HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-09-17-PBC-min.pdf TOWN OF LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS
PERMANENT BUILDING COMMITTEE
Minutes of Tuesday Sentember 17 2002 meeting in the Selectmen s Meeting Room.
The meeting was called to order at 7 10 p.m. by PBC Chairman Kelley with other members
Johnson, Oldenburg (for Design Advisory Committee during part of the meeting on schools)
Poinelli and Sperandio present. Also attending were PBC staff, Project Manager/Owner's
Representative Bill Kealy, and Clerk of the Works Gary Kaczmarek. Harrington parents
attending included PTA co-President Judy Crocker and Barry Glass. TLCR architects presenting
Design Development estimates were Todd Lee, Carol Marsh and Santiago Rozas.
Distributed by TLCR was a three-page Agenda including budget summary H-1 and memo on
recommended changes to bring the project into budget.
Geotechnical investigations are 70 percent complete, Todd Lee reported. These appear to be
`thoroughly normal," with water eight to ten feet below the surface. When asked if these borings
were related to geothermal wells, Lee noted that these were for the building itself. Geothermal
wells require deeper boring.
Up-to-date Design Develonment drawing sets have been produced and the architects inquired
how many sets would be needed by whom and at what size. Five or six sets will be produced
including one for the Enablement Committee. PBC member Poinelli offered to review the
drawings and specifications.
Adjustments to come within budget aroused little comment, except for the last item on
geothermal extension of heat pump temperature control and the location of storm water detention
on the site. Poinelli added a plea not to cut significantly on the quality of construction. He also
observed that bids on public projects he has been involved with have been bidding below
estimates. Lee assured that Daedalus' data are derived from recent experience. Among changes
to meet budget were exterior change to jumbo size bricks, switch from metal to high quality
asphalt shingle roof, reductions in skylights, glass partitions, height of ceramic tile in bathrooms,
switch from wood to plastic laminate facing on most casework.
The feasibility of geothermal source for heat-pump temperature control and water detention drew
the most comment from those attending. Generally, use of recreational areas for water detention
met disfavor, rather than detention galleries originally planned beneath parking areas. The
geothermal alternative needs further data to be obtained by a geohydrologist. Lee said there is
money in the consultant budget to pay the $10,000 needed for a consultant to investigate the
feasibility of geothermal wells. Asked if state reimbursement will be possible for this. The
geothermal consideration comes into play because the School Committee voted that the
Harrington School should be air-conditioned.
Elementary school playground structure for the new Harrington appears to be missing, the
architects admitted, upon examining the budget and plans following close questioning by Mrs.
Crocker. Concluding budget discussion, it was speculated that a potential for a$700,000 budget
PBC Minutes of September 17 2002 -page 2
shortfall could exist. However, the architects questioned whether the school would need
emergency generator to the extent of$60,000 now budgeted, unless the school is designated an
emergency shelter. The architects promised to have more information on water detention,
geothermal feasibility and also to look ahead toward Fiske schematics and estimated schedule so
that project could be submitted to the state in January of 2003
Design Development acceptance was requested by the architects. Moved by Poinelli, seconded
by Johnson that the committee accept Design Development drawings and specifications for
design intent, subject to further cost implications and overall budget considerations; VOTED by
the committee. The architects promised more data on geothermal feasibility and water detention
at the next meeting in two weeks (Wednesday October 2).
Library discussion continued for another hour.
Stucco wall system decision has not been made. Last Friday Richard White inspected the job and
plans. He was critical of what flashing he observed and said that the membrane beneath the
stucco was not thick enough. Earlier this day a Sto representative visited the job. He noted that
the 15 pound cell paper against the building (for expansion)that is now specified in the plans is
not recommended for the wall product. Instead he recommended his firm's "PowerWall
system, with layers of sheathing, furring and membrane. In addition, flashing at all openings
such as windows is important. Dacor air block is waterproof and at least water repellent and
cheaper than Durock. The accumulation of condensate is the problem inside the outer walls. A
proposal is needed tomorrow Architect Sturm will be coming up with a recommendation for the
Sto Power Wall. Clerk of the Works Kaczmarek recommended that the architects give more
indication of flashing to keep the walls dry, especially at the junction between the stucco upper
and the lower stone sections. Committee informally corroborated this recommendation. The
committee also disfavored installation of stucco under conditions of temporary heat in cold
weather. It was noted that temporary heat (only to the degree required for building materials and
not for workmen's comfort) is at best uneven.
Late submittals particularly by contractor Alexandra were noted, with all aspects of the job
starting and progressing tardily Lack of sufficient building envelope against winter conditions
was especially lamented. Another example of foot dragging: engineers were not on the job until
this day Both architects and the contractor are project problems, PBC staff reported. Committee
member Oldenburg said he will sketch a wall joint plan for the new wall system at the
forthcoming project meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
ata---' A we__.,
Erna S. Greene, Secretary