Norwich approves plans for four new elementary schools
Claire Bessette
Norwich ― The Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday
to approve revised plans for the four new elementary schools in the city’s $385
million school construction project.
The approval came just before a Friday deadline for
submitting final plans to qualify for state reimbursement.
If state school construction officials approve the final
plans for the first two schools, the John B. Stanton and Greeneville elementary
schools, the city can put those two school projects out to bid in early January
and start construction in March, project officials told the school board
Tuesday.
Construction on the other two new schools, the John Moriarty
and Uncas schools, could start in 2026.
Stanton, Moriarty and Uncas schools will be built on the
grounds of the existing schools, which will be torn down to create playgrounds
and athletic fields afterward. Greeneville will be built on the grounds of the
demolished former Greeneville School and adjacent land.
The board approved final design plans for Stanton and
Greeneville schools, and revised architectural plans for Uncas and John
Moriarty schools.
Michael Faenza, the city’s representative from the project
management firm, Consulting Solutions Group, told the school board that the new
votes were required after the school projects were revised to reflect cost savings and lower
elementary school enrollment projections.
The new demographics study allowed designers to reduce the
capacity of the Uncas and Moriarty schools from 601 students to 548 students.
The buildings were reduced slightly in size, Faenza said, and minor changes
were made to the education specifications to reflect the smaller building
sizes.
But he said no changes were made to the education programs
or the number of classrooms. One special education room was removed from each
new school.
“The changes are very minor, and the descriptions are almost
exactly the same,” Faenza said.
Education programs for all four new elementary schools will
be the same, Faenza said.
The Greeneville and Stanton school designs were too far
along to adjust the building size for the new enrollment projections. Each of
those schools will have a capacity of 601 students.
The school board was asked to adopt the final design plans
for those schools Tuesday, sets of plans 400 pages long, including
specifications for all building materials as well as detailed architectural
drawings.
Project architect Jim Barrett reviewed exterior and interior
renderings of the two schools. The Greeneville School will be three stories,
with the gymnasium entrance able to be segregated for community use in the
evenings and on weekends, he said.
Designs for a new or greatly renovated Teachers’ Memorial
Global Studies Magnet Middle School and renovations to the Samuel Huntington
School to house central offices and adult education will be the last portions
of the project.
Preliminary cost estimates have the new Greeneville Scbool
at $79.4 million, $539,359 more than the funding amount provided to the state
Department of Administrative Services in the city’s earlier funding
authorization, School Building Committee Chairman Mark Bettencourt said
Thursday.
The new Stanton School is estimated at $67.5 million, nearly
$1.4 million lower than the previous estimate.
“These are the current estimate. Numbers will change
slightly prior to our meeting with the state and everything being submitted,”
Bettencourt said in an email Thursday. “Additionally, once the bidding period
has completed these numbers will change again.”
Updated cost estimates were not available for Uncas and
Moriarty.
Project costs became a major concern last summer, as city
officials faced the prospect of going back to the voters to add money to the
project. That plan was canceled when the lower enrollment projections came in
and allowed for reduced building sizes. Other cost saving measures kept the
projected cost within the voter-approved $385 million.
Bettencourt said additional construction savings could be
realized on the Uncas and Moriarty schools if the school district is able to
move students from the existing schools on those grounds into other vacant
elementary buildings after those students move into the new Greeneville and
Stanton schools.
Once completed, the city will reduce from seven aging,
inefficient elementary schools to four new schools.
Acting Superintendent Susan Lessard said the school district
is looking into the possibility of hiring a firm to design the entire
redistricting plan for the new schools, including staffing.
Analyst: Controversial Ledyard quarry project will eventually create $1M in tax revenue
Lee Howard
Ledyard ― A consultant hired by the town estimated Thursday
at a Planning & Zoning Commission meeting that the 40-acre Gales Ferry
Intermodal site being considered for a quarry application would eventually
contribute more than $1 million a year to the town’s tax base.
Donald Poland of Goman + York in East Hartford cited the
impact of the proposed construction of three buildings totaling 26,000 square
feet on the former Dow Chemical site off Route 12 within the next 13 years.
According to Poland, the site would generate an average of
about $500,000 in new tax revenue by years 10 and 11 after approval of the
quarry, which would clear land that later can be used to construct the
commercial buildings. Before then, he said, there is very little tax impact
from the project.
“When the development is stabilized in year 12, the site is
projected to be net positive by approximately $1,064,192,” according to
Poland’s slide shown Thursday.
He added that the quarry project would lead to an estimated
77 full-time-equivalent jobs on a temporary basis and 130 permanent full-time
jobs in the region. The effect would create an extra $7.6 million in revenue in
the region, he said.
It was projected that by year 13, Gales Ferry Intermodal,
which now is the town’s fourth-largest taxpayer, would move up to second behind
Eversource.
Poland also noted that studies of real estate impacts from
industrial projects show that home prices are usually hit hardest during the
period when a proposal is being considered by regulatory authorities, as
opposed to during the actual development period.
“I find no evidence that quarries reduce home prices,” he
said, citing a study.
He added the land is an industrial site.
“From a land-use perspective, there’s not much change going
on,” Poland said.
Members of the audience were outraged by the comments,
yelling out, “We don’t want it,” and “Isn’t this a waste of time?” before they
were asked to not interrupt the speaker.
About 60 people attended the hearing, with another three
dozen or so participating on Zoom. The public had not yet had the chance to
speak after 2½ hours.
In testimony submitted before the hearing Thursday,
residents reiterated their objections to the project which include concerns
about quarry dust management, traffic, noise, impact on their home values and a
historic fort and the legal implications of approving the project.
“Any dust on my windows or car, or in evidence at Juliet
Long and Ledyard Middle Schools will result in a lawsuit against the Cashman
Company, albeit too late to prevent harm,” resident Jim Gauld said in an email.
“That action will also be initiated if life in the Thames River system is
compromised.”
Gales Ferry Intermodal is a division of Cashman Dredging
& Marine Contracting Co. of Quincy, Mass.
Kim and Jim Millar of Gales Ferry also voiced concern in
written testimony, emphasizing the health effects created by the release of
silica dust created by quarrying operations at the 40-acre site.
“Young children attending the elementary and middle schools
close to the proposed GFI operation will be at increased risk both for
immediate health consequences and long-term consequences,” the Millars said.
“It is unconscionable for our community to allow this to happen to our
vulnerable children.”
Silica dust released in blasting that would be conducted on
the site was also a topic of scientific testimony given in person at the last
P&Z meeting Oct. 24.
“It is extremely toxic material,” Phil Fiore, a retired
Pfizer inc. scientist and Gales Ferry resident, told the commission at the
meeting. “The fibers can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.”
Nearby Gales Ferry Methodist Church also weighed in against
the quarry, saying in a letter that the 32 acres of its campus directly abut
the Cashman property and that “we have serious concerns over the effects the
proposed operations would have on our campus and the health hazards that would
be presented to both the congregation members and the children serviced by the
state sanctioned child care center that operates on the property during the
week.”
The church said it is also concerned about the effects of
quarry blasting on the foundation of its buildings as well as the danger of
increased traffic when parents drop off and pick up their children at the day
care center.
Patricia Marcek of 711 Long Cove Road, Gales Ferry, said she
moved to the area because of its rural setting and freedom from noise.
“The proposal to create a gravel pit is contrary to
everything Gales Ferry and Ledyard represent,” Marcek said in a letter to the
commission. “The idea that a gravel pit will not create noise pollution, excess
heavy traffic, dust, and an overall unhealthy environment for the citizens of
our town is unrealistic.”
Marcek also voiced concern about local wildlife,
particularly bald eagles that frequent Mount Decatur.
In a Nov. 10 analysis of the quarry project’s proposals for
environmental mitigation and blasting submitted by outside consultants Harris
Miller Miller & Hanson Inc. of Burlington, Mass., the group suggested that
vibration associated with blasting might cause damage to homes on Anderson
Drive.
The consultants found predictions about the release of
particulate into the air to be reasonable, but “to provide additional
protection for the surrounding community, our finding is that the applicant
must continuously monitor particulate matter emissions to ensure that there are
no exceedances associated with the site development and aggregate production
efforts.”
Outside engineer Doug Ostler of Weston & Sampson, who
reviewed the GFI-funded traffic study, said Thursday he didn’t expect traffic
to be significantly heavier based on estimated numbers supplied by the
applicant, though the new truck traffic “will be noticeable.”
The hearing was expected to be continued to next Thursday at
6 p.m. at Ledyard Middle School. The application must be voted on by next
month.
Turf fields coming to Torrington
SLOAN BREWSTER
TORRINGTON – Voters have agreed to spend $6 million, 85% of
which will be reimbursed by the state, for turf fields at the new high school
and middle school complex.
The final results from the Nov. 5 election were released
Thursday afternoon and reflect a recount that took place Tuesday. The
referendum question on spending the $6 million passed 5,812 to 4,717.
State Rep. Michelle L. Cook, D-Torrington, who got the state
Department of Administrative Services to include the $6 million with the 85%
reimbursement for the $179.5 million project, noted the fields were part of the
original design but were cut when the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays and
higher costs. She said she’s pleased the project will be completed per the
original vision.
Building Committee Co-Chairs Mario Longobucco and Edward
Arum said they are pleased with the way the building is progressing.
“Once again Michelle L. Cook came through with these
additional dollars,” Longobucco said. “We’re going to try to stretch those
dollars as far as we can and deliver one of the best high school campuses in
the state. It’s our hope the entire community will benefit from the upgraded
fields.”
Meriden seeks to rehab old buildings now the senior center, health department campus must wait
MERIDEN — Still reeling after learning a $54 million
proposed senior
center and health department campus would be delayed
by more than six years, city officials have turned their sights to
rehabilitating their existing buildings.Ad
"I'm encouraged by some of the internal meetings that
we've had," said Mayor Kevin Scapapti. "We are moving forward."
Work on three bridges, and Harbor Brook dredging will
significantly delay campus construction, Scarpati recapped for members of the
Senior Center/ Health Department Building Committee on Wednesday.
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However, the dilapidated building on the proposed site at
116 Cook Ave. will likely come down this year.
City Manager Brian Daniels outlined the city's options as it
grapples with rehabilitating two aging buildings it had hoped to replace.
The health department at 165 Miller St. is on the first
floor with a state juvenile court on the second floor.
The lease with the state is up in 2032, but Daniels is
in talks with state officials about allowing the city to renovate both floors
simultaneously. If not, the city intends to move forward with the first floor
redesign using health department plans approved by the building committee.
Daniels asked the Finance Committee to allow him to apply
for a $250,000 Community Investment Fund grant to do a needs assessment on the
Health Department building. The completed assessment will allow the city to get
a work estimate and seek other grants for construction.
Should the city move forward with the Health Department
renovation at 165 Miller St., it will be removed from the proposed campus
design at 116 Cook Ave.
"If the feasibility of renovating 165 Miller St. moves
along the project at 116 Cook Ave., that's fine with me," said Director of
Health and Human Services Lea Crown.
That leaves the senior
center at 22 W. Main St, an 84-year-old building with water leaking
throughout the outer walls into the interior. The estimated cost to repair the
walls is about $360,000 however a laser roof scan conducted last week revealed
about 40 percent of the insulation under the roof is saturated, Daniels
said.
Replacing the entire roof is estimated to cost $880,000,
Daniels told committee members. He also asked the Finance Committee for
$370,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding for the wall repair at 22 W. Main
St. and the roof costs, as well as $187,000 in ARPA funds to do a needs
assessment of the electrical, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act, HVAC and other work.
Once completed, the needs assessment will act as validation,
the building is a shovel-ready project, suitable for grants, he said.
One of the factors mentioned in the design study for a new
senior center is the lack of natural light. Daniels proposed 20 new skylights
be installed during the roof repair.
"If we want to do it and we want it to last 20-30
years, we want to do it right," Daniels said. "It will light up the
interior and the hallways. It will be like night and day. This building will be
occupied by the seniors for the next six years."
Both 165 Miller St. and 22 W. Main St. will need the
renovations even if the city could build its campus now at 116 Cook Ave.,
Scarpati and Daniels said.
"Given the age and condition of the building, they have
to be addressed," Daniels said.
Senior Center Director Rick Liegl and Crown reassured
committee members the health department can work at the senior center and share
library space during construction. Daniels said there will be a construction
timetable that considers the senior center's operation.
Eliminating the Department of Health and Human Services from
the proposed campus at 116 Cook Ave. means a smaller project, less parking and
fewer costs, Daniels said.
Members of the public criticized city officials and the
committee for not being aware that the bridge work and dredging were going to
significantly delay the project.
"It came as a surprise at the end of
deliberations," said Chairman Bruce Fontanella. "Some people knew,
some people didn't. It was a breakdown in communications."
Fontanella thanked the officials for their work to seek
alternatives until a new senior center is built.
"It crossed my mind to just give up," Fontanella
said. "It crossed my mind a little bit."
Construction Work Begins at Lyme-Old Lyme Schools as New Bids, Cuts Resolve Cost Overruns
Francisco Uranga
LYME/OLD LYME — Superintendent Ian Neviaser stood in a
Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School classroom Wednesday where ceiling tiles had been
removed, exposing wires and air conditioning ducts. These were the first signs
of HVAC system improvement work at three Lyme and Old Lyme schools that began
in early November.
“They’re taking down the entire ceiling so they can scan
what’s up there and better design the new systems,” Neviaser said. “They take
that back to their shop and build the new duct work.”
Outside the school, there was a container where the remains
of ceiling tiles were collected. Inside, students walked through the hallways
as they normally would, despite the construction work that gave the building
the feel of a factory.
The $57.5 million project got underway after a series of
adjustments to reduce the cost and meet the approved budget. These changes
included eliminating improvements to security vestibules and fire protection
systems and redesigning the HVAC system.
The original project included improving HVAC systems at Lyme
Consolidated School, Center School, Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School and Mile Creek
Elementary School. It also included fire protection system upgrades, additional
parking spots and the expansion of the Mile Creek building.
After receiving
the first bids for the HAVC for the three schools in August, the
project cost had risen $7.7 million above the $57.5 million budget approved by
referendum in 2022.
The subcommittee in charge of the project then proposed a
series of combined changes that reduced the project cost to nearly $120,000
under budget, without considering Mile Creek School bids, according to
estimates from Downes Construction Company, a firm that is overseeing the
project for the district.
The major savings came from the elimination of the security
vestibule for three schools, fire system upgrades at two schools and work on
the Lyme Consolidated school parking lot. These changes reduced the cost by $4
million, according to a Downes
report.
The security vestibules will be built in the same timeline
as initially expected — summer 2025— but as a stand-alone project. The
Board of Education authorized the district’s “undesignated fund” of
leftover budget dollars to cover the approximately $1 million cost of this work
for Consolidated School, Center School and Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School.
The remaining $3 million-plus in cost cuts were achieved
through a rebidding process.
“Initially, Downes Construction Company had large bids for
the project with the idea that they wanted to get big companies in here to
speed the process up. Those came in very high and we got very few bidders,”
Nevaiser said. “We repackaged those bids into much smaller packages, got a lot
more interest from smaller companies and got much better pricing.”
Nevaiser attributed this strategy and increased competition
to the bids for the Mile Creek project coming in at $1.4 million below the
initial estimate.
Another source of savings lay in the fire sprinkler system.
Proposed improvements to the system at Lyme Consolidated and Mile Creek were
eliminated from the project following an opinion from Fire Marshal David
Roberge.
At
the October Board of Education meeting, Roberge recommended maintaining the
current system and requesting a waiver from the state to not have to install
sprinklers in the Mile Creek School expansion.
Nevaiser told CT Examiner that the district had already
asked for that permission with the Office of State Building Inspector and
expected to have a response in the next few weeks.
“The fire chief says sprinkler systems don’t necessarily
save lives, they save buildings,” Nevaiser said. “All the stuff that we have in
place, the audio alarms when the fire alarm goes off, the smoke detectors that
we have that would catch a fire long before a sprinkler system. That’s what’s
going to save a life.”
The latest bids on the Mile Creek School project estimate a
cost of $24 million, although if the state approves the waiver for the
sprinkler system, that cost could be even lower.
“Worst case scenario, the state rejects our request and we
have to go back to sprinklers,” Nevaiser said. “The good news is we’re under
budget by a pretty significant amount. So we could hopefully absorb any
additional costs.”
Before the referendum, the district received a
$9 million grant for the Mile Creek School expansion from the state
Department of Administrative Services. In 2023, the three other schools
received $12
million in grants for HVAC system upgrades, a state initiative spurred
in response to COVID-19. Nevaiser said the district’s need to replace aging air
conditioning equipment existed before the pandemic.
Nevaiser said he expected to receive state approvals in “the
next few weeks”, finish bidding on the pending portion of Mile Creek School and
begin work in December.
The HVAC system improvement projects for the three schools
are expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Mile Creek School expansion is
expected to take between two and 2.5 years, according to Nevaiser.