Below is a summarized version of the Killam School Building Committee meeting, organized by timestamps and speakers, focusing on key points raised during the discussion in Reading, Massachusetts. This summary condenses the discussion into major themes, speaker contributions, and decisions, avoiding excessive detail while retaining the essence of the conversation. Timestamps correspond to the video linked at the bottom.
- 🧾 Roll Call & Agenda Review
- 💬 Public Comment
- 🧱 Modular & Geothermal Updates
- 💡 Proposal for Financial Review Working Group
- 💰 Financial Review
- 📑 Votes on Commitments & Amendments
- 📆 Schedule Review
- 🏗️ Design Development Submission & Budget
- 📄 Document Review & MSBA Submission Vote
- 📝 Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
- 📅 Future Agenda Items
- ✅ Key Takeaways
🗓️ Killam School Building Committee Meeting Summary
📍 Date: August 18, 2025
🕒 Time: 7:00 PM – 8:25 PM
📌 Location: Reading Town Hall conference room & Zoom
🎙️ Chair: Carla Nazzaro
🧾 Roll Call & Agenda Review
Speaker: Carla Nazzaro
⏱️ 1:25
- Members present: Chris Haley, Pat Tompkins, John Coote, Nancy Twomey, Carla Nazzaro
- Agenda included: public comment, liaison reports, financial and schedule reviews, MSBA submission vote, value engineering, minutes approval, future agenda items.
💬 Public Comment
Speaker: Carla Nazzaro
⏱️ 2:25
- One member of the public present; no comments submitted.
🧱 Modular & Geothermal Updates
Speaker: Joe Huggins
⏱️ 2:44
- Modular classrooms are in place and on track for occupancy by September 2.
- Fire alarm and security systems being finalized this week.
- Architect completed interior punch list.
Speaker: Jenni Katajamaki
⏱️ 3:55
- Geothermal test well drilling began; water found at 460 ft, producing 25 gallons/minute.
- Total depth: ~830 ft; site cleanup expected by August 22.
- Graphite added to grout mix for improved thermal conductivity.
💡 Proposal for Financial Review Working Group
Speaker: Pat Tompkins
⏱️ 7:11
- Suggested forming a working group to review financial commitments and invoices ahead of meetings.
- Group would include committee members and town staff.
- Goal: improve transparency and reduce last-minute review pressure.
- Committee agreed to revisit and formalize at next meeting.
💰 Financial Review
Speaker: Mike Carroll
⏱️ 11:23
- Total committed cost: \$16.85M
- Modular budget: \$750K; current commitments: \$732K, leaving \$17K for final items.
- Modular costs include architectural services, painting, cleaning, and Knox box installation.
- Total expenditures to date: \$3.96M
- Cash flow trending upward; invoices acknowledged and approved.
📑 Votes on Commitments & Amendments
Speaker: Carla Nazzaro
⏱️ 22:04
- LBA Amendment 18 for supplemental survey: \$24,750 – Approved
- Modular-related commitments totaling \$722,137.10 – Approved
- GNAP Architects Amendment for civil engineering: \$10,447.73 – Approved after discussion on scope and contract terms
📆 Schedule Review
Speaker: Mike Carroll
⏱️ 48:14
- Currently in Module 6; MSBA submission scheduled for August 19.
- Design team will continue working during MSBA review period.
- 60% Construction Documents phase begins immediately.
🏗️ Design Development Submission & Budget
Speaker: Mike Carroll
⏱️ 50:43
- Reconciled estimate: \$97.5M, under the MSBA-approved budget of \$101.5M.
- Recommendation: maintain current budget to preserve MSBA reimbursement eligibility.
- Value Engineering (VE) list includes \$2M in potential savings options.
- Generator downsizing from 750kW to 400kW could save \$500K.
- Emergency shelter function moved to ReCalc project per Fire Chief’s recommendation.
📄 Document Review & MSBA Submission Vote
Speaker: Jenni Katajamaki
⏱️ 1:17:14
- DD documents reviewed and refined based on committee feedback.
- Submission binder includes 539 pages of detailed design and cost data.
- Committee voted unanimously to approve submission to MSBA.
📝 Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Speaker: Carla Nazzaro
⏱️ 1:21:24
- Minutes from July 14, 2025 approved with corrections (spelling, QA discussion, and location references).
📅 Future Agenda Items
Speaker: Carla Nazzaro
⏱️ 1:27:50
- Emergency shelter discussion
- Committee reorganization (chair/vice chair elections)
- Next meeting to include updates on generator decision and modular wrap-up
✅ Key Takeaways
- ✅ Modular classrooms are ready for school opening; final systems being installed.
- ✅ Geothermal test well successful; graphite-enhanced grout improves thermal performance.
- ✅ Committee approved all financial commitments and amendments, including civil engineering support.
- ✅ Budget remains under MSBA cap; VE list provides flexibility if needed.
- ✅ Generator downsizing could save \$500K; emergency shelter function shifted to ReCalc.
- ✅ DD submission approved; MSBA review begins August 19.
- ✅ Committee will explore forming a financial review working group for improved oversight.
