Published in the September 3, 2015 edition
By BOB TUROSZ
NORTH READING — At their last meeting, the Secondary Schools Building Committee was given an update on the financial balance remaining in the $123 million project’s contingency fund.
According to the financial breakdown as of August 25, the contingency forecast stands at about $223,000 remaining in the budget. This is after approximately $84,000 in savings to the project voted by the committee in July. The $223,000 figure is about 10 percent less than the last financial estimate a month ago.
Immediately after receiving the contingency fund information, the SSBC went into executive session on the grounds that discussion of the contingency in open session would be detrimental to the SSBC’s legal position going forward.
Elsewhere, all is good
Other news from the SSBC that evening was relentlessly upbeat. The new middle school and the athletic team room (behind the stands on the football field) received their temporary certificates of occupancy on Aug. 25. The final certificate of occupancy will be forthcoming when the entire project is complete.
Now through the first day of school the first order of business at the middle school will be completion of “punch list” items, according to Matt Skillin, from Gilbane Construction Company, the project’s main contractor. Landscaping has been ongoing, especially at the back of the schools near the main parking lot and the expansive plaza at the front of the buildings off Sherman Rd. Fencing is ongoing at the new tennis courts and demolition of the old NRHS has gotten underway in earnest, in a phase called the “exterior wall abatement process.” At some point the big excavators will roll in and rip the old building apart, for eventual replacement with athletic fields, including a new varsity softball field.
“Everybody did a fantastic job and we should all be celebrating,” said Joanna Kripp, senior project manager for Gilbane.
Architect Brad Dore said his firm issued the “substantial completion” certificates for the middle school and team room, meaning the buildings are fit for their intended use and that all life safety and accessibility issues are resolved. That’s what brings on the punch list phase of the project, he said.
“The building is yours,” Dore said.
With the first day of school in sight, Superintendent of Schools Jon Bernard was gratified at the way things have turned out. “A lot of people have worked very hard the last couple weeks to get us to this point. It was a very exciting day when the new freshman class came in to participate in orientation. I want to acknowledge the efforts of everyone, including the members of this committee.”
