Norwood building committee approves nearly $6 million in vendor invoices, OKs tech and FF&E purchases; budget remains under target

The Town of Norwood Middle School Building Committee on June 9 approved vendor invoices totaling $5,952,401.08, authorized technology purchase orders of $68,751.02 and approved a summer FF&E and custodial supply budget that the committee recorded as $56,070 total.

Committee members voted on multiple motions during the meeting at the Savage Center. The committee’s finance presentation showed the overall school project budget at $147,900,000 with roughly $137,181,797 committed and about $114,600,000 paid to date; presenters said the project is currently tracking about $10,800,000 under budget.

The invoice package approved included owners’ representative and testing services for Vertex and PSI totaling $114,287.80; architectural services from AI3 for $643.62; several CDWG line items for technology infrastructure and licenses (individual items cited in the meeting included $221,600; $45,966; and $26,739.20); FF&E purchases including tools, microscopes and shelving; AEDs for $30,578.10; and application for payment #24 for $2,489,823.83. A staff presenter told the committee the CDWG license item covers approximately three years of backup licensing.

On reimbursements, staff said reimbursement request #41 (invoices through February 2025) has been processed by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) and request #42 (March) had been submitted. The committee presentation said MSBA reimbursements represent about 54% of eligible costs to date.

Votes at a glance

- Approve minutes of May 12, 2025 — Passed (roll call recorded: Paul Riccati yes; Jason Adams yes; Bob Donnelly yes; David Hilt yes; Gary Pelletier yes; Theresa Stewart abstain; Chair yes). - Approve vendor invoices totaling $5,952,401.08 — Passed unanimously (roll call recorded: Paul Riccati yes; Jason Adams yes; Bob Donnelly yes; Theresa Stewart yes; David Hilt yes; Diane Ferreira yes; Margot Frasick yes; Gary Pelletier yes; Chair yes). - Approve technology purchase orders totaling $68,751.02 — Passed unanimously (roll call recorded: Paul Riccati yes; Jason Adams yes; Bob Donnelly yes; Tim Luff yes; Theresa Stewart yes; David Hilt yes; Diane Ferreira yes; Margot Frasick yes; Gary Pelletier yes; Shannon Vogt yes). - Approve pallet jacks, custodial supplies and a $50,000 summer FF&E “wish list” (combined motion recorded as $56,070) — Passed unanimously (roll call recorded: Paul Riccati yes; Jason Adams yes; Bob Donnelly yes; Tim Luff yes; Theresa Stewart yes; David Hilt yes; Diane Ferreira yes; Margot Frasick yes; Gary Pelletier yes; Chair yes).

Committee members asked questions about several line items during discussion. A committee member asked whether two saws purchased by STEM teachers would be placed in rooms with automatic shutoffs; staff said the saws will be held in custodial storage until required shutoff systems are installed. Committee members also asked about the timing and contents of technology orders; staff reported wireless access points and the building network are largely complete and that technology budgets were tracking under budget.

Clarifying details provided at the meeting included line-item amounts for FF&E and technology vendors and that some library shelving is backordered (so unpacking will be delayed); staff said furniture installations on several floors were approximately 90% complete. The presentation also listed application for payment #24 and noted there were no change orders on the meeting agenda.

The committee approved the motions by roll-call votes and moved on to construction and schedule updates later in the agenda.