Approved January 15, 2025
MPS BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING
Oliphant Administration Building
Michael S. Pinto Conference Room
26 Oliphant Lane, Middletown, RI 02842
December 18, 2024 5:00pm
Members in Attendance:
| Present | Voting Member | Name | Title |
| X | Yes | Edward Brady | Chair, Community Member |
| X | Yes | William Nash | Vice Chair, Community Member |
| X | Yes | William Niemeyer | Superintendent of Schools |
| X* | Yes | Theresa Spengler | School Committee Chair |
| X | Yes | Tami Holden | School Committee Vice Chair |
| N | Yes | Vacant | Director of Facilities Management, Transportation and Safety |
| X | Yes | Thomas P. Welch, III | Town Council Vice President |
| X | Yes | Peter Connerton | Town Council Member |
| X | Yes | Donna Sweet | Middletown High School Principal |
| X | Yes | Michelle Fonseca | Asst Superintendent for Teaching and Learning |
| X* | Yes | Shawn Brown | Town Administrator, Local Budget Official |
| X | Yes | Don Morin | Secretary, Community Member |
| X | Yes | Marc Thayer | Community Member |
| N | Alternate | Gregory Huet | Alternate Member of School Committee |
| N | Alternate | William O’Connell | Alternate Member of School Committee |
| N | Alternate | Christopher Logan | Alternate Town Council Member |
| P | Alternate | Jerry Haas | Gaudet Middle School Principal |
| N | Alternate | Marc Tanguay | Town Finance Director, Alt. Local Budget Official |
X = Present/Voting; R=Represented; P=Present/Non-voting; N=Not Present
*Theresa Spengler arrived at 5:06pm. Shawn Brown arrived at 5:13pm.
· The meeting was called to order at 5:01 pm by Chair Ed Brady. Ten (10) of thirteen (13) voting members were present or represented by an alternate. Once Theresa Spengler and Shawn Brown arrived, the quorum increased to twelve (12).
· Also present: Justin Bernard and Colin McCarthy, OPM, Colliers Project Leaders
· Present via Zoom: Matt LaRue, Tina Stanislaski, Connor Heinzman, and Alexandra Christiana, HMFH Architects; Ed Cifune, DBVW Architects.
· MOTION: Bill Nash moved to accept the meeting minutes from November 20, 2024 and Marc Thayer seconded.
· DISCUSSION: None.
· VOTE: The motion passed unanimously (10-0).
3.1 MS/HS 60% Construction Document (CD) Development Update
· Matt LaRue informed the Committee that the Construction Document development continues, and completion is still on target for early to mid-March, 2025.
· Matt then shared some design updates regarding the multi-purpose auditorium. He showed multiple configurations that are possible. He also noted that the main entrance to the auditorium has been shifted over to better align with the seating configuration.
· For an assembly, the auditorium has a seating capacity of 338 seats, which consists of all the retractable seats and some additional chairs on the floor. Multiple storage areas exist nearby, along with two dressing rooms. A door to the outside serves as a secondary exit and a way to bring items into the auditorium. A catwalk exists for technical access to lighting, sound control, etc., and a nearby classroom can be used for staging space.
· For a theater proscenium stage configuration, 282 seats are possible. Curtains are used to create the proscenium area. The only seating difference between this one and the assembly is the lack of seating on the floor. Performers will have back of stage circulation both behind a curtain or along a corridor outside the auditorium. The curtains will be attached to an overhead grid so they can be retracted up and out of the way when not in use. Five blank spots in the front row of the retractable seating are available for handicap access with adjacent companion seating.
· For a choir performance, the configuration is like the theater with 282 seats available for the audience. Risers can be moved in for use by the performers. Chairs will be stackable and stored on dollies for ease of movement in and out.
· For a band performance, the seating capacity will vary based on the size of the band. The retractable seating can be pulled out at different intervals, allowing seating capacity from 150 to 238.
· For an in-the-round configuration with seating on all four sides with the performers in the center, 266 seats are possible. For a training/testing/conference configuration with chairs and tables, a capacity of 98 is possible, with the retractable seating completely stored out of the way. Finally, for a student fair or exhibit, 34 tables could be set up in the space.
· The space could also be used for yoga or possibly even wrestling or other physical educational activities.
· The acoustic and theatrical consultant has been involved in the design of these spaces to ensure that the area is suitable for both musical and theatrical performances. Sound absorption panels will exist on the walls and reflective panels above. A scissor lift will be needed in the FF&E budget to support the items above in the auditorium and the gymnasium.
· ACTION: Ensure that a scissor lift is included in the FF&EE budget to support the auditorium and gymnasium needs. – School Building Committee
3.2 Planning Board Master Plan Application Next Steps
· A meeting with the Planning Board is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, February 26, 2025 for a preliminary review. The design team will submit a package to the Planning Board in late January for their review ahead of the scheduled meeting.
3.3 RIDEM Permitting Filing Update
· The permitting was filed and has been received by RIDEM. Some back-and-forth correspondence has taken place to provide some follow-up information. Once RIDEM has indicated that they have completed their initial review, a meeting will be set up by HMFH’s civil engineering consultant to allow RIDEM to share concerns, ask questions, and make suggested changes to the design. HMFH is hoping to close this item in time for the project to go out to bid. HMFH does not believe that any RIDOT permitting is needed due to the recent completion of the Aquidneck Avenue project.
3.4 Elementary School Cost Estimating Update
· Matt informed the Committee that the cost estimates from Bentley and Elana have been received and a reconciliation meeting is planned for December 19th.
3.5 State Fire Board Meeting Update
· The State Fire Board unanimously approved the waiver (5-0) to allow for window sprinklers on interior windows in spaces where fire rated glass is required.
· A user group meeting was held with the food service company Chartwells on December 17th, and a programming user group meeting to look at the CTE spaces is planned for December 19th. Remaining user group meetings will be scheduled for early January via the school administration team.
· The Middle-High School 60% CD Cost Estimating set was issued on December 16th and the cost estimates are due back from Elana and Gilbane on January 17th, with reconciliation to take place the following week.
· The update from HMFH/DBVW can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EC2JtGMSghv5zAjaNPAPCZazB2nTRA-q/view?usp=sharing.
4.1 Update on RIDE Stage III Design Development Package Review Resubmission
· Justin Bernard informed the Committee that they are still working with the RIDE School Building Authority on the Elementary School Complex Stage III DD Package. The one remaining item is the NECHPS certification. The RIDE consultants are looking at the work being done as a major renovation even though the work is minor in nature. The current design meets the requirements, but RIDE is looking for additional points. NECHPS requires 85 points, the current scorecard has 94 points, and RIDE is asking for 110 points. The consultant team will continue to work with RIDE to try to resolve their differences.
· The 60% construction document submission to RIDE for the middle/high school is scheduled for January 2025.
4.2 Project Budget Update
· Justin informed the Committee that the project is on budget ($190 million). The only change from last month is in the expenditures to date due to the monthly contractual billing. The total anticipated costs are unchanged at ~$177 million. The budget can be viewed here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jM6IYoX2oPjlJDguY96rIaak11rDieBW/view?usp=sharing.
· Justin shared an updated schedule and informed the Committee that nothing has not changed, but the preliminary Planning Board review is targeted for February 26th, which coincides with a Building Committee meeting. The schedule can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15VtKvOOXjJI9xsdPjoOslsFew31vrERC/view?usp=sharing.
4.4 Fire Safety Code Board
· Colin McCarthy restated that the RI Fire Safety Board voted unanimously to approve the equivalency request for the use of window sprinklers in lieu of fire-rated glass at interior windows at a hearing on December 3rd.
· The detailed HVAC investigation at the current high school (future elementary school) started today.
· The elementary school cost estimating reconciliation process is ongoing.
· The Middle School/High School cost estimating reconciliation will begin on January 20, 2025.
· The Aquidneck Elementary School emergency boiler repairs (outside the $190 million budget) have begun as of today.
· The update from Colliers can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mysS0V47Nd6gs8HnR25rkchbK_WmrMIn/view?usp=sharing.
5.1 Project Labor Agreement Update
· Chairman Brady informed the Building Committee that the Town Council has approved the request to perform a feasibility study for a Project Labor Agreement. The School Committee will need to approve this request at its next meeting. Town Administrator Brown said a request for proposals will go out later in the week.
5.2 Update on Posting for Additional Community Member and Plans for Officer Elections
· The School District has posted for an additional community member to join the Building Committee to replace Bill Nash. Chairman Brady reminded the Committee that officers need to be elected annually. This will be done at an upcoming meeting.
5.3 Four Week Look Ahead
· Chairman Brady shared an article from the American School & University Magazine’s 2024 Architectural Portfolio that recognized HMFH with a citation for the Maria Weston Chapman Middle School in Weymouth, MA as the top middle school design in the country for its 2024 competition. Congratulations HMFH!
Adjournment:
· MOTION: Bill Nash moved that the Building Committee adjourn at 5:50 pm and Don Morin seconded. The motion passed unanimously (12-0).
Future Meeting Schedule – The next meeting will be on January 15, 2025 at 5:00p.m. at the Oliphant Administration Building.
Respectfully Submitted,
Don Morin