Committee’s Lack Of Quorum

May Delay Town Hall Bidding Process

By John Voket

After only two of its nine members showed up for a crowded meeting this week to discuss moving the high school renovation, town offices, and senior/rec center plans forward, the Public Building and Site Commissioners who did show up vowed to call a special meeting to complete the business at hand.

While the staff meeting room at Reed Intermediate School was at standing room capacity with architects, project managers, consultants, and other town officials, Public Building and Site Commission members James Juliano and Robert Mulholland appeared somewhat embarrassed having to inform everyone who turned out that no resolutions could be passed due to the lack of a quorum.

The commissioners did agree, however, to entertain discussions about each of the three major capital projects on their agenda.

Jeff Cugno, representing O&G Industries, project manager for the municipal office project at Fairfield Hills, apprised the commissioners present that several items of concern that were discussed at a joint meeting with selectman June 9 were being addressed. Those items included directing the architect to add acoustical panels to the specs, and addressing various IT and related infrastructure needs presented by town and school technology staff.

Mr Cugno then reported that since the state is requiring an updated campuswide environmental report and inclusion of a radon gas detection system before guaranteeing reimbursements for the school district’s segment of the town hall project, those aspects are being expedited by contractors. Mr Cugno said he was hoping to get commission approval that night to ready bidding information for an anticipated July 1 release.

Mr Cugno said he was seeking approval to move forward with publishing the request for bids concurrent with the state’s review of updated plans and reports. He expressed concern that the lack of a quorum to potentially approve the request might delay the release of bid solicitations, even if the state completes and approves its review of updates.

Saying that “time is money,” Mr Cugno indicated that he did not want to see the bidding process further delayed.

But Mr Mulholland said that fellow Public Building and Site Commission member Robert Mitchell has requested an independent review of the town office plans. Mr Juliano countered that an independent review pursuant to Mr Mitchell’s concerns should not prevent moving the plans for review by town building officials and the fire marshal.

Mr Mulholland reminded those in attendance that the high school project is undergoing an independent review, and that ultimately, it is up to town officials whether or not to subject the town hall project to similar independent scrutiny. The two Public Building and Site Commission members concurred that any review process should not significantly delay the project going out to bid.

Moving on to the high school, project manager Ed Barrett then reported he expects to go out to bid July 1, with bids expected back by July 22. The project manager said if all goes as planned, the company tendering the winning bid would likely begin on-site work on or about August 18.

Since it has been recently determined that the town is in charge of the project until a certificate of occupancy permits turning the building over to the school district, Selectman Herb Rosenthal asked for a legal opinion on how change orders would be processed for review.

Acknowledging that change orders for education specs should be reviewed and approved first by the school board, Mr Rosenthal said he still sought a ruling on procedures for the town’s handling of change orders requiring additional funding.

Moving on to discuss the design phase of the proposed new senior/rec center, Mr Cugno said he would put together a request for quotation (RFQ) for a design team for the planned facility. Following interviews, the Public Building and Site Commission should plan on recommending a candidate or candidates for that first phase of the project.

Mr Rosenthal reminded Mr Cugno that the Board of Selectmen had already approved seeking an RFQ for the demolition of Litchfield Hall to make room for the new senior/rec facility. The O&G representative said he was somehow not made aware of that development, and agreed to produce a RFQ immediately.

Following the meeting, first selectman Joe Borst — who was in attendance — told The Newtown Bee he was exploring options for expediting that demolition project. Mr Borst noted that Newtown Youth Academy developer Peter D’Amico has put forward a proposal to contract that demolition project.

But while the demolition is budgeted and approved for $400,000, Mr D’Amico was informally putting the cost closer to $650,000.

Mr Borst said he would seek a ruling on whether some of the $600,000 already approved for the architect could be shifted to make up the difference on the demolition side of the appropriation.

“I can’t imagine it will cost $600,000 for the architect, but I’ll have to check with the town attorney to see if we can reallocate some of that money to add to the demolition [budget],” Mr Borst said.