APPROVED August 13, 2025
MPS BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING
Oliphant Administration Building
Michael S. Pinto Conference Room
26 Oliphant Lane, Middletown, RI 02842
July 30, 2025, 5:00pm
Members in Attendance:
| Present | Voting Member | Name | Title |
| N | Yes | Edward Brady | Chair, Community Member |
| X | Yes | William Nash | Vice Chair, School Committee Clerk |
| X | Yes | William Niemeyer | Superintendent of Schools |
| X | Yes | Tami Holden | School Committee Member |
| X | Yes | Ed Collins | Middletown Shared Facilities Director |
| N | 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 |
| P* | Yes | Marc Thayer | Community Member |
| N | Yes | vacant | Community Member |
| P | Alternate | Gregory Huet | Alternate Member of School Committee |
| N | Alternate | Christopher Logan | Alternate Town Council Member |
| N | 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
* Marc Thayer joined the meeting via Zoom.
** Donna Sweet left the meeting at 6:24pm.
1. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 pm by Vice Chair Bill Nash. Nine (9) of thirteen (13) voting members were present or represented by an alternate.
2. Also present: Justin Bernard, Colin McCarthy, OPM, Colliers Project Leaders; Tony Murgida, Gilbane Building Company; and Bryan Matthews, Bentley Companies.
3. Present via Zoom: Matt LaRue and Tina Stanislaski, HMFH Architects; Ed Cifune and Emma Osborne, DBVW Architects, and Marc Thayer.
· MOTION: Don Morin moved to accept the meeting minutes from July 16, 2025, and Peter Connerton seconded.
· DISCUSSION: None.
· VOTE: The motion passed unanimously (9-0).
· Matt LaRue shared some perspectives of the future Middle-High School depicting the final sizes and placement of the rooftop equipment. The rooftop unit that was originally visible above the high school entrance that drove the Add Alternate #10 roof screen is now barely visible, so no roof screen is needed.
· One can see some of the equipment on top of the high school wing of the building, but that equipment is much further back from the front of the building.
· Matt LaRue next showed some examples of monument signs for the Aquidneck Avenue and Turner Road entrances, along with the future Valley Road Elementary and Forest Avenue Schools. The original plan was to use precast signs with precast lettering, but concerns were raised about possible damage or vandalism to the projected precast letters, which are very difficult or impossible to repair.
· HMFH is now proposing using applied metal letters that could be more easily replaced if they get damaged. The letters will be made of stainless steel and will be attached mechanically to the precast. The letters can be painted if desired.
· The Town seal is recessed in the precast sign as either a metal medallion or cast into the sign itself.
· The Committee preferred the stainless-steel letters over the precast letters and asked if HMFH could make the edges at the top of each sign and at the top of the front section of each sign with the building name could have the edges softened so they might resemble a wave. HMFH will investigate adding the school logo in addition to the Town logo.
· When asked about the durability of the painted letters, Matt LaRue stated that the letters would be powder coated, which is very durable and not expected to need any maintenance.
· Bid package and scope reviews will continue for both the middle-high school and the elementary school complex along with any construction administration that should be needed.
· HMFH will continue to work on the design submission documentation for NE-CHPS with the goal of completing it by the end of the summer. They are currently incorporating all the addenda that were created as part of the bidding phase in order to finish up a conformed set of documents, drawings and specifications.
· The update from HMFH/DBVW can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QgKnbC3TSfVLFmwc8zJbI-f74ivBpiKs/view?usp=sharing.
4.1 Elementary School Complex Recommendations to Award: Misc Metals, Concrete, Millwork, Glass & Glazing
4.1.1 Consider and Vote to Award the Contracts (Misc Metals, Concrete, Millwork, Glass & Glazing) for the Elementary School Complex
Miscellaneous Metals RTA:
• Bentley and Colliers advise the Building Committee to recommend awarding the Miscellaneous Metals bid to Northeast Steel Structures in the amount of $65,523 which is $5,643 above the 60% CD budgeted amount of $59,880. Colliers also recommends that the Building Committee reject all alternates as they are not applicable for this bid.
• MOTION: Don Morin moved that the Building Committee make a recommendation to award the Miscellaneous Metals bid to Northeast Steel Structures in the amount of $65,523, which is $5,643 above the 60% CD budgeted amount of $59,880. No alternates are applicable to this bid. Peter Connerton seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Concrete RTA:
• Bentley and Colliers advise the Building Committee to recommend awarding the Concrete bid to JD Cement in the amount of $37,180 which is $1,820 under the 60% CD budgeted amount of $39,000. Colliers is also recommending that the Building Committee hold Alternate #3 to Renovate the Toilet Rooms for $11,630.48 and Alternate #4 New Elevator for $149,683.33 and to reject all other alternates as they are not applicable for this bid.
• MOTION: Don Morin moved that the Building Committee make a recommendation to award the Concrete bid to JD Cement in the amount of $37,180, which is $1,820 under the 60% CD budgeted amount of $39,000, and to hold Alternate #3 to Renovate the Toilet Rooms for $11,630.48 and Alternate #4 New Elevator for $149,683.33. No other alternates are applicable to this bid. Peter Connerton seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Millwork RTA:
• Bentley and Colliers advise the Building Committee to recommend awarding the Millwork bid to Woodcraft Millwork in the amount of $118,000 which is $4,616 under the 60% CD budgeted amount of $122,616. Colliers also recommends that the Building Committee reject all alternates as they are not applicable for this bid.
• MOTION: Don Morin moved that the Building Committee make a recommendation to award the Millwork bid to Woodcraft Millwork in the amount of $118,000, which is $4,616 under the 60% CD budgeted amount of $122,616. No alternates are applicable to this bid. Peter Connerton seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Glass and Glazing RTA:
• Bentley and Colliers advise the Building Committee to recommend awarding the Glass and Glazing bid to Advantage Glass in the amount of $34,200 which is $14,700 above the 60% CD budgeted amount of $19,500. Colliers also recommends that the Building Committee reject all alternates as they are not applicable for this bid.
• MOTION: Don Morin moved that the Building Committee make a recommendation to award the Glass and Glazing bid to Advantage Glass in the amount of $34,200, which is $14,700 above the 60% CD budgeted amount of $19,500. No alternates are applicable to this bid. Peter Connerton seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
4.2 Elementary School Complex (Valley Elementary) Alternates Updatev
· Justin Bernard provided an update on the acceptance deadlines for the Elementary School Alternates. They are as follows:
· Alternate #1A – Cafeteria Roof: December 2025*
· Alternate #1B – Gym Roof: December 2025*
· Alternate #1C – Library and Science Wing Roof: December 2025*
· Alternate #1D – Mechanical Wing Roof: December 2025*
· Alternate #1E – Skylights: December 2025*
· Alternate #2 – Column Enclosures: March 2026*
· Alternate #3 – 1st Floor Bathroom Core: September 2025
· Alternate #4 – New Elevator: October 2025
· Alternate #5 – Replacement of Existing Lifts: January 2026*
* The deadlines above are for work to proceed in Phase II (Summer 2026). The deadlines push out to the following year for Phase III work.
· The School Building Committee will need to decide whether to proceed with Alternate #3 at one of its September meetings and Alternate #4 at one of its October meetings.
· Justin added that, while the Building Committee originally wanted to decide on Alternate #5 at this meeting, the cost needs to be updated as the estimate to connect to emergency power needs to be solicited and added to that option.
· The Guaranteed Maximum Price for both the elementary school complex and the new middle-high school should be available by late August / early September.
4.3 Elementary School Courtyard Review
· Bentley submitted a Request for Information to repair a minor water issue where water is getting into the tunnels. The feeling is that the issue can be addressed through regrading and landscaping to channel the water away from the building.
4.4 Elementary School Construction Update
· Justin Bernard informed the Committee that the demo work in the courtyards is nearly complete. HVAC repairs are moving along well, and the oil tanks have been removed. The remaining pumps from the oil tanks will also be removed.
· Don asked who took the photos that were shared by Colliers as he and Tami would like to start posting construction progress pictures to the Building Committee website. Colliers, Bentley and Gilbane are taking photos and will supply them to Don/Tami for posting monthly. Don will work with Justin to set up a process for this.
· ACTION: Establish a process for Colliers to provide monthly construction progress pictures to Don/Tami for posting to the Building Committee website.
4.5.1 Consider and Vote to Award the Contracts (Interim Cleaning, Acoustical Ceiling Tile (ACT), Carpet & Resilient Flooring, Specialties, Toilet Partitions & Accessories, and Manufactured Casework) for the new Middle/High School
Interim Cleaning and General Carpentry RTA:
• Gilbane and Colliers advise the Building Committee to recommend awarding the Interim Cleaning and General Carpentry bid to Excell Construction Corp. in the amount of $2,200,000 which is $6,290 above the 60% CD budgeted amount of $2,193,710. Colliers also recommends 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 Interim Cleaning and General Carpentry bid to Excell Construction Corp. in the amount $2,200,000, which is $6,290 above the 60% CD budgeted amount of $2,193,710. Alternates #1-#10 are not applicable for this bid. Peter Connerton seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Acoustical Ceiling Systems RTA:
• Gilbane and Colliers advise the Building Committee to recommend awarding the Acoustical Ceiling Systems bid to H. Carr and Sons, Inc. in the amount of $1,554,800 which is $20,799 above the 60% CD budgeted amount of $1,534,001. Colliers also recommends 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 Acoustical Ceiling Systems bid to H. Carr and Sons, Inc. in the amount of $1,554,800 which is $20,799 above the 60% CD budgeted amount of $1,534,001. Alternates #1-10 are not applicable for this bid. Peter Connerton seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Carpet and Resilient Flooring RTA:
• Gilbane and Colliers advise the Building Committee to recommend awarding the Carpet and Resilient Flooring bid to Ruggieri Bros Inc. in the amount of $1,750,000 which is $59,444 above the 60% CD budgeted amount of $1,690,556. Colliers also recommends 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 Carpet and Resilient Flooring bid to Ruggieri Bros Inc. in the amount of $1,750,000 which is $59,444 above the 60% CD budgeted amount of $1,690,556. Alternates #1-10 are not applicable to this bid. Peter Connerton seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Specialties RTA:
• Gilbane and Colliers advise the Building Committee to recommend awarding the Specialties bid to H.S.I. Construction Inc. in the amount of $959,000 which is $350,334 above the 60% CD budgeted amount of $608,666. While H.S.I. was not the low bidder, they were chosen due to their WBE contribution. Colliers also recommends 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 Specialties bid to H.S.I. Construction Inc. in the amount of $959,000 which is $350,334 above the 60% CD budgeted amount of $608,666. Alternates #1-10 are not applicable to this bid. Peter Connerton seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Toilet Partitions and Accessories RTA:
• Gilbane and Colliers advise the Building Committee to recommend awarding the Toilet Partitions and Accessories bid to Excell Construction Corp. in the amount of $283,496 which is $1,512 above the 60% CD budgeted amount of $281,984. While Excell was not the low bidder, they were chosen due to their MBE contribution. Colliers also recommends 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 Toilet Partitions and Accessories bid to Excell Construction Corp. in the amount of $283,496 which is $1,512 above the 60% CD budgeted amount of $281,984. Alternates #1-10 are not applicable to this bid. Peter Connerton seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Manufactured Casework RTA:
• Gilbane and Colliers advise the Building Committee to recommend awarding the Manufactured Casework bid to Northeast Interior Systems, Inc. in the amount of $1,758,000 which is $120,525 above the 60% CD budgeted amount of $1,637,475. Colliers also recommends 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 Manufactured Casework bid to Northeast Interior Systems, Inc. in the amount of $1,758,000 which is $120,525 above the 60% CD budgeted amount of $1,637,475. Alternates #1-10 are not applicable to this bid. Peter Connerton seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
· Justin Bernard shared that the firm that was originally awarded the bid for surveying work had to back out. As a result, they were replaced by Welch Associates Land Surveyors, Inc. for the same contract amount of $90,000. No action is required by the Building Committee as there is no change to the RTA value or terms. Welch Associates also brings with it a 100% WBE contribution.
· At this time Tony Murgida informed the Committee that there were eight bid packages left to go, and six should be ready for the next meeting. The final two may trickle to the second August meeting.
· Bill Nash asked how the project was trending, and Justin Bernard stated that the project is trending about $8 million under the forecasted construction budget.
4.7 Middle-High School Construction Update
· Justin Bernard stated that soil continues to be moved to the Hoogendoorn property. Testing continues and no additional soils have been identified as contaminated.
4.8 Middle-High School Permitting Update
· Justin Bernard stated that the Middletown Planning Board has formally approved the final plans, the Town has received RIDEM signoff and the RIDOT approval was received earlier today. The permit approval process is proceeding through the Town portal now and the building permit is expected very soon.
4.9 Budget Update
· Justin Bernard shared the latest budget numbers. The project is still on time and on budget and continues to work within the $190 bond plus an additional $484,308 for alternates #7 and #8 that are being supplied from external sources.
4.10 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, followed by concrete formwork mobilization.
· The elementary school HVAC repairs and the courtyard demo cleanup continue. The sprinkler work may need to be postponed to the summer of 2026. Newport Water suggested changing the water feed from Wabasso Terrace to either Valley Road or Reardon Drive, which will drive a need to change the plans. A meeting is scheduled for Friday, August 1st to discuss and align on next steps.
· Roof composition and adhesion testing will take place in the next week or two to better understand the options for the roofing work at the future Valley Elementary School.
· The Town is working on an EV Charger NEVI grant application that, if approved, will pay for 80% of the cost of new EV charging stations at several locations around town.
· The update from Colliers can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qeykYlMtOpN-lKFz0-YK6RQIsZh3njpw/view?usp=sharing.
5.1 Two Week Look Ahead
· Vice Chair Bill Nash stated that he and Chair Brady will continue to sit on weekly project review meetings and that the next Building Committee meeting will take place on August 13, 2025.
Adjournment:
· MOTION: Peter Connerton moved for the Building Committee to adjourn at 6:31pm and Don Morin seconded. The motion passed unanimously (8-0).
Future Meeting Schedule – The next meeting will be on August 13, 2025, at 5:00p.m. at the Oliphant Administration Building.
Respectfully Submitted,
Don Morin