MINUTES

LITCHFIELD SCHOOLS BUILDING COMMITTEE

LITCHFIELD INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL LIBRARY

DECEMBER 1, 2005

 

 

A meeting of the Litchfield Schools Building Committee was held on Thursday, December 1, 2005 at 7:00 PM in the Litchfield Intermediate School Library.

 

Present were: Jack Healy, Chairman, Bob Blazek, Gary Waugh, Lynn Chapman, Stacie Kavle, Mac Bramley, Jeff Zullo, and Bill Buckley.

 

Also present: Superintendent Dr. Vita, Cynthia Politano, Finance Director, BOE member Wayne Shuhi, and members of the public.

 

Meeting was called to order at 7:07 PM by Jack Healy.

 

Approval of Minutes

Motion made by Bob Blazek to approve the minutes of the November 17, 2005 meeting, seconded  by Gary Waugh.

Motion carried.  All were in the affirmative.  There were no abstentions.

 

Public Participation

Mike Murray would like to see the BC look into how often the staff and students use the current technology before putting any significant amount of money towards upgrading it.

Betsy Glassman talked about the parking lot and bus turnaround at the high school.  She also asked the BC put the extra money towards energy efficiency items such as thermal windows or mechanicals.

 

Communication

Gary Waugh spoke of a conversation he had with a private citizen who was concerned about the interruption of the basketball season-was asked if construction could be worked around it.

Jack Healy - BC needs to file 2006 agenda.  Committee agreed to stay with 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month. 

Mac Bramley said the finance subcommittee will precede that as a scheduled meeting.

Jack Healy would like to see members of the committee do a public outreach update throughout the construction.

Jeff Zullo -should it be monthly?

Gary Waugh - it can be a collaborative effort of several members

 

Finance Update

Motion made by Mac Bramley to authorize payment to Kelli Green, Recording Secretary $130.50 for 7.25 hrs., seconded by Gary Waugh.

Motion carried.  All were in the affirmative.  There were not abstentions

 

Motion made by Jeff Zullo, seconded by Bob Blazek to pay building inspectors office $3350.              

Jeff Zullo moved the question, seconded by Gary Waugh. 

Motion carried.  All votes were in the affirmative except Mac Bramley who voted in the negative.

 

Jeff Zullo requested the BC chairman, Jack Healy, to schedule a meeting with the First Selectmen, Director of Finance, Town Treasurer, and the BOF to reevaluate project financing.  Wants further discussion on plans for bonding, short term interest and long term interest costs.  Mac Bramley-earnings have doubled and we’re not getting credit for it.  Bill Buckley-interest from loan should come back to the building project not used elsewhere.

 

Motion made by Jeff Zullo  requesting Jack to schedule a meeting with Town Finance Officials to discuss the building projects short term and long term loans.  Seconded by Bob Blazek.

Motion carried.  Votes in the affirmative: - Gary Waugh, Bob Blazek, Lynn Chapman, Jeff Zullo, and Jack Healy.  Votes in the negative: Stacie Kavle, Mac Bramley, and Bill Buckley.

 

Bill Buckley requested from construction manager a financial update with itemized costs on overall project. 

Bruce Walpole- will bring monthly report to the next meeting.

 

Technology Update

Dr. Vita-technology team working on plan that would project the future technology needs of the schools according to state guidelines.

Jeff Zullo-we need to reconcile that plan with our current budget.

Mac Bramley-is there a definitive definition for technology appropriate for long term bonding?

 Jeff Zullo-6 years useful life or more should be appropriate for bonding.

 

Bruce Walpole introduced Project Manager, Louis Rosenblatt.

Bruce Walpole handed out list of proposed contract awards to the BC members.

 

Motion made by Jeff Zullo to award Concrete contract to Waterbury Masonry for LIS and LHS in the amount of $625,000.00, seconded by Gary Waugh. 

Motion carried.  All were in the affirmative.  There were not abstentions.

 

Motion made by Jeff Zullo to award General Trades contract to Gar-San Corporation for LHS in the amount of $2,784,000.00, seconded by Bob Blazek. 

Motion carried.  All votes were in the affirmative.  There were no abstentions.

 

O&G could not meet with contractors for LIS prior to December 1st meeting.

 

Motion made by Jeff Zullo to award Plumbing contract to Titan Mechanical for LIS and LHS in the amount $1,050,000.00, seconded by Bob Blazek. 

Motion carried.  All votes were in the affirmative.  There were no abstentions.

 

Motion made by Jeff Zullo to award HVAC contract to Titan Mechanical for LIS and LHS in the amount of $4,350,000.00, seconded by Bob Blazek. 

Motion carried.  All votes were in the affirmative.  There were no abstentions.

 

Motion made by Jeff Zullo to award Electrical contract to Kennedy Electric for LIC and LHS in the amount of $2,488,000.00, seconded by Bob Blazek.  

Motion carried.  All votes were in the affirmative.  There were no abstentions.

 

Bruce Walpole-it will take about two more meetings before they can have all contract recommendations available.  Will have more for the next meeting. 

Louis Rosenblatt- We will be fully staffed by Wednesday/Thursday of next week.  Will have a kick of meeting with his staff and school staff to present policy and procedures on the construction site. Public will not be allowed within restricted areas.

 

Mac Bramley-BOE has leased space behind BE Aerospace for busses.  Can anyone comment on that?

Dr.Vita- upon approval the buses will be there as soon as possible and not at the LHS temporary parking lot.

 

Bill Buckley questioned Bruce Walpole on his approach to change orders.

Bruce Walpole would like to see the committee appoint a member that Louis Rosenblatt can contact for any immediate change order authorization.  Most of the time changes can be brought before the committee at the next meeting.  It is good to have a contact for immediate authorization so there are no construction delays.

Motion made by Bill Buckley to authorize Chairman, Jack Healy, to make necessary change order decisions, using discretion on cost amount, to keep construction moving.  Motion carried.  All votes were in the affirmative.  There were no abstentions.

 

Motion made by Mac Bramley to adjourn at 8:30, seconded by Bill Buckley. 

Motion carried.  All votes were in the affirmative.  There were no abstentions.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Lynn Chapman

Secretary

Litchfield Schools Building Committee