Middletown council approves GMP contracts, adds alternates for middle/high and elementary schools using bond interest

The Middletown Town Council voted to approve construction-manager-at-risk guaranteed maximum price contracts for two school projects and to authorize a tree-relocation contract, moving the district closer to construction and to adding previously deferred alternates.

Project management firm Colliers presented an updated budget for the New Middletown Middle/High School and Valley Elementary School: the combined projected budget including alternates is roughly $193.6 million, with funding sources reported as the $190 million school bond authorization, a $484,000 general-fund appropriation (for a larger generator and shelter improvements), and approximately $3.7 million of interest earned on the bond proceeds. Project manager Justin Bernard said the interest and the appropriation provide the capacity to add alternates that were previously deferred.

The council approved a resolution to reject Gilbane’s higher-priced alternate 13 for relocating nine trees and instead awarded the relocation work to Northeastern Tree Service under the state Master Price Agreement for $8,900 (versus $67,000 quoted in the GMP). Council then approved a resolution to enter the GMP contract with Gilbane Building Company for the middle/high school, and later approved a GMP contract with Bentley Builders LLC for Valley Elementary after correcting a clerical reference in the resolution.

Valley Elementary alternates adopted or received for consideration included multiple roof replacements, skylights, new elevator, bathroom core renovations, stair/stair lifts, hallway renovations and other accessibility and program improvements totaling about $14.97 million in alternates and change orders that were listed during the meeting. Councilors asked for warranty details on roofing and clarification about how funds set aside for Forest Avenue renovations will be reconciled; staff said Forest Avenue work remains part of the bond package and will be addressed in a subsequent plan and workshop.

The council heard public questions about specific line items (site furnishings pricing changes) and whether bond interest applied to the schools was restricted; staff confirmed the $3.7 million of interest is restricted to the school projects and would either reduce borrowing or be applied within the bond program.

Outcome: Resolutions approving the tree relocation vendor and both GMP contracts passed by voice vote. The project team will return to council with Forest Avenue plans and more detailed scopes for alternates and public follow-up on specs and costs.