District says referendum construction largely on track; some work to continue into fall

The Hartford Joint 1 District provided a progress update on summer construction projects funded by the district referendum, saying essential interior work will be completed to open schools while exterior finishing may continue into the fall.

The update, presented by a district staff member, described foundation work for a small addition at Lincoln School to house kitchen storage and receiving functions; remedial plumbing and new family-restroom work where a former concession stand stood; ADA bathroom remediation; and a front-canopy replacement at Rossman School. "This will not be done until October, November time frame," the staff member said about some exterior work, but added interior areas needed for opening would be prioritized.

Administrators said crews have prepped and will bury a pipe along Cedar Street to route stormwater toward the Wildcat Reserve, and that many pieces of the project (doors, insulation, vapor barriers, and exterior brick facings) require careful sequencing. The presentation cited regular construction meetings every other week and ongoing remote updates on the district referendum progress web page.

Board members asked about landscaping restoration, placement of removed items such as musical equipment, and accessibility of the office entrance during construction; the district said the office entry will be more secure and the reception window/doorway will be reconfigured to control access. Administrators also said contingency funds and design contingencies exist to address unanticipated conditions such as relocated piping discovered during demolition.

The board did not take separate action on this update; staff said they will continue to post weekly updates on the district website and provide another construction report at the next monthly meeting.