Norwich committee approves geotechnical supplement and multiple construction alternates; projects move into active site work

The Norwich School Construction Committee on an evening meeting approved a professional services supplement for additional on‑site geotechnical work and took votes on several construction alternates as the city’s school projects move further into site work and construction.

The committee approved a professional services supplement (PSS) to bring SLR on site for additional geotechnical observation and consultation tied to upcoming rock cutting and blasting. The committee also approved alternates that add telescoping bleachers, replace deteriorated tennis‑court chain‑link fabric at Stanton, and substitute concrete curbing in place of asphalt in key circulation areas. Members discussed a digital message‑center alternate for Greenville and Stanton at length; the committee approved the infrastructure/construction alternative pathway that would put the sign(s) and related power/conduit on the project schedule rather than leave the work to a later, nonreimbursable purchase.

Why it matters: The decisions allocate roughly six‑figure supplements and alternates across school projects that together have multi‑million‑dollar budgets, shifting near‑term work into active construction and clarifying reimbursement eligibility for items the city wants completed as part of the state‑funded projects.

What the committee approved and why

Professional services supplement — SLR geotechnical A PSS to SLR for expanded field geotechnical services was approved as a not‑to‑exceed, lump‑sum supplement to support questions that will arise once rock faces are exposed during the Greenville site work. The committee members and staff explained the scope: observations during cutting/blasting, RFI reviews, shop‑drawing and submittal support, and on‑call geotechnical consultation if rock faces require special treatment (concrete infill, additional screening or other mitigation). The most recent estimate from SLR presented to the committee was roughly $128,000 before project markups (the documents presented showed a $147,000 figure inclusive of markups). Staff said the city also maintains an approximately $40,000 allowance for geotechnical consultant services under the base contract; the PSS covers additional on‑site effort anticipated during the rock‑cutting phase. The PSS was moved and seconded and approved by roll call vote.

Construction alternates (selected) - Telescoping (retractable) bleachers — Approved. The committee approved telescoping bleachers for one or both gym/auditorium spaces to increase fixed seating for events; the alternates were presented as educationally desirable to accommodate assemblies and performances without relying solely on temporary seating. - Tennis‑court chain‑link fabric replacement (Stanton) — Approved. The committee approved replacing worn chain‑link fabric and adding a proper bottom rail around the Stanton tennis court, an item the project team presented as an aesthetic and durability improvement that is appropriate for inclusion in the construction scope while the project is active (and thus eligible for grant reimbursement). The committee discussed whether the city or schools own/maintain the courts; staff said including the work now preserves reimbursement eligibility. - Concrete curbing in lieu of asphalt (selected parking/drive areas) — Approved. Committee members discussed life‑cycle costs and durability (plow and heavy‑use resistance) and approved changing asphalt curbing to concrete in primary access and parking areas as an alternate. - Digital message centers (Greenville and Stanton) — Discussed at length. The committee reviewed pros (remote messaging, easier updates) and cons (initial cost, maintenance and long‑term repair issues). Staff recommended, and the committee accepted, a procurement pathway that includes the infrastructure (conduit, foundations and power) for the signs so that the city would retain the option to install full digital message centers during the funded construction window and thereby keep the items reimbursable. Committee discussion noted that prices in the current bid packages are time‑sensitive and that holding alternates open past the bid period would likely increase cost.

Votes at a glance (recorded motions and outcomes) - Approval of PSS (SLR geotechnical on‑site services): mover Greg; second Sheila; outcome: approved (roll‑call yeses recorded). - Telescoping bleachers alternate: mover Peter; second Sheila; outcome: approved (unanimous roll‑call yeses recorded). - Tennis‑court chain‑link fabric replacement (Stanton) alternate: mover (committee member stated they would make motion); second recorded; outcome: approved (roll‑call yeses recorded). - Concrete curbing alternate (parking/entrance areas): mover and second recorded; outcome: approved (roll‑call yeses recorded).

Project status and near‑term schedule highlights

Greenville Elementary (site mobilization and blasting preparation) - Clearing and grubbing are substantially complete; trailers for the construction office arrived on site and temporary power conduit was run to the trailer location. - Pre‑blast surveys were expanded from an original 500‑foot radius to an additional 1,000‑foot radius. As of the update presented to the committee, the contractor had requested 106 additional surveys and reported 98 completed. Staff reported a potential first blasting date as early as July 7, based on the surveys and logistics; the contractor used a conservative worst‑case completion date for the survey work in schedule forecasts. - Trailer arrival, perimeter fencing, erosion and sediment controls, modular block‑wall shop drawing submittals and MEP coordination were reported as in progress; staff noted security cameras and more robust fencing would be added.

Stanton Elementary (foundations and early concrete work) - Enabling work and topsoil stripping were complete; geotechnical engineers had been on site to verify footings. The contractor reported footings and some concrete pours complete, with repeated footing pours expected twice a week for the next month. First structural steel erection is currently scheduled for August 7 with a goal to beat that date.

Uncas/Oncus and Moriarty (design development and permitting) - Design development documents have been delivered and are in reconciliation between the estimator and the project team. Staff described necessary permitting steps (Zoning Board of Appeals, inland wetlands, Commission on the City Plan), and reported the project team expects submittals and hearings in the months ahead; ZBA and wetlands approvals were described as on a schedule that should not delay current phasing. The Moriarty project was reported to be approximately $2.5 million over the current estimated budget at this phase, with other projects (e.g., Ancus/Uncas) showing budget offsets that staff said would be reconciled during value‑engineering and estimate reconciliation.

Budget and financial notes - Staff reported project expenditures to date of approximately $3.11 million for the Stanton project and $3.14 million for the Greenville project. - Grant reimbursement: staff reminded the committee that many costs are eligible for grant reimbursement and that including eligible alternates in the construction window preserves 80% state reimbursement that the delegation had secured for certain projects. Grant commitment letters were expected after the close of the legislative session. - Contingency and savings: staff reported owner contingency balances, existing GMP savings in some projects, and that some GMP savings could be reallocated as budgets are finalized.

Community engagement and next steps - Staff reported regular OAC (owner–architect–contractor) and working‑group meetings, ongoing good‑neighbor meetings, and weekly updates to stakeholders. The project team asked the committee to confirm availability for a Greenville groundbreaking; the committee tentatively discussed June 30 with a rain date of July 1 (afternoon ceremony), pending confirmation of availability and outreach to impacted community members. - Committee members asked staff to centralize public complaints and fielded questions about who in city government should be the primary point of contact for resident concerns during active construction. Staff agreed to ask the city manager to designate a single POC so residents receive a coordinated response and project staff can manage technical follow‑up.

What the committee assigned or directed - Staff were directed to finalize the SLR PSS and execute the supplement consistent with the approved not‑to‑exceed amount and to monitor the on‑site time and billing detail. - Staff and the construction team will finalize arrangements for pre‑blast surveys and logistics, and report updated blasting and mobilization dates to the committee once survey responses and permitting align.

Ending The committee’s votes move several reimbursable alternates and the geotechnical supplement into active procurement and construction administration. Staff asked committee members to expect additional budget reconciliation materials, updated schedules and a formal notice about the Greenville groundbreaking once dates are confirmed and supporting vendors are available.