$3.1 Million Roof Replacement Planned For Fairfield School

FAIRFIELD, CT — Millions of dollars in contracts for school and town maintenance projects were unanimously approved by selectmen this week as the summer construction season draws near.

The biggest contract greenlit at Tuesday's Board of Selectmen meeting went to Silktown Roofing Inc., which will replace the roof at Roger Ludlowe Middle School at a cost of $3.1 million.

Bids for the work came in above budget, which required town officials to work with low bidder Silktown to discuss ways the contractor could save money and stay within the approved bonds. The adjustment process, caused partially by supply chain issues, delayed the project, to the frustration of Board of Education Chair Christine Vitale.

“We approved funding for this project back in September with the understanding that we really needed to fast-track this,” she said. “And here we are, costs did go up, so there is a little bit of frustration.”

Roof insulation is among the materials affected by the supply chain complications that have become a part of daily life in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The supply line is messed up for everybody,” said Sal Morabito, manager of construction, security and safety for the school district.

The town is ahead of schedule compared to its work last summer on the roof at Burr Elementary School, for which contracts were executed in June, according to Director of Purchasing Gerald Foley.

First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick clarified that the town was not holding up the project without cause.

“We’re just doing our due diligence,” she said. “We have to follow policies. We’re a municipality and we are spending taxpayer money.”

The Board of Selectmen also approved a $1.1 million contract for Sav-Mor Cooling and Heating Inc. to install a unit that will bring air conditioning to the cafeteria at Fairfield Warde High School. Additionally, the board signed off on a bond resolution appropriating $1.1 million to replace heating and cooling units for the Fitts House section of Warde — work that is not expected to happen until at least the 2023 school year. A $219,300 contract with Silver Petrucelli and Associates that was passed by selectmen will see the firm design bathroom renovations at Fairfield Ludlowe High School.

On the town side, the board approved a $63,925 contract, authorizing Race Coastal Engineering Inc. to prepare for dredging and restoration at Lake Mohegan, which is needed due to the remnants of Hurricane Ida. Race’s bid was well below the $100,000 budget for the project, and, barring bad weather, the town hopes to have the beach area open in time for Memorial Day, according to Director of Parks and Recreation Anthony Calabrese.