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Cheshire Next Generation School Building Committee (NGSBC) Meeting on May 28, 2026,
the committee moved forward on key financial and logistical adjustments for local school construction:
1. Meeting Attendance & Opening
Roll Call: Sarah Stevens Morlin, Jeff Solen, Greg Rosenlat, Chris Daddy, Megan Rockwell, Dennis Ryu, and Chuck Nep were present.
Opening: The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Public Correspondence & Announcements
Ribbon Cutting & Open House Queries: Sarah shared an email from a Chapman School parent inquiring about ribbon cutting and opening plans. The committee noted that no public announcements or official ribbon cuttings have been scheduled yet, as these timelines are contingent on securing Temporary Certificates of Occupancy (TCOs).
Behind-the-Scenes Prep: Vince and Zach have been actively coordinating furniture installation (FF&E), working with teachers to organize packing, and scheduling technology installations (such as smartboards).
Site Tour: An energy commission tour of the two buildings was scheduled for June 2nd to review the energy process.
3. Approval of Minutes
April 23, 2026, Minutes: Approved unanimously.
May 7, 2026, Minutes: Approved with one abstention.
4. Budget Review & Financial Transfers
Committee member Rich led the budget review, which was permanently moved to the top of the agenda to ensure financial clarity before voting on change orders.
Consolidation: The committee confirmed that the bid savings contingency has been officially consolidated into the owner's contingency account.
Following a discussion requested by Chuck to ensure a clear accounting paper trail for the consolidated funds, the committee approved two major balance transfers to the owner's contingency:
North End Project: Approved the transfer of $562,791.77 in unencumbered balances to the owner's contingency. This included a projection leaving $58,767 behind to cover bond counsel costs through the end of the project.
Norton School Project: Approved the transfer of $554,946.91 in unencumbered balances to the owner's contingency.
5. Construction & Master Schedule Update
Ryan and Dave from the construction management team presented an updated interior schedule, noting that while the site work/paving remains fully on track, interior timelines have faced shifts.
North End School Status
Buildings A, C, and D: On schedule to hit their substantial completion target of July 16th.
Building B (Gymnasium): Delayed to July 30th. This shift is entirely due to a multi-year battle with phase-one power equipment suppliers. The team is intentionally delaying the installation of the wood gym flooring until the building's humidity can be mechanically controlled to avoid ruining the wood.
Power Milestone: Eversource is scheduled to set the transformer on Monday and energize the building on Tuesday (weather permitting).
Interior Progress & Move-In Strategy
Corridors & Classrooms: Above-ceiling inspections are complete and signed off by the building official. Sprinkler systems are undergoing a 200 lb pressure test. Corridor flooring is slated to finish over the weekend, and final painting will begin as soon as the permanent power is turned on.
Aesthetic Long-Lead Items: Custom graphics and wall protection require 4 to 6 weeks for production. To prevent these aesthetic elements from pausing momentum, final cleaning may be pushed ahead of their installation.
Early Access for Teachers: The team expects Area D classrooms to be cleaned and ready by June 21st–22nd. Temporary signage will be posted so furniture and boxes can be moved in early. The team noted that a TCO is only required for student occupancy, though they committed to double-checking with the Fire Marshal/Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) regarding early moving activities by third-party vendors.
1. Capital Improvement Debate: Trash Compactors
The committee held a lengthy debate regarding a proposed structural change initiated by Rich Clavit and Vin Masiana to shift from regular dumpsters to commercial trash compactors.
The Scope of Work: The upgrade requires underground electrical conduit installation out to an expanded pad where a system disconnect will sit. Inside the building, conduits must be run to the main panel.
The Justification: Proponents argued that doing the infrastructure work now prevents tearing up brand-new ceilings and concrete later, saving the town future disruption and money. Furthermore, while the compactor itself is not eligible for state reimbursement, the underlying structural infrastructure is eligible.
The Conflict: Opponents argued this was a late addition that wasn't part of the original project scope, noting that if the town wants it for long-term municipal waste management, the town's general fund—not the school building committee—should pay for it. Additionally, a member noted that waiting until after the project closes would mean they wouldn't have to pay state prevailing wage rates, potentially offsetting the "cheaper to do it now" argument.
Projected Cost: Dave estimated a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) of $30,000 for the North End site due to the need to remove newly poured concrete and bollards. The Norton School run is much shorter (about 90 feet from the building).
The Vote: Despite the pushback, the project change was approved in a tight 4-to-3 vote.
Next Steps: Formal pricing will be sent to the committee's consultant (Texon) for evaluation, with a follow-up online review meeting scheduled for June 11th.
2. Approvals for Existing Purchase Order Increases
The committee reviewed and voted on furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) extensions to existing purchase orders with vendor Meteor Education.
North End School
Amount: Approved an increase of $36,480.62.
Details: This covers classroom rocking chairs (noted as standard equipment for elementary school reading circles) and specialized office furniture for a consolidated nurse's space to house a part-time/substitute nurse. It also funds outdoor cafeteria picnic tables and benches.
Funding Source: Transferred directly from the project's technology budget line, which has a surplus.
Norton School
Amount: Approved an increase of $27,020.78.
Details: Covers identical classroom FF&E items. However, it is cheaper than the North End because Norton is relocating four existing owner-provided memorial benches rather than purchasing new ones.
Funding Source: Transferred directly out of the Norton owner's contingency fund.
3. New Purchase Orders: Specialized School Kits
The committee voted on a slate of new minor FF&E procurement requests, including classroom flags (confirmed to be made in the USA) and safety equipment.
Stop the Bleed Kits: The committee highlighted a bittersweet state legislative mandate requiring "Stop the Bleed" battlefield-style tourniquet kits in public schools. The administration and local police department are actively training school staff on how to use them.
North End Approval: Approved $34,249.26 (funded by shifting $24,249.26 from the technology line).
Norton School Approval: Approved $33,624.61 (funded from the owner's contingency).
4. The "Silence" on Open-Ended Allowances & Book Bins
The $30,000 Janitorial Allowance (Tabled by Silence)
Emily provided a draft motion allowing Vin and the maintenance staff a blanket $30,000 allowance from the owner's contingency for miscellaneous facilities supplies (such as wax, soap, and bleach) to get the schools operational.
The Issue: The line item lacked any specific itemized breakdown. Because these commodities are generally state-reimbursement ineligible, committee members expressed severe hesitation. One member noted that open-ended allowances have a "tendency to creep up to the maximum" without accountability.
The Outcome: When the Chairman asked if anyone wanted to introduce the motion, the room remained completely silent. No motion was made, and the item died without a vote. The committee requested that Vin provide an itemized breakdown of commodities before they will authorize funding.
The Book Bin Emergency
A late request was introduced on behalf of the teaching staff regarding plastic book bins for classroom libraries.
Teachers use roughly 2,500 bins per building to sort books by genre and reading level.
While teachers have mismatched bins of varying quality, the administration wants standardized bins for a clean aesthetic.
Marlene received an Amazon quote for $8,721.60, but because it arrived only three hours prior and had not been vetted or split equitably between the two distinct school budgets, the committee could not legally craft a motion to vote on it. The issue will be pushed to the June 11th meeting.
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