01/19 (corrected) - Minutes - Community Center Project Committee - 01/11/2006

Freeport Community Center Building Committee Meeting
Freeport Middle School Library
January 11, 2006
6 p.m.

Attending: Jim Cassida, Peter Warren, Betsy Ruff, T.J. McDermott, Kenn Guimond, Tom Whelan, Bob Stevens and Austin Smith

Excused: Leslie Livingston, Brenda White and Lesa Andreasen


Chair Cassida explained that he scheduled this meeting because the committee hasn’t met for a while and a few decisions need to be made by the full committee.

Mr. Warren pointed out that there is some foundation in the ground and he plans to pour on Friday morning. This will be the second big wall pouring and there is one more scheduled after that.

Mr. Warren distributed a Prime Contract Audit dated 1/11/06 and pointed out that there have been four change orders to date that have been executed. The new contract total is now $1,854,042.82. He noted that job meetings are held every Friday at 9 a.m. There are times when Mr. Smith will attend but there may be times when Mr. Warren is unable to attend. When decisions need to be made, Mr. Smith and Mr. Cassida will be there regularly as well as Leslie.

Mr. Warren also distributed a CP List dated 1/03/06 and noted that the items marked “proceed” mean we are doing something with them. Anything listed as “cancelled” means we are not using them. He pointed out that CP-8—Add new heat and A/C to 2 houses is a change order and requires a signature. CP-13 needs a dollar value attached to it and awaiting review, it will either be cancelled or become a formal change order.

Mr. Warren noted that the committee tries to not get in a situation where it underestimates the amount. We had an allowance for ledge removal and we are okay with that. We should get money back for blasting. We allowed $10,000 for ledge removal and we spent $5,000 but this figure is not validated at this date. The allowance for foundation underpinning will also be okay. We haven’t done the stainless steel countertops, blown-in insulation or carpet. There is a change order for a site sign of $500 and we didn’t carry any money for it. Mr. Cassida noted that he felt comfortable signing the change order for the sign, without bringing it back to the committee.

CP-7 is cancelled because it is repeated in CP-9. They are one and the same. In CP-9 we changed the HVAC system to a VAV bypass system and added back in CP-10 Rough in radiant heat at slab in the Teen Center area. Mr. Smith pointed out that he asked Bennett Engineering for an explanation on why they designed the original system. The information will be forth coming. We have no boiler in the mechanical room now. It is all located on the roof. There will not be dramatic increases in operational costs.

In CP-11 there were unforeseen conditions. There is an 8” under-drain that runs through the middle of the site. It is very old and at some point it was hand dug. It is active so we now have two outfalls for the project. The location was documented but we had to move it over. This change was $2,700.

In CP-12 there will be no cost change.

CP-13 was requested by Leslie because Sally Emery wants windows down there for the Clothes Tree. The windows will be $1,500. Ms. Ruff noted that this needs to be done. Mr. Warren is assuming that the committee will want to do CP-13 and provided a picture of the windows to show the committee. Ms. Ruff noted that these windows would be helpful to a lot of people.

Mr. Warren was able to get a 5% credit from Marvin Windows as a gift in kind. He will add it back when he can put a dollar value to it—it’s possibly $1,500-$2,000.

Mr. Warren is in the process of putting a lumber order together and Downeast Lumber is interested in talking with us. He also plans to have conversations with Hancock Lumber and Hammond Lumber. After Hurricane Katrina, the price of lumber spiked but it is starting to stabilize and come down.

Mr. Cassida mentioned that we have had a $10,000 savings on insurance and $5,000 on ledge removal. The committee wasn’t really dealing with a heating system in the old houses. #55 needed a burner. In talking to Johnson and Jordan, if we want to have a new heating plant and air conditioning, now is the time to do it. All of the areas are being exposed. Mr. Smith and Mr. Warren designed a system for the buildings. Leslie felt that the buildings should have new heating systems and air conditioning. Four ten-ton units are being proposed. Mr. Warren and Mr. Guimond suspected that this might be too high. Mr. Guimond suggested that Mr. Warren have the engineers look at the tonnage on those large units. Mr. Warren offered to go back to Johnson and Jordan to review these and see if the amount can be reduced substantially. Ms. Ruff feels it would be too bad to not go ahead with new air conditioning in these buildings. More discussion followed.

MOVED AND SECONDED: If Mr. Warren can get somebody to
come back with an estimate under $50,000, then we as a group will
authorize Mr. Cassida to do the change over. (Cassida & Whalen)
VOTE: Unanimous.

Bennett has already been asked to comment on the design from Johnson and Jordan.

Mr. Warren asked committee members to keep Jim Plummer posted.

Mr. Warren wants to order all the equipment within two weeks. Schedule-wise, we are not where Mr. Warren would like to be. He’s hoping he can catch up with the unseasonably warm temperatures.

Mr. Smith noted that one selection of finishes has been made so far. He provided a sample of the color for the elevator cab to share with the committee. He noted that colors are subjective but he chose it.

Mr. Cassida anticipates that this committee will meet monthly. A notice will come from the Town Office.

Mr. Stevens mentioned that Louise Berlin is a new member of the Fundraising Meeting. Sue Jones is an environmental lawyer and is excited about the project, particularly the green roof and radiant heat. She is confident that she can raise some money so we can have this green roof. Discussion followed on the ways to do the green roof. Mr. Smith noted that $80,000 was the estimated cost but today he spoke to a representative and was quoted a price of $43,000. Alma Garnett called T.J. and advised that she could get a TPO roof for almost a quarter of the regular price if we can use it. She is located in California. Mr. Warren reviewed his estimates for roofing. Mr. Smith suggested scheduling a meeting at his office with everyone involved on Tuesday at 9 a.m.

Mr. Cassida mentioned a pot of money in Augusta for water quality improvement projects. There is $135,000 that needs to be committed and spent by September of ’06. Many of the people involved indicated that they didn’t think the benefit of the green roof was worth the money we were going to spend on it and were shocked at the cost. If the pitch were for less money, Mr. Cassida would be willing to try again.

Mr. Stevens asked Mr. Whelan to give Sue a green light to contact others but not the Alfonse Foundation. Mr. Warren asked if anyone is talking to J. L. Coombs and the Pearl family. Ms. Ruff replied no.

Mr. Cassida advised that the next meeting would be one month from today. The location is to be determined.

Mr. McDermott pointed out that FCS needs to get their food out of the building and are looking for a heated space. Mr. Guimond offered some space but advised that it is not on the first floor. Mrs. Coffin pointed out that St. Jude’s Church has a secure area on the ground floor that they may be willing to provide.

Mr. Cassida advised that the Elders were forced out of their space on Park Street because of water problems.

The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,



Sharon Coffin, Recorder