09/15/26 Dwight School Building Committee

The Town of Fairfield Connecticut Dwight School Building Committee met on September 15, 2026, to discuss the ongoing school construction project, focusing heavily on procurement and budget considerations related to building systems and value engineering. The committee reviewed detailed analyses of mechanical system options, including VRF, chilled beam, water-to-water heat pump, and four-pipe fan coil systems, with cost estimates, rebates, and state reimbursements discussed extensively. The VRF system was identified as the most cost-effective baseline option, with geothermal and other sustainable energy options considered as add-ons requiring additional funding approval. The committee debated the trade-offs between building size, HVAC system quality, and budget constraints, emphasizing the need to balance educational program requirements with cost and sustainability goals. They also discussed the project timeline, contingency budgets, and the process for presenting funding requests to the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance. No final procurement decisions were made, but the committee agreed to further analyze life cycle costs and prepare to present their recommendations to town boards for potential additional financing.