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.
🗓️ Killam School Building Committee Meeting Summary
📍 Date: September 8, 2025
🕒 Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📌 Location: Reading Town Hall conference room & Zoom
🎙️ Chair: Carla Nazzaro
🧾 Roll Call & Agenda Review
Speaker: Carla Nazzaro
⏱️ 3:44
- Quorum confirmed with members present: Pat Tompkins, Shawn Brandt, John Coote, Chris Haley, Kirk McCormick, Ed Ross (joined later), Gregory Stepler, Nancy Twomey, and Carla Nazzaro.
- Agenda included: public comment, liaison reports, financial and schedule reviews, generator discussion, formation of finance working group, minutes approval, and future agenda planning.
💬 Public Comment
Speaker: Carla Nazzaro
⏱️ 5:21
- No public comments were received.
🧩 Liaison Reports
Speaker: Various
⏱️ 5:38
- CPDC approved site plan review in a single hearing.
- MSBA returned light comments on the DD submission.
- Geothermal test report received; engineers analyzing thermal capacity and well count implications.
💰 Financial Review
Speaker: Justin Fernandez
⏱️ 8:45
- Construction budget remains at \$101.5M.
- Architecture & Engineering spent: \$2.3M; remaining: \$8.6M.
- Administrative costs spent: \$1.6M; remaining: \$6.4M.
- FF&E budget: \$3.175M.
- Total spent to date: \$3.98M.
- No budget adjustments or new commitments this month.
- Three invoices approved:
- Colliers: \$36,660
- GNAP: \$13,125 and \$2,625
📆 Schedule Review
Speaker: Justin Fernandez
⏱️ 15:45
- 60% CDs due Oct 29; reconciliation Oct 29–31.
- SBC review Nov 4; approval Nov 10.
- 90% CDs due Jan 16; reconciliation Jan 30–Feb 3; SBC vote Feb 29.
- Early bid packages:
- Switchgear & Generator: vote Jan 28; pricing approval Feb 12
- Earthwork: vote Nov 10; bids due Dec 15; SBC vote Dec 15
- Committee agreed to move December meeting to Dec 15.
🧪 Peer Review Planning
Speaker: Justin Fernandez
⏱️ 34:32
- MSBA requires steel peer review at 90% CDs.
- Town will issue RFP using 60% documents to solicit pricing.
- RFP to be sent two weeks before Jan 16; selection and approval planned for Jan 23 SBC meeting.
🏗️ Earthwork Package Scope
Speaker: John Coote
⏱️ 36:55
- Earthwork includes cutting down to foundation level and importing new soils.
- Site includes a historic depression (old pond) requiring 12–15 ft excavation.
- Civil engineer and SBA reviewing soil volumes and logistics.
⚡ Generator Scope & Vote
Speaker: Jenni Katajamaki
⏱️ 41:16
- Original 700kW generator supported shelter-in-place use.
- Fire Chief now recommends using senior center for emergencies.
- Revised scope includes 400kW generator to protect building systems only.
- Estimated cost savings: \$500,000.
- Committee voted unanimously to proceed with 400kW generator design.
🧮 Finance Working Group Formation
Speakers: Carla Nazzaro & Pat Tompkins
⏱️ 46:16
- Working group formed to review financial items ahead of SBC meetings.
- Members: Kirk McCormack (Chair), Phil, Sharon, Kevin.
- Purpose: improve transparency and reduce meeting delays.
- No formal vote required; group will meet before next SBC to establish schedule.
📝 Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Speaker: Carla Nazzaro
⏱️ 58:13
- Minutes from August 18, 2025 approved with corrections to attendance and vote records.
📅 Future Agenda Items
Speaker: Carla Nazzaro
⏱️ 1:00:32
- Next meetings:
- October 14 (due to holiday)
- November 12 (due to town meeting)
- December 15 (rescheduled for bid review)
- October meeting to include exterior material samples for in-person review.
- Committee reorganization (chair/vice chair) scheduled for next agenda.
🛑 Adjournment
Speaker: Carla Nazzaro
⏱️ 1:02:37
- Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM.
✅ Key Takeaways
- ✅ CPDC approved site plan review; MSBA DD comments were minimal.
- ✅ Geothermal test report received; engineers assessing well count and thermal capacity.
- ✅ Budget remains stable; no new commitments; three invoices approved.
- ✅ Schedule progressing toward 60% and 90% CD milestones; early bid packages planned.
- ✅ Committee voted to proceed with 400kW generator, saving \$500K.
- ✅ Finance working group formed to streamline invoice and contract reviews.
- ✅ Future meetings adjusted for holidays and bid timelines; October meeting to include material samples.
