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.

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📅 July 20, 2026 Killam School Building Committee Meeting

🕒 Meeting Start: 00:00:28
⏰ Meeting End: 00:47:24
💻 Format: Hybrid
👤 Chair: Carla Nazzaro
👥 Attendees: Patrick Tompkins, Nancy Twomey, John Coote, Kirk McCormick (absent during roll call), Gregory Stepler, Ed Ross, Christopher Haley, Shawn Brandt, Carla Nazzaro, Lindsey Fulton, Joe Huggins, Jayne Wellman, representatives from Colliers and LBA

🚫 Absent: Kirk McCormick (not present at roll call)

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📋 Summary

The Committee reviewed early construction activities for the new Killam School project, including fencing, site preparation, permitting, environmental compliance, temporary parking planning, and scheduling. Members were introduced to representatives from Brait Builders, the project's general contractor, who outlined staffing, upcoming milestones, and plans to submit preliminary schedules and cash flow projections.

The Committee discussed project finances, including committed costs, budget status, cash flow forecasting, and the future disposition of bid savings. Several invoices and budget commitments were approved unanimously. Members also reviewed school operational concerns related to parking, emergency access, and construction impacts before approving prior meeting minutes and confirming upcoming meeting dates.

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📑 Agenda Overview

⏰ Start Time	Topic
00:00:28	Call to Order and Roll Call
00:01:36	Public Comment
00:07:16	Liaison Reports
00:11:21	Introduction of General Contractor and Construction Update
00:26:32	Financial Review and Budget Discussion
00:32:27	Invoice Approvals
00:36:01	Budget Commitments
00:37:50	Cash Flow and Schedule Review
00:45:57	Meeting Minutes Approval
00:46:29	Future Meeting Dates
00:47:04	Adjournment

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🗣️ Public Comment

⏰ 00:01:36 – 00:07:16
👤 Presenter(s): Laura (resident)

A resident asked about references to parking alternatives discussed at a prior meeting. Committee members clarified that the discussion related to staff and contractor parking associated with project phasing and not parent parking. Members explained that Phase 1 is expected to have minimal parking impacts, while Phase 2 will involve more significant changes and roadway repaving.

The resident also asked whether a recently announced $100,000 state earmark for school-related capital purposes could be applied to the Killam project. Members explained that earmarked funds are generally restricted to their designated purpose. Shawn Brandt indicated he would follow up regarding the specific earmark details.

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🔗 Liaison Reports – Highlights

⏰ 00:07:16 – 00:11:21
👤 Presenter(s): Lindsey Fulton, Carla Nazzaro, project team

• Lindsey Fulton raised concerns regarding:
• Emergency egress and fire drill procedures during construction.
• Communication and coordination with the Fire Department.
• Availability of staff parking when school resumes.
• Project representatives stated:
• The logistics plan had already been reviewed with the Fire Department but could be revisited.
• Replacement parking spaces are planned before the start of the school year.
• Additional coordination meetings will occur before September.

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🗳 Discussion & Vote – Introduction of General Contractor and Construction Update

⏰ 00:11:21 – 00:26:32
👤 Presenter(s): Joe Huggins, representatives from Brait Builders, Colliers, and LBA

Overview:

The Committee formally welcomed Brait Builders as the project's general contractor. The contractor introduced key project personnel and provided an update on early mobilization activities.

Key Discussion Points:

• Project leadership team and field staff were introduced.
• Site trailers have been delivered and fencing installation has begun.
• Surveying and erosion-control measures are underway.
• Soil management planning has been submitted for review.
• Building permit applications have been filed.
• Environmental and permitting requirements are progressing.
• Temporary parking construction is being prepared.
• Structural steel installation is currently targeted for October 2026.
• Preliminary schedules, schedule of values, MSBA reporting documents, and cash flow projections were expected the following day.
• Discussion occurred regarding tree protection requirements and potential public notice considerations.
• Future site walks and possible on-site committee meetings were discussed.

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🗳 Discussion & Vote – Financial Review and Bid Savings Discussion

⏰ 00:26:32 – 00:32:27
👤 Presenter(s): Colliers project team, Committee members

Overview:

The Committee reviewed current budget status, committed costs, and the process for handling project bid savings through the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

Key Discussion Points:

• Construction commitments now include the Brait Builders contract.
• Architectural, engineering, administrative, and FF&E budgets were reviewed.
• MSBA will recalculate project costs and reclaim its proportional share of bid savings.
• The Committee will vote at a future meeting regarding how much of the local share of savings should remain within the project budget.
• Members discussed balancing project contingency needs with returning savings to taxpayers.
• A formal vote on bid savings allocation is expected at a future meeting.

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🗳 Discussion & Vote – Invoice Approvals

⏰ 00:32:27 – 00:35:58
👤 Presenter(s): Nancy Twomey, Committee members

Overview:

The Committee reviewed and approved project invoices.

Key Discussion Points:

• Harrington Heep LLP legal services invoice.
• Cabot Risk Strategies builder's risk insurance invoice.
• David Delair clerk invoice.
• Colliers Project Leaders invoice.
• LBA architectural invoice.

Vote:

✅ Approved

Vote Count: 7-0-0 on each invoice approval.

Approved invoices included:

• Harrington Heep LLP: $2,808
• Cabot Risk Strategies LLC: $145,782
• David Delair: $1,275
• Colliers Project Leaders: $71,356.50
• LBA: $141,874.10

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🗳 Discussion & Vote – Budget Commitments

⏰ 00:36:01 – 00:37:50
👤 Presenter(s): Nancy Twomey, Colliers project team

Overview:

The Committee reviewed committed costs to be reflected within the project budget.

Key Discussion Points:

• Legal services commitment.
• Builder's risk insurance commitment.
• General contractor commitment associated with Brait Builders contract.

Vote:

✅ Approved

Vote Count: 7-0-0

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🗳 Discussion & Vote – Cash Flow and Schedule Review

⏰ 00:37:50 – 00:45:57
👤 Presenter(s): Colliers project team, Gregory Stepler, Lindsey Fulton

Overview:

The Committee reviewed project cash flow tracking, schedule assumptions, and active construction planning.

Key Discussion Points:

• Updated contractor cash flow projections are expected to be incorporated into future reports.
• Staff presented multiple cash flow scenarios reflecting different bid-savings decisions.
• Contract values for Colliers and LBA are not expected to change based on bid-savings adjustments.
• Gregory Stepler confirmed early switchgear shop drawings had been reviewed and released for fabrication.
• Active site work includes surveying, fencing, and erosion control.
• Contractor detailed scheduling tools will supplement committee-level schedule reporting.
• Discussion occurred regarding steel tariffs and potential impacts.
• Lindsey Fulton raised concerns about access along the maintenance driveway and construction vehicle traffic.
• Project representatives stated that gated construction access and contractor parking controls will be implemented.

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✅ Meeting Minutes Approved

⏰ 00:45:57 – 00:46:29
👤 Presenter(s): Committee members

June 15, 2026 Minutes: Approved as presented.

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🗓 Future Agenda Items

⏰ 00:46:29 – 00:47:04
👤 Presenter(s): Carla Nazzaro

• August 17, 2026 meeting.
• September 21, 2026 meeting.
• October 19, 2026 meeting.
• November 16, 2026 meeting date to be reviewed due to a potential conflict with Town Meeting.

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🔑 Key Summary

• The Committee formally introduced Brait Builders as the Killam School project's general contractor.
• Site mobilization has begun, including fencing, surveying, permitting, erosion control, and temporary parking planning.
• Structural steel installation is currently targeted for October 2026.
• Members discussed school operational impacts, including parking availability and emergency procedures during construction.
• The Committee reviewed budget status and began planning for a future vote on disposition of project bid savings.
• Five project invoices totaling legal, insurance, project management, clerk, and design services were approved unanimously.
• Budget commitments, including the general contractor contract and builder's risk insurance, were approved unanimously.
• June 15, 2026 meeting minutes were approved, and future meeting dates were confirmed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opLfq1i7M5k

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