10/06/26 Dwight School Building Committee

The October 6, 2026 Dwight School Building Committee meeting in Fairfield focused on schematic-design value management for the school project. The committee approved Colliers’ value-management log by motion and vote, allowing Tecton to update the schematic-design documents. The log included scope and cost-reduction measures such as replacing underground stormwater detention with surface detention (target savings of about $250,000), using a lower-cost playground surface (about $200,000 savings), reducing landscaping by $100,000, reducing Gilbane’s general requirements by $110,000, and lowering the design contingency from 7.5% to 5% (estimated savings of about $1.5 million). Other items included revising roof forms, curbing, paving, and parking; some items remain alternates or are to be reconsidered during design development. No contract award or bid approval occurred.

Members discussed geothermal/chilled-beam HVAC against the budget-aligned VRF alternative. The presentation estimated capital costs of $13.8 million for geothermal/chilled beams and $6.4 million for VRF, with potential state, utility, and IRA reimbursements subject to approvals and timing. The committee discussed operational risks, reimbursement assumptions, and the possibility of future funding, but did not approve additional geothermal spending; the value-management log reflected the VRF direction. Final schematic-design approval and notice to proceed to design development were deferred, with members discussing a later approval date after a Board of Selectmen update. The team also discussed managing future bid alternates strategically and using unit prices where appropriate.