A combined air conditioning project for Hawley Elementary School’s multipurpose room and Newtown Middle School’s cafeteria gained momentum on February 19, when the Board of Education approved hiring a contractor for the project.

According to Town Purchasing Agent Rick Spreyer, who spoke about the projects at the meeting, the request for proposal (RFP) was released on January 25. There was then a February 5 mandatory walk-through of both buildings for all interested vendors, and eight vendors attended.

Sav-Mor Cooling & Heating Inc of Southington bid $78,800, Stewart Mechanical Services Inc of Waterbury bid $198,500, and MJ Daly LLC of Waterbury bid $118,600.

“The original budget for this project was $100,000. After review of the bids, following up on references, and working with [Director of Facilities Gino Faiella], it is my recommendation we go with the low bidder, Sav-Mor Cooling & Heating out of Southington,” said Mr Spreyer, adding that the bid is more than $21,000 below the budgeted amount for the project.

Sav-Mor Cooling & Heating, according to Mr Spreyer, was the vendor that followed up the walk-throughs by asking for the most clarifications on the project and buildings.

“They were very thorough with this project,” said Mr Spreyer.

The project was first approved by the Board of Education at its meeting on December 4. In order to fund the ductless split projects for Hawley and NMS (along with a $135,000 lighting protection project for Sandy Hook Elementary School), the board approved using $191,857 from its non-lapsing account. The ductless splits projects are expected to be completed over the summer, in order to not disturb learners, as previously reported in The Newtown Bee.

Mr Faiella and his team will oversee the project, and according to Director of Business Ron Bienkowski, the project is a Board of Education project rather than a Public Building & Site Commission project.

After confirming with Mr Spreyer that references were checked and which types of mechanical units would be purchased for the buildings, the school board voted unanimously to award the bid to Sav-Mor Cooling & Heating.