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Committee approves amended design contracts and directs dual bids for high‑school roof and HVAC work
Summary
The committee approved contract amendments and instructed the design team to prepare bid documents for two roof restoration options and rooftop HVAC replacement; members discussed schedule risks, warranty periods and making the roof solar‑ready.
The Marblehead School Committee voted to approve amended contracts with Raymond Design Associates (RDA) and Left Field (owner's project manager) and instructed the design team to prepare bid packages that include two roof options and in‑kind rooftop HVAC replacement.
The decision follows a multi‑phase project that began with an initial borrowing authorization for roofing work and later expanded after town meeting to include HVAC and related scope. Committee members and the project's OPM described an aggressive schedule aimed at issuing bids this fall so construction could take place during the summer window to limit disruption to students.
Left Field project executive David Sanden and senior project manager Lina Wong outlined a timeline and scope, noting the project evolved from a roof replacement to a combined roof and HVAC effort. "We're anticipating having construction activities commence next summer," Sanden said, and that rooftop HVAC equipment lead times were a primary schedule driver.
Design lead Jean Raymond (Raymond Design Associates) included both a membrane replacement option and a fluid‑applied roof restoration as alternates in the contract amendment. The committee approved amendments that fund RDA to prepare bid documents for both options so the market can determine the final choice. RDA's estimates suggested the fluid‑applied option could show substantial cost savings in some scenarios, but committee members and the OPM emphasized those are estimates and said market bids would be determinative.
Public commenters raised related concerns during the meeting's public comment portion. Mark Adams urged the committee to choose an electric heat‑pump system for the high school HVAC replacement rather than reinstalling natural‑gas boilers, saying heat pumps better align with the town's net‑zero by 2040 goal. Michelle Bell of Sustainable Marblehead requested the project include conduit and design features to make the high school roof "solar ready," arguing it is far cheaper to install conduit during a renovation than after the roof has been closed up.
Committee members asked the design team to confirm whether the current high school structure and the proposed roof options were compatible with future photovoltaic arrays, and to consult the original building engineer if needed. Staff said the contract amendments and the dual‑bid approach fit within the total project authorization authorized at town meeting (approximately $14 million) and that the committee would need to coordinate with the board of selectmen for the contract approvals required for town capital spending.
The committee also discussed forming or reconvening a facilities subcommittee and inviting a local building‑envelope specialist who has offered to assist. Members said a small, decisive group will be needed to review bid results and make a timely decision when bids are returned to preserve the summer construction window.
