1.       Call to Order

·         The meeting was called to order at 4:30 pm by Chair Ed Brady.  Ten (10) of thirteen (13) voting members were present or represented by an alternate, with Michelle Fonseca joining via Zoom.

2.       Consider and Vote on Meeting Minutes from August 12, 2026

·         MOTION: Tom Welch moved to accept the meeting minutes from August 12, 2026, and Marc Thayer seconded.

·         DISCUSSION: None

·         VOTE: The motion passed unanimously (10-0).

3.       Architect’s Update

3.1   MSHS FF&E and Technology Equipment Procurement Update

·         Matt LaRue shared the FF&E schedule for the new Middle-High School with the Committee, which is as follows:

·         Bid released today (September 16, 2026)

·         Bid period: September 16-30

·         Bid package approved no later than October 30, 2026

·         Purchase Order issued week of November 2^nd

·         FF&E Production phase: November 2026 – June 2027

·         Phase I Installation: June 14, 2027 – July 9, 2027

·         Phase II Installation: July 9, 2027 – July 30, 2027

·         FF&E Closeout: August 2027

·         Matt shared the IT procurement schedule developed by their consultant GGD:

·         Technology equipment meeting for AV and computer equipment: 9/9/2026

·         Owner’s review 50% computer equipment and AV package: 9/23/2026 - 10/9/2026

·         Technology equipment meeting: 10/15/2026

·         Owner’s review 100% computer equipment and AV package: 10/21/2026 - 11/6/2026

·         AV and computer equipment to request quote: 11/17/2026 - 12/1/2026

·         AV and computer equipment contract awarded: 12/1/2026 - 12/15/2026

·         Construction substantial completion: 6/1/2027

·         Technology equipment deployment: 6/1/2027 – 6/26/2027

4.       Owners Rep Update:

4.1   Forest Avenue HMFH Supplemental Services Proposal Review

·         Justin Bernard informed the Building Committee of a Supplemental Services proposal from HMFH for the design of five single occupant restrooms at Forest Avenue School in an area of the building that was not originally being renovated.  This is in response to a recommendation from RIDE during the Schematic Design review.

·         Superintendent Niemeyer added that a rating system called Bright Stars recommends single occupant restrooms that are adjacent to pre-kindergarten classrooms.  This proposal will add a restroom to each of the pre-K classrooms.

·         While it will require a lot of work due to the lack of existing infrastructure, there is no anticipated impact on the schedule as the work can take place at the same time as the renovation work that is being performed in the other parts of the building.

4.1.1          Consider and Vote to approve the HMFH Supplemental Services Proposal for Single Occupant Restrooms

·         MOTION: Don Morin moved that the Building Committee make a recommendation for the School Committee and Town Council to approve a supplemental services request from HMFH Architects in the amount of $69,867 for additional architectural services associated with the addition of five single occupant restrooms within the Learning Commons Wing at Forest Avenue Elementary School.  Tom Welch seconded the motion.

·         DISCUSSION: No additional discussion.

·         VOTE: The motion passed unanimously (10-0).

4.2   Forest Avenue Schematic Design RIDE Stage III Update

·         Justin Bernard reminded the Committee that the Schematic Design (SD) package was submitted to RIDE on July 21^st.

·         RIDE submitted comments on September 4^th.

·         The project team addressed the comments and Colliers resubmitted the SD package on September 10^th.  The team is awaiting approval from RIDE.

4.3   MSHS Project Update

·         Justin shared information from Gilbane’s monthly dashboard report.

·         Safety Update

·         Justin informed the Committee that there have been no new injuries but an update to the safety metrics was made.  The project has had four recordable injuries and one lost time injury.  Half of the safety incidents were from one subcontractor who is no longer doing work, as they have been removed by Gilbane from the project.

·         Document Control

·         64 Submittals in review

·         11 RFI’s (Requests for Information) in review

·         Schedule

·         Upcoming milestones include exterior window installation, as the first mockup window installation has been completed and is being signed off now.

·         Financial Status (as of August 31, 2026)

·         Estimated PCOs (Potential Change Orders): $1,845,001.  Most of this is due to the change in the area for the welding shop.

·         Progress Photos

·         Drone Flyover – Justin shared the drone flyover from August and walked the group through some recent photos of construction progress.  The project is progressing at a good pace, with external masonry moving right along, allowing for window installation to follow.

4.4   Valley Elementary Project Update

·         Justin provided the following update on the work at Valley Elementary:

·         Safety

·         The project has had one recordable injury; no change from the single heat related injury earlier in 2026.

·         Document Control

·         2 Submittals in review

·         0 RFI’s in review

·         Schedule

·         Phase III pre-planning

·         Financial Status (as of September 10, 2026)

·         Estimated PCO’s: $280,797

·         Progress Photos

·         Justin shared some progress photos with the Committee.

4.5   Master Schedule Update

·         Justin stated that there have been no changes to the major milestones.

4.6   Budget Update

·         Justin shared the following budget update:

·         Project Funding Available: $203,401,162

·         $190,000,000 Bond Funded

·         $484,308 Appropriation from General Fund

·         $5,900,000 Bond Interest (as of September 3, 2026)

·         $5,700,000 Bond Premium

·         $249,751 NEVI Grant

·         $1,067,103 Welding Shop Grants

·         Project Budget: $203,172,300

o   Middle/High School: $174,690,200

o   Valley Elementary: 20,182,100

o   Forest Avenue Elementary: $8,300,000

·         Expenditures to Date: $78,828,100

·         Contracted: $173,208,600

·         Total Anticipated Costs (excluding Contingences): $196,791,400

4.7   Four Week Look Ahead

·         The MS/HS project will continue with exterior utilities & drainage, Air Vapor Barrier, exterior masonry, roofing, spray fireproofing, interior & exterior framing & sheathing, MEP fire protection rough-in, exterior windows and FF&E procurement.

·         The Valley Elementary Phase II work has wrapped up, and phase III pre-planning, FF&E procurement and playground procurement are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks. 

·         The Forest Avenue Elementary School RIDE Schematic Design approval and Design Development phase.

5.       School Building Committee Update

5.1 Back to School Update

·         Superintendent Niemeyer informed the Building Committee that they had a great opening to the school year.  Ed Collins and his facilities/custodial team did a great job preparing all buildings before opening.

·         Tours of the new Middle-High School have been taking place on Fridays during the summer.  There has been a huge spike in interest from teachers, staff and students.  Additional tours are planned for every Friday afternoon to meet the demand.

5.2 Cultural, Historical, Memorial Subcommittee Update

·         Bill Nash stated that colors, graphics and floors have all been signed off, allowing HMFH to proceed.

·         The next focus for the subcommittee will be on the Wall of Fame, graphics display cases, TVs, the welcome wall graphics, gym banners, memorial plaques and space naming.

·         The next subcommittee meeting is planned for early November.

5.3 Four Week Look Ahead

·         The major focus is completing the Forest Avenue SD acceptance from RIDE and the supplemental service change going to the School Committee on September 17^th and the Town Council on Monday, September 21^st.

·         Ed Collins added that planning for the move in 2027 has already begun.  Packing will be done by the school staff before the school year ends as the plan is to hire movers, not packers. 

·         The next Building Committee meeting will be on October 14^th at 4:30pm.

Adjournment:

·         MOTION: Tom Welch moved for the Building Committee to adjourn at 5:21pm and Dan Thibeault seconded. The motion passed unanimously (10-0).

Respectfully Submitted,

Don Morin