Committee approved May minutes, recommended awarding a $1,119,480 Integrated Electronic Security System contract, heard MS/HS construction, Valley and Forest Avenue updates, budget and schedule reports, and set next meeting for July 15, 2026.
The town recommended awarding the Integrated Electronic Security System contract for the Middle/High School to National Security Fire Alarm Systems for $1,119,480.
This item records accepting the written minutes from the May 13, 2026 meeting.
Accept the meeting minutes from May 13, 2026
Justin Bernard shared information from Gilbane’s monthly dashboard report to inform updates on safety, schedule, document control, and financial status.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Justin Bernard shared information from Gilbane’s monthly dashboard report.
Justin Bernard reported the project now has two recordable injuries; another iron worker twisted their ankle on the stairs while prepping for concrete placement.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Justin explained that the project is now up to two recordable injuries. Another iron worker got hurt by twisting their ankle on the stairs while prepping for the concrete placement.
Gilbane held a safety standout with the subcontractor involved after recent incidents to try to mitigate additional injuries going forward.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Gilbane has had a safety standout with this vendor to try to mitigate any additional injuries moving forward.
Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) risers and masonry façade work began last week on the south and west sides of the high school wing. These are listed as upcoming construction milestones.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Some upcoming milestones include Mechanical Electrical Plumbing (MEP) Risers and the Masonry Façade, which started on the south and west sides of the high school wing last week.
Justin shared a drone flyover from mid-May and walked the group through recent photos to show construction progress.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Drone Flyover – Justin shared the drone flyover from mid-May and walked the group through some recent photos of construction progress.
Gilbane gave presentations to groups of high school and Gaudet School students, and staff reported that the students loved the presentations.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Gilbane recently gave a couple of presentations to groups of high school and Gaudet School students. It was a big hit; the students loved it.
A Four Week Look Ahead was presented that described upcoming exterior and interior work, Valley mobilization, and Forest Avenue design progress.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Four Week Look Ahead
The town recommended awarding the Integrated Electronic Security System contract for the Middle/High School to National Security Fire Alarm Systems for $1,119,480. The recommendation was reported by Ed Collins and Colliers Project Leaders and the measure passed 12–0.
Recommend awarding the Integrated Electronic Security System contract to National Security Fire Alarm Systems in the amount of $1,119,480
The meeting was called to order at 4:30 pm by Ed Brady. Eleven (11) of thirteen (13) voting members were present or represented by an alternate.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
The meeting was called to order at 4:30 pm by Ed Brady. Eleven (11) of thirteen (13) voting members were present or represented by an alternate.
Justin Bernard of Colliers Project Leaders was present and provided project updates and a recommendation to award the security contract.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Also present: Justin Bernard, Colliers Project Leaders
Colin McCarthy (Colliers Project Leaders), Matt LaRue and Tina Stanislaski (HMFH Architects), and Ed Cifune and Emma Osborne (DBVW Architects) attended the meeting via Zoom and participated in project discussions.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Present via Zoom: Colin McCarthy, Colliers Project Leaders; Matt LaRue, Tina Stanislaski, HMFH Architects; Ed Cifune and Emma Osborne, DBVW Architects
A brief update titled "Valley Elementary Project Update" was placed on the agenda under Other business. No further details, discussion, or actions are recorded in this bundle.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Justin gave an overview of planned work at Valley Elementary for Summer 2026, listing the primary scopes and additional items under consideration for that season.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Justin provided the following update on the work at Valley Elementary — Summer 2026 Preplanning
Justin reported that the nurse’s suite remains a primary focus of the Valley Elementary Summer 2026 work.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Justin provided the following update on the work at Valley Elementary — Primary Focus for summer of 2026 is still — Nurse’s Suite
Justin reported that first‑floor bathrooms are a primary focus of the Summer 2026 work at Valley Elementary.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Justin provided the following update on the work at Valley Elementary — Primary Focus for summer of 2026 is still — First Floor Bathrooms
Justin reported that elevator shaft work is included as a primary focus for Valley Elementary during Summer 2026.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Justin provided the following update on the work at Valley Elementary — Primary Focus for summer of 2026 is still — Elevator Shaft
Justin reported that painting in select areas is planned as part of the Summer 2026 work at Valley Elementary.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Justin provided the following update on the work at Valley Elementary — Primary Focus for summer of 2026 is still — Painting in select areas
Justin said Acoustical Ceiling Tile (ACT) in select areas was recently added to the Summer 2026 work list for Valley Elementary.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Justin provided the following update on the work at Valley Elementary — Primary Focus for summer of 2026 is still — Some items recently added for this summer include — Acoustical Ceiling Tile (ACT) in select areas
Justin said two chair lift replacements were added to the Summer 2026 scope, and that a vertical lift might not arrive in time to be installed this summer.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Justin provided the following update on the work at Valley Elementary — Primary Focus for summer of 2026 is still — Some items recently added for this summer include — Two chair lift replacements. The vertical lift might not arrive in time to get installed this summer.
Justin reported column enclosures at the gym and cafeteria were added to the Summer 2026 work list for Valley Elementary.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Justin provided the following update on the work at Valley Elementary — Primary Focus for summer of 2026 is still — Some items recently added for this summer include — Column enclosures at the gym and cafeteria.
Justin said roof replacement in select areas was added to the Summer 2026 scope for Valley Elementary.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Justin provided the following update on the work at Valley Elementary — Primary Focus for summer of 2026 is still — Some items recently added for this summer include — Roof replacement in select areas.
Justin reported that Bentley plans to mobilize on June 25, 2026, the day after the final day of school.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Justin provided the following update on the work at Valley Elementary — Primary Focus for summer of 2026 is still — Some items recently added for this summer include — Bentley plans to mobilize on June 25th, the day after the final day of school.
Colliers is adding Martin Warrington as another construction representative. He will focus on work at Valley Elementary, then shift to assist at the Middle-High School during the school year, and return to Valley Elementary in summer 2027.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Justin provided the following update on the work at Valley Elementary — Primary Focus for summer of 2026 is still — Some items recently added for this summer include — Colliers is bringing another construction representative to the team. Martin Warrington will focus on the work at Valley Elementary and will then shift over to the Middle-High School to assist Ryan during the school year, before going back to Valley Elementary during the summer of 2027.
A brief heading listed the Forest Avenue Elementary Project Update; no details were provided in this entry.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Forest Avenue Elementary Project Update
Justin said the overall budget hasn’t changed since last month but costs for the work at Forest Avenue are expected to change; reconciliation of the schematic design estimate occurred on June 8 and will continue with an update planned in July.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Justin shared the following budget update, stating that the budget hasn’t changed since last month, but cost for the work for Forest Avenue is expected to change.
Superintendent William Niemeyer gave an update on the MSHS Welding Shop CTE program and noted plans related to the program’s implementation.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
MSHS Welding Shop CTE Program Update
Bill Nash reported the subcommittee is continuing to meet with the design team on colors and graphics and is meeting families about memorials; a fuller update will be provided in July.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Cultural, Historical, Memorial Subcommittee Update
The committee and design team have been meeting and have selected colors for floors, paint, and tile, and have reviewed graphics for the project.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
Bill Nash stated that the committee continues to meet with the design team. Colors for the floors, paint, and tile have been made and graphics have been reviewed.
The next Building Committee meeting is scheduled for July 15th at 4:30pm.
Informational item — no recorded vote.
The next Building Committee meeting will be on July 15th at 4:30pm.
Estimated PCO’s: $ 954,451. The team is working to get these closed out as soon as possible.
$484,308 Appropriation from General Fund
Project Budget: $200,049,925 — Middle/High School: $173,623,000 — Valley Elementary: 20,182,100 — Forest Avenue Elementary: $6,244,825 (estimated pre-design budget)
Total Anticipated Costs (excluding Contingences): $189,678,500
Justin Bernard reported that the recommendation to award the Integrated Electronic Security System contract to National Security Fire Alarm Systems in the amount of $1,119,480 is $40,520 below the budgeted amount of $1,160,000.
Justin Bernard informed the Building Committee that Middletown’s Shared Facilities Director Ed Collins and Colliers advise the Building Committee to recommend awarding the Integrated Electronic Security System contract to National Security Fire Alarm Systems in the amount of $1,119,480, which is $40,520 below the budgeted amount of $1,160,000.
The Town negotiated directly with National Security Fire Alarm Systems as a sole-source vendor so the same company will serve both school and municipal buildings, which the Town expects will allow for better integration, security, and local monitoring.
The Town negotiated directly with a sole source vendor, National Security Fire Alarm Systems, as they are in the process of becoming the sole security vendor for the Town for both the school and the municipal buildings, which will allow for better integration, better security and better monitoring as all the monitoring is local.
Some administrative staff completed a site walkthrough last week. Superintendent Niemeyer and Principal Sweet are planning dates to invite local elected officials and members of the public for walkthroughs in the near future.
Some members of the administrative staff were able to walk through the site last week as well. Superintendent Niemeyer and Principal Sweet are planning some dates to invite local elected officials and members of the public for a walkthrough in the near future.
Justin provided an update on the new water service design for Valley Elementary, noting interaction with Newport Water and work to address their comments.
Justin provided the following update on the work at Valley Elementary — New Water Service Design
Justin reported that the project team was able to meet with Newport Water on May 18th to discuss the Valley Elementary water service.
Justin provided the following update on the work at Valley Elementary — The project team was able to meet with Newport Water on May 18th.
Justin said an email from Newport Water was received on May 19th that contained a list of additional requirements needed to get the water for the new fire service at Valley Elementary approved.
Justin provided the following update on the work at Valley Elementary — An email from Newport Water was received on May 19th. It contained a list of additional requirements to get the water for the new fire service at Valley Elementary approved.
Justin reported the design team is working on addressing Newport Water’s comments so they can finalize documents for resubmission and approval.
Justin provided the following update on the work at Valley Elementary — The design team is working on addressing the comments for final resubmission and approval.
Superintendent Niemeyer said he will meet with a donor on Monday to discuss funding for the implementation phase of the welding shop project.
Superintendent Niemeyer informed the Building Committee that he will be meeting with a donor on Monday to discuss funding for the implementation phase of the project.
The subcommittee has met with families of people memorialized at other schools (Gaudet school, Clark gymnasium, Krupowicz planetarium) and plans to include some form of memorial in the future middle-high school; a more comprehensive Cultural/Historical/Memorial update will be brought to the July meeting.
Bill added that the subcommittee has met with families of those who have been memorialized in the schools, such as the Gaudet school, Clark gymnasium and Krupowicz planetarium, and the plan will be to continue with some sort of memorial in the future middle-high school.
Meeting attendance is recorded for the Michael S. Pinto Conference Room, listing Edward Brady (Chair, Community Member); William Nash (Vice Chair, School Committee Clerk); William Niemeyer (Superintendent of Schools); Tami Holden (School Committee Member); Thomas P. Welch, III (Town Council Vice President); Peter Connerton (Town Council Member); Donna Sweet (Middletown High School Principal); Michelle Fonseca (Asst Superintendent for Teaching and Learning); Shawn Brown (Town Administrator, Local Budget Official); Don Morin (Secretary, Community Member); Marc Thayer (Community Member); Dan Thibeault (Community Member); Gregory Huet (Alternate Member of School Committee); Christopher Logan (Alternate Town Council Member); Jerry Haas (Gaudet Middle School Principal); and Marc Tanguay (Town Finance Director, Alt. Local Budget Official). Tami Holden arrived at 4:32pm; Tom Welch arrived at 5:13pm. On Monday June 8th there was a schematic design estimate reconciliation meeting with HMFH's third party estimator and the team from Bentley, and reconciliation will continue through the end of next week.
Michael S. Pinto Conference Room | Present | Voting Member | Name | Title | | X | Yes | Edward Brady | Chair, Community Member | | X | Yes | William Nash | Vice Chair, School Committee Clerk | | X | Yes | William Niemeyer | Superintendent of Schools | | X | Yes | Tami Holden | School Committee Member | | X | Yes | Thomas P. Welch, III | Town Council Vice President | | X | Yes | Peter Connerton | Town Council Member | | X | Yes | Donna Sweet | Middletown High School Principal | | X | Yes | Michelle Fonseca | Asst Superintendent for Teaching and Learning | | R | Yes | Shawn Brown | Town Administrator, Local Budget Official | | X | Yes | Don Morin | Secretary, Community Member | | X | Yes | Marc Thayer | Community Member | | X | Yes | Dan Thibeault | Community Member | | N | Alternate | Gregory Huet | Alternate Member of School Committee | | N | Alternate | Christopher Logan | Alternate Town Council Member | | P | Alternate | Jerry Haas | Gaudet Middle School Principal | | X | Alternate | Marc Tanguay | Town Finance Director, Alt. Local Budget Official | Tami Holden arrived at 4:32pm; Tom Welch arrived at 5:13pm 4.4.1 On Monday June 8th there was a schematic design estimate reconciliation meeting with HMFH's third party estimator and the team from Bentley. Reconciliation will continue through the end of next week.
Initial estimates are a little higher than originally forecasted but are within available funding and are expected to be within the RIDE approved MOA to secure 55% reimbursement from the state. The building envelope completion date was moved from March 30, 2027 to February 17, 2027. The MS/HS project will continue with exterior utilities & drainage, concrete slabs, Air Vapor Barrier, exterior masonry, roofing, spray fireproofing, interior & exterior framing and MEP fire protection rough-in.
4.4.3 The initial estimates are a little higher than originally forecasted, but the cost is within our available funding, and the cost is expected to be within the RIDE approved MOA to secure 55% reimbursement from the state. 4.5.1 Justin shared that a lot of the milestones didn't change, except for the building envelope completion date at the middle high school. Gilbane pulled in that date several weeks from the schedule that was submitted last month. Last month it was March 30, 2027, and they pulled that date back to February 17, 2027. 4.7.1 The MS/HS project will continue with exterior utilities & drainage, concrete slabs, Air Vapor Barrier, exterior masonry, roofing, spray fireproofing, interior & exterior framing and MEP fire protection rough-in.
Oliphant Administration Building
Michael S. Pinto Conference Room
26 Oliphant Lane, Middletown, RI 02842
June 10, 2026, 4:30pm
Members in Attendance:
| Present | Voting Member | Name | Title |
| X | Yes | Edward Brady | Chair, Community Member |
| X | Yes | William Nash | Vice Chair, School Committee Clerk |
| X | Yes | William Niemeyer | Superintendent of Schools |
| X* | Yes | Tami Holden | School Committee Member |
| X | Yes | Ed Collins | Middletown Shared Facilities Director |
| X* | Yes | Thomas P. Welch, III | Town Council Vice President |
| X | Yes | Peter Connerton | Town Council Member |
| X | Yes | Donna Sweet | Middletown High School Principal |
| X | Yes | Michelle Fonseca | Asst Superintendent for Teaching and Learning |
| R | Yes | Shawn Brown | Town Administrator, Local Budget Official |
| X | Yes | Don Morin | Secretary, Community Member |
| X | Yes | Marc Thayer | Community Member |
| X | Yes | Dan Thibeault | Community Member |
| N | Alternate | Gregory Huet | Alternate Member of School Committee |
| N | Alternate | Christopher Logan | Alternate Town Council Member |
| P | Alternate | Jerry Haas | Gaudet Middle School Principal |
| X | Alternate | Marc Tanguay | Town Finance Director, Alt. Local Budget Official |
X = Present/Voting; R=Represented; P=Present/Non-voting; N=Not Present
1. The meeting was called to order at 4:30 pm by Ed Brady. Eleven (11) of thirteen (13) voting members were present or represented by an alternate.
2. Also present: Justin Bernard, Colliers Project Leaders
3. Present via Zoom: Colin McCarthy, Colliers Project Leaders; Matt LaRue, Tina Stanislaski, HMFH Architects; Ed Cifune and Emma Osborne, DBVW Architects
· MOTION: Bill Nash moved to accept the meeting minutes from May 13, 2026, and Peter Connerton seconded.
· DISCUSSION: None
· VOTE: The motion passed unanimously (11-0).
3.1 No Update
4.1 Review of Recommendation to Award – MSHS Integrated Electronic Security System
4.1.1 Consider and Vote to Award the Contract for Integrated Electronic Security System for the new Middle/High School
· Justin Bernard informed the Building Committee that Middletown’s Shared Facilities Director Ed Collins and Colliers advise the Building Committee to recommend awarding the Integrated Electronic Security System contract to National Security Fire Alarm Systems in the amount of $1,119,480, which is $40,520 below the budgeted amount of $1,160,000.
· The Town negotiated directly with a sole source vendor, National Security Fire Alarm Systems, as they are in the process of becoming the sole security vendor for the Town for both the school and the municipal buildings, which will allow for better integration, better security and better monitoring as all the monitoring is local.
· MOTION: Don Morin moved that the Building Committee make a recommendation to award the Integrated Electronic Security System contract to National Security Fire Alarm Systems in the amount of $1,119,480, which is $40,520 below the budgeted amount of $1,160,000. Bill Nash seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote (12-0).
4.2 MSHS Project Update
· Justin Bernard shared information from Gilbane’s monthly dashboard report.
· Safety Update
· Justin explained that the project is now up to two recordable injuries. Another iron worker got hurt by twisting their ankle on the stairs while prepping for the concrete placement.
· Gilbane has had a safety standout with this vendor to try to mitigate any additional injuries moving forward.
· Document Control
· 183 Submittals in review
· 14 RFI’s in review
· Schedule
· Some upcoming milestones include Mechanical Electrical Plumbing (MEP) Risers and the Masonry Façade, which started on the south and west sides of the high school wing last week.
· Financial Status
· Estimated PCO’s: $ 954,451. The team is working to get these closed out as soon as possible.
· Progress Photos
· Drone Flyover – Justin shared the drone flyover from mid-May and walked the group through some recent photos of construction progress.
· Gilbane recently gave a couple of presentations to groups of high school and Gaudet School students. It was a big hit; the students loved it.
· Some members of the administrative staff were able to walk through the site last week as well. Superintendent Niemeyer and Principal Sweet are planning some dates to invite local elected officials and members of the public for a walkthrough in the near future.
4.3 Valley Elementary Project Update
· Justin provided the following update on the work at Valley Elementary:
· New Water Service Design
· The project team was able to meet with Newport Water on May 18th.
· An email from Newport Water was received on May 19th. It contained a list of additional requirements to get the water for the new fire service at Valley Elementary approved.
· The design team is working on addressing the comments for final resubmission and approval.
· Summer 2026 Preplanning
· Primary Focus for summer of 2026 is still:
· Nurse’s Suite
· First Floor Bathrooms
· Elevator Shaft
· Painting in select areas
· Some items recently added for this summer include:
· Acoustical Ceiling Tile (ACT) in select areas
· Two chair lift replacements. The vertical lift might not arrive in time to get installed this summer.
· Column enclosures at the gym and cafeteria.
· Roof replacement in select areas.
· Bentley plans to mobilize on June 25th, the day after the final day of school.
· Colliers is bringing another construction representative to the team. Martin Warrington will focus on the work at Valley Elementary and will then shift over to the Middle-High School to assist Ryan during the school year, before going back to Valley Elementary during the summer of 2027.
4.4 Forest Avenue Elementary Project Update
4.4.1 On Monday June 8th there was a schematic design estimate reconciliation meeting with HMFH's third party estimator and the team from Bentley. Reconciliation will continue through the end of next week.
4.4.2 An update will be brought to the Building Committee at the July meeting.
4.4.3 The initial estimates are a little higher than originally forecasted, but the cost is within our available funding, and the cost is expected to be within the RIDE approved MOA to secure 55% reimbursement from the state.
4.5 Master Schedule Update
4.5.1 Justin shared that a lot of the milestones didn't change, except for the building envelope completion date at the middle high school. Gilbane pulled in that date several weeks from the schedule that was submitted last month. Last month it was March 30, 2027, and they pulled that date back to February 17, 2027.
4.6 Budget Update
· Justin shared the following budget update, stating that the budget hasn’t changed since last month, but cost for the work for Forest Avenue is expected to change.
· Project Funding Available: $201,797,059
· $190,000,000 Bond Funded
· $484,308 Appropriation from General Fund
· $5,363,000 Bond Interest (as of May 4, 2026)
· $5,700,000 Bond Premium
· $249,751 NEVI Grant
· Project Budget: $200,049,925
o Middle/High School: $173,623,000
o Valley Elementary: 20,182,100
o Forest Avenue Elementary: $6,244,825 (estimated pre-design budget)
· Expenditures to Date: $53,793,300
· Contracted: $170,958,900
· Total Anticipated Costs (excluding Contingences): $189,678,500
4.7 Four Week Look Ahead
4.7.1 The MS/HS project will continue with exterior utilities & drainage, concrete slabs, Air Vapor Barrier, exterior masonry, roofing, spray fireproofing, interior & exterior framing and MEP fire protection rough-in.
4.7.2 Valley Elementary Summer 2026 Preplanning will continue, followed by mobilization, abatement, demolition, framing, MEP fire protection rough-In and roofing.
4.7.3 Work will continue on the Forest Avenue Elementary School RIDE Schematic Design submission and Design Development phase.
4.7.4 The update from Colliers can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mpWb8vsDlDiVCYAA2yAtjmqlNyvLxMhQ/view?usp=sharing.
5.1 MSHS Welding Shop CTE Program Update
· Superintendent Niemeyer informed the Building Committee that he will be meeting with a donor on Monday to discuss funding for the implementation phase of the project.
5.2 Cultural, Historical, Memorial Subcommittee Update
· Bill Nash stated that the committee continues to meet with the design team. Colors for the floors, paint, and tile have been made and graphics have been reviewed.
· Bill added that the subcommittee has met with families of those who have been memorialized in the schools, such as the Gaudet school, Clark gymnasium and Krupowicz planetarium, and the plan will be to continue with some sort of memorial in the future middle-high school.
· A more comprehensive update will be brought to the next building committee meeting.
5.3 Four Week Look Ahead
· The next Building Committee meeting will be on July 15th at 4:30pm.
Adjournment:
· MOTION: Tom Welch moved for the Building Committee to adjourn at 5:18pm and Peter Connerton seconded. The motion passed unanimously (13-0).
Respectfully Submitted,
Don Morin