Committee approves $11,976 credit to avoid chemical stripping and signs off on $1.44M Gilbane requisition

At its June 9 meeting the School Building HVAC Project Committee approved a contractor credit that replaces welded steel connections in the gym weight room with bolted connections, avoiding the previously planned chemical lead-paint stripping. The committee also approved four invoices, including a $1,416,659.90 requisition from Gilbane Building Company.

The chair moved to approve Gilbane ATP000010, described as a credit of $11,976 to change bolted connections in the gym weight room and eliminate the need for chemical lead paint stripping. Ben explained the change, saying crews worked with contractors to switch to bolted connections rather than a chemical stripping and welding process. "When you put the add for the bolts and the drilling and then you subtracted all the procedure that was needed to chemically strip, it actually ended up in almost a $12,000 credit," he said, adding the approach was less complicated and reduced the potential for smell or classroom complaints.

Committee members voiced support and approved the credit by voice vote; the transcript records the vote as a voice "all in favor" but individual recorded votes were not provided.

The committee then reviewed and approved four invoices moved together by the chair: BL Companies (construction administration, $21,740), Gilbane Building Company (Pollson O HVAC construction requisition number J10467.10, $1,416,659.90), Anderson Survey LLC (Eversource easement mapping, $4,200), and William B. Meyer Incorporated (waitroom equipment move to DHHS, $3,000). The motion to approve the invoices carried by voice vote; the transcript does not list individual roll-call votes.

The committee recorded no public comments and adjourned at 8:17 a.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for July 7, 2026.