Pell School Construction On Schedule, Officials Say

The Pell Building Committee met at the Tuesday afternoon to discuss the progress and timelines for the Pell Elementary School and possible add alternates.

The committee voted for the add alternate of to the schools exterior.

A vote also passed to have HMFH architect Laura Wernick investigate possible adjustments to the kitchen to create extra working space.

The kitchen and exterior materials were slated as the most time sensitive add alternates to consider during the meeting.

Pell School Update 

The construction process for the Pell Elementary School is on task to be completed schedule, owner's representative Jim Farrar, of said during the meeting.

Farrar said the foundation permit is place, and the foundation is under way with all top soils removed from the site.

“The contractor feels confident that they are on schedule,” he said. “We’re at an early start of the project and I feel that there is a good atmosphere. . .The project has a good general contractor and good team put together and things are moving in a positive direction.”

“You’re going to see a lot of activity.”

The only issue has been the time-consuming act of straightening out the Phase One plans, Farrar said.

“It’s going to be behind us within the next two weeks.”

Brick Exterior Add Alternate

A motion to accept additional brick masonry to the Pell Elementary School’s exterior passed 11-1, with Beth Milham opposing. Milham said the added funds going to the brick exterior added no “potential educational value,” but rather called it just “somebody’s aesthetic opinion.”

The added brick came in at an estimated $95,000. The project currently has an approximately $1.6 million contingency fund for add alternates and unexpected costs.

“There have been strong opinions voiced about the classic nature of the brick and it is a product known to have proven the test of time,” Farrar said.

The brick was chosen over the CMU blocks proposed as a value engineering option. The two materials have the about the same upkeep and life expectancy, Farrar added.

“It makes sense if you can afford it,” he said.