1.       Call to Order

1.       The meeting was called to order at 4:30 pm by Chair Ed Brady.  Eleven (11) of thirteen (13) voting members were present or represented by an alternate.

2.       Also present: Justin Bernard, OPM, Colliers Project Leaders; Tony Murgida, Gilbane Building Company; and Bill Markham, Bentley Companies.

3.       Present via Zoom: Matt LaRue and Justin Viglianti, HMFH Architects.

2.       Consider and Vote on Meeting Minutes from June 9, 2025, and June 25, 2025

·         MOTION: Marc Thayer moved to accept the meeting minutes from June 9, 2025, and June 25, 2025, and Tom Welch seconded.

·         DISCUSSION: None.

·         VOTE: The motion passed unanimously (11-0).

3.       Architect’s Update

3.1   NE-CHPS Update

·         Matt LaRue informed the Building Committee that the design team continues to move through the construction phase of the project and bidding continues. 

·         Matt explained that on 6/24/25 the CHPS national organization announced that they are being absorbed by the USGBC organization, which runs the LEED certification program.  Existing projects registered with CHPS are grandfathered in; however, they need to be completed by June 30, 2027, or must switch their registration to LEED at no additional charge.

·         Considering that CHPS and LEED credits do not line up one to one, and a lot of work would be required to switch to LEED at this time, HMFH requested an extension and was granted another six months, until 12/31/2027.  HMFH is trying to understand if submission of all construction documentation by this date is possible given that the demolition is currently scheduled to finish around November of 2027 and the final site work won’t be completed until the spring of 2028.  HMFH will report back with an update at a future meeting.

·         Given that RIDE requires the use of CHPS, Colliers will reach out to RIDE to see if they can assist.

·         ACTION: Contact RIDE for support for NE-CHIPS support. – Colliers   

3.2   Permitting Update – Planning Board, RIDEM, RIDOT, Building Permit

·         Matt LaRue explained that HMFH is close to getting everything completed for the building permit.  Samiotes sent the requested information to the Town Planner today to forward to the Town Engineer to answer some questions regarding the RIDEM permit.  The Planning Department sign-off is expected soon.  A set of Mylars was sent for printing today for submission to the Planning Board.

3.3 Two Week Look Ahead

·         Bid package and scope reviews will continue for both the middle-high school and the elementary school complex.

·         RFI’s and issuances of addenda will continue along with any construction administration that should be needed.

·         The design of the construction sign was approved by Shawn Brown today and the artwork will be sent to Gilbane to have two signs printed soon.

·         HMFH is working on some additional entrance drive signage options and will have an update ready for the July 30^th meeting.

·         HMFH will continue to work on the design submission documentation for NE-CHPS.

·         HMFH has taken perspective views of the rooftop equipment and the location of the unit above the high school entrance improved, convincing HMFH that the visual screen originally contemplated is not needed.  They will share the perspectives on July 30^th.

4.       Owners Rep Update:

4.1   Elemenary School Complex (Valley Elementary) Alternates Update

·         Justin Bernard shared a summary of the Elementary School Alternates with the Committee.  The summary is as follows:

o   Alternate #1A – Cafeteria Roof: $340,176

o   Alternate #1B – Entry to Gym Roof: $123,426

o   Alternate #1C – Library and Science Wing Roof: $996,893

o   Alternate #1D – Mechanical Wing Roof: $695,017

o   Alternate #1E – Skylights: $145,290

o   Alternate #2 – Column Enclosures: $117,558

o   Alternate #3 – 1st Floor Bathroom Core: $494,178

o   Alternate #4 – New Elevator: $733,701

o   Alternate #5 – Replacement of Existing Lifts: $138,184

·         Justin added that alternates #1A through #1E are trending under the 60% CD design estimates, but it is important to note that these are based on a twenty-year roof warranty, and a forty-year warranty estimate has been requested.  Alternates #2 and #3 are slightly over the 60% CD design estimate.  There was no estimate for alternate #4 as this item was added later, and for alternate #5 about $52,000 was budgeted to repair the existing lifts.  It is still possible to obtain parts for the existing lifts, but the Committee should seriously consider replacing them as there is no way to bring them to “like new” and their life is limited.  The Committee will discuss this at the next meeting.

·         When asked about the timing when decisions need to be made, Bill Markham from Bentley Companies explained that the decision on the roofs should be made by the end of the year so the work can be scheduled for next summer.  Alternate #3 might require an upgrade to existing HVAC equipment so he will need to investigate this one further.  For the elevator and lifts, a decision should also be made by the end of the year to leave enough time to procure equipment for the following summer.

·         ACTION: Bring a recommendation regarding Alternate #5 Replacement of Existing Lifts to the July 30, 2025, meeting. – Colliers

4.2   MS/HS Group VI Recommendations to Award: Doors/Frames & Hardware, Tile, Wood Flooring, Epoxy Flooring

·         Consider and Vote to Award the Contracts (Doors/Frames & Hardware, Tile, Wood Flooring, Epoxy Flooring) for the new Middle/High School

Doors, Frames & Hardware RTA:

·         Gilbane and Colliers advise the Building Committee to recommend awarding Doors, Frames & Hardware bid to Unified Door and Hardware in the amount of $1,037,529 which is $396,264 under the 60% CD budgeted amount of $1,433,793.  Gilbane and Colliers also recommend that the Building Committee accept Alternate #9 as a credit of $2,090 due to the deleted storage room doors that have been eliminated for the MS elevator and to reject Alternates #1-8 and #10 as they are not applicable for this bid. 

·         MOTION: Don Morin moved that the Building Committee make a recommendation to award the Doors, Frames & Hardware bid to Unified Door and Hardware in the amount $1,037,529, which is $396,264 under the 60% CD budgeted amount of $1,433,793, and to accept alternate #9 Provide Hoistway and Elevator at middle school wing ILO storage rooms as a credit of $2,090 due to deleted storage room doors. Alternates #1-8 and #10 are not applicable for this bid.  Tom Welch seconded the motion.  The motion passed on a unanimous vote.

Tile RTA:

·         Gilbane and Colliers advise the Building Committee to recommend awarding the Tile bid to Ruggieri Bros Inc. in the amount of $425,000 which is $67,354 under the 60% CD budgeted amount of $492,354.   Gilbane and Colliers also recommend that the Building Committee reject Alternates #1-10 as they are not applicable for this bid.

·         MOTION: Don Morin moved that the Building Committee make a recommendation to award the Tile bid to Ruggieri Bros Inc. in the amount of $425,000 which is $67,354 under the 60% CD budgeted amount of $492,354.  Alternates #1-10 are not applicable for this bid. Tom Welch seconded the motion.  The motion passed on a unanimous vote.

Wood Flooring RTA:

·         Gilbane and Colliers advise the Building Committee to recommend awarding the Wood Flooring bid to Kenvo Floor Co. in the amount of $561,060 which is $158,960 over the 60% CD budgeted amount of $402,100. Gilbane and Colliers also recommend that the Building Committee reject Alternates #1-10 as they are not applicable for this bid.

·         MOTION: Don Morin moved that the Building Committee make a recommendation to award the Wood Flooring bid to Kenvo Floor Co. in the amount of $561,060 which is $158,960 over the 60% CD budgeted amount of $402,100.  Alternates #1-10 are not applicable to this bid.  Tom Welch seconded the motion.  The motion passed on a unanimous vote.

Epoxy Flooring RTA:

·         Gilbane and Colliers advise the Building Committee to recommend awarding the Epoxy Flooring bid to Allegheny Contract Flooring in the amount of $291,612 which is $123,110 over the 60% CD budgeted amount of $168,502. Gilbane and Colliers also recommend that the Building Committee reject Alternates #1-10 as they are not applicable for this bid.

·         MOTION: Don Morin moved that the Building Committee make a recommendation to award the Epoxy Flooring bid to Allegheny Contract Flooring in the amount of $291,612 which is $123,110 over the 60% CD budgeted amount of $168,502.  Alternates #1-10 are not applicable to this bid. Tom Welch seconded the motion.  The motion passed on a unanimous vote.

·         Justin Bernard added that the current log shows the construction costs are trending ~$9.4 million under the 60% CD Budgeted estimate while about 80% of the project has been bid out to date.

4.3   Middle-High School Alternates Update

·         Justin Bernard shared an update on the Middle-High School alternates decision dates with the Committee.  A decision on alternates #1-#4 and #6 will need to be made by October 22, 2025.  Alternate #5 is not used.  Alternates #7, #8 and #9 were approved earlier by the Committee and Alternate #10 was previously rejected.

·         Ed Brady asked when the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) will be presented, and Tony Murgida stated the Gilbane should be ready to present a GMP by the end of August or start of September.

4.4   Middle-High School Soil Removal & Testing Update

·         Justin Bernard stated that about 4500 cubic yards of soil have been moved to the Hoogendoorn property.  All of it has been tested and falls below the acceptable RI residential exposure criteria.  A testing program to test the soil on site has begun.

·         A small amount of soil (~40 cubic yards) must be shipped offsite as it failed the testing limits.  It should be moved starting next week.

4.5   Permitting Update – Planning Board, RIDEM, RIDOT, Building Permit

·         Justin informed the Committee that the stormwater signoff from the Town Engineer is expected soon.

·         RIDEM approval is in hand, while RIDOT approval is not a condition of building permit.  Justin added that the building permit will be issued soon.

4.6 Two Week Look Ahead

·         Middle-High School and ES Complex bidding and scope reviews will continue.

·         Bulk excavation and soil testing at the future middle-high school will continue into the upcoming couple of weeks.

·         The elementary school abatement work has been completed for this phase, HVAC repairs continue, and the courtyard demo is ongoing, with the first courtyard being nearly complete.  Exiting fuel tanks are also being removed and are nearly finished.  Work is progressing very well at the future Valley Elementary School.

·         Some regrading, a relocation of a roof leader and some waterproofing will be needed to address a rainwater leak issue that was discovered.

5.       School Building Committee Update

5.1 Change Order Approval Authority Update

·         The Town Council recently approved a revised change order approval authority whereby the Town Administrator and the Superintendent can jointly approve any changes under $100K.  The Town Administrator alone retains the ability to approve changes under $25K.

·         Any changes approved offline will be communicated to the Building Committee, School Committee and Town Council.

5.2 Two Week Look Ahead

·         Chair Ed Brady mentioned that he and Vice Chair Nash continue to sit in on the scope reviews and will continue to do so as the project proceeds.

Adjournment:

·         MOTION: Tom Welch moved for the Building Committee to adjourn at 5:26pm and Peter Connerton seconded. The motion passed unanimously (12-0).

Future Meeting Schedule – The next meeting will be on July 30, 2025, at 5:00p.m. at the Oliphant Administration Building.

Respectfully Submitted,

Don Morin