Committee hears Poulsen HVAC progress; approves $22,672 electrical change order and $1.65M payment to contractor

The school building HVAC project committee met July 7 and heard a detailed progress report on summer construction for the Poulsen HVAC improvements, then approved a $22,672 change order to cover additional electrical work and a set of six contractor invoices that included a $1,652,839.16 requisition to Gilbane Building Company.

Ben, who delivered the construction update, said the auditorium abatement began June 22 and that the space is sealed for abatement work through July 13. “The auditorium work began on 06/22 as scheduled,” he said, and added that the automatic transfer switch (ATS) is being installed and Eversource has already installed a new pole on site to support the new service installation.

Ben described progress across the campus: the generator pad is complete; most classroom VRF indoor units have been installed and refrigerant line sets and HVAC control conduits are nearing final termination; penthouse demolition began June 22 to prep for new air handlers; outdoor condensing units are scheduled to be craned into place the week of July 13; and gym air handlers were demolished with about 60% of new gym lighting installed.

On a delayed item, Ben said the auditorium air handler is now expected in September, which will require off-hours or weekend crane work rather than a daytime lift while school is out. He said overall the project remains on schedule for the start of school and that no major change orders are under consideration.

The committee considered Gilbane ATP 012, a proposed $22,672 change order described as covering additional electrical cost to power the VRF system because of field modifications required by space constraints. Ben explained the work in two parts: roughly $9,000 addresses a wing where a branch distribution box could not fit and the contractor proposed single‑zone selectors as a solution; the remainder is for breaker‑sizing changes after some equipment configurations changed and previously ordered breakers did not match the revised panel needs. As Ben put it, “half of this change order is 100% no brainer we needed to do.”

Speaker 1 moved to approve ATP 012 and the chair seconded; the committee voted verbally and approved the $22,672 change order.

The committee then reviewed six invoices and voted to approve them. The invoices presented were: BL Companies for construction administration, $17,950; Gilbane Building Company requisition 6 for the Poulsen HVAC construction, $1,652,839.16; Antonosian Associates for a roof concept study, $3,900; Langan for abatement monitoring, $1,530; Sustainable Engineering Solutions for commissioning services, $4,000; and Independent Materials Testing Labs Inc. for structural steel inspection, $297. The motion to approve was moved and seconded and passed by verbal 'ayes.'

During the meeting Carl (project staff/contractor) added that preconstruction planning has paid off and that the team expects to work extended hours and Saturdays through the summer to complete penthouse work and other priority tasks. Carl also estimated roughly 20 to 30 workers are on site on a typical day, depending on weather.

There were no public comments. Ben invited committee members to schedule a site visit next week once the auditorium is reopened to walk the work; members agreed to coordinate schedules by email. The committee confirmed its next meeting for August 4 and adjourned.

What’s next: the committee will continue summer construction oversight, coordinate the site visit, and reconvene August 4 to review progress and outstanding ATPs or invoices.