Building committee hears project updates, approves contractor amendments and invoices

The HBACIAQ building committee met June 5, 2026, to review progress on phase‑one school projects and to vote on several contract amendments and invoices.

Committee members were updated that spring 2026 HVAC balancing has begun at Fairfield Woods, with Vanzel and ABS performing work this week and weekly coordination calls scheduled on Tuesdays to resolve cooling issues as the weather warms. A presenter said the balancing is expected to finish by next week, with the cooling side running a little quicker than heating work.

Mark reported that fire‑alarm equipment has been delivered to Fairfield Public Schools (FPS) and that the alarm work will be scheduled for the summer; final commissioning is planned after cooling systems have operated long enough to allow run‑time verification. On commissioning timing, Mark said the work will likely occur in July so the systems can operate before the one‑year anniversary of substantial completion.

The committee spent significant time on North Stratfield, where Mark described financial and performance problems with the roofing subcontractor. "Our roofer is in a lot of trouble right now financially," Mark said, adding the town is withholding retainage and, in some cases, paying vendors directly that the subcontractor has not paid. To protect warranty coverage, Mark said he and Miguel will approach Suprema directly to close out the manufacturer warranty even if the subcontractor is no longer able to complete closeout obligations. The committee was told the remaining roof punchlist items are mostly cosmetic and that the stair tower at North Stratfield was removed for security reasons; Louisa, the school principal, said she had no complaints about building conditions.

On mechanical equipment, Mark said three new rooftop units (RTUs) are expected at the vendor yard next week and that crews will schedule lifting and installation over the summer when students are not on site; ABS will reconnect controls so the units should be ready for the first day of school.

Osborne was reported to have balancing ongoing with Vanzel and a door rework (Door 160) scheduled to begin June 17 and take about a week; the schedule is timed to avoid noise impacts on summer camp. Tomlinson remains on track for summer demolition and staging, with major equipment staged in warehouse storage and trades meetings continuing.

Financial actions: the committee approved two Vanzel amendments (referred to in the meeting as amendments one and two) totaling $4,910. The committee also approved Gilbane invoices for May (committee reported a combined total of $615,336.36 for multiple Gilbane invoices covering Osborne, North Stratfield, Fairfield Woods and Tomlinson) and accepted a BL Company invoice for Tomlinson dated 5/31/2026 in the amount of $1,550. Motions were moved and seconded in the meeting and the chair called the votes; no opposition was recorded on those items.

The group discussed a previously reported leaky stage pipe; BL located the leak and FPS repaired the steam pipe. Members agreed no further immediate action was necessary but noted the issue could reappear when boilers are next fired in November.

The committee closed the meeting by confirming the next meeting date of June 26, 2026, because the July 4 holiday altered the usual schedule.