Subcommittee approves consultant invoices, issues construction directives and adopts charter edits

The Westerly Public Schools School Building Subcommittee voted April 23 to approve multiple consultant invoices, authorize a construction change directive for urgent electrical work and adopt revisions to the subcommittee charter.

The committee, chaired by Justin Hopkins, approved consultant invoices listed by the project manager, including TSKP for professional services to State Street Elementary School ($13,130.67), Brewster Thornton Group Architects for stage-2 work on Westerly schools ($32,086.50), and two Collier project-leader commissioning invoices totaling $6,384.60 (Springbrook $3,384.50; Dunn’s Corner $3,000.10). Hopkins read each invoice aloud and the motions to approve were carried unanimously.

Why it matters: These routine approvals release consultant payments so designers and construction managers can continue project work this summer. The meeting also included votes that commit the district to immediate field work when delays would jeopardize summer schedules.

Most significant formal actions

- Construction change directive (CCD) for electrical work at Dunn’s Corner lobby and administration entrance — the committee authorized the use of a CCD so contractors may proceed immediately with necessary electrical rework; staff estimated not-to-exceed cost at $30,000. The motion passed unanimously.

- Hazmat (soffit) testing at Dunn’s Corner — the subcommittee approved commissioning hazardous-material testing of a soffit/soffit vicinity before contractors remove louvers; the contractor-proposed test fee presented by Ashley Prester came forward for approval (motion reading: “move 3450 for the ...”); the motion passed unanimously.

- PCO 8 (State Street) — the committee approved a proposed change order (PCO 8) for $3,628 to provide separate 120V power to condensate pumps associated with certain VRF units. The motion carried unanimously.

- Subcommittee charter amendments — after discussion, the committee voted to recommend amended language clarifying membership (including a identified Westerly Public Schools educator as a standing member and language on vacancies and appointments). The motion to forward the charter changes to the full school committee as amended passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance

- TSKP invoice #230601-20 — $13,130.67 — Approved (unanimous) - Brewster Thornton invoice #12531 — $32,086.50 — Approved (unanimous) - Collier commissioning invoices #1032381 and #1040500 — $3,384.50 and $3,000.10 (total $6,384.60) — Approved (unanimous) - Issue CCD for electrical work (Dunn’s Corner) — authorization to proceed; estimated not-to-exceed $30,000 — Approved (unanimous) - Hazmat testing (soffit) — approved (contractor proposal figure discussed as $3,450) — Approved (unanimous) - PCO 8 (power to condensate pumps) — $3,628 — Approved (unanimous) - Recommendation to adopt amended School Building Subcommittee charter language (membership, vacancies) — Approved (unanimous)

Discussion vs. decision: The meeting distinguished between discussion items (e.g., ongoing construction progress photos, schedule concerns) and formal actions. The CCD and the PCO were approved as time-sensitive directives so contractors could proceed; the charter language change was forwarded for school committee action.

Speakers quoted in the meeting included Justin Hopkins (Chair, School Building Subcommittee) and Ashley Prester (BBVW). Hopkins opened and closed motions and read invoice amounts; Prester presented construction recommendations and cost estimates.

Next steps: The subcommittee scheduled follow-up meetings through the summer to consider additional PCOs and contractor updates. The charter edits will be placed on the school committee agenda for formal adoption.