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Dorchester 02 officials say Ponds property on track to start site work in March
Summary
Facilities staff reported that permitting and early site work are largely complete and the contractor may mobilize heavy equipment, with a target to begin earthwork in March, pending state permits and routine contingencies.
Staff member (presenter) told the Dorchester 02 Facilities Committee on Jan. 13 that the district is “in a good position for us to start turning dirt in March.”
The presenter said the district has submitted its early site package and is working weekly with Kolter (developer), Thompson Hutton (civil engineer) and the contractor Fit Construction to align permitting and mobilization. The presenter added that the state permitting office and the coastal zone office have been responsive; the district has an active ground‑disturbance permit in process.
Why it matters: beginning site work in March would move the Ponds project from planning toward construction and keep the district’s schedule for opening a new building on track, subject to remaining state approvals and weather or other routine contingencies.
Committee discussion focused on coordination, not final approvals. David Shenas, identified in the meeting as the new chair for county council, told the committee he and the county are “100%” supportive of meeting the timeline. A state representative who spoke to permitting work described efforts to address construction bottlenecks for school projects at the state level.
Committee members said the district is holding frequent coordination calls with the developer and the county, and that district staff and contractors have discussed possible early mobilization of heavy equipment to meet the schedule. No final construction notice to proceed was recorded in the meeting; staff said they expect contractor mobilization once a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) and final permits are approved.
The meeting record shows no formal motions or votes on the Ponds property at this session. Staff said they will continue multiple weekly coordination calls and will bring contract and GMP updates to the board as permitting and procurement advance.
Ending: Staff committed to continue updating the committee as permits are finalized and the GMP is delivered. The district did not present a final start order during the Jan. 13 meeting.
