HILLSDALE—Sixteen contractors picked up bid specs for renovations and new construction at the George G. White Middle School with final bids due back by Sept. 24, said the project architect at an Aug 25 update for school officials.
At the meeting, Superintendent Robert Lombardy said everything appeared to be falling into line for the Sept. 4 opening of the modular classrooms which will house sixth, seventh, and eighth graders over the next two years.
He said the electrical transformer — which was a question mark at one point — was ready for final electrical hookups and testing and expected to be operating well before opening day.
Overall, officials revealed that due to a month-long delay caused by the local construction code official who took weeks to decide and then declined to review and approve plans for modular classrooms and middle school renovations, the project was put at least two to three months behind schedule. That municipal employee has since retired, officials told us.
Moreover, school officials said the local construction code official’s reluctance to review the plans, which was completely unexpected, threw off their schedule by almost three months. In addition, Lombardy said construction reviews by the state Department of Community Affairs cost the district an extra $275,000, while local review/approvals would have cost nothing.
“We had to work under duress all summer to get that done,” he said of the 26 modular classrooms being set up in Maher FIeld, opposite the middle school. He said modular classrooms should have been completely installed by early to mid July and also asbestos abatement of the multi-purpose room completed by mid-July.
Both projects were significantly delayed by the holdup caused by a lack of local construction reviews, officials said.
“The delay by the local code official was a punch to the gut, physically and financially,” Lombardy said Aug. 25. Added School Board President Justin Saxon, “It’s unfortunate that one person could impede the progress of a plan whatever reasons that person had,” he noted.
“She’s not necessarily hurting the Board of Ed, she’s hurting the children of Hillsdale,” said Saxon. Officials noted Lombardy had reached out to speak with the code official several times during a 20-day review period and there was “radio silence.” DiCara said professionals had also reached out to the code official to offer guidance and assistance but were turned away.
DiCara said despite the official’s delays, it appeared progress was continuing and schools would open on time. “I think the positive, though, is with everybody’s efforts, that glitch we responded to and got it back on track. There’s sufficient time to build this building,” he added, noting the next step will be to evaluate and then award the bid in late September.
DiCara said of the 16 contractors picking up bid specs on middle school renovations, only nine did a pre-bid walk-through of the building. He said he told the potential contractors that the total bid spec package budget was estimated at $40 million to $41 million.
Saxon said “in spite of that person’s egregious efforts, due to the work of the administration, the custodial staff, and everybody else, we’re back on track.” Added DiCara, “You’re good to go. Everything’s back, so it’s very positive.”
One resident asked if the district supported saving a 168-year-old white oak near the entrance to George White, at Magnolia and Liberty avenues. She noted a petition was started on Change.org on Aug. 23.
Lombardy explained the area where the tree resides was needed for construction materials to be laid down and stored and was planned for a future total renovation with staff and visitor parking, ADA compliant ramps, and appropriate drop-off points for buses.
He said the plan received a “courtesy review” by the Planning Board as required, drawing “little comment” and was then sent on to the state Department of Education for review and approval. Lombardy pointed out the district recently cooperated with the local environmental commission on a $66,000 grant to beautify the elementary school campuses with trees.
He said he was “upset” with the way the petition came about and would have preferred to have a conversation about the tree’s future. The petition, “Protect Our White Oak and Community Trees,” had 198 signatures as of Aug. 25.
The petition highlights the reasons for tree preservation including environmental benefits; historic and cultural value; community well-being; and irreplaceability.
Lombardy said the space where the tree was planted was needed for construction materials and slated for improvements critical to the newly renovated middle school.