Status Of West Shore Middle School Project Draws Concerns

MILFORD, CT — The Permanent Schools Building Committee had a lengthy discussion concerning the status of the West Shore Middle School addition and renovations project.

According to meeting minutes from the Dec. 12, 2019 meeting, Chairman Matthew Woods stated this project was substantially complete as of August 2018 when it was turned over to the Board of Education. He pointed out this Committee still hold hundreds of thousands of dollars in retainage on the project. He deferred to the architect for further updates on the project.

Architect Bill Silver reported the contractor, LaRosa Building Group still has not finished. He reported LaRosa has pulled Mr. Tynes off of all other projects so that his only focus is WSMS. He also reported LaRosa is having a problem with their steel subcontractor although some roof ladders were installed today.

Mr. Silver stated Mr. Tynes was not available to attend tonight’s meeting so the punch list is
not complete as of today. Mr. Jorgensen stated according to LaRosa they had a handful of items left to complete as of the end of October, including miscellaneous items that include the signage in the building.

Pat Bradbury reported he did not go to the school over the Thanksgiving break since they have not
addressed the BOE’s punch list. He stated it has been nearly two years since he has been asking for
the contractual roof ladders for the building.

Woods shared with the Committee excerpts of minutes from meetings last year wherein promises were made over and over by Mr. Tynes regarding completion dates for the project. As of today the project is still incomplete.

Board of Education member Andy Fowler asked where the Committee goes from here. Bradbury stated the largest item at this point is that the roof is leaking. He also stated there are
issues with the penetrations, heating issues, issues from the commissioning agent and more.

Bradbury also reported Mr. Tynes has had an itemized list from the BOE for some time.
Bradbury suggested the Committee wait until the next commissioning meeting, present the list to
Mr. Tynes and then send a letter to LaRosa. Discussion ensued.

Mr. Silver referred the Committee to the handout for an overview of the project cost summary to date. He stated the dust collector system is not installed and not likely to be installed until March.

Woods stated it was the consensus of this Committee for the architects to call LaRosa and finish the work ASAP or a demand letter will be issued. The architects were similarly instructed to warn THP that liquidated damages could happen if the dust collection system is not installed since the educational process is being impacted. The contractual substantial completion date was August
15, 2019.