Board approves $6 million interim for Central Middle School after building committee cites fire‑code and site exposures

The Greenwich Board of Education voted unanimously to request a $6 million interim capital appropriation to support the Central Middle School construction project after the building committee described a set of post‑design external costs that have reduced the project's contingency.

Joe Rosetti, chairman of the Central Middle School building committee, told the board the project remains on schedule to open in late August but that recent, externally driven items -- including a fire‑suppression redesign prompted by a low water‑pressure finding and additional fire‑alarm devices required by the local authority having jurisdiction -- have created new cost exposures. Rosetti said the building committee's memo and owner's representative identified roughly $3,174,000 of these recent items and that other exposures (additional rock excavation, potential hazardous‑materials abatement and the possibility of temporary "fire watch" staffing if systems are not fully commissioned) could add to the need.

“We are on budget and under budget right now, but there are some forecasted things that are a little bit subjective,” Rosetti said, describing vendor and consultant differences and the need for contingency to respond while the project finishes.

Board members pressed staff on the timeline and questioned why some of these costs had surfaced recently; Rosetti and staff said the district had previously tested water capacity but the most recent tests and a required will‑serve letter from the regional water supplier reflected lower pressure and forced a redesign and a fire pump house that add material cost. Rosetti also said portions of the listed costs are committed changes (so they will need to be paid) and some are conservative allocations for possible future exposure.

The motion before the board asked the Board of Education to request an interim appropriation of $6,000,000 to the CMS capital account; the motion was moved by Chair Mike and seconded by Cappelli, and the board approved the request unanimously. Staff noted the BET (Board of Estimate and Taxation) may place conditions on release of the funds and that any unused contingency would come back to the owner as project savings.

What this means: The funding request is intended to ensure the district has the ability to negotiate and resolve outstanding change orders while protecting the project's schedule and avoiding delays to opening. Committee members and staff said they expect to continue managing vendor allowances and to pursue negotiated recoveries where appropriate.

Next steps: Staff will work with the BET on appropriation language and potential conditions tied to disputed consultant/contractor claims, continue frequent contingency reporting to the board and provide monthly updates on CMS contingency exposure and paid obligations until the project closes.