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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-08-28-PBC-min.pdf TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS PERMANENT BUILDING COMMITTEE Minutes of Thursday August 28 1997 Meeting in Room 111 , Town Office Building, as approved September 16, 1997 The meeting was called to order at 7 50 a m by Chairman Bruckman after a futile search for a larger room to accommodate the large group, who included other committee members Johnson, Kelley, and Poinelli , as well as project manager D'Avignon and Director of School Buildings Operation Moynihan Also attending were HMFH representatives John Miller, Dorthea Hayes , Philip Lewis and Deborah Collins as well as Peter Bradley of Daedalus estimators and TMP representatives Mike Spence, Roger Wardwell , Craig Hergenrother, Jud Traub, Brian McCormick and Kevin Alles Chairman Bruckman explained that TMP personnel had been invited to tell why engineering cost estimates had come in significantly higher than expected from the Master Plan study Architect Lewis talked of refine- ments and changes in scope, some quite necessary He also noted that the focus of the Master Plan study was on educational planning and Archetype figures (updated, with additions included) were inserted in the Master Plan estimates With the detailed analysis of each building in the spreadsheets used in current estimates more realistic estimates could be made However, there clearly is a conflict between political and architectural realities , and the current cost estimates have shocked Schematic estimates have provided the first good handle on costs Mechanical costs of approximately $3 8 million for all elementary schools could be shaved by about 9 percent or $1 per square foot by reduction in scope such as replacement of only half of the boilers Univentilators are about 30 to 42 years old and would need gutting at minimum The $10/square foot cost might go to $9 in design development Commented that the numbers carried in the Archetype report , guided by a "repair it" mentality and were way too low, especially in the high school ($5 00 a square foot) Another possible saving might be attained by cutting out conversion to gas service for heating Moynihan noted later that bringing gas service to the high school (from Marrett Road) would cost $50,000 and that the cost to convert all schools to gas would run about $300 ,000 to $400 ,000 About $100 ,000 could be saved by replacing steam traps and not replacing the univents At Clarke a hydronic system is planned for the new addition and retro- fitting for the existing electric heat pumps , which were donated by the electric company only four years ago, and has raised many questions about economy of operation Air conditioning has been recommended for auditoriums at the middle schools Is this a "luxury item"? Delay in replacing equipment could save money now, but might cost more later if state reimbursement is not available Moynihan questioned boiler and heating plant cost figures and what was included in each estimate component He expressed preference for steam systems rather than converting to hot water At Diamond the engineers have planned for a hydronic stem in the library enlargement but that steam be extended to the new wing Moynihan posed a comparison with recent work on the Harrington heating plant Mechanical estimates are coming in today for the high school without generators Battery packs i are now being used for emergency exit lighting PBC Minutes of 8/28/97 - Page 2 Plumbing engineers told that any piping and fittings from the ' 40s to the ' 60s could contain lead and would require at minimum lead level checking The most common problem in old plumbing was described as leaking and wearing out of valves Highest plumbing costs were found in the oldest schools , and all schools are in need of new water intake service Noted that phasing might affect costs, this has not been taken into account presently Both general conditions and escalations will add to costs Individual schools will have to be phased due to the small size of each addition Electrical overall costs were deemed in line, with a few up and down adjustments of details Lighting systems for classrooms were discussed in terms of costs and merits Indirect/direct lighting was deemed optimal for classrooms Deep set parabolic lighting, commonly found in office buildings , would cost about $180 ,000 less if installed in all six elementary schools Engineer Alles was asked by the committee to explore if an el-ectric company rebate program would be available for the project Intrusion alarm systems would be needed mostly in the high school , possibly also a motion detection system Money could be saved by not replacing systems existing in gymnasiums Concluding the discussion on generators , the committee determined that small propane generators would be required for emergencies only Engineers were instructed to go with battery packs for all schools except for the three elementary schools that now have generators No replacements will be done at the high and middle schools At Hastings the electrical system was only partially replaced and two original panels and much original equipment such as main switch still are there Furthermore the generator is not connected to all emergency fixtures In addition, more electric service needs to be brought into the building than now is By code, fire alarm upgrade will be needed, however, there will be no gym lighting or communications replacements At Clarke new technology will affect the communication system At Diamond TMP recommends replacement of all systems due to their age Moynihan agreed, but also protested the piecemeal manner of presenta- tion Chairman Bruckman called for grouping related items across classifications and net savings reported for substitutions or reductions in scope Architects promised refinement of schematic cost estimates with full design development Chairman requested a list by the weekend, with cost estimates incorporating committee decisions for next Tuesday ( September 3) meeting By September 5 there must be a book for each school with existing condition spreadsheets (these without cost figures , which would be confusing) , one mounted set of drawings , a set of drawings for each PBC member and Moynihan The color set for the public should also be mounted After departure of the visitors , the committee discussed recent ques- tions that came up in meetings with Selectmen and Comptroller Ryan Question arose about the imperativeness of the $83 million cost figure, and need for sprinklers Agreed to begin the September 2 meeting at 5 p m Adjourned at 10 45 a m GRespectfully submitted, Pi afr2---- Secretary