Board of Education

Middletown Public Schools -Board of Education BOE Facilities Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 5:30 PM (Virtual) The meeting was called to order at 5:33 PM by Chairperson Deborah Cain, was held virtually on Zoom and streamed on YouTube. Present: Deborah Cain (Chairperson), Peter Staye (Facilities Director), John Giuliano (Snow School Building Superintendent), Vinnie Loffredo (Community Member), Dan Penney (Community Member), David Bauer, Ray Linehan from BOE IT and Committee Secretary Leslie Spatola (Board of Ed Facilities). I. Introductions II. Review of the May 26, 2021 Meeting Minutes The meeting scheduled for May 26, 2021 was cancelled. There were no minutes. III. Update on Macdonough Feasibility Study – M. Gaylord Mr. Loffredo inquired to see if the feasibility study had been completed for the Macdonough Elementary School. Mr. Stayed replied the final report has not been issued and DAS meeting at the school was cancelled and not yet been rescheduled – everything is on hold at this time. IV. Status of the Beman Middle School Construction Project – P. Staye Mr. Staye stated that the Beman School was opened on schedule with work continuing in the Auditorium and the eastern portion of the site. A wall has to be built on the remaining side of the old Woodrow Wilson Middle School before the site work can be completed. Completion of the Auditorium was delayed due to difficulties manufacturing the theatrical clouds (ceiling mounted sound absorbing panels). The painting will continue through October as well as resolution of punch list items. All staff will report any short comings through an email address established specifically for that reason. Work orders are then generated to O & G who then can complete the work and close it out. Mechanically the building is working well with the biggest problem being the PA which is being balanced. Start-up of the kitchen equipment was difficult with the problem originating from an orifice that was too small in 2 out of the 4 ovens. The library shelving and chairs have not yet been delivered but have used other available furniture in the meantime. Mr. Staye’s efforts were commended and thanked by the Committee and Mrs. Spatola, secretary all for all his hard work, coordination and completion of this extensive project. He noted that opening a school is a team effort and work will continue for several months. Other projects that were completed during the summer were replacing floors in Middletown High School (chorus, band, main office, two classrooms and a stairway) and Lawrence School library and surrounding rooms, and Wesley classrooms. LVT tile, which doesn’t need wax or stripping, was installed.  - Page 2 - V. Update of Snow and Farm Hill Roofing Projects – P. Staye Mr. Staye has received approval from the State of Connecticut to go out to bid for Farm Hill School in January 2022 with the expectation that the work will be completed next summer 2022. We are currently waiting from the State for the Snow School application as well as the approval for the roof and PV solar panels. The Board is working with the Forestry division and General Council to get this done in a proper way. Mr. Loffredo stated that David Bauer, John Giuliano, and he are on the Farm Hill Roof Committee. VI. Miscellaneous Chairperson Cain asked how the staffing issues has been with the Facilities Department which has 2 custodial positions and an accounting position vacant. Currently the list of temporary custodians has been exhausted and there needs to be another working list to help fill these empty spots. Mr. Loffredo asked if there are any plans in place for the now vacant, Keigwin Middle School. There are no immediate plans for general reuse of the building beyond intermittent use by music programs and Park and Rec. Chairperson Cain made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:02 PM and it was seconded by Mr. Penney. The next BOE Facilities Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at 5:30 PM via Zoom. Minutes recorded by Leslie A. Spatola, Leslie A. Spatola Facilities Committee Recording Secretary