Aug. 13, 2025 - Building Committee Meeting

Approved August 27, 2025

MPS BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING

Oliphant Administration Building

Michael S. Pinto Conference Room

26 Oliphant Lane, Middletown, RI 02842

August 13, 2025, 5:00pm

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 |
| N | Yes | Donna Sweet | Middletown High School Principal |
| N | 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 |
| N | Yes | vacant | Community Member |
| P | Alternate | Gregory Huet | Alternate Member of School Committee |
| N | Alternate | Christopher Logan | Alternate Town Council Member |
| N | 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 5:00 pm by Chair Ed Brady. Ten (10) of thirteen (13) voting members were present or represented by an alternate.

2. Also present: Justin Bernard, Colin McCarthy, OPM, Colliers Project Leaders; and Bill Markham, Bentley Companies.

3. Present via Zoom: Matt LaRue, HMFH Architects; Ed Cifune and Emma Osborne, DBVW Architects.

·         ** MOTION:** Tom Welch moved to accept the meeting minutes from July 30, 2025, and Bill Nash seconded.

·         ** DISCUSSION:** None.

·         ** VOTE:** The motion passed unanimously (10-0).

3.1 Restroom Building Location

· Matt LaRue shared a proposal to relocate the outdoor restroom building currently situated near the high school baseball field to the other side of the complex, adjacent to the future softball field.

· The reasons for supporting this move are threefold:

1. Supports the add-alternate playing fields, if they get accepted

2. Improves accessibility (ADA requirement); will be along a walkway

3. Mitigates functional appearance – located near other structures associated with the softball field, such as the third base dugout, the bullpen net structure, the batting cage structure and a small storage shed

· The contractor will be able to pick up the building and move it over as one piece.

· HMFH will develop a design and will obtain pricing to move the building.

3.2 Project Identity

· Matt LaRue next shared some examples of interior wall graphics featuring local, cultural and/or educational features.

· HMFH has gathered some potential images obtained from the Middletown Historical Society in the fall of 2024.

· Placeholder locations for these wall graphics exist in the current design and these can be finalized in the future.

· HMFH would like the Building Committee to identify a subcommittee to develop plans for these graphics in October when their graphic designer becomes available with the goal of creating artwork in early 2026 and final artwork in late 2026 as part of the signage submittal.

· Bill Nash volunteered to put together a subcommittee for this effort and will bring a proposal to the next meeting of those who will be on this subcommittee for review/approval.

· Matt LaRue next shared some ideas for memorials, memorabilia, dedication, and space naming that also need to be considered. These could be things that exist at the current schools that will be retained such as trophies and other memorabilia, new dedications, perhaps a time capsule or existing trees that will need to be retained, among others. These types of things will also be reviewed by the afore-mentioned sub-committee with the understanding that the ultimate approval authority for some of these items lies with the School Committee and Town Council.

·         ** ACTION**: Bring proposed membership of a subcommittee to start identifying interior wall graphics ideas, memorials, memorabilia, etc. to the August 27

3.3 Two Week Look Ahead

· Construction Administration for the Middle-High School and Elementary School complex will continue.

· An update on the entrance signs will be ready by the end of August.

· Concession stand project boards will be available by the end of August.

· The NE-CHPS design submission will be ready by early September.

· The update from HMFH/DBVW can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZMjguLmyimKTxsVQnQ0WyzAgmPmQDFiJ/view?usp=sharing.

4.1 Elementary School Complex Recommendations to Award: Painting and Electrical

4.1.1 Consider and Vote to Award the Contracts (Misc Metals, Concrete, Millwork, Glass & Glazing) for the Elementary School Complex

Painting RTA:

·         Bentley and Colliers advise the Building Committee to recommend awarding the Painting bid to Joseph Tavone Painting in the amount of $389,000 which is $73,700 above the 60% CD budgeted amount of $315,300.  Colliers also informs the Building Committee that alternate #3 (Renovate 1st Floor Toilet Room) and alternate #4 (New Elevator) are included in the base bid and recommends that the Building Committee reject all other alternates as they are not applicable for this bid.

·         ** MOTION:** Don Morin moved that the Building Committee make a recommendation to award the Painting bid to Joseph Tavone Painting in the amount of $389,000, which is $73,700 above the 60% CD budgeted amount of $315,300, and to accept alternate #3 (Renovate 1st Floor Toilet Room) and alternate #4 (New Elevator) as they are carried in the base bid.  No other alternates are applicable.  Tom Welch seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.

Electrical RTA:

·         Bentley and Colliers advise the Building Committee to recommend awarding the Electrical bid to East Bay Power in the amount of $546,910.94 which is $3,410.76 above the 60% CD budgeted amount of $543,500.18.  Colliers also recommends that the Building Committee hold Alternate #3 (Renovate 1st Floor Toilet Room) for $36,399.26 and Alternate #4 (New Elevator) for $64,138.73 and to reject all other alternates as they are not applicable for this bid.

·         ** MOTION:** Don Morin moved that the Building Committee make a recommendation to award the Electrical bid to East Bay Power in the amount of $546,910.94 which is $3,410.76 above the 60% CD budgeted amount of $543,500.18, and to hold Alternate #3 (Renovate 1

4.2 Elementary School North Courtyard Water Infiltration Update

· Colin McCarthy provided an update on the north courtyard water infiltration issue. Bentley has identified that some water was getting into the tunnels at the current high school and is soliciting pricing to address the problem. The expectation is that the problem can be addressed by regrading the landscape and redirecting a downspout away from the building, which can be done during a school break or on a weekend.

· Chair Ed Brady asked if some work can be done to investigate the stormwater management system to better understand the existing conditions in the courtyards.

· Ed Collins agreed to reach out to the Public Works Director to better understand if they have the capability to do an investigation of the existing drainage system.

·         ACTION: Reach out to Public Works Director to determine if the Town has the equipment to investigate the existing conditions of the drainage system at the current high school. – Ed Collins

4.3 Elementary Sprinkler Water Supply Update

·         Colin McCarthy informed the Committee that a meeting took place with Newport Water on Friday, Augusts 1st to review the feed of the water lines for the sprinkler system and to replace the existing domestic water supply.

· Newport Water will provide all the equipment for the new feed that will come from Wabasso Terrace. The plan is to install the new water lines in the summer of 2026.

4.4 Elementary School Construction Update

· Colin McCarthy shared some pictures of the work being done at the future elementary school. The water infiltration work continues while the HVAC repairs have been completed for this phase of the project, essentially closing out phase one of the project.

· Next summer the new water service will be installed, the nurse’s suite will be relocated, and the sprinkler system installation will begin. If the elevator and roofing alternates are approved, they will be scheduled for next summer as well.

4.5 Elementary School Time and Materials: Sewer Main Line Jetting and Repair, Copper Water Line Replacement, Installation of Additional Shut-Off Valves, and Domestic Copper Piping

· Justin Bernard explained that Colliers has directed Bentley to proceed with an order of magnitude of $20K to perform some domestic water line repairs.

· In addition, Bentley will jet the existing sanitary lines that had some clogging. An additional 3.5” water line is in disrepair but functional, however, since this line will likely be abandoned when the new water service is installed in 2026, it has been decided to get by with the existing conditions and if anything should need to be repaired in the next few months to simply do what is necessary to buy time until the new line is installed next year.

4.6 MS/HS Group VI Recommendations to Award: Millwork, Painting and Window Treatments

· Consider and Vote to Award the Contracts (Millwork, Painting and Window Treatments) for the new Middle/High School

· Colin explained that there are three RTA’s to be presented tonight with five remaining. The goal is to have the remaining five presented at the next meeting.

Millwork RTA:

· Gilbane and Colliers advise the Building Committee to recommend awarding the Millwork bid to Continental Woodcraft in the amount of $1,471,697, which is $108,837 above the 60% CD budgeted amount of $1,362,860. Colliers also recommends that the Building Committee reject Alternates #1-#10 as they are not applicable for this bid.

·         MOTION: Don Morin moved that the Building Committee make a recommendation to award the Millwork bid to Continental Woodcraft in the amount of $1,471,697, which is $108,837 above the 60% CD budgeted amount of $1,362,860. Alternates #1-#10 are not applicable for this bid. Tom Welch seconded the motion.  The motion passed on a unanimous vote.

Painting RTA:

· Gilbane and Colliers advise the Building Committee to recommend awarding the Painting bid to W.F. Shea and Company in the amount of $988,400 which is $63,125 under the 60% CD budgeted amount of $1,051,525. Colliers also recommends that the Building Committee reject Alternates #1-10 as they are not applicable for this bid.

·         ** MOTION:** Don Morin moved that the Building Committee make a recommendation to award the Painting bid to W.F. Shea and Company in the amount of $988,400 which is $63,125 under the 60% CD budgeted amount of $1,051,525.  Alternates #1-10 are not applicable for this bid. Tom Welch seconded the motion.  The motion passed on a unanimous vote.

Window Treatments RTA:

· Gilbane and Colliers advise the Building Committee to recommend awarding the Window Treatments bid to Manganaro Northeast LLC in the amount of $244,700 which is $20,400 under the 60% CD budgeted amount of $265,100. Colliers also recommends that the Building Committee reject Alternates #1-10 as they are not applicable for this bid.

·         ** MOTION:** Don Morin moved that the Building Committee make a recommendation to award the Window Treatments bid to Manganaro Northeast LLC in the amount of $244,700 which is $20,400 under the 60% CD budgeted amount of $265,100.  Alternates #1-10 are not applicable to this bid. Tom Welch seconded the motion.  The motion passed on a unanimous vote.

4.7 Middle-High School Construction Update

· Colin McCarthy shared that excavation for footings, formwork and concrete placement work continues at the new middle-high school.

· Justin Bernard added that soil testing continues, and all testing has been clean, and soil moved to Hoogendoorn. No additional soil above the initial 40 yards has failed testing.

· Some members of the Building Committee have been able to tour the construction site. All site visits need to be coordinated through Colliers who will provide the necessary personal protective equipment. Anyone who visits the site needs to go through Gilbane’s safety orientation.

· Justin Bernard shared the trending log that shows that the project budget continues to be healthy with an owner’s allowance of approximately $7.7 million with another $1 million being held for owner security vendors.

· GMPs from Gilbane and Bentley will both be ready by September, and Colliers is confident that the GMPs will both be below the 60% CD budgeted amounts.

4.8 NEVI Grant Application Update

·         Justin Bernard informed the Committee that the NEVI Grant Application is due Friday, August 15th.  The cost for the wiring has been forwarded to ChargePoint.  Since it is a competitive grant with the minimum owner’s share being 20%, in order to improve the likelihood of receiving the grant, the application will increase the Town share from 20% to 25% of the project cost at ChargePoint’s suggestion.

4.9 Two Week Look Ahead

· Middle-High School and ES Complex bidding and scope reviews are nearly complete.

· Bulk excavation and soil testing at the future middle-high school will continue, along with concrete formwork and footing placement.

· The elementary school HVAC repairs are essentially complete while the courtyard regrading will continue.

· The update from Colliers can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RVNLfuRIAqmvsilg0nb9WwLmvezwx1WQ/view?usp=sharing.

5.1 Middle-High School Cultural Features

· Chair Ed Brady suggested that the subcommittee looking at the cultural features at the new middle-high school should also look at the existing high school to determine what should remain or possibly relocate.

5.2 Two Week Look Ahead

· Chair Ed Brady stated that all scope reviews have been completed and that decision making for some of the add alternates will need to be made soon after receiving the GMPs from Gilbane and Bentley.

Adjournment:

·         ** MOTION**: Bill Nash moved for the Building Committee to adjourn at 6:12pm and Tom Welch seconded. The motion passed unanimously (10-0).

Future Meeting Schedule – The next meeting will be on August 27, 2025, at 5:00p.m. at the Oliphant Administration Building.

Respectfully Submitted,

Don Morin