HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-23-PBC-minTOWN OF LEXINGTON
Permanent Building Committee
Permanent Members
Jon Himmel Co -Chairman Charles Favazzo Co -Chairman
Peter Johnson, Celis Brisbin, Elizabeth Giersbach, Frederick Merrill, Ian Adamson
Associate Members: Wendy Krum, Henrietta Mei
PBC Minutes for the meeting held on: 01-23-25
Meeting was held hybrid via Zoom
Members Present:
Jon Himmel, Elizabeth Giersbach, Charles Favazzo, Frederick Merrill, Celis Brisbin, Henrietta Mei, Wendy
Krum
Others Present:
Joe Pato, David Kanter, Mark Barrett Mike Cronin
SMMA and D&W and Turner:
Michael Burton, Christina Dell Angelo, Jacob Greco, Brian Black, M. Kalisz, Sophia Auren, T. Faust, Anoush
Krafian, Dan Scholler
Call to Order PBC Meeting
The PBC Meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm and roll call was taken.
Discuss meeting minute format
The discussion focused on the method of recording meeting minutes for the Permanent Building Committee
(PBC). The current method involves an AI -based approach, which some members found less effective. As
they highlighted all the conversation and didn't necessarily highlight issues, and resolutions. The idea of
using Procore, was discussed. It was discussed that Procore could be used for action items and concise
notes, with the recording serving as a reference for the dialogue -based notes. However, there were concerns
about who would take ownership of the meeting minutes, with some suggesting that the PBC could manage
this. It was decided to have a separate discussion with DPF to clarify the process and ensure compliance with
meeting minute rules. Dore & Whittier would continue the discussion with Turner as well, on the use of
Procore.
Lexington High School Project Issue Introductions (Add/Reno Fieldhouse scope & Constructability,
Floor to Floor & Ceiling Heights, and Mass Timber vs. Structural Steel)
Brian Black provided an update on the add/reno fieldhouse scope of the Lexington High School Project. The
highlights included the ongoing meetings regarding the appropriate space allocations for the field house and a
precise study of the field house building, with the goal of determining the programmatic needs for the field
house.
Sophia Auren, the structural engineer, explained how the roof structure would be analyzed and discussed the
code considerations, noting that there were no indications that it was unsafe.
Sophia Auren reported that the dome might take 2 to 2.5 pounds per square foot for the solar panels but a full
analysis would be needed.
Action Item: Celis Brisbin will forward the information regarding the weight allowed on the dome for the solar
update to Sustainable Lexington.
Mike Burton reported that an initial construction cost estimate was received from Turner Construction, and
another meeting would be held to go through the cost.
M. Kalisz provided an overview of the sustainability of mass timber, including the environmental, economic,
and human benefits and the red list of substances to be avoided. Sophia Auren reviewed the differences
between mass timber and structural steel, including the advantages and disadvantages of mass timber, as
well as the types of mass timber. T. Faust reviewed the embodied carbon study options, which reviewed the
carbon reduction and LEED impacts. He also reviewed the cost estimate considerations for different options
that utilized different amounts of mass timber, which ranged from $2 million to use mass timber in targeted
areas to $24 million for the entire structure.
The Board discussed the use of mass timber in the schools and the potential advantages and downsides. Lisa
Giersbach suggested using wood as the finish to help bring warmth to the building.
Mike Burton reported that they were working on getting feedback from all the groups and more would be
known about pricing after working with the estimators on June 4.
T. Faust reviewed the floor -to -floor heights and ceiling heights. It was noted that the current meeting was to
introduce the issue, and the discussion would be held on March 13, with the confirmation occurring on March
27. The highlights included that the range of floor -to -floor heights was from 14 feet to 16 feet and that the
bigger drivers were the fan coil unit and duct units in the hallways. He reviewed examples of recent projects
from other high schools and discussed mechanical considerations and schematic design considerations,
noting that the 16'-0" floor to floor was carried as a slightly conservative assumption and that there could be
additional restrictions with mass timber beams due to them needing to be deeper than steel beams.
The Board discussed the existing average ceiling heights in classrooms and the overall height of the building.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Urgent Business
The design team had not yet updated the master document based on the comments from the prior meeting.
Jon Himmel asked for a draft outline for the following PBC and SBC meetings. Mike Burton presented the
SBC and PBC timelines.
Jon Himmel asked for SMMA to put together a PowerPoint package for SBC meetings.
It was clarified that the sequence and dates would not be adjusted, but the intent was to review the
information ahead of meetings with SBC.
Mike Burton reported that the workplan was incorporated into the overall schedule, and the charts and graphs
would also be incorporated. Christina Dell Angelo noted that the Article 97 changes also had to be updated in
the schedule.
Community involvement was discussed. Christina Dell Angelo noted that another direct door mailer for those
within 1,000 feet of the school would be sent for the next community meeting, and there would be a
presentation at a town meeting.
Motion to adjourn, all approved.