| Agenda: | Zoom Agenda for Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021
6:00 p.m. at Zoom Meeting
School Building Committee
Fisher Hill Elementary School - Addition/Renovation Project
Team Members: Chairman Bruce Scherer, Patti Byrnes, Christopher Dodge, Chrislyn Newton, Michele Tontodonato,
George Hunt, Sara Lyman, Ryan Mailloux, Alexandre Schwanz, Dianne Salcedo, Josefa Scherer, Patricia Smith,
Kate Fausett, Susan Apteker, Supt. Liz Zeilinski & Town Administrator Gabe Voelker
PLEASE NOTE: THIS MEETING WILL BE A VIRTUAL MEETING ONLY. VISIT:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86270740035
Time Activity Action Required Facilitator
6:00 Call Meeting to Order Chair Scherer
Approve Minutes of 01/21/21 SBC Vote Chair & Secretary
- 60% CD Design update- Fisher Hill Information and
discussion. * Hill/RDA
- 60% CD – Estimate report
- SBC vote to submit 60% CD to MSBA
SBC Vote Hill/RDA
- Construction progress Report Information and
discussion. * Hill/RDA
- Solar Array
- EV Charging stations
SBC Vote RDA
- Con Com Replication area Information and
discussion. * SBC
- Other items of business as may be
required. SBC
- Adjourn
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∗ The purpose of this agenda item is to present the current information to the SBC, so the design team can
hear your thoughts and suggestions and incorporate them into the final design.
This agenda reflects topics that the Chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed.
Future Meeting Dates: 03/18/21
SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE ZOOM MEETING MINUTES -
JANUARY 21, 2021
Digital Meeting, via Zoom.
Meeting Date January 21, 2021
Submitted by Matthew Sturz – Hill Intl.
Submitted date February 11, 2021
Members present* Name Voting Role
X Christopher Dodge Dexter Park Principal
X Chrislyn Newton V Dexter Park Teacher
Alexandre Schwanz V School Committee
X Michele Tontodonato Director of Finance
George Hunt Orange Finance Committee
X Sara Lyman V Community Member
Ryan Mailloux V Orange Select board
X Patti Byrnes V Community Member
X Dianne Salcedo V Orange School Committee
X Bruce Scherer V Community Member
X Josefa Scherer V Community Member/Parent
X Gabriele Voelker V Town Administrator
Patricia Smith V Ralph C. Mahar School Committee
X Dr. Elizabeth Zielinski Superintendent of Schools
Stephanie Conrod V School Committee Chairwoman
Susan Apteker V Community Member
X Kate Cormier V Community Member
Bob Michaud HVAC sub-committee member
X John Bartecchi RDA - Estimator Manager
X Martin Goulet Hill International Inc. Sr. Project Manager
X Gene Raymond RDA – Principal Architect
X Paul Kalous Hill International, Project Director
X Matthew Sturz Hill International, Asst. Project Manager
X Steven Lamothe RDA – Head of Design
Jefferey Yost RDA – Project Manager
X Nick Deveau RDA – Project Architect Committee Member
Agenda Item #1
Subject Approval of 12/17/20 SBC Meeting Minutes
General Discussion A motion was made and seconded to approve the Minutes of the
12/17/2020 School Building Committee Meeting.
Motion Passed by roll call vote, Unanimous
Agenda Item #2
Subject Hill Update on Early Works Package Construction
General Discussion Hill provided a status update on the Early Works Package Construction
project:
- Construction fencing is installed
- Erosion control measures and tree removal are in progress
The SBC inquired what was happening with the trees that were removed.
Hill responded that some that were suitable would be sold for timber, while
the bulk of the pine would be chipped and likely sold to the Westminster
power plant.
Agenda Item #3
Subject RDA Introductions, Design Activities and Updates
General Discussion RDA introduced a new team member, Steve Lamothe, who is RDA’s Head
of Design. Steve contributed to some of the advancements RDA made to the
building that were shown for SBC feedback at the meeting.
RDA provided an overview of design activities and decisions during the past
month:
- The 60% Drawing Package is complete.
- Construction has begun for the Early Works Package scope,
including the access road area and stockpiling zones.
- The next formal submission to the MSBA will be February 15, 2021;
RDA will advise them regarding what has changed in the design, and
present a narrative regarding the use of color in the building.
- RDA reviewed the plans extensively to identify any code issues, and
to improve the building façade wherever possible.
RDA’s presentation focused on two items: specific plan changes, and “color
theory” ideas for how to use color throughout the building.
Plan Revisions
Plan revisions included:
- Revisions at the exam/isolation room egress, so that the exit would
become visible from the bottom of the stairwell.
- Family Resource Center now has an additional egress-only door to
meet code requirements.
- Both the Cafetorium and Music Room are spaces which, per floor
area calculations used by the building code, would require more
egress doors than shown. RDA has proposed posting a maximum
occupancy number in compliance with the code, as this would both
eliminate the need for more egress doors and actually align with how
the spaces would be used by students. RDA showed their proposed
egress door locations in the event that they are asked to provide
more exits to comply with code.
The SBC asked for signage to be added at the Family Resource Center
egress-only door indicating that it was an Emergency Exit only.
Color Theory
RDA described some early thoughts regarding the use of color in the
building, soliciting SBC feedback before presenting to the MSBA.
- RDA proposed breaking the whole building down into “zones” defined
by an identity, theme, or accent color.
- Extended Learning Areas (ELA’s) and common areas would receive
a blend of different themes and/or accents.
- The Admin suite would be all designated “common space” and be
treated accordingly.
RDA showed diagrams indicating how the above items would work across
each of the different grade levels and common spaces throughout the
building. RDA also suggested that some spaces could be carpeted where
appropriate for acoustical attenuation and to support activities such as story
time that might occur in those spaces (Media Center). Some SBC members
suggested that, in their experience, products have improved dramatically in
the last few years and do seem to have a positive effect on room acoustics.
Some suggested themes included the Beaver Pond, Rainforest, etc.
The SBC agreed to establish a Subcommittee to study interior colors,
materials, and finishes. RDA indicated that, while there was plenty of time to
study these details, they would need to be defined before bidding the project
since the material selections would impact project cost. Ceiling materials
would want to be decided by the completion of 90% Documents.
Agenda Item #4
Subject Exterior Building Changes
General Discussion RDA showed exterior views to describe changes to the building envelope.
Key changes included:
- The overhang at the Extended Learning Deck was eliminated.
- Façade changes above the main entrance to introduce glass curtain
wall and establish a more modern “identity” for the school.
The SBC asked about the potential for glare due to these changes, and what
impact these might have on the overall energy efficiency of the building.
RDA responded that a consultant is performing energy modeling and will
provide that info to the SBC, but likely this would not be as efficient as smaller
punched openings. There is not much potential for glare, as this part of the
building faces north.
The SBC also asked whether the technology existed to install solar-
generating windows. RDA and Hill responded that the technology exists, but
may not be cost-effective for a north facing window.
Agenda Item #5
Subject Discussion of Project Involvement with Wetland Reclamation
Discussion Hill explained that if the Town decides they wish to provide any material or
funding for the Wetland Reclamation, this will need to be included in the
project Documents.
The SBC responded that their position was that they were not going to
instruct Hill to include this, unless the Town / Conservation Commission
instructed differently. It was discussed that the main requirement is that the
Conservation Commission is satisfied with the result. The SBC will pursue
this activity as a community building effort, and this matter will be revisited at
the next SBC meeting.
Agenda Item #6
Subject Discussion of Proposed Repairs to Dexter St. Extension
Discussion Hill, relaying a conversation with RDA pertaining to the Early Works Package
work, suggested adding repaving Dexter St. Extension to the project as an
Alternate. The SBC was open to considering this idea; Hill will add this to the
agenda as a topic for discussion at next month’s SBC Meeting.
Agenda Item #7
Subject Adjourn
Discussion The meeting was adjourned at ~7:22pm |