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Council approves change order for CTE welding program design funded by Van Buren grant
Summary
The council authorized supplemental design services for a CTE welding program at the new school, with design funded by a Van Buren grant; implementation costs, including welding booths and CNC equipment, were estimated at $700,000–$900,000 and could be supplemented by additional grants or private funding.
The Town Council approved a change order authorizing supplemental design services for a Career and Technical Education (CTE) welding and industrial-trades space at the new school.
A school official (S7) told the council the change order covers design updates prompted by a recommendation to reconfigure the children's area and to enlarge the welding and ship-fitting booths. The design work is funded by a Van Buren Foundation design grant (presented as about $150,000), and the official said the full implementation cost for equipment could range between $700,000 and $900,000 depending on equipment choices such as CNC milling machines and specialized welding booths.
The presenter and councilors discussed the program's potential to serve both high-school students and adult evening classes, to provide internships with Electric Boat and to help stabilize enrollment for the district. Councilors asked about ventilation, electrical and site access that are needed for welding operations; the presenter said those requirements are being accounted for in the supplemental design.
Council made a motion to approve the authorization of the change order; the motion passed on a voice vote recorded as 'Aye.' During the discussion, councilors emphasized the grant-funded nature of the design work and that the town will wait for the formal grant contract to clarify funding flow before committing town capital.
