Norwood building committee approves change order, three purchase packages and defers walking-path decision

The Town of Norwood School Building Committee on Aug. 4 approved a $624,206 change order with contractor WT Rich, accepted several purchase orders totaling about $77,395, authorized a $4.01 million invoice packet and directed staff to develop alternate designs for a north-side walking path intended to restore a previously removed route to the lower athletic fields.

A staff member who presented the budget and construction update told the committee that “everything is tracking on or below budget.” The presenter reported the project’s budget at $147,000,000, of which about $137,482,000 (roughly 93 percent) is committed and roughly $121,373,306 (about 82 percent) has been expended; available balances were described as approximately $12,000,000 (about 8 percent of the total budget).

Why it matters: The committee’s approvals keep construction and procurement moving ahead as the new school nears occupancy. At the same time, the members paused a major scope choice for the north-side walking path after engineers returned order-of-magnitude estimates that ranged from roughly $185,000 for curb-and-guardrail-only alternatives up to more than $1 million for a large retaining wall solution. Committee members emphasized the need to preserve accessible connections from the school to the fields and to avoid jeopardizing emergency access along the adjoining road.

Most important actions and votes - WT Rich change order No. 22 for $624,206 (approved): The change order package includes multiple items summarized in the project change-order log, most prominently a revised, full-scope package for a half-court basketball/play space (which had earlier been partially authorized). The committee approved the full change order by roll-call vote. (Vote recorded as unanimous.) - Invoice packet for month ending July $4,011,027.29 (approved): The packet included pay applications and consultant invoices (notably WT Rich pay application for month ending July and Vertex Companies construction administration). The committee approved the packet by roll-call vote. - FF&E purchase order $34,045.15 (approved): This purchase covers classroom chairs, desks, teacher podiums, a laminator and a folio cabinet; the committee approved the purchase order by roll-call vote. - Technology purchase orders $43,350.25 (approved): Approvals covered phone pouches, broadcast-studio cameras and tripods, an iMac for the studio and STEM lab equipment and consumables; the committee approved the technology purchases by roll-call vote. - Drainage/green-basin request from the planning board (voted down): The committee voted to reject a proposal to add a small green-area drainage basin in the lawn between the admin entrance and the turf field; that item was described as a planning-board request rather than a permit requirement and the committee declined to add the work now. - Direction to study north-side walking-path alternatives (approved): After reviewing contractor estimates and several alternatives (large block retaining wall, smaller block, guardrail/curb-only, and stone-dust path), the committee authorized staff and the design team to return with a fully flushed-out proposal that includes accessible-path options, grading alternatives and firm prices; the decision defers ordering long‑lead materials until the revised design is presented.

Construction, schedule and reimbursements Presenters said the building exterior and site work were substantially complete, the existing building demolition finished ahead of schedule, and the loop road (bus drop-off and circulation) was near paving with final binder scheduled for the next few days. The new turf-field drainage tie-ins and retaining-wall footing work were under way; temporary dewatering systems were visible on site.

The committee heard an update on MSBA (Massachusetts School Building Authority) reimbursements: Payment request 45 was submitted in August (about $2.6 million), and the presenter summarized prior reimbursements and the MSBA policy to hold 5 percent until final audit — a process the presenter said can take roughly 18 months.

FF&E and technology status Committee members were told the FF&E budget is about 98 percent committed (approximately $2,101,000), and the technology budget about 72 percent committed (approximately $1,869,000). Staff said some technology funds are tentatively reserved and that a future budget transfer may reallocate unused technology dollars into FF&E for teacher requests.

Accessibility, ADA parking, ribbon cutting and near-term milestones - ADA parking: The design team reported an initiative to add up to two accessible parking spaces with a small loading area near the Little League field; the team will submit a variance request under the state accessibility code (CMR references cited in the meeting) if as-built slopes do not strictly meet the 2 percent requirement. The variance was reported as going to the state this week. - Ribbon cutting: The committee confirmed an Aug. 25 ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m., with school staff coordinating logistics and refreshments.

Path options and committee direction Contractor order-of-magnitude pricing for the north-side walking path varied sharply: a full big‑block retaining wall and associated work exceeded $1 million; a smaller block option was about $975,000; a curb-and-guardrail-only solution was about $185,000; and a stone-dust path without a wall was on the order of $115,000. Committee members expressed shared concerns about preserving emergency access (fire access and FDC), ensuring accessible routes from the school to athletic fields, and avoiding any solution that could undermine the roadway. The committee directed the design team to produce a refined alternative that prioritizes accessible access and safety and to return with detailed pricing and scope at the next meeting.

Quotes A staff member presenting the budget update said: “Everything is tracking on or below budget.”

What’s next The committee asked staff and the design team to finalize alternate path designs (including accessibility options and cost estimates) for review at the next meeting. The project’s near-term priorities are completing paving and site punch‑list work, final inspections (including final testing of emergency systems with the fire department), teacher moves-in and student orientation tours scheduled for the week of Aug. 20, teachers returning Aug. 26 and the first day of school Sept. 2.

Ending With approvals completed, the committee adjourned after confirming the schedule for upcoming meetings and the ribbon-cutting event.