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Middletown council approves guaranteed maximum prices for school projects and low‑cost tree‑relocation contract
Summary
Council accepted Colliers’ budget update and approved GMP contracts for the New Middletown Middle‑High School and Valley Elementary, authorized a $8,900 tree relocation via Northeastern Tree Service instead of a $67,000 GMP alternate, and confirmed use of bond interest and a $484,000 appropriation to cover alternates.
The Town of Middletown moved forward on multiple school‑construction decisions at its meeting, receiving cost updates and approving construction contracts and site work to advance the New Middletown Middle‑High and Valley Elementary projects.
Justin Menon (senior project manager, Colliers Project Leaders) reviewed an updated budget for the two projects. The town was authorized to borrow $190,000,000 for the bond; Colliers reported an updated combined projected project cost of approximately $193,555,300 inclusive of alternates. Available funding identified for the projects included the $190,000,000 bond authorization, a $484,000 appropriation from the general fund for shelter‑related work, and $3,700,000 in realized bond interest; Colliers said the combination creates a surplus (Colliers estimated roughly $600,000) that could be applied to other prioritized work such as renovations at Forest Avenue School.
On site work, the council moved to reject Gilbane’s Alternate 13 (Gilbane GMP price $67,000) for transplanting nine trees and instead approved use of the state master price agreement vendor Northeastern Tree Service at a negotiated price of $8,900. The council passed a resolution approving the contract with Northeast Tree Services Inc. and authorized the town administrator to execute the agreement; the vote was taken by voice and recorded as carried.
The council also received and passed resolutions to approve guaranteed maximum price (GMP) contracts for the middle‑high school (construction manager at risk with Gilbane Building Company) and for Valley Elementary (construction manager at risk with Bentley Builders LLC). The Valley Elementary presentation included a base GMP amendment ($9,427,171) and multiple add alternates (roofs, skylights, elevator, stair lifts, bathroom core, hallway renovations) that together increased the elementary project alternates package to $14,965,985.
Councilors asked how leftover funds would be handled. Staff said bond interest and appropriations are restricted to the school projects; unused project funds generally reduce future borrowing or can be applied to project scope under the bond’s terms. Officials said Forest Avenue renovations are under active review and that the project team will return with options and cost scenarios once funds are reconciled.
Next steps: staff will finalize contracts, begin the approved site work and GMP‑driven procurement, return with a plan for Forest Avenue renovations, and provide itemized answers to public questions about specific line‑item changes and equipment quantities when requested.
