Council ratifies $300,000 design contract for Coventry High School fire-suppression work; town to seek consent agreement with state

The Coventry Town Council voted 7-0 to ratify an initial $300,000 contract with Studio Jade for engineering and design work on a fire-suppression (sprinkler) system at Coventry High School, with the manager and solicitor describing the contract as the first design-phase payment to show good faith ahead of construction funding from the school bond.

Manager Perillo said the town and the Fire Marshal’s Office are pursuing a consent agreement that would allow the town approximately 16 to 18 months to complete engineering, design and construction of the sprinkler work rather than proceeding with repeated 30-day approvals. Perillo told the council that the contract is the “first step in showing some good faith that the town wants to get this accomplished and get this on the radar and push it forward.” He said the contract funding source is the school bond; the manager and council noted Studio Jade understands the timeline and the town’s cash-flow timing and did not expect immediate invoice billing before bond proceeds are available.

Council members asked about interim costs such as fire watch; staff and the school department said they do not expect additional fire-watch expenditures at this time but would return to the council if that changes. The council ratified the Studio Jade contract by roll-call vote, 7-0.

Why it matters: The work addresses code and life-safety requirements at the high school. Staff framed the engineering contract as a necessary early step to meet the Fire Marshal’s requirements and to proceed with a consent agreement that creates a feasible schedule for design and construction.

Votes at a glance: Ratify Studio Jade engineering/design contract for sprinkler system — passed 7-0.