School building HVAC committee reports electrical and HVAC progress; generator expected in October

The School Building HVAC Project Committee on June 9 received a detailed construction update showing major summer work is ramping up and that the backup generator is expected in October. Committee members heard that electrical and HVAC installations are progressing and that the team aims to complete the majority of disruptive work while school is out.

Ben provided the update, saying the electrical room buildout and main switchgear are largely complete and that all feeders and roof conduit runs have been installed. "All the main switch gear is installed," he said, and noted the automatic transfer switch was expected to arrive later in the week. He described large duct banks of conduits being encased in concrete ahead of the generator pad.

Work inside the gym began when contractor Gilbane took possession May 11; crews removed bleachers, took down rooftop exhaust fans and patched the roof. Ben said crews removed four of six old gym air handlers and that roughly half the new gym lighting is installed. "I think even with 50% of the lights on, it's brighter than it was with 100% of the lights on before," he said.

Ben also described progress on classroom cooling, saying the VRF systems have been operating and indoor units are about 90% installed. Interior structural steel work is complete and a third-party steel inspection is planned after school ends to allow access above ceilings.

On schedule matters, Ben said penthouse equipment and auditorium work are staged on site and slated to begin once school lets out (noted as starting the week of June 22). He told the committee the generator's estimated arrival is October and that staff plan to rig it on an election day when no voting is scheduled at the site; testing and turnover would follow on weekends. The committee also discussed coordinating the Eversource power cutover, which the utility estimates could take a day or two; the project team is planning contingency time in case a longer shutdown is needed.

Committee members emphasized minimizing disruption to school activities. Carl said the program is entering a summer "gear up" stage focused on line sets, electrical connections at fan-coil units and above-ceiling work. Ben described steps taken to reduce noise and intrusion during the school year, including a nighttime supervisor to manage contractor access and morning spot checks, which he said helped teachers largely not notice work in classrooms.

The meeting closed with committee acknowledgement that the project will intensify over the summer and with a reminder that work sequencing is designed to limit impacts on students and staff.