Um so welcome everyone to the Tuesday October 21st 2025 meeting of the elementary school building committee. Um tonight we have on our agenda our public comment period. Uh then under new
business we will approve minutes from our last meeting. Uh we'll also approve vote to approve invoices and we will get updates on both building construction and street improvements and finally we will talk about our planned
groundbreaking event for early November. Um so uh starting off we have our period of public comment. It doesn't look like anyone is here for public comment so we will move on past that. But certainly if
anybody arrives uh and wants to make a comment, I can entertain the committee reopening that section. So with that, we'll move on to the minutes of the September 16th, 2025
ESBC meeting, and I will ask if anyone has any comments or questions on those minutes. Hearing none, I would seek a motion to approve the minutes of September 16, 2025. >> Yes, Mr. Chairman, I move the minutes of
16 September as written. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> And so I've got a motion by Mike, a second by Bill. Uh we are conducting this meeting virtually. So as per the governor's regulations, all votes will
be done via roll call. Uh, and I will go in the order of my Zoom windows. Uh, starting with Bill. >> Yes. >> Mike, >> yes, sir. >> Jagroot. >> Yes. >> And Tiffany, >> I need to abstain because I wasn't at
the last meeting. >> Okay. And I am a yes. So, those minutes are approved. Uh, 40 with one abstension. Next up, we have uh our invoices. Um,
and thank you Susan for sending over the VIP request because I thought I was going to have to do all kinds of math live on television, which is never good. Um, so we have three invoices to pay. Um, as usual, uh, we've got one for Vertex, one for Perkins Eastman, and one
for Breate Builders. For Vertex, we've got invoice OPM11642 in the amount of $103,58.75. For Perkins Eastman, it's invoice number 0095421 000022
in the amount of $115,974.50 and for brake builders invoice number A04 in the amount of 3,871 $3,871,000. Let me try that again. 3,871,996.114. All three of those invoices total up to
$4,91,479.39. And now you can see why I didn't want to do math live on television because I can't even read numbers. Um, so does anyone have any questions or comments about the invoice package? Okay. Hearing none, I would seek a
motion to approve the invoice package totaling $4,91,479.39. >> So move, Mr. Chairman. >> Okay. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Motion by Mike, second by Tiffany. Roll call vote. Bill,
>> yes. >> Mike, >> yes, sir. Jen Groot, >> yes. >> Tiffany, >> yes. >> And I am a yes. So that uh those invoices are approved to pay um 50
unanimously. And next we will move on to updates on building construction and road improvements. Chris Kenny, I assume given looking at my Zoom windows, I'm kicking this one over to you.
>> Thanks, John. me share my screen and everyone see the project dashboard project health. So we we went through
this last month. This is our typical dashboard. Um, we'll go through it, but please don't hesitate to interrupt and ask questions. Under safety, we're pleased to report no safety incidents this month. So, we continue to be a safe
work site. In terms of schedule, no changes. The contract substantial completion date remains October 21st, 2027. Uh, the budget or no budget issues, we
remain on budget. The expenditures to date which was in the um VIP package is $18 million 336,316 about 11.5%
of the commitments to date. So quality uh testing and inspections are ongoing both at the subgrade level for the preparation of the road and etc. as well as the rebar and concrete work.
We'll have pictures in a minute that'll show that work. Um observation nonconformance items that come with the consultants field reports being addressed and picked up and closed as we proceed. Nothing to report um of
significance at this point for this month. FFN tech and security nothing no issues yet that work will be coming and then overall no issues the foundation work I think last month we talked about the
potential for um being held from starting but we're well underway which you'll see foundation work in areas A and B are underway and the building inspector's release of areas C and D is
pending but has been involved in uh on-site observations so is aware of how the work is proceeding. With that, we can go and show >> Chris, maybe we could just pause on the dashboard just to see if anybody has any
questions. >> I I don't have a question, but is it possible to make the whole screen the the one that you're showing because we can see the next slide as well and it takes >> Oh, yeah. You're in presenter mode. Yeah. >> Thank you. Okay, let me try that again.
And share screen two. How's that? >> Much better. >> Great. Sorry, I thought I was um any questions on the first the road
road work is uh we've had our first owner uh engineer contractor meeting. They're proceeding with submitts at this point and getting everything lined up for their work. No work really is
anticipated this uh fall. Most of the work they're preparing for will happen in the spring as soon as school is out and they can hit it hard. There might be some uh tree removal and um
um erosion control that's put out this fall. We'll keep you posted as that work proceeds. Chris, I I did also just want to highlight for the for the the committee's benefit, I know we've corresponded about a couple of these things. Um just uh we continue to work
with the the community and specifically the abutters. Um we have had a couple of of they don't rise to the incident level, but um we did have some complaints about uh trucks arriving outside of ours. Um and
uh Bright and Vertex responded by putting up cameras um at the entrance to the site so that we could track anybody who was arriving uh trucks driving down that driveway earlier than they were allowed to be there. Um, and then in the
the removal of the boulders, we did have a a couple of we had a a neighbor mentioned that some had fallen off of the truck um some of the rocks into their driveway. Um, and Braate and Vertex also took steps to increase the
inspections of the trucks that were going on and we have not had any reports beyond that. But um did think it was important for the committee to know especially you know as you go out and interact with the community as I said we continue and I say we vertex has really
taken the lead on this to interact with the abutters um make sure that we are causing uh we know it's a disruptive process there's no avoiding that but try to minimize the disruption as much as possible but overall I think um from my perspective the the the incidents have
been minimal and the response and response time has been ideal. >> So, John, I just want to build on that. Um, >> I didn't even know you were here >> or tear it down. Um, the committee should be aware that this week um
following the very heavy rains uh over the last weekend. The um Concom during one of their typical inspections noticed a breach of the erosion control to the south side of the site. rate was quite
prompt in addressing that. Um but during a subsequent inspection, the um the Concom agent observed that the pipe that we had gone back to Concom for um that carries the what is determined to be a
stream in the Abutters yards through our site had been broken and was just um emptying into the trench. They took exception to that. And so between the breach last week and the pipe um issue today, they have asked us to appear at
or they have asked braate to appear at the concom meeting this afternoon that follows this meeting. I think it's important that the committee's aware of that. Vert.ex will be attending and if asked to speak we'll share um anything we need to share about the situation but
um Braate has agreed for their superintendent and their project manager to attend that meeting and so we're hopeful that um we've been on top of them in terms of asking them to promptly address things, ensuring that any
impacts from um those issues are promptly addressed. um they've been responsive thus far and so we'll attend the um the meeting that occurs in about 50 or 48 minutes um virtually with
concom to just um see how Concom wants to deal with it and should there be anything that comes of that we'd report that back to the committee. >> Okay, thank you Chris. >> Moving on. Um I think last month we showed the overall site plan for the
preparation. We've moved into the actual concrete placement plans because that's the work that's occurring right now. To the left is area A which is the most southoutheast portion of the new school.
To the right is um area B. And these are the two areas that Brad has been released to do foundation work on. The blue shows completed concrete work that's below grade and the green shows
um the footing work in B that's being placed um over the next couple days. So this is how we track the progress for this phase. We'll continue when we get into the um steel erection doing a
similar um method, but it gives you a sense of where things are. The photographs that are going to follow this will also help um show in uh real time in 3D what these lines
mean. um major work. The modular block retaining wall that runs along the south side of the site has been installed. I think we're two courses short of topping off and they're waiting to be able to
backfill the foundation to be able to do some grading on the other side. But the butters in the on the left side and this retaining wall on the right side. In addition to that work on site,
there's been a lot of activity with trenching and installing utilities, sewer, storm water, etc. have been uh put in place. The goal for the contractor is to get these placed in the
roadway so they can prepare and put binder down before the asphalt plants close in the middle of November. and it's just going to make everybody's life from a um maintenance but also road
keeping roads clear uh much easier. The plan for them is to base pave from Hayden Rose Street all the way back to where their contractor parking is. So that's quite a a bit of
uh roadway that they want to get in this fall. couple images of the footing and formwork and the reinforcing that's going in um in buildings areas A and B.
This just shows the footing concrete placement with the reinforcing in the mockup um was base was put in the framing was done and the sheathing was done. Um, waterproofing will come next
and the windows and curtain wall that goes into this will be arriving in the next several weeks. So, we'll start to see that come to shape. On the right is the found the foot uh waterproofing going in at the foundation
wall which will allow the back filling of this foundation and the completion of the roadway grading and modular retaining wall. Again,
images of some of the drainage structures that are being installed with the utilities and foundation in area A. This is looking out. So, this is on the inside
of the building looking out and all of this gets backfilled up to um what is a slab on grade. This corner here is the sistern for the fire pump water. Um that
is essentially a basement space underneath the the uh slab on grade and on top of the footings are the low walls and peers that are in place. This was in area A. All those items in blue
that were shown, this is the representation of that. And then the base plates for the steel columns are also set and in place and ready for steel erection. Any questions on the images,
the update here? So progress last month included the mockup foundation framing and sheathing that I showed. We had our kickoff meeting with the building envelope commissioning agent. Uh foundation formwork reinforcing and
concrete placements continue in area A. Underground sanitary sewer, storm sewer and waterline installations underway. Foundation waterproofing installation is going on. The exporting of excess soil
and boulders continues. Retaining wall installation ongoing. And then the sediment basins and swale installations to help control the storm water that's on site is also underway.
Next month we're looking to mobilize and start drilling on the geothermal units. We had a meeting today pre-construction. Um they'll be mobilizing kind of in two weeks or so, beginning of no November.
They anticipate having two drill rigs going um 5 days a week for 10 hours a day and that will will take us through about two two months they anticipate to get that drilling done.
The mechanical, electrical, plumbing commissioning kickoff meeting is next week and they'll start getting involved in the process for getting all of uh the submitts um reviewed and ready for that work
that's going in. Steel erection preconstruction meeting is scheduled for November 4th. So, steel erection is um scheduled to follow soon thereafter. We have a groundbreaking schedule for
November 4th in the afternoon from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. We're working with the district to finalize the program and plans for that. But, um that's happening. We have a slide at the end to
go through some details. foundation formwork reinforcing concrete placements for areas C and D pending um foundation permit from the building inspector continuation of the underground sewer and water utility installation as well
as the electric duck bank. That's what was started last week and is they're looking to put that in um over the next couple weeks to get that in under the pavement so they can do their binder roadway prep and ashalt binder course
will follow the utilities and then the erosion control sediment b sedimentation basin and swale stabilization. So they'll come back out and stabilize both the basins that are put in as well as all the swailes that
are helping divert and control uh storm water on site. Any questions about the progress from last month or anticipated for this month going through the change order update.
No new change orders for this group this this month. Um PCOS, we're in the process of getting the next batch of PCOS approved with Perkins Eastman and we'll have those ready for reporting on
the next meeting. Nothing um to date has been presented that's over the threshold per our original memor memorandum of uh of approval um letters. So
um we're in good shape with those as we move through. Just a note here, the estimated PCL log um is about 142,000, but those are some numbers in there that
are probably conservative holds once an issue comes up that will work itself through the process. We try to track worst case just to keep on top of things terms of the budget update. Um,
no new architects amendments being presented. Is as um John mentioned, the expenditures this month were 115,975 bringing their total expenditures to date for the architect to 7.6 million,
about 62% of their commitment, their contract value. Similarly on the OPM side, no new um uh amendments this month and our expenditures to date 1.3 million about
27.4% of the overall contract value to date. And then the uh contractor's construction contract. Again, we've incorporated the change orders
from last month, 33,850 in to bring their construction contract value to 102,3,850. And their billings minus the retainage to date are 7.8 million or about 7.7%
of their total contract. >> What One item to point out there is that at the last meeting we discussed that we were tracking potentially an overage related to the um geo techchnical observation. That's the geotech engineer
being on site to ensure that they have excavated to the appropriate depth. Um we've advanced on site a lot of that excavation to the point where they're nearly complete at this time. And from the last update we had from Perkins
Eastman, um it was uncertain if we would actually need to come back to the committee and ask for additional um funding for a little bit of extra geotech um observation. It's still possible that that comes up when we get to the latter part of the project and we're talking about things like um
parking lots and roadways, but um for at the moment we are just um tracking that in the background, but we're not anticipating bringing it before you anytime soon. >> Okay. >> If there are no questions, we'll advance
to talking about the groundbreaking. >> Great. So the plan for November, this for November 4th said 3 to 4:00 p.m. The ceremony will be located at the gate that is the egress from the site to the
marathon school parking area which provides kind of safe access for people to park and come into the site without getting too deep into the site. As I said, the backdrop could be some heavy
equipment. There will be piles of dirt. We'll have shovels for people to toss ceremonially their shovel full of dirt to get started. A couple talking points that Perkins Eastman um identified for
the MSBA staff, you know, town's values of community, innovation, sustainability that were important to this project. a learning environment that feels warm, personal, and connected to nature and then a building that is net zero
ready, fully electric, and passive house certified are kind of the main point. So, we've sent this off. We're still waiting to hear who from the MSBA will be attending and we're working with Evan, Tim, and Susan, and John on
getting the details of this all worked out for the event. And I don't know, Evan, if you want to comment on that. It's certainly an opportunity for this group that has put in a ton more work than we um as your
consultants have done. Um from starting with the statement of interest that Carol started years ago and the work that this committee's done to keep us going through this whole process. So, it's really a celebration of, you know, an important milestone in the project and a chance for all of you to um to be
acknowledged for the work that you've done to advance that within the town of Hopington. >> Yeah, thanks Chris and I'll echo that. I think it's it's an exciting opportunity for us and I feel kind of funny stepping in and doing it. I didn't have time to
do it, but the full amiesible to be uh bring in some things for their newsletters for families to be able to with John on who's going to speak. I think John might say words. Uh I'll say some a few words or school committee
might say something. Nancy, I know I'm going to talk with you about that. Uh but ultimately, it's going to be um a great opportunity for us to celebrate this. So, I'm excited for it. Great, John. That's all we had. And if there's any questions, we certainly have time to answer any questions both in
this presentation, but also the information that we sent out um ahead of this the monthly report, etc. that had a little more detail in it. Um, does anyone have any other questions
related to groundbreaking or anything? >> Okay. >> I I did want to just add one note um to supplement what Chris presented. Um, as part of the MSBA process, we submit a change order log every so often. It's part of the final determination of your
reimbursements and it speaks to the 1% that's typically allowed for change orders. Um we're preparing to submit our first one which is going to come before the um project funding agreement bid amendment goes out. It typically comes with a letter that will be sent to all
of you as well as the town manager when it is approved that will speak to what was and was not um approved. It's nothing to overreact or underreact to. It's one step in the overall process. And from that, they'll take um
participation in credits and um costs when that comes through. So, don't be surprised when it comes through as a very formal letter um addressing your change order. It's just a small drop in the overall process. and every amount that is um above or below or especially
um every negative amount that comes through that it just means that you're not spending as much on the project as you originally planned to. >> Okay, thanks for the heads up. All right, then if there is nothing else, I would seek a motion to adjourn.
>> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second, Mr. Chairman. Okay, then we will go um roll call. Um starting with Bill. >> Yes. Yes. >> Mike.
>> Yes, sir. >> Jaguar? >> Yes. >> Tiffany? >> Yes. >> And Nancy? >> Yes. >> And I am a yes. So, we are adjourned at 6:30 on the dot. Um, thank you everyone.
Thank you to HCAM for broadcasting as always and we will see you at our next meeting. >> Actually, no, we will see you hopefully we will see you at the groundbreaking. That's going to be before our next meeting, >> right? >> Thank you. >> Have a good night everyone. >> Bye. >> Thank you.
>> Good night. Thanks. Recording.