Below is a summarized version of the Permanent 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.
Contents
🏛️ Permanent Building Committee Meeting Summary
📅 Date: January 7, 2026
🕖 Duration: 1hr34min
📍 Location: Pleasant Street Center Reading, Massachusetts + Zoom
👥 Committee Members Present:
- Pat Tompkins (Chair)
- Nancy Tumi
- Mark Dockser
- Greg Steppler
- Kirk McCormick
- Ari Greenberg
- John Coote
- Ron Powell (new member)
(Absent: Mike Nazzaro)
🔹 Public Comment
- Karen Herrick (Select Board):
- Thanked committee for transparency and dedication.
- Raised concerns about maintaining focus on senior needs vs. all-ages programming.
- Suggested revisiting gerontology study and ensuring operational planning aligns with original goals.
- Karen Janowski (COA Chair):
- Appreciated responsiveness and transparency.
- Emphasized importance of accessibility and universal design.
🔹 Approval of Minutes
- December 3, 2025 minutes approved unanimously.
🔹 Project Schedule Update
- Bid Phase:
- Filed Sub-Bids extended from Jan 14 → Jan 22.
- General Contractor bids extended from Jan 22 → Feb 5.
- Reason: Holiday delays and 88 RFIs received; additional time needed for addenda.
- Next Meeting:
- Rescheduled from Feb 4 → Feb 11 to allow bid review and contractor recommendation.
- Construction Start: Mid-February/March (minimal impact from extension).
- Commissioning & Training:
- Will include functional testing of systems, owner training, and video documentation for future staff.
🔹 Budget Update
- Total Budget: $27.09M
- Committed: $2.7M (10%)
- Spent: $1.49M (5%)
- No changes except updated invoices.
🔹 Project Updates
Bid Phase
- 103 pre-qualified contractors; strong interest.
- 88 RFIs categorized:
- General conditions (utilities, scaffolding)
- Discipline-specific (plumbing, electrical, controls)
- Architectural clarifications
- Addendum #3 to address outstanding RFIs.
Upcoming RFPs
- Materials Testing & Inspection:
- Soil compaction, concrete strength, steel connections, window water penetration, roofing integrity.
- Commissioning Services:
- HVAC, electrical, plumbing systems.
- Optional building envelope commissioning.
- Coordination with town departments for fire alarm and security systems.
Accessibility Peer Review
- KMA Architects selected for ADA, MAAB, and universal design review.
- Cost: $4,700 (under $7,500 approved limit).
- Report expected by Jan 18–19.
🔹 Proprietary Systems Vote
- Committee approved specifying:
- Honeywell Niagara (BMS) for HVAC controls.
- Genetec for security and card access.
- Justification:
- Consistency across town facilities.
- Integration with existing scheduling and monitoring systems.
- Vote contingent on compliance with procurement laws and documentation.
🔹 Operational Update
- Draft policies under review:
- Membership packet
- Fitness programs
- Programming policy
- Joint meetings with COA and Recreation Committee held.
- Next steps:
- Address ~40 feedback items.
- Begin operational budgeting and revenue planning.
- Community Engagement:
- Monthly “Recal Updates” chats planned.
- Increased staff presence at Pleasant Street Center.
🔹 Invoices Approved
- BH+A: $149,520 (Invoice #27810)
- Turner & Townsend Heery: $27,041 (Invoice #PJN0046019)
- Daily Times Chronicle: $287.66 (Invoice #251293)
✅ Key Outcomes
- Bid Extensions approved; new GC bid date: Feb 5.
- Next Meeting: Feb 11 for contractor selection.
- Accessibility Peer Review underway; report due mid-January.
- Proprietary Systems (Honeywell & Genetec) approved with legal compliance.
- Operational Planning progressing; community engagement initiatives launched.
- Invoices totaling $176,848 approved.
