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Board approves Goodwin School asbestos, monitoring and flooring contracts and greenlights HVAC design‑build plan
Summary
The Old Saybrook Board of Education unanimously awarded three Goodwin School construction contracts — asbestos abatement to Allied LLC ($89,350), air monitoring to Mystic Air Quality (estimated $19,900) and replacement flooring to R.D. White LLC ($34,677.72) — and approved a design‑build approach for remaining HVAC work under a state contract; three members abstained on the HVAC motion.
The Old Saybrook Board of Education voted to award three low‑risk construction contracts at Goodwin School and authorized a design‑build approach for the remaining HVAC work.
Facilities director Pam (speaking during the facilities update) said the asbestos project was split into three bids — tile removal, independent air monitoring and replacement flooring — and that staff thoroughly vetted bidders and reference checks before recommending awards. "We thoroughly vetted their feasibility to complete the project in a timely manner," Pam said, recommending Allied LLC's low bid of $89,350 for tile removal. The board approved that award unanimously.
The board also approved an estimated $19,900 contract for independent air monitoring to Mystic Air Quality and a $34,677.72 award for replacement flooring to R.D. White LLC; both motions passed unanimously. Pam told the board the air‑monitoring price would depend on project duration and that the district selected an outside monitoring firm to avoid conflicts of interest.
Board member Ruth Earlock described the failed competitive bid process for the separate HVAC package and explained the recommended alternative: to use Fuss & O'Neill under an existing state contract (cited as contract 18 PF DX153) to act as design‑builder and manage subcontractors under state pricing. Earlock said the district received no responsive contractors at the mandatory walk‑through and that the design‑build route would allow the work to be completed over the summer without the two‑week rebid delay.
At several points board members asked about price reasonableness and procurement oversight. Pam said the equipment list alone was estimated at about $200,000 for the mechanical components and that prevailing‑wage rules, electrical and roofing work and other subs were not yet fully priced; the $750,000 figure presented in the discussion was described to the board as a conservative high estimate rather than an approved contract amount.
Mr. Marsh moved to approve the design‑build approach for Goodwin HVAC phase two using the state contract; the motion passed with recorded abstentions. The chair noted that three members — Mary Beth, Jordan and Jane — registered abstentions on the HVAC motion. Board members said they would circulate written answers to follow‑up technical and procurement questions after staff provides additional details.
What happens next: contracts for asbestos, monitoring and flooring will be executed and the district will work with Fuss & O'Neill on final HVAC pricing and a summer construction schedule. Staff said they will report procurement details and any grant or reimbursement options on request.
