Norwich committee approves $170,099 not-to-exceed change order for Greenville pre‑blast surveys; forms subcommittee for time‑sensitive change orders

The Municipal Building Committee of the City of Norwich on May 2025 approved a not‑to‑exceed change order of $170,099 to cover additional pre‑blast survey work tied to the Greenville school project and formed a three‑member subcommittee to approve time‑sensitive change orders up to $50,000.

The action followed a detailed update from CSG, the program/construction manager, who told the committee that the special permit review expanded the required pre‑blast survey radius at Greenville from 500 feet to 1,500 feet, driving an additional 377 surveys. Mike (CSG project representative) said the change order is intended as a worst‑case, not‑to‑exceed authorization and that the contractor will be paid only for surveys actually completed.

Committee members said the expanded survey requirement has both schedule and cost implications. “As soon as you go out outside of the Greenville site, the population density increases,” Mark Kullos, chair of the Municipal Building Committee, said, noting the 1,500‑foot radius reaches multifamily and denser parcels. CSG estimated the potential change order at about $170,090–$170,100, broken down to notification fees, mailing and letter prep, survey costs and contractor markup.

Why it matters: committee members warned that delaying the authorization would push the schedule and escalate costs. CSG said the additional surveys could add roughly three months to the pre‑construction sequence in the worst case; with supplemental crews the time might be reduced. Committee members approved the change order as a not‑to‑exceed PCO so contractors could begin required notifications and surveying work while the final tally is reconciled later.

What the package covers and the vote: the packet included a contractor summary that itemized: a required notification/letter fee (~$47,700), letter preparation and mailing (~$62,000), survey field costs (~$45,000) and contractor markup that together produced the not‑to‑exceed figure. On a roll call recorded in the meeting, the committee voted as follows on the motion to approve the pre‑blast survey PCO (PCO 001, not to exceed $170,099): Christine D'Estazio — yes; Cindy (surname not specified in the transcript) — yes; Mark Kullos — yes; Greg Kirby — yes; Stacy Kull — yes; Sheila (surname not specified) — yes; Peter (surname not specified) — yes; Bill (surname not specified) — no; Joe (surname not specified) — yes. The motion carried.

Schedule and program updates: CSG and DRA provided project updates for Stanton, Greenville, Moriarty and other program elements. Highlights included: - Stanton: field office established, erosion control and topsoil stockpiling underway, temporary power and footing excavation scheduled; rebid issued for general trades and millwork with net GMP savings anticipated after PCO reconciliation. - Greenville: clearing and grubbing to increase next week, pre‑blast survey work to expand to a 1,500‑foot radius, and a good‑neighbor meeting scheduled for May 28 at Kelly Middle School (auditorium may be used if overflow expected). CSG reported the GMP for earlier phases was fully executed on April 30, 2025, and site work has begun. - Design development: DRA and design teams are finalizing DD documents and plan to submit regulatory packages to the City of Norwich for CCP (special permit) and inland wetlands review in June; the budget estimate for the school program tightened to roughly $69.37 million as escalation estimates fell from earlier figures.

Subcommittee and procurement decisions: the committee voted to create a subcommittee charged with approving time‑sensitive change orders up to $50,000 to prevent short schedule delays. The committee named the subcommittee membership (volunteers) as Stacy Gould (member), Joe Powell (member) and Mark Kullos (chair). The committee also directed the purchasing office to prepare a Request for Proposals for project manager services for Huntington and the Teachers (school) project, with RFP materials to be ready for committee review before the July meeting and selection timing to follow the standard procurement schedule.

Public outreach and next steps: CSG announced a community “good neighbor” meeting for Greenville on May 28 at Kelly Middle School to explain the project to nearby residents and stakeholders; the district and city will pursue translation services if needed. CSG and the district also plan to schedule a groundbreaking ceremony for Stanton and Greenville in June; a tentative date for one ceremony mentioned was June 10, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., but date and stakeholder availability remain under discussion.

The committee recorded that the pre‑blast survey PCO will be reconciled as a construction change (PCO) based on the actual number of surveys completed and that the mailing/notification step must proceed to avoid further schedule delays. Members said they expect additional change orders to arise as projects move from design to construction and accepted that the overall program schedule will likely have more schedule risks going forward.