Norwood building committee approves invoices, Chromebooks and change order as construction continues at Savage Educational Centre

The Town of Norwood School Building Committee on Monday approved November invoices, a $445,645 purchase of student Chromebooks and change order No. 15 as work continues on the Savage Educational Centre school project.

Project manager Luca reported construction progress and budget figures during the meeting at the Savage Educational Centre. He said the project is tracking below budget, with $134,708,420 committed against an approximately $147,900,000 budget and about $95,038,564 spent to date, representing roughly 71% spent and 91% committed.

The committee approved multiple vendor invoices during a roll call vote, including a Vertex monthly construction and integration invoice for $69,543.62 and a Hubtech FF&E invoice for $345,942.02, along with smaller NextGen line items of $4,003.23 and $1,143.78. Luca also described W.D. Richardson charges and change orders reported on the project ledger.

The committee voted unanimously to accept the HIQ quote for student Chromebooks, a purchase order for 1,XXX devices (quantity not specified in the motion) totaling $445,645, noting the committee selected HIQ over other vendors for its service package and warranty customization.

Members also unanimously approved change order No. 15, which bundles several potential change orders described by staff. The items included relocations of a data outlet (no cost), installation of four Knox boxes at exterior doors after coordination with the fire department ($4,362), additional signage and sign holders (cost of sign holders not included), added sprinkler work that was previously missed, electrical coordination and wall bracing at six conflict locations, and added conduits in a duct bank to create a pathway for a possible future photovoltaic (PV) system. Staff reported the incremental cost attributed to some of those additions at $22,201.

During the construction update, Luca said framing and insulation are underway in multiple areas, ceiling grid installation and casework are in progress, lockers have arrived and flooring installation is ongoing. The contractor is wrapping up seasonal site work and is addressing a retaining wall at Lilly Field. Staff said rooftop HVAC units are being commissioned and temporary heating systems are being demobilized as permanent systems come online.

Committee members asked about filtration and HVAC commissioning. One committee member noted they had discussed filter grades with the mechanical team and that higher-grade filters were being installed; staff said they were confirming exact filter specification and working with the mechanical contractor to avoid running “anything dirty.”

On budgeting, a committee member raised the question of how to handle remaining contingency or reserve funds at project closeout and asked for guidance on permissible uses under the MSBA grant program. The committee agreed to place a dedicated item on a future meeting agenda, likely in January, to review legal and finance options with town finance staff and the project team.

Other operational items discussed included coordination with local recreation and soccer groups about temporary trailer locations and a brief update that the iVets tennis court work will likely be deferred until next fall to avoid overlapping with pool construction.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (Nov. 25, 2024): Approved (Yes 8, Abstain 1 — Jason Adams abstained). - Approval of invoices (November 2024): Approved unanimously (Yes 9). - Purchase order award: HIQ quote for student Chromebooks dated Dec. 9, 2024, $445,645 — Approved unanimously (Yes 9). - Change order No. 15 (includes multiple PCOs, added Knox boxes, signage coordination, sprinklers, electrical coordination and added conduit for future PV): Approved unanimously (Yes 9).

The committee scheduled a future meeting item to examine options for any remaining project funds and to invite stakeholders, including the soccer group, to address site logistics. The committee adjourned with holiday greetings and will reconvene in January.