Branford Hires Consultant to Help Determine Future of Walsh Intermediate School

Branford First Selectman James B. Cosgrove announced recently that he has retained the services of Hamden-based DTC to provide the Town with a feasibility analysis and cost estimates, including the State’s anticipated project reimbursement for three design options at Walsh Intermediate School: renovate to an “as new” facility, building a new school on site, and a hybrid option, which renovates a portion of the existing structure, and builds new academic space.

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“The most recent cost estimates and consultant recommendations for Walsh were simply not practical,” Cosgrove said. “The Superintendent and I know we need a cost-effective and long-term solution for the intermediate school that parents can rely on and the community and BOE can support” Cosgrove also noted that the analysis will include a methodology for phasing-in any recommended renovations/new construction in a way that assures minimal interruptions to the school operations. “We have asked for an analysis that can be the launching point for action to address the needs at the school, not another study that sits on a bookshelf,” Cosgrove added.

Cosgrove and Superintendent of Schools Hamlet Hernandez have been working closely on developing a real solution for Walsh. “I applaud the Selectman’s commitment to address the long standing and important issue of the next generation of WIS. The Board/Superintendent Team is committed to develop realistic education specifications which will become the catalyst to bring this project to fruition” Hernandez said

DTC is a full-service engineering and consulting firm and has considerable experience with school building projects, most recently a North Haven Middle School project that includes renovations and additions and the Fairchild-Wheeler magnet school project in Bridgeport.