The Norwich School Building Committee on an evening meeting was updated on steady construction progress across multiple school projects while staff warned that blasting, an extended pre-blast survey and winter concrete work could push the schedule.

Project staff reported visible site progress at Greenville, including recent slab-on-grade work, framing and roof installation in areas A and B, and MEP rough-in underway in Area C. Mike (project staff) said, “We have expended $2,374,572.22 on Moriarty,” and provided other budget figures for Stanton and Greenbelt, underscoring the program’s large current outlays.

Why it matters: committee members were given a working schedule that is not final and were told the program must manage weather exposure, potential wage-rate increases and sequencing disruptions. Staff said a 35-day pre-blast survey and roughly a 30-day blasting extension had already been added to the timeline and that winter protections for concrete (blankets, heated placements) could add cost if conditions are severe.

Staff noted specific near-term procurement and approval milestones: pre-bid conferences and bid openings for early trade packages, a proposed PCR meeting on Dec. 4 and OGA/agency reviews in early December. A staff reconciliation of phase 2 construction estimates between the design team, O&G and the district was scheduled to start Nov. 25. The team said the goal was to preserve an April 1 ground-mobilization for critical packages while working to recover time (rescheduling, premium Saturday work) and avoid union rate increases caused by schedule shifts.

The committee discussed logistics for occupied sites, including bus loops, parent drop-off patterns and trade parking limits. Dan (project staff) said SLR had confirmed turning radii and that trade contractors would generally be limited to two vehicles on site with shuttle provisions for others; staff plans to consolidate field office operations at Moriarty where feasible.

Furniture and safety items were also discussed. Bill Downs (construction representative) said roughly 85% of furniture would be purchased off a state contract and that a change order would be needed to wall-mount file cabinets in some special-education classrooms "as an abundance of caution." The committee was told those change orders would come forward for approval.

Committee concern and next steps: members asked staff to notify state legislative contacts early about ambiguity in the state’s reimbursement guidance for adult-education elements. Mike said the state had told the team "adult education isn't reimbursable" and recommended removing that line from grant scopes unless the state clarifies; staff said they would draft an explanatory email to the legislative contacts and pursue special legislation only as a last resort.

The committee scheduled a virtual special building committee meeting for Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. to consider final plans, cost estimates and any urgent approvals. Staff emphasized materials will be circulated to members in advance so the group can act on critical items during that special meeting.