Board approves ladder and roof-blocking change orders as contractor updates project timeline

Contractor representatives updated the Wilton Comm School District board on progress and remaining issues for the multi-building construction project and secured board approval for two change orders addressing safety and roof drainage.

The team told the board winter-condition costs totaled roughly $27,000 and outlined pending change orders, including Change Order B to add an interior vertical ladder and roof hatch priced at about $11,332.53. Board members voted to approve that individual consent item during the meeting.

The contractor also presented Change Order Request Number 25, a $17,128.35 item for added roof blocking, raised drains and connections intended to ensure proper drainage and avoid water pooling near the new pre-engineered metal building. The board approved that request after discussion about how the work will reduce long-term maintenance and pooling risks.

On the shop building, the board heard that an oversight in the original prefab design produced a door opening too small for agricultural equipment; the contractor said the vendor must re-engineer the opening, a process that includes re-estimating and engineering review and could delay completion of the shop portion though classrooms and other spaces continue to progress.

When asked about contingency exposure for the current change orders, the contractor said, "I would say it will surprise me if there is more than 10,000 added to that," indicating the team expects most items to fit within existing contingency planning. Board members discussed timing, with one member preferring to wait until April for some pavement work estimates to firm up and another noting contractors are not scheduled to be onsite for that work immediately.

The board also discussed mechanical and roofing coordination issues (including potential reductions in welding-shop roof penetrations) and requested budget crosswalks and updated spreadsheets for the next meeting. The meeting record shows the two change orders approved under consent items and an instruction to continue coordination between the district and contractor.