MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

FACILITIES COMMITTEE

Minutes of Meeting of March 28, 2007

 

NOTE:  This is the first meeting of the newly formed/assigned Facility Committee.  The members, presently assigned, are Karen Cota, Colline Dreyfuss, Jon Kenyon and Tim Peloquin.       

 

Present:  Karen Cota, Jon Kenyon, Tim Peloquin, Katie Chambers-Business Manager, Mike Pratt-Maintenance Supervisor and Dr. Ken Dasseau, Superintendant, SAU 38.

 

Public:  Brett and Bruce Beliveau, Beliveau Construction and Consulting and Mark Vincello, WV Engineering.

 

Absent:  Colline Dreyfuss

 

Call to Order:  7.00 pm

 

Election of Committee Chair:  Karen Cota nominated by Jon K, 2cnd by T. Peloquin.  Vote is 3-0 with one absent.

 

Election of Vice-Chair:  Jon Kenyon nominated by Karen C., 2cnd by T. Peloquin.  Vote is 3-0 with one absent.

 

Election of Secretary:  Tim Peloquin nominated by K Cota, 2cnd J Kenyon.  Vote is 3-0 with one absent

 

Approval of Minutes 02-28-07:  The minutes were approved 3-0, with one absent.  Motion to accept J Kenyon, 2cnd T Peloquin.

 

Public Comments:  None made.

 

Issue 1

 

            Hot water heater in MRHS

 

            This is a two-fold issue:  WV Engineering updated the committee on the “design” they have been hired to create and we heard about and discussed the failure of the 2cnd heating coil and what that means and how it affects the school at this time.

 

            The system for heating hot water is complicated, so the notes below make sense, a few lines to describe the system…

 

            There are several ways that the water in the MRHS is heated.  The water uses that we are concerned with involve three areas:  forced hot water heating the school, water used to shower/wash hands etc. and the hot water in the kitchen.  There is a domestic hot water tank that heats the water to 120 F for showering and hand washing, (domestic uses); this system is not in failure and not part of the relevant discussion.  The water that is used to heat the school is heated in a large boiler, this is heated to 140 F, this water is in a closed loop---it circulates throughout the heating ducts/pipes, it is not intended to be used by people.  In this boiler are two “coils”, (coils of tubing that water runs through)…these coils are closed also, in that the water that runs through them—that is heated in the same boiler—is kept separate from the rest of the water in the tank used for heating the school.  The coils that heat the kitchen water have rusted/rotted/failed and cannot be repaired replaced.  One coil fail and has not been used for some time, presently the second coil is failing and leaking water into the tank.  If this second coil fails completely, there will be no system in place to heat water for the kitchen, particularly the dishwasher.

 

  • WV presented their design and solution to this situation.  Essentially, the design and repairs call for the kitchen’s hot water to come from the domestic hot water heater, (1000 gal tank).
  • The other boiler, with the failed coils, would stay in use and provide, as it already does, the hot water that heats the school.  The coils cannot be replaced/repaired.  It appears that they are original equipment and are no longer manufactured, nor are replacement parts available.
  • A concern was brought and addressed relative to this large 1000 gal tank.  If water sits too long at a certain temperature Legion Ella, (SP) can develop.  To remove this issue, if the below motion to implement the design and repair is adopted, a pump will be installed within this tank to keep the water within constantly moving, this should alleviate this concern.
  • Normal kitchen-use water is supposed to be heated to 140 F, the water coming out of the tank now is set at 120 F, (the temperature of domestic hot water) and water for the dishwasher must be 180 F.  There are several solutions to this issue…water in the tank can be heated to 140 F, the domestic water can then be cooled to 120 F. before being delivered/used.  The tank can stay at 120 F and the domestic water can then be heated with a booster to 140 F.  The water going to the dishwater is going to need to be heated with a booster to 180 F.
  • The added use should not be an issue/cause a problem with the domestic water heater/holding tank and/or interrupt daily use of domestic water.
  • The repair and piping work, as designed by WV would cost, as estimated, between $10,000.00 and $12,000.00 dollars.  A full tank replacement would be much more than this.
  • Jon Kenyon asked…does it make fiscal sense to simply repair and not replace it this whole system.  Mark Vincello, WV, replied that the repair and piping is “above the tank”.  What this means is…if the tank were also replaced, all of the work being suggested now would have also have to have been done.  If the tanks fails, (and it is not anticipated that it will—and additionally, the coil in this tank is repair/replaceable), it is suggested, that all of the work being talked about now, would place a tank replacement “that much ahead”.
  • Included in this project would also be the addition of some other small water heating system.  It was reported by Mike Pratt that these large water-heating systems are shut off in the summer—therefore the custodial staff has no hot water.  This could be corrected/added during this project at a minimal cost.
  • At the present time several steps are being employed to make sure that the system is not in complete failure.

 

The water pressure in the coils in the boiler, (which is still being used) is much higher than it is within the tank.  This means, as was noted above—water can flow out of the coils into the tank, but water cannot flow from the tank into the coil—contaminating the fresh water being used in the kitchen/dishwasher.  Water pressure is checked constantly throughout the day by staff to insure that the system is functioning. 

 

The water itself is checked…if water from the heating system flowed back into the clean water being heated in the coil, the water would be tainted and dirty.

 

            MOTION to accept WV Engineering designs for repair and replacement

 

            By J Kenyon, 2cnd T Peloquin.  Vote 3-0, (1 absent)

 

  • This lead to the discussion about the “wait” and “bid process”.  This situation needs immediate attention, how can the process be sped up.  Jon Kenyon opined that it may be necessary, at this time, to be certain that all students/staff are safe, to go to paper plates and plastic utensils.
  • The timeline for bids and approval by the school board could be problematic.  It is not likely that the bids can be received and processed by the time of the next school board meeting, (04-03-07).  K Cota suggested that we ask the full school board to delegate to the Facilities Committee the authority to make the final decision on this without having to wait until the 04-1-07 school board meeting, or without having to call a special meeting.
  • K Chambers, M Pratt and WV will meet on Friday 03-30-07 at 2.30 pm to call contractors to get bids ASAP.

 

Issue 2

 

        Project Manager Position

 

A number of applicants were interviewed and K Chambers has brought the following proposal to the committee.

 

·         It is proposed, that rather than hire an individual, we go with Beliveau Construction and Consulting.  This is a company owned, operated and employee Brett and Bruce Beliveau.  Their resumes etc. were handed out to the committee.

·         K Chambers explained that the people that applied and were interviewed could not be hired for the amount of money being offered, (41 K plus benefits).

·         She stated that she very much liked the Beliveau proposal and situation that it would create.

·         It was further explained that a contract could be written for this arrangement that paid the Beliveaus' the 41 k salary and that would convert the benefits package to salary also.  This proposal generated a great deal of conversation…

·         What are we getting in return for 60 K?

           

            The response was, the district would be getting highly competent professionals that have been involved in all aspects/facets of construction, supervision and project management.  They are familiar with many local contractors/service providers.

 

·         They would work roughly 20 to 25 hrs. a week. 

 

This was a concern—as it sounds like a part-time job rather than the full-time job that it is.  Again, they are highly trained and experienced, they are local and available.  They also explained that we are not paying for downtime…lunches, breaks, days off, sick days etc.  We are getting 20 to 25 hrs a week of work from them.

 

·         Given that they are local, they stated that they are both very up-to-date with the district’s issues and the issues that affect the towns and local economies.  They worked, (and continue to be involved), in the large Hinsdale NH school project.

·         Their presentation was strong and they made it very clear that what we would get from them would be very different than what you will get from someone off the street for 41 k.

·         It was also offered/explained that in the future, they could also fill, (additional costs), other roles that go along with construction projects.

·         They are aware of the ongoing projects and the many new projects/facility master plan that are slated to begin in the next year.

·         Again, K Chambers added that the best applicants would not work for 41 k, and what seems available at this price is not what we need, nor is it what is best.

·         K Cota asked, how is this different than a Facilities Director…There is NO supervision in Project Management—they work hand-in-hand with the staff.

·         K Cota asked…if we hire a “company” versus an individual, do we need to “bid” the job out.  The unanimous opinion was, no.  We are hiring an employee—it was in the newspaper and came in as one of the applicants for the job.

·         There is a 30 “escape” clause that either side could implement if things did not work.

·         Each side expressed that they like what they had heard, what was presented and what was explained.

 

MOTION to recommend to the school board that we accept the proposal of Beliveau Construction and Consulting to retain them as Project Manager with the contract to be worked out by K Chambers and not to exceed the salary and benefits cost of $60,000.00.

 

        Motion by T Peloquin, 2cnd J Kenyon, vote is 3-0 with 1 absent.

 

Issue 3

       

        Shed for cart

 

            This is a shed that will be built by the MRHS shop class for the storage of a four-wheeled motorized transport vehicle to be used by the trainer/sports medicine person to remove/transport injured athletes, or for things of a similar nature.  It is going to be large enough, that it will also provide secured storage for the golf cart.

 

·         The shed is going to be 8’x16’—it is being made by the shop class from donated materials and will cost the district ZERO.

·         The shed will not be finished until some time in the fall.

·         Until the shed is ready, the four-wheeler will have to be secured in much the same manner as the golf cart is presently.

 

MOTION to recommend to the school board that we accept the donation of the shed.

 

J Kenyon motion, K Cota 2cnd, vote 3-0, 1 absent.

 

Issue 4

 

        General Updates

 

1.      Emerson School water tank

 

The 80 gal hot water tank in the kitchen at the school is leaking.  Tom Walsh, Food Services Director said that he has enough money to replace and repair what is necessary.

 

Initially, it was thought that it would cost roughly 5K to replace the system.  It was then determined that a new “quick recovery tank” could be purchased and installed by staff for 2K.  It is thought that this update will pay for itself in two-years with cost savings/efficiency.

 

2.      Emerson School telephone and Internet service

 

Both services were interrupted during the week for some reason.  Tom Warner was able to rectify the situation and it appears that it was a Verizon line problem.

                   

 

 

 

 

 

Issue 5

 

        Other Business

 

K Cota brought up a number of issues that she wanted addressed—or that needed to be addressed to close them out.

 

1.        Discussion about the Gilsum sprinklers…Don Hackler of Amer Electric has been spoken to about these and he stated that all of the Fire Marshal’s concerns would be addressed and resolved by next week.

2.       Gilsum courtyard continues to have water issues—water running off the roof and splashing onto woodwork.

3.       The Troy School “approval”…there was a concern or statement in the past that the school needed a fire suppression system top pass “approval”.  The fire chief has inspected it and states that it is fine.

4.       Updates to the CIP---this should be worked on with and by the Project Manager.

5.       Maintenance…how do things get done, with regard to regular and preventive maintenance issues.  She discussed the availability of a free computer program/software from the EPA that could assist with this issue.

 

Next meeting; time/date and agenda items:  04-09-07 pm MRHS Library

 

            Agenda Items  

 

1.        Hot water tank issue, (MRHS)

2.       Kaestle Boos contract

3.       WV Engineering project updates

a.       Kitchen Hood

b.       Auditorium Vents

c.       Gym Vents

 

Meeting adjourned 9.10 pm (with motion second and unanimous vote).