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Council approves $530,705 design change order for Forest Avenue School; project funding and reimbursements discussed
Summary
Council approved a $530,705 change order to HMFH/DBVW for Forest Avenue School design and related services. Justin presented revised budgets and described reimbursements (55% for eligible work), contingencies and potential storm impacts; councilors asked for more detailed hard cost estimates in May.
The Middletown Town Council voted to approve a change order authorizing $530,705 for supplemental design, estimating and construction administrative services for the Forest Avenue Elementary School project.
Justin, speaking for the school project team, presented a budget update showing available funding of about $200.8 million comprised of the previously authorized $190 million bond, an appropriation of $484,308 from the general fund, $4.6 million of bond interest and roughly $5.7 million in bond premium. He said the proposed Forest Avenue budget is $6,244,825 (construction estimate about $4.9 million plus design fees, owner contingencies and other expenses).
Justin and other staff explained that eligible work on Forest Avenue would be reimbursable at 55% through RIDE (the state reimbursement program), and staff estimated the town’s net cost for that $6.24 million figure would be about $2.81 million in today’s dollars if fully eligible. The council discussed contingencies and the effect of the recent blizzard, which the construction manager has flagged as a non‑typical event and said would be handled from the owner’s contingency (not the GMP).
Councilors asked for refined hard construction numbers; project staff said they expect a third‑party schematic estimate by May and that the $530,705 design contract would allow the team to complete design and final estimating so the town can make an informed proceed/hold decision. Several councilors stressed the importance of staying ahead of long equipment and apparatus procurement lead times, and staff noted ambulances and pumpers can have 18–24 month lead times.
On the motion to authorize execution of the change order and associated resolution (funded from bond proceeds, bond interest and bond premium as allowed by the bond language), the council voted on a voice roll; the president called for Ayes and the motion passed.
The administration said staff would return with updated hard construction estimates in May and additional debt‑stabilization slides tied to the planned second bond issuance later in April.
