At a meeting of the Peck/PEC project oversight committee (Holyoke City, date not specified), staff and consultants said the new school building is nearing completion, with remaining punch-list work, a planned decision process for library materials and project finances nearing closeout.

Committee members said the outstanding construction work falls into five smaller categories — fire‑stop sealing, HVAC adjustments, window caulking/sealants and finish touch‑ups, classroom audio and public‑address work, and building signage including evacuation and regulatory signs — and that most items are being addressed as the contractor completes final walkthroughs.

Committee members said there are not yet library books in the central library space. Mark (no last name given) said classroom libraries are stocked, but the main library will receive materials after the school council and parent‑teacher organization meet in October to identify what is wanted. Staff said requests for any remaining furnishings or equipment are due immediately — described in the meeting as “due tomorrow” — so the project team can close out purchases and report final savings to the city. The committee noted that library materials and other consumable items can be paid from the project’s FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment) line, and that the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) reimburses a portion of eligible line items; staff said the project is currently above the MSBA reimbursement cap but has budgeted funds available for remaining needs.

On construction details, staff reported that some classrooms experienced high temperatures earlier in the occupancy period; a temporary HVAC fix is in place and permanent adjustments are planned. The contractor Fontaine was named as continuing through remaining punch work. John Landry joined the meeting and was invited to add detail but had nothing substantive beyond the summary when he joined.

Finance staff presented an executive summary showing the project’s current invoice package is still being finalized for September. The committee was told that about 84.9% (rounded to 85%) of the total project budget has been billed to date and that there remains an uncommitted contingency and unbilled portions of contracts for closeout work, architects and the owner’s project manager. Staff said cash‑flow projections account for the remaining punch list, outstanding change orders and closeout costs.

Committee members and consultants said they are meeting with Shivan, identified in the meeting as the dean of management operations, next Monday to finalize any last requests so the city can close the project’s “wallet.” A social gathering for project participants was announced for 10/15 at Brennan’s at 5:00 p.m.; city leaders were invited and attendees were encouraged to bring spouses or others who supported the project.

The meeting opened with a motion to approve the previous meeting’s minutes; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously, with one named participant (Josh Luttrell) signalling approval by text. The committee then heard the punch list and financial updates, agreed to the process for library materials (school council to recommend materials, staff to use FF&E funds if appropriate), and adjourned by unanimous voice/hand vote. Meeting organizers said this is likely the committee’s last scheduled meeting but that they will reconvene if needed and that communications staff will provide a more detailed “inside look” of the PEC building once closeout figures are finalized.

The meeting contained administrative approvals only; there were no formal votes on ordinances, contracts, or appropriations recorded other than approval of minutes and adjournment.