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Board hears capital projects update; board approves change orders and delays solar tie‑in pending utility work
Summary
At its March 26 meeting the Eastport South Manor Board received an update on phase 1 and 2 capital work including athletic fields, security booths and a high‑school fitness addition; the board approved change orders on the consent agenda and heard that the high‑school solar array still awaits utility and telecommunications sign‑offs.
The Eastport South Manor Board of Education on March 26 received a detailed capital projects update and approved related change orders as part of a consent agenda motion.
Superintendent and project staff told the board that phase 1 closeouts are underway and phase 2 remains on budget overall, but cautioned that interior bids for high‑school classroom and library work have not yet been received and could change the outlook. Project managers reported progress on athletic fields, security booths and bathroom renovations across multiple elementary and middle school buildings.
Project staff said the high‑school rooftop solar array has been mechanically tied into the local system but cannot be fully commissioned until two outside steps are complete: a PSEG permission to operate (PTO) and a communications component that Verizon must install for the SCADA monitoring system. Staff said Johnson Controls (JCI) work is finished and that the district expects final activation once PSEG and Verizon complete those tasks.
The board approved consent agenda items that included recommended change orders. Board members highlighted one negotiated reduction involving contractor Laser: staff said the original change order had been in the roughly $130,000 range and, after several months of negotiations, the agreed cost presented to the board was $38,003.74. Board members credited district staff and the construction manager for reducing the final cost and said the savings would be reinvested into remaining work.
Officials also described ongoing punch‑list work at the athletic complex, including drainage monitoring at newly installed turf and grass fields and adjustments to fencing and lighting controls. Staff said they have received roughly half the closeout documentation from Laser and will hold final funds until all punch‑list items are complete.
Work on the high‑school fitness‑center addition is beginning: the district said temporary fencing and egress plans are being installed, shoring and underpinning are scheduled, and excavation for foundations and drainage structures will start soon. Board members discussed holding a formal groundbreaking ceremony in late April; during the discussion several dates were mentioned (including April 20, April 23 and April 24) and the board asked that no physical ground be broken before the planned ceremony.
Board members asked parents and other community members who visit the fields to report common‑sense safety items (for example, gaps in fencing where people could step through) so the district and vendor can add them to the punch list and correct them before final closeout.
The board will continue to track outstanding closeout documentation, Verizon and PSEG steps for the solar system, and the interior high‑school bids that have not yet been received.
