Farmington Committee Approves Minutes, Sparks Joy with Construction Updates

A black and white stipple illustration of a formal committee meeting in progress, featuring a main speaker addressing the room. Papers and microphones are on the table, with a backdrop showing the Farmington High School construction site.
Farmington Committee Meeting Highlights Key Updates and Future Plans

Farmington, CT—On July 18, 2024, the Farmington Committee met at Town Hall to discuss ongoing projects and future plans for our town. The meeting provided important updates on the Farmington High School construction project and other community improvements.

The session began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the approval of the minutes from the June 19-24 meetings, which passed without any amendments.

Public Comments and Correspondence

There were no public comments, as no residents attended in person or virtually. The committee reminded residents to use the website’s contact page for any questions or comments.

Reports and Announcements

Key updates were presented during the meeting:

  • Board of Education Liaison Report: Ellen Siuta announced that Scott Hurwitz, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, will be resigning effective August 16, 2024, to take a position in his hometown of Glastonbury. “Scott Hurwitz will be greatly missed. His contributions have been invaluable,” said Siuta.
  • Architect and Construction Manager Reports: Christopher Fagan, Architect, and Nelson K. Nelson, Construction Manager, reported significant progress on the Farmington High School project:
    • Demolition Progress: The demolition phase is nearly complete, and the site is prepared for further development.
    • Main Concourse: Near completion, with final cleaning underway.
    • Gym: Bleachers and flooring are installed, and projection screens are being added.
    • Kitchen and Culinary Spaces: Equipment installation is nearly finished, with health department inspections scheduled for next week.
    • Auditorium: Stage rigging has started, with seats expected next week.
    • Parking Lots: North and South parking lots are paved, and preparations for a new gravel lot to ease parking congestion are underway.
    • Furniture Deliveries: Test deliveries began this past Monday, with a significant influx expected next week.
    • Commissioning and Testing: Various systems, including HVAC and fire alarms, are undergoing final testing and balancing.

Infrastructure and Renovation Plans

Further updates included ongoing and future infrastructure projects:

  • Traffic Signal Changes: A proposal has been issued for traffic signal changes at the Monteith Drive and Route 4 intersection.
  • Greenhouse and Shared Spaces: Plans for the greenhouse and shared spaces are advancing, with proposal requests to be sent out later this week.
  • Old High School and Police Department Renovations: Renovations of the central office area of the old high school and town police departments are progressing, with abatement work wrapping up soon and mass demolition continuing.

Financial Approvals and Change Orders

The committee approved several financial items and change orders:

  • Monthly Invoice Package: $3,818,000 for construction-related expenses.
  • Independent Material Testing: $30,000 for various testing services.
  • Arcadis Invoice: $50,000 for project management services.
  • PCO 128-132: A series of project change orders totaling $150,000 for various updates, including a new ship’s ladder and upgraded auditorium equipment.

Future Meetings and Closing Remarks

The meeting concluded with a brief discussion on planning for future committee meetings and an open invitation for final comments or questions.

In closing, we extend our gratitude to Farmington Storage for their continued support. Located at 155 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington Storage offers convenient and reliable storage solutions. For more information, visit their location or call 860.777.4001.

Stay tuned to We Are Farmington for further updates on these projects and more community news.

-JB-

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