Westerly subcommittee approves invoices and change orders as construction advances at three elementary schools

The Westerly Public Schools building subcommittee approved multiple contractor and consultant invoices and authorized several change orders at its Nov. 13 meeting as construction continued at Dunn's Corner, Springbrook and State Street elementary schools.

Chair Justin Hopkins opened the meeting and, after confirming members and consultants present, moved the agenda quickly through routine business. "There are no members of the public that are with us this evening," Hopkins said before the committee began considering invoices.

Committee members voted to approve a slate of payments, including Collier's Project Leaders invoice #995398 for commissioning at State Street ($2,135), application for payment #4 for tower construction covering Dunn's Corner and Springbrook ($687,885.28; bill‑to‑date $4,840,535.47), O&G Industries application for payment #1 for State Street ($379,618.16), BBVW invoice #2318-17 for Dunn's Corner and Springbrook ($74,503.88) and TSKP invoice #230601-15 for State Street ($13,249.41). Prime Consulting's testing and inspection invoices (aggregate $12,516.24) and Down's Construction Company invoice #14 for owner’s project manager services ($27,715 aggregate across the three schools) were also approved.

The owners project manager and architects provided a detailed status report on budgets, schedule and field conditions. They reported contingency balances — $1,507,000 for State Street, $322,280 for Dunn's Corner and $171,071 for Springbrook — and a combined global contingency figure drawn from the delta between bids and available funding. The presenters said schedule milestones remain on track for building completion in 2025 (with some targets named for summer or August 2025), and emphasized that reaching the 'out of the ground' stage reduces the project’s largest risks.

A major topic during the update was an unexpected quantity of rock uncovered at Springbrook. The OPM reported encountering about 320 cubic yards of rock, representing roughly 20% of certain excavation work for stormwater infrastructure. The bids included a unit price for rock removal ($375 per cubic yard), and the team reported that $204,000 of rock/soil removal has been absorbed so far through bid allowances and negotiated reductions; they said additional exposure remains and that the committee chair asked staff to estimate remaining potential costs for a future meeting.

The committee also reviewed Change Order 5 and related adjustments. Change Order 5 includes corrective work to provide a handicap landing at a gymnasium door, revisions to sidewalk pitches, added waterproofing and conduit adjustments for a secondary duct bank, fire‑room layout changes to allow access to equipment, and steel connection revisions tied to an unexpectedly located column in a Springbrook classroom area. After discussion, a motion "to approve all the change orders" (including Change Order 5) was moved, seconded and approved with no opposition.

Separately, committee members discussed an open gap between existing masonry and metalwork at Springbrook that appears to allow moisture into a wall cavity. The OPM recommended pursuing a contractor proposal and authorized a not‑to‑exceed $25,000 contract to address masonry and sealant repairs before winter weather increases risk; the committee voted to approve that authorization.

Officials also reviewed roof punch‑list items and substantial completion status: Garland (the roof contractor) completed an inspection and must finish repairs and issue sign‑off before the OPM will issue substantial completion and trigger warranty start dates. The committee discussed schedule coordination for holiday work and night shifts at Dunn's Corner to complete above‑ceiling work.

Looking ahead, the subcommittee reviewed near‑term administrative steps for capital projects, including beginning the Stage 2 application process for encumbering projects (submission due Feb. 15) and planned FF&E discussions for January. Chair Hopkins noted the committee’s charter focuses on elementary schools and suggested the full school committee decide whether to formalize or expand the facilities committee’s role going forward.

The subcommittee adjourned after confirming its next meeting (Dec. 11) and routine business.