Building committee approves $241,140 change order to remove contaminated topsoil at Norton site

The New School Building Committee voted unanimously to approve PCO‑012, a potential change order that authorizes Richards Corporation to remove contaminated topsoil from the Norton Elementary construction site.

The committee authorized $241,140 to cover excavation, trucking and testing for roughly 2,100 cubic yards of topsoil that testing identified as exceeding Connecticut DEP limits and therefore requiring off‑site disposal. The committee directed that the cost be drawn from the construction manager (CM) allowance within the project budget so the contractor can begin removal without delay.

Committee members and project staff discussed alternatives before the vote, including reusing some soils on-site, temporarily staging material at Richards’ yard so it can be resold, and seeking a town property that could accept the soil. Project staff said the contaminated portion—about 2,100 cubic yards—equates to roughly 3,000 tons and that the quoted trucking and disposal rate to the Brixton Street Landfill in West Hartford is $55 per ton. The estimate presented to the committee included equipment, labor, and subcontractor testing; staff reported a final PCO total of $241,140.

Staff described the risk that a chosen disposal facility must be approved by the state. The committee heard that Eagle (the district’s environmental consultant) will review Brixton’s permit; if the site is not authorized, the disposal price would change and the committee would be notified. Project staff said they are pursuing options to avoid the landfill cost—for example, having Richards accept and resell material if the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) permits such an arrangement.

Members emphasized the worksite urgency. Project staff said the stockpile—nicknamed “Mount Norton”—is occupying contractor laydown and parking space, and that crews will expand soon; removing the contaminated topsoil was framed as necessary to maintain site logistics and schedule. Staff said “polluted” soils that meet reuse limits will be retained for on‑site use and will not be disposed, while a separate quantity of “clean” topsoil still needs DEEP notification if moved off‑site.

The committee approved the PCO so Richards can begin work pending routine regulatory checks. Staff said if the Brixton facility or another chosen site is later deemed unacceptable by the state, they will return to the committee with a revised price and authorization request.

Details presented to the committee said: approximately 2,100 cubic yards (about 3,000 tons) of contaminated topsoil; trucking and disposal quoted at $55/ton; equipment and loading labor included in the estimate; Berkshire (testing) and Eagle (environmental consultant) will perform required sampling and reporting. The committee recorded the approval as unanimous and directed staff to begin the disposal process while they complete regulatory confirmations.