School Building Committee recommends Turner, Townsend & Healy as OPM and approves high school sprinkler design submission to MSBA

The School Building Committee voted Tuesday evening to recommend Turner, Townsend & Healy as the owner’s project manager (OPM) for the middle school roof and high school sprinkler projects and approved submission of design-development drawings for the high school sprinkler system to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). The committee also heard progress reports on the high school gym renovation, science-lab upgrades and other ongoing work.

The recommendation for Turner, Townsend & Healy will be forwarded to the town council for final approval; the committee voted to send that recommendation after a motion and second, with members indicating their assent by voice. The committee separately voted to submit design-development documents for the high school sprinkler project to the MSBA as prepared by Studio Jade, again by motion and voice vote.

The decisions follow a package of construction and renovation projects tied to the town’s bond and other funding. Committee members were told the town’s 2024 audit has been completed and posted, clearing a major administrative step before bond proceeds become available; a presenter said the bond could be released and available sometime in July if remaining finance tasks are completed.

Committee members received a detailed update on the high school gym renovation, which began in May with demolition and framing. The update said the project has replaced opaque windows with new glazing that brings natural light into the gym, repainted walls and ceiling, doubled the number of light fixtures, added ceiling fans and is in the process of installing a new sprung wood floor. The presenter said floor installation, staining and finishing are scheduled for July, with lights, sound and fans to follow. The presenter also said about two-thirds of the gym work is paid with non-bond grant funds (referred to in the meeting as “grama” money).

The committee heard that 13 rooms at the high school used for science instruction have been emptied of casework and equipment; work there will include reinstalling new casework, plumbing and electrical outlets and, where appropriate, making the rooms fully functional lab spaces. The presenter said improvements should allow teachers to deliver more hands-on instruction and permit fuller use of fume hoods and other lab infrastructure once the work is complete.

The auditorium will see lighting and sound upgrades after the winter performance season; the presenter said that work is likely to occur following the school’s December show. Committee members were told the planned sprinkler project is time-sensitive because of a consent agreement with the fire marshal’s office; project sequencing must keep to schedule so installation completes on time.

On procurement, the committee said it solicited five proposals for OPM services and a review subgroup evaluated price, scope and responsiveness. Three proposals were similar in cost and scope; one was very low but lacked alignment with the committee’s requested scope; the subgroup recommended Turner, Townsend & Healy as providing a competitive price and a proposal tailored to the town’s needs. Committee members discussed the size of firms, responsiveness and prior experience as factors in their recommendation. The committee agreed the recommendation will move to the town council (which issues the bond) for approval.

The committee also heard that schematic designs for the high school sprinkler project have been submitted to the MSBA and that the MSBA provided review comments; the design-development submission will include the OPM name once the committee’s recommendation is transmitted.

Votes at a glance: the committee recorded three formal voice votes during the meeting — approval of minutes from the May 5 meeting; a unanimous voice recommendation of Turner, Townsend & Healy as the OPM for the middle school roof and high school sprinkler projects to the town council; and approval to submit the high school sprinkler design-development documents to the MSBA as prepared by Studio Jade. No roll-call tallies or named vote counts were recorded in the transcript excerpt.

The committee discussed posting documents and photos online to make project information available to the public and to support media coverage when visible work is complete. The committee did not set a firm date for its next meeting and said it will poll members to schedule a July or August meeting.

Minutes: the meeting opened with roll call and routine business; the committee adjourned after completing the agenda.