Morganti Group Approved For

High School Construction Design Phase

By John Voket

This week, Town Attorney David Grogins reviewed a proposed agreement with Morganti Group for the company to become construction manager for the design phase of the Newtown High School expansion. The information was provided to the Board of Selectmen Tuesday.

After some discussion, the officials unanimously endorsed the company to handle the job.

Mr Grogins said Morganti was recently approved for the work by the town’s Public Building and Site Commission. The town recently took over all school-related building projects to conform with state statutes, and the public building committee has become a required preliminary advisor to the town for all school and other municipal projects of this nature.

The town attorney said while there were several choices to proceed with the design phase of the high school project, he recommended using a construction manager, which offers the advantage of fixing a maximum guaranteed price for the project.

“The construction manager negotiates directly with contractors, further insulating the town from any liability,” Mr Grogins told selectmen. The construction manager will work in concert with an architect team from Fletcher Thompson, the design vendor for the project.

Funds for the design phase of the high school expansion were authorized during a recent referendum. Voters will return to the polls at some future date to endorse or reject the construction phase of the $41 million expansion.

“Under the contract, if after the design phase is completed, Morganti will present a maximum price based on the bids — that maximum price will be presented for approval and will go to referendum,” Mr Grogins said. Morganti’s compensation for the design phase responsibilities will be $155,000, Mr Grogins added.

The town attorney said by employing a construction manager, the town will have another set of eyes providing oversight on the architect to help coordinate and steer plans to stay within projected cost parameters.

“This [construction manager] format fixes responsibility,” Mr Grogins continued. “The problem with general contractors is when issues come up, everybody keeps pointing fingers.”

Tim Gunn of Morganti assured selectmen that his team constantly reviews specs and plans during the schematic and design processes.

“We price through to construction, and document everything to be sure it stays within budget,” Mr Gunn said, adding his company generally reports back to the town on progress at about the half-way point in the design process.

The Morganti representative said his team is on hand to provide “what ifs” at the budget review session, offering possible alternatives if any component of the plan begins creeping above budget guidelines. Mr Gunn also endorsed Fletcher Thompson, assuring selectmen that the town was contracting “one of the best.”