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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-04-25 School Committee MinutesREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR SESSION MINUTES APRIL 25, 1994 CALL TO ORDER Chair Roberta D'Antona called the regular School Committee meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. in the Pupil Personnel Office. All members were present. Also present were Superintendent Robert J. Munnelly, Assistant Superintendent Dennis Richards, Architect David Finney, School Building Chair Russell Graham, Eaton Elementary School Principal Donald Farnham and a report- er from the Chronicle. AWARD OF GENERAL CONTRACTOR BID FOR CONSTRUCTION OF JOSHUA EATON Dr. Munnelly recommended that the Castagna Construction Corporation of Newburyport be awarded the general construction contract for Joshua Eaton renovations and additions. Dr. Munnelly advised the School Committee that the Building Committee wants to rebid the roof bid. However, Town Counsel has advised the School Committee to award the contract to the lowest bidder including the low plumbing bidder. Mr. Graham explained the School Building Committee was reacting to the lowest bid, which was $50,000 higher than they had expected. He pointed out that they were without the benefit of Town Counsel when they were discussing the bid. Mr. Finney pointed out that in the current construction climate, it is likely that the bids would be higher if the project were rebid. School Committee member Timothy Twomey asked for an explana- tion of the Castagna Corporation's work on the Town Hall Pro- ject. Dr. Munnelly indicated that delays occurred in the project because of poor communication and because of the complexity of the project. There were many opportunities for potential breakdowns because of the nature of the project. He added that performance and payment bonds will be required and if there is a strong clerk of the works and if the architect is heavily involved in supervision of the project, the expectation is that the general contractor will not fall behind schedule. There was a discussion of the need for a clerk of the works on the Joshua Eaton Construction Project. Mr. Shannon commented that he was not ready to consider a second full time clerk of the works. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES 2 APRIL 25, 1994 Mr. Shannon also questioned why the School Committee was being asked to approve selection of a contractor who did not show up on time and did not stay on schedule. Dr. Munnelly responded that he felt Castagna Corporation was not totally to blame for the delays and that there would be potential legal ramifications if the School Committee decided not to award the contract to the lowest bidder. Mr. Shannon requested that the Town Manager write a letter indicating that he was pleased with Castagna Corporation's work on the Town Hall Project. In response to Mr. Cummings' question, Russell Graham indicated that if Castagna Corporation was properly supervised he has a level of comfort that Castagna will complete the pro- ject on time. The Superintendent recommended that the School Committee award the bid to Castagna Construction Corporation, 65 Parker Street, Newburyport, MA 01950, for the general construction contract for the Joshua Eaton Elementary School in the amount of $3,391,000. This amount includes all alternate bids, the award of the roof bid to the second lowest bidder, namely the Judd Construction Co., and in sufficient monies for either alternative adjudication on the protest on plumbing subbid being heard by the Attorney General's Office. George Shannon moved to accept the Superintendent's recommend- ation. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Dr. Munnelly mentioned that the Finance Committee restored an additional $25,000 to the school department budget. A1).Tni 1RN At 7:25 p.m. Thomas Stohlman moved to adjourn. Matthew Cummings seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Susan Cavicchi Matthew Cummings Roberta D'Antona George Shannon Thomas Stohlman Timothy Twomey Res ny Su RM Robert I Munnelly, Ed. D. Superintendent Of Schools Secretary To The School Committee