Facilities committee: North Norwalk High on track for fall 2027; district outlines summer HVAC and roofing work

The Facilities Committee of the Norwalk School District received construction and facilities updates Wednesday evening, with consultants and district staff reporting major work on North Norwalk High School and a slate of HVAC, transformer and roof projects ahead of summer construction.

Dan Phillips of Construction Solutions Group told the committee that “more than 50% of the glazed openings have been installed” at the new North Norwalk High School wing, and that concrete block walls around the music, pool and gym areas are “very close to being closed.” He said interior framing, electrical rough‑in and ceiling grid installation are advancing and that the main construction schedule remains on track for the fall 2027 semester; site work including the new football field, field house and tennis courts is expected to continue into 2028.

The update also covered district indoor‑air‑quality and HVAC work. Phillips said Brookside’s HVAC project is substantially complete, with only punch‑list items remaining. Rowayton will see underground electrical and a relocated transformer installed during April break, with site fencing to start that work. At Brian McMahon, two new chillers were set and staff will install piping, an enclosure and handrails in the coming weeks, with startup and commissioning planned for summer months. The consultant said transformer replacements at several schools require coordination with Eversource and easements, and those changes are targeted for completion this summer.

District facilities manager William Hodel presented in‑house projects and financing details. On solar, Hodel said the district is proceeding at Ruby Shore Elementary with rooftop panels the district will own rather than lease because the local utility lacks an incentive program; “we’re gonna own them and maintain them,” he said, adding the installation is expected to be covered under a 60% reimbursement. Newfield Construction will manage that work, which Hodel said is planned for the summer.

Hodel also outlined upcoming summer work: locker replacements at two middle schools (Ponus and West Rocks), full parking‑lot milling and paving at Brookside and small outdoor basketball installations at some elementary sites. He said a space referred to as the “wolf pit” is closed to allow asbestos abatement and installation of air conditioning, work scheduled while students are not present. Two other projects—a UST at 46 Concord and asbestos abatement at Nathan Hale—remain in planning pending state reimbursement determinations.

Noting many district roofs are over 20 years old, Hodel asked the committee to approve a districtwide roof assessment to prioritize replacements (the state will reimburse replacements for roofs 20 years or older). He said that assessment would also inform the city’s broader rooftop‑solar plans, because roofs nearing end‑of‑life cannot reliably host solar installations.

Hodel told the committee the outsourced custodial contract has not been competitively rebid in a substantive way since 2014, and the district plans to rebid outsourced custodial services to pursue cost savings. He said changes in the local market and contractor ownership (one local firm having been absorbed into a larger corporation) make it timely to seek fresh bids; the superintendent has been briefed and is supportive.

The committee had no objections to the updates and asked staff to provide follow‑up photos and written materials as needed. A motion to approve the meeting minutes was made and seconded early in the meeting; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript. The committee adjourned after the updates.

The committee expects to return with written materials and formal agenda items for any naming proposals and for the proposed roof assessment.