Norwich school building committee hears construction update, approves moving and testing contracts

The City of Norwich school building committee heard an update on construction progress for its new elementary schools and approved a series of contract authorizations and project change orders at its meeting.

Frank Townshek of Downs, who presented the project update, said masons have completed much of the exterior masonry work and are progressing around Building A and Building B, and crews are focusing on enclosing the gymnasium, which he said is about 50% complete. "We currently have tenting up for the masonry on the backside of the building," Townshek said, adding that interior work — painters priming walls and carpenters hanging drywall — is moving steadily and that an extra weekend crew of about 23 carpenters recently helped accelerate drywall and taping work.

Townshek also reviewed budget allowances and contingency balances. He said subcontract allowances started at $457,706 and that "we have just over $14,000 pending so far," and that the construction-manager contingency stands around $1,600,000 after a credit was applied. He told the committee there are no changes to the targeted turnover date, which remains August 26.

The committee moved and approved the consent agenda and then voted to approve a set of PCOs (project change orders) impacting contract costs by voice vote. The PCO discussion covered items such as thermally broken hollow-metal door frames, flashing-detail revisions, winter‑condition work for concrete subcontractors, revised casework that added a second staff refrigerator, and a preventative millings installation at a Greenville parking lot estimated at roughly $16,663 to avoid deeper removal costs later. The committee recorded the PCO approval as a 9–0 voice vote.

On formal contract authorizations, the committee approved an authorization for the Norwich purchasing agent to issue a purchase order to a state‑contracted mover for packing, storage and moving services for state project 104‑0118 (John B. Stanton Elementary) not to exceed $1,100,000. Presenters described the Meyer contract as a "paid‑when‑used" arrangement intended to buy packing and storage capacity in advance; the presenter told the committee they do not expect the work to reach the full authorization cap.

The committee also authorized the city to use pre‑vetted state contract 24PSX0052 with Tri‑State Materials Testing for materials testing and special inspection services for two projects (state project 104‑0120 and state project 104‑012N/John M. Moriarty Elementary), with each authorization capped at $125,000. Staff said the state contract rates were comparable to earlier locally solicited rates and would streamline onboarding for testing services.

Members discussed security at school entrances after a committee member asked about metal detectors. Participants cautioned that metal detectors require trained personnel, slow building entry, and can send an undesirable message for an elementary school; instead, the committee favored a double‑entry interlock (sally‑port) with Raptor visitor‑screening procedures handled by school office staff.

Staff also warned the committee of an upcoming sizable change order — roughly $330,000 — to add classroom digital displays and associated bracketing that were requested but not included in the base drawings. Presenters said wall blocking has been provided and that final per‑unit pricing will depend on procurement timing and market conditions.

The meeting concluded with calendar coordination and an adjournment at 8:27 p.m. The committee noted further items, including additional project budgeting and technology decisions, will return for later discussion and formal votes as needed.