but you can, even though
they're the lowest bidder, you can say, "No, we're not taking them and we're taking another." There are some nuances within the procurement law to be able to do that, but >> you also need to have that proof or that information in order to do that. It is
>> a low bid in Milville for me was about $200,000 lower than the successful bidder because basically uh good old legal counsel, he didn't feel that it met the obligations. So, we rejected that. >> Right. It is, it's possible, but it is a
far more difficult than it kind of leds on. For example, um >> you always hear around town like, well, the road didn't come out well, but that's what happens when you have low bidder, >> right? So, but you do have uh
opportunities to make the RFP as stringent as possible for the qualification for both either, but it doesn't guarantee that you will get the general contractor under the design bid build that you wanted.
I could give sorry for one second. I could give you examples like in where I worked in Watertown. We did two pro we did three projects there. Two of all three were design bid build. Two of which were done with uh braate the
braate team builders. The third one was with CTA and there was a little bit of uh angst in town because of previous experiences, the unions, all of the negative, but
ultimately they were a qualified lower low bidder and we did um award them the contract. Now the project came out beautiful. We didn't have any issues with them, but it's your flexibility in making that determination is less on the
design bid build than it is on the CMR. >> Yes. >> Um question. What were the gross costs of those two projects that you just discussed >> approximately? >> I can give you the numbers on Middleboro.
I'm more familiar with the project. Um it was initially identified at about the $und00 million. This is back in >> 2015 2016. Uh ultimately occupied in 2023. It
>> uh you know the time it takes >> uh and I think it ultimately bid at high 80s one you know 80 88 somewhere in there. >> Okay. you know what you wanted to
explore is the complexity not the prices >> because you're the projects you can look at the prices have become disproportionately non-comparable because of um the the increase through co so when you start to look for comparable projects or look for
things to use for references or for qualifications you really want to look at the complexity of the project that's why middleware and sto are good examples um because they were replacement of a building on an occupied site that had to stay in in operation.
>> So, one went CM, the other one went design bid. >> I did um Norton High School, which is an occupied >> Mhm. >> full renovation and addition and was done with WT Rich and Design Bid build. They were phenomenal. >> Right. They um they're also very picky
about what they'll answer and how busy they'll be as is Fontaine and as are that's probably the advantage on your better design bid firms than on your CMS. A lot of the CMS will take on work past their capacity and then it becomes very difficult to make sure that you get
the team that you want to work with. >> Okay. Thanks. Just curious, you had mentioned that if you with the CM model that you end up almost before your timeline and that there's savings with that. Do you find that one comes in under budget over
another? >> No. No. Not necessarily. where you might have the cost savings is in the time and that if you could argue that pays for itself with you know your ability and it's not
necessarily a guarantee that it'll come in a little earlier. It's just typically, you know, just like how we're speaking and typically it's there's an 8 to 10 percent increase. Typically, they do come in a little bit earlier as part of the project. And with it, you could
almost argue that whatever time they're coming in earlier, they're paying for their own cost of the pre-construction. I wasn't sure if that 8 to 10% really drops down to a 5 to 6% increase because of the time savings. >> No. >> No. Okay.
So keep talking about saving time. Right now the timeline would be it gets approved in the fall 2026. We break ground in spring of 2028 or 20 >> 28 >> 28 28. >> Yeah. >> So how much time saving is there?
We could um break ground a little bit earlier or if it's not even breaking ground earlier, we could uh the construction could be minimized because they're um procuring some of the early packages, maybe doing the enabling
package earlier before the actual construction, procuring some of the long lead items such as the HVAC systems, the mechanical systems a lot earlier >> than waiting to be awarded the project.
>> Yeah. Part part of the reason why this is just to dip your toes in is you need to look at the overall project schedule and see when when might you bid it. >> Mhm. >> And then is there a potential for savings? Cuz this is more than just building the building. You then have to take down the existing building and
build your sports fields. So if you bid in the spring and you give 18 months to build it, you would be moving into the new building in December in rough December of whatever year it is. So over your Christmas break, >> your kids would go home, they from one building, they would come back to the
next building is how it would work. But then you're taking down that building through the winter and then you're building your fields in the spring which means you don't really have them until the following year for field play >> unless you do synthetic turf on the
baseball fields. >> So there's it's there's a lot more moving pieces than just how quickly can you get going. You can also back up a little bit on the CM selection if you want to go that way
and state that you're going to go that way, do the interviews and hold in obeyance the award of contract till the vote passes. That'll pick up that time that you're doing interviews and whatnot, >> right? >> Which anytime you want to procure professional service, allow two months.
So, if you were to do that starting in um September of 26, >> you would be through the process right around the time you vote. And then you could say to them, fine, here's the contract, it passed, let's go. And then we would um they would immediately join
in. >> Mhm. So that way it would be you know where the timeline kind of sorry Christina go back to that um di the previous t di diagram.
Can you hear me? So where what Greg >> Okay. So what Greg is proposing is on this sheet where you see the final design document block is where we would get the AG's approval and then the
contractor qualifications and get the CMR team on board. We could, if you chose to go the path of a CMR, we could start that initiation of the AG's approval application now before you're even done
with schematic as well as send out the RFP for a uh CMR firm, do all of the interviews, but not execute on the contract until you have approval. that way uh district approval and then when
you go to the next phase which is the design development they're already on board. You would finalize and execute on the contract and they would be on board from the very beginning. That's that's the reason for the
crucialness of voting now and understanding it. It's not just for the cost but we could also get started earlier. This was the presentation we showed at the community meeting
where we showed um an overall timeline. >> There we go. >> This one show >> right. So in this we always the more conservative approach would be to do a
design bid build in the timing. So as you see we're currently in the feasibility phase. We have submitted on December 18th the PSR submission. We're in now officially moving into the blue
which is the schematic design with the intent of making the submission to the MSBA in June and getting their formal approval in August. After that, we would be pursuing a approval process uh kind
of like a community engagement full force and um district vote in the fall. With that you move into kind of the majestic color of design development
about roughly 6 months and then construction documents 6 to9 months overall it's about a little over a year. Then you go into, if it was a design bid build, you would go into the bidding phase
of 2728 and in hopes of starting construction in 28. With the CMR method, we while in the schematic phase, we could do the
application to the AG's, attorney general's office, get the RFP out, start the interview process, even through the approvals in the summer with the intent of selecting a CMR firm
and holding the execution of the contract upon approval. of district vote and once that happens we would execute or this committee the district would execute on the CMR contract and they
would be on board from the design development working alongside the DRRA team and the collers team >> and attending meetings as well. Yeah, if I could suggest what might work is if you take what you saw tonight and next month we can start to talk about how the
budget distributes because nothing is free in this, >> right? >> And in the CM approach, you get to see more of the money, but you don't get to use it because it's theirs. It's under their GMP. And on then under the design bid build, you don't get to see this
money, but it's there and it's theirs. And in design bid build, if they finish and there's contingency on their side of it, they own it. in the CMR. If there's contingency on the construction side, you get it back. So, you can't do this without understanding how the budgets
work. There's there's a lot of money at play in this. >> Mhm. >> And it doesn't change dramatically, but what will open your eyes is how much the CMS get in their fees and in their monthly costs, >> right? >> And that is where most people start to
breathe really hard cuz it's a lot of money. You were supposed to drink and you did and now you're doing that. You >> had one job. >> Oh god. >> Is it possible to um uh there's already
been discussion about who what biders would be acceptable >> um to uh to some of the people who understand. So to DRA and to and to Collers and to and to Mary um you've had
a lot of experience with um a lot of these contractors. Can we get um a list of um three or four or five that will do either approach so that we can be assured that whichever approach we get that we know that we're going to get
some qualified several qualified biders? >> What begins to happen is what Mary was talking about and Vivian was talking about. We're already being contacted by people who understand the schedule and that fits into how busy they're going to be. We could easily develop a list of
people that we think could do the project, whether or not they would be interested and available when it got there. And you know, you you certainly reach out to them and say, "We had a great project we do. We'd love to do this one with you, and it's coming out around this time."
Um, but you you also want to fold them back over which projects they built, you know. So you you'll take you go to the MSBA website, find the projects that that are similar to what you're doing, look at who built them, >> and then you would start reaching out from there because ma Massachusetts has
a a very pretty rigorous um review process for everyone except the owners and the OPMs. Um, but the architects, the engineers, and the contractors all get reviewed at the end of it. And um, I don't I won't say that
it's truly representative of what you'll hear if you call the owner, but it's pretty close. Um, and so you can spend some time looking at, you know, all the guys that built Middle. How'd that go? Okay, let me call Middleboro and talk to them. Let me talk, you can call Jim and
talk to the architect. But it's that's the type of research that can be done to start to narrow that down. But more importantly, you want to do it to start establishing your prequalification standards for whoever may bid. >> So I have actually the website I'm from
the MSBA. I'm on it almost daily with it. Here are you know some of the schools that are being considered. The Nishoba regional is with Conigi. So, I can tell you already that's a CMR.
Whereas, um, uh, let's see, let's pick another thing. Stoen, which is an elementary school, they have not made a selection yet. And this is a DRRA project. So, they have not made a selection yet. And, um,
>> and Jeeoff, if you go down to the left on that, you'll find the projects that are built. >> Yep. Here we go. Middle school. >> What was built and who built it? It was Fontaine Brothers Norwood. It was WT Rich and they
typically do um design bid builders which typically only do design bid build. Consigly which is more of a CMR. So you know Conigley Stonem High School
was a CMR. you kind of it's a little bit of a a mix as we showed. >> Does the MSBA do any kind of review post project and grade any of these contractors? >> The state level does. >> The state does so we have grades for
contractors. >> They have to in order to be qualified, we would also look at the state level qualifications. So it there definitely is a lot of measures and protocols put into place that
your all of the firms that have worked on any of these projects are all qualified at the state level. Whether you deem them qualified is different. >> Well, is it's one is it is is the qualification by the state basically on
a past fail basis or is there actually any kind of gradation? There is >> it's graded and there's commentary in it and you could you could glean information. >> Okay. >> Right. There it definitely is graded and during the uh course of the project you're actually supposed to provide two
gradings at the midpoint and at the end. >> Okay. >> And um you give them a scorec card where the t uh district or town signs off on it as well as the OPM team. >> Okay. Great. and based on their overall
scoring of all their projects they're on is what the state level gives a uh grade for them. Okay, >> so no vote is required tonight and have plenty of time and material to think about. Happy to answer any further
questions tonight or next month or in between. But with that, we're going to turn it over to the DRRA team to provide us a designer update. Quickly before you start, Sure. Jerry has a question. >> Any state bids?
>> No. >> Will be taken in. >> Is that against any mass general laws? >> Yes. >> There has to be they have to be qualified within the state to do the work. They would have to be qualified within the state to do the other.
>> I I can't think of >> if they're and I don't know anyone who's out of state. >> Well, well, Turner has a huge office in Boston. >> Turner's in state. >> Yeah, they're in state. >> Okay. They they uh they may have been in state before.
>> No, they're New York City based. They're New York City based, but they are a DAMP qualified and they have certification within the state. >> Right. and they do have a huge office presence. >> Okay. So, we've got an understanding that that there wouldn't be any out of
state ones unless that the state of Massachusetts would say I'm okay with that if you had an office in Boston or something like that. They'd still have to qualify with you folks to begin with. Correct. >> Correct. Correct. >> And on the DBB versus the CMR, just out of curiosity, you said 8 to 10%. Now,
you've had 23, four, and five. You've had three years that you put up there as history. Okay. Uh is that where you got the 8 to 10 from? That's just more of an industry >> and I know it's very difficult because everything's different. I get I mean you're talking, you know, apples and kumquats. I get
>> but at the same time frame >> there has to be some result to you cuz you're going to get both the uh DBB and the CMR. >> Mhm. >> So you have to know at some point what that differential >> Yeah. On average, based off of the cost estimating reports that we've also
received, on average, it's anywhere from like 5 to 10 8% delta between one delivery method over the other. Notice that for the PSR submission, we in the cost estimate, we did look at both. We >> Yeah, that's what I was interested. What
was the difference in the >> It was about an 8% delta between the two. >> So, in the delivery system you looked at, it was already 8% difference. >> Correct. Thank you, ma'am. >> Thank you. >> And we we included the more u costly
method to make sure >> you went >> Yeah, we went ultraconervative. >> That's exactly right. There was still only 8% difference between the highest and what it is on the lowest line. Yes. Correct. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> You ready? >> All right, guys. Thank you. Okay.
>> I think we need a break. >> Just push through it. >> Who is who is running this slideshow? I think Christina is >> okay. So, this is your um the site as we had it after it was um
uh surveyed around the perimeter and the wetlands were identified. The um lower part of the of the slide is actually west north is to the u the left. So, that's Foxbrook along the bottom and then the old um it's more or less a
drainage stream along the top. Uh there were wetland flags. They were done with some some borings or some um probes. And then you see 100 foot and 200 foot setbacks. Um that is the regulatory area that we need to contend with. And you
see that the school, the existing school and some of the parking lots are in those zones already. So there'll be a bit of horse trading as we um as we start to move. On the next slide, we took and superimposed the footprint of
the building um about where it is as we start into uh SD. So the building is liable to get pinched and prodded and pushed around a little bit and the footprint will evolve. Partially it's to avoid getting
into the 100 ft riverfront and partially it's to try to mitigate increasing the um imperous surface of parking lots and roofs um that's in the wetland area. in our favor is that everything that's in
the inside of the 200 foot riverfront has previously been disturbed and quite a bit of what's inside the 100 ft footprint was previously disturbed and that's all the way back in 6970 when the building was
built. So there's we've got some stuff working on our favor and we're working with the um the surveyor who for some reason a foot of snow is keeping him from doing a survey for us. Um and the civil engineer and our um landscape architects to um to get a handle on
this. Then we will go meet with the uh local uh wetlands and conservation um people and then start to set up our run through the local regulatory boards with a series offormational meetings. Um next
slide is the one you've seen before and this is um what we've been giving to our consultants as they come on board um to show them where we have things laid out at this point. Um the landscape architect and civil engineer have
already talked about trying to do something with the bus loop and parking uh gradewise and arrangement so that we're not blasting the rock out. Um partially it's because we like the rock and partially it's cuz blasting is a lot of money and so if we can move material
around and raise grade in the parking lots we might be able to um to to avoid some cost. >> We could just have elevated parking. Yeah, elevator elevator parking >> administrator parking. If you drive
right next to me right next to me just pull right up on it and have graduation. If you step out of your car and tumble down that rock and not responsible parking garage the rock that's possible. You don't rock to get wet.
>> Um so that's site is starting to um to to move along. It's one of those we um generally will get started on fairly early, but with the snow it's really been a a trudge cuz what happens with surveyors if one survey gets backed up
everybody gets backed up and so it's a um simple matter of getting some weather to be on our side. So we have been spending a bunch of time inside the building and next slide is um areas that we have been meeting with um with staff
and administration and on the first floor predominantly kitchen custodian guidance and then the um the culinary arts room down there. Um so if we look a little bit closer on the next slide um
the left hand is what we derived from initial discussions and then the right side is where we are as of last week when we put this slideshow together and what we got from the food prep staff. So
the culinary not culinary kitchen staff was just relocation of a couple pieces of equipment. So, our our original uh equipment selection hit it pretty well. Uh we the request was to move a kettle um cooker and a um oven and reverse the
layout of those. Um custodial crew had more of concern and well put on finding a a straight line from trash recycling through to the outside of the building. And probably our our biggest conundrum
right now is the desire for a loading dock and the ability to empty um waste um waste uh barrels without having to lift them up. And if you look back at the site side of it, we're coming down
the hill. The building's at a particular elevation and that's the elevation that the road is at when it gets down to that point. And so when you back up with a truck to get to a loading dock, you can't get atgrade egress from the auditorium in the gymnasium.
So we're trying to figure out how to get emergency egress from those two spaces around the loading dock without running up a hill to the roadway. >> So we'll get it. It's just going to take a little while. >> Um next one was um guidance space.
And this we kind of hit it pretty well from the beginning. There was a request for a a little bit more a little bit bigger space for guidance and and waiting. And we happened to have the space outside that was in um the corridor. >> So we rearranged the doors and picked up
about doubled the size of the guidance waiting area without increasing the size of the building at all. And then in working with the SRO, we're trying to eliminate as many spaces in the building where someone can step behind and not be seen. And at this point, that kind of
flatters to deceive our ability to do so because we don't have utility shafts on any of these drawings yet. >> So, a lot of these little outdoses and whatnot will go away when utilities need to get up and down in the building. They'll just get filled in. Yeah.
>> So guidance we think is um addressing what they have asked for. >> Um next page on um is culinary. >> Um this we kind of got it on the first try with the exception of um utility
closet for washing and drying and um and a washer and dryer. So two pretty simple things. Um, uh, Ryan, who just graduated from college, didn't think anything about a washer and dryer, so putting that one on him. Um, so this one, culinary seem to
have worked pretty well. And what you're seeing now, hey, wait a minute. Um, what you're seeing is you'll start to see furniture put in these drawings that's not selected furniture. What we have to do when we develop these is to make sure that they meet the ADA requirements for
accessibility around the room. So, we start from the beginning with putting furniture in them. And it is real furniture. It's it's made by somebody, but it's not selected for this building. So, our next one is up into the second floor, and we made some good strides
here. And the really observant ones will recognize the first one. Uh the next slide is the uh teched and um PE alternates space and in meeting with
teched it became apparent that they get deliveries that really don't want to be trucked or carried through the building and in meeting with PE it became apparent that the PE alternatives is fairly far away from a communicating stair inside the building. So if you
were going through your day and you went to gym and you went to the locker room and then had to go up to PE alternatives, you were essentially going outside of the building to get there. >> So we relocated two of the um the teched spaces to have outside doors, moved the
other two down and put PE alternatives in between. That could seem like it separates art from the teched space, but the PE alternatives can actually be used for robotics competition or whatever. that floor would work for more than just PE alternatives. So, we think that that
that's starting to show some promise. And the not shown on that slide, but ongoing is discussions with the um band, orchestra, chorus, and whatnot. and that's continuing tomorrow um to shape the auditorium which is a big cost
driver that we want to make sure we build to what you're doing today and what you think you might be doing in that that space in the coming years because there's nothing cheap in an auditorium. >> All the spaces are big, all the lighting is expensive, all the sound's expensive
and so you've been really good on wishlist items and we just want to nail the auditorium down as much as possible. Our next page um is the science rooms and these are somewhat prescriptive. The
MSBA follows very closely National Science Teachers Association guidelines for um classroom design. And what they have gotten away from is what we're stuck with at the current school, which is everything bolted down, everything is solid, and the rooms only work for one
science. and MSBA and NSDA got away from that a few years ago. And these rooms are are set so that all the built-in stuff is around the perimeter of the room. And so what you see in here is just a couple of different ways you could lay out spaces. Um we had a
request for um uh only two fume hoods, which are good because they're expensive and they um don't get used often as as they should. and a cooler refrigerator. >> Yes, for the specimens. >> Yeah, for specimens.
>> They have one now. So, yeah. >> So, uh science, we think we got that one pretty well nailed. Ryan did that one, too. Credit to him. Um and then third floor, um we had a few spaces down at the core there. And we mostly started
looking at getting furniture into there so that people could understand how it might work. And trying to get the seventh grade science classroom to be sophisticated enough to where if eth or 9th or 10th or 12th grade ever had to come up to it, it would work for them.
So we don't want to build down to a middle school level lab there. and um resource rooms, especially uh self-contained rooms, starting to lay out potential furniture for that and working with the folks who will be running those in the future to make sure
that we're getting there. Um, our next couple of slides are just looking at furniture layouts. And then these we're doing so we can talk with the teachers about how classrooms get laid out in terms of teaching walls and
um built-in furniture. It also becomes a point of discussion with Jill and the admin team and the SRO in terms of um safety in the classrooms, exiting from the classrooms. And as we move forward with that, we'll talk more and more about what's built into the building um
safety wise, but really at this point is how's it's laid how is it laid out. So the next slide shows you just an alternative layout for furniture. Not much else changes. And the slide after that, slide 32, is the same um two
teaching rooms still in the same location and classroom furniture laid out slightly differently. And that in a nutshell is our design update. >> Much quicker than the conversation of a delivery method. So, thank you.
>> I know it's a general idea, but are there any comments or questions for the on any of that? >> I just hope that didn't poop on the stairs. >> That what >> didn't poop on the stairs? >> Captain. >> Captain, I don't know. Did he not clean it up?
>> He he he does not. He's quite good. >> All right. So, the next section that we wanted to give an update on, we invite the community engagement group to also join in with providing some of the um
input here is that we have a upcoming community engagement presentation. It is scheduled for the 25th of this month at 6 PM and it'll be held at the high school. So the presentation will also be
livereamed as a as p for public access but we're hoping to get as much attendance so spread the word as best as possible and with it we the community engagement group has been meeting and a lot of their efforts have been more focused
towards the website making sure that we're kind of refining the website and the information inclusive of it working through a prov providing a little bit more detail and a lot more questions answered on the frequently asked
questions section, creating it, providing the information and then updating it onto the website. Some of the ongoing efforts that the working group and the district has been in conjunction moving forward with is
monthly newspaper posts in the Blackstone Enlightener social media outreach. The school project does have a Facebook page and regular updates are being met made on
the social media u Facebook page. There is a superintendent newsletter that goes out that has um highlevel information about the project and the QR code directing them to the website to obtain more.
And um some of the projectformational flyers were distributed during the February events where the Boy Scouts, the Pinewood Derby, the fourth and fifth grade band concerts and hoping to
continue all of those and make more distribution in March with the senior center lunchon, the Boy Scouts pancake breakfast, and I'm sure other events will come up as well. Tara, please feel free to add more if I missed anything.
>> Yeah. No, those are basically what we've been doing. Any events that we're aware of, we try to um get the newsletter out, a copy of. We did make a trifold. I actually made one for everyone. And I forgot them on my desk. So, I'm sorry, but I can share that um PDF at least.
You'll have it for your uh for reference. It came out pretty nice. Um and then Mike just whispered in my ear. Valley Breeze. We have had reached out and they charge a pretty big fee to advertise with them. >> However, I reached out and um yes, this
morning I heard back from one of the editors the Blackstone area and she's happy to do an article for us. So, she just wants to talk to somebody do an interview. So, she will um we'll be working hopefully getting something in the Valley Breeze soon. >> How about that local anonymous uh black >> small town small town? They've
definitely done a lot with um our project. Um it's been a little bit. I don't think there's been much for them to report on, but they've done some really nice um >> information sharing. >> So, whatever events you guys do participate in and are out and about in
the district, please encourage everyone to attend the February 25th community engagement presentation. We're hoping to have a little bit more lively of conversation, input, and presenting some of the design updates as well as where
we are in the schedule. >> Yes. >> Uh how how active or are the PTO's in this effort >> there? Um they have shared when I've asked when they so they're definitely willing to share our messages. Um I just think that they're small.
>> Okay. >> Um the volunteers are limited. >> Okay. But um they definitely will share and again it's sometimes the same audience with the Facebook or school. Um but we try.
All right. U moving on public forum. Is there anything else out there? All right. Hearing none, we can move on. So next meetings. Um yep. Uh, sorry. Kind of was the No, I didn't see any.
Giving a little bit of a preview of the next three months. We'll be reconvening in March 11th at 5:00 p.m. Hoping to continue the lively conversation of design, bid, build, and CMR in hopes of getting a vote one delivery method over
another. Following that will be April where we will meet again and in May and um I believe we might have a June meeting. The date will need to be confirmed since it will make sure that
it ties in to when we need to provide MSBA the submission package. And as we discussed, the community presentation is on February 25th at 6 PM at the high school. Next,
that concludes our presentation for this evening. >> Thank you. All right. Hearing nothing else, let's Is there a motion to adjurnn? So move. >> I knew it was going to be one or both of you. >> Motion by Mike, second by Jen. >> Oh, that's fine.
>> We have to do roll call. Uh Chuck. Yes, >> Jen. >> I >> Scott. >> Yes, >> Kristen. >> Yes, >> Jill. >> Yes, >> Jill. Yep. Jess, >> yes. >> Tara, yes. >> Uh, Jane, >> Rachel,
>> yes. >> I think maybe we lost Sierra. So, okay. All in favor? We are adjourned. >> Rachel, if you have any other