High School Building Committee (HSBC) Meeting #80 Minutes

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Wayland Town Building

School Committee Conference Room

 

Attendees

HSBC members:  Lea Anderson, Josh Bekenstein, Dianne Bladon, Brian Chase, Jim Howard, Fred Knight, David Lash, Mary Lentz, Joe Lewin, Cindy Lombardo, Eric Sheffels, Jennifer Steel

HMFH Team:  George Metzger, Steve Millington

KVA Team:  David Saindon

Ex Officio members: Pat Tutwiler

 

Call to order Ð HSBC Chairman, Lea Anderson, called the HSBC meeting to order at 6:14 p.m.

 

Project update -  David Saindon, Project Manager, reviewed the activity of the past two weeks:

á         MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) coordination meeting was held on 8/12 with consultants from GGD, David, Steve Millington, and Eric Sheffels.

á         Well head protection committee met this morning with civil and waste water consultants. Steve, and Lea.

á         Estimators will begin work on Aug. 18

 

MSBA update Р David met with John Jumpe on Aug. 11.

á         There has been a change of heart regarding demolition.  MSBA may pay for demolition and some abatement of hazardous materials.

á         There has been no change on WWTP.

á         David asked about green initiatives and air conditioning.  In both cases, he was told that MSBA will look at the entire cost picture.  If the project cost per square foot is within reason, then these will be supported.

 

Presentation of MEP systems Ð Ed Galuska and Carlos Garcia, of GGD (Garcia, Galuska, and DeSousa) presented their proposal for HVAC and electrical systems.

HVAC - Ed described the displacement ventilation system (DVS) that is being proposed for classrooms.  His main points were:

á         Ventilation consumes most of the energy in an HVAC system.

á         Traditional air-conditioning costs $35-40 per square foot.  Displacement ventilation costs less than $25 per square foot.

á         Traditional systems use unit ventilators in each room.  They provide effective control in each classroom, but are noisy and need a lot of service.

á         DVS takes moisture out of the air and brings air into the room at 68 degrees.  As air leaves the building, DVS employs heat exchange technology to Òrecover energyÓ.

á         Mold is a major problem in many buildings.  DVS removes the potential for mold by removing moisture which is one of the four things required for mold to survive (heat, food source, moisture, mold spore).

á         Dry air is delivered to the low part of a room.  When it comes in contact with a body it rises vertically.

á         Displacement has been around for about 10 years.  Bourne High School is the only school in the area that is operating with DVS.  Many other schools are planning to use it.

á         Standard ventilation systems have a noise level of 45 dB.  DVS is measured at 25 dB.

á         Older DVS systems required a raised floor.  This is no longer the case.

á         There is a heating element in each room.

 

The committee commented as follows:

á         Is there a body of evidence on displacement ventilation? (Ans.  40 schools in the western U.S. are using this.)

á         Eric put this system in about 6 months ago in his offices.  It is used widely in Europe.  ÒThis is the right system.Ó

á         In the U.S. energy has been cheap.  We didnÕt need to conserve.  That has changed.

á         Components are standard.  Delivery is the only difference.

á         George Metzger commented that while using conventional parts, this system passively induces air flow while taking out contaminants.

á         It is not going to be able to keep room cool on a 90 degree day.  (Res. It will be dry, not humid, air and will feel much more comfortable.)

á         Eric said that if this had not been proposed, he would be asking for it.  Now that a raised floor is not needed, cost has come down.  It is quiet, cheap, and efficient.

á         What is capital cost? (Ans. $21 per sq. ft. for recent bid on displacement system compared to $31 per sq. ft. without traditional air conditioning, $38 with traditional air conditioning)

á         What is maintenance cost?  (Ans.  very low, no filters)  DDG will do a life cycle analysis.

á         Is it too dry?  (Ans. System maintains 35 Ð 40% humidity and is very comfortable.  Pollutants are taken out.)

 

Ed said that Bourne High School is holding classes this summer and is very pleased.  He invited the HSBC to tour Bourne. 

 

While DVS is being proposed for about 60% of the school, conventional air conditioning is being proposed for the remaining 40%.   This includes the auditorium, office space, and media center.  The committee discussed the option of using displacement ventilation in more areas.  Steve and David explained that the cost estimating will be based on the current mix of systems, but that the HSBC will be making decisions later on whether to reduce use of standard air conditioning.  There will be time to value engineer during detailed design.

 

Electrical system Ð Carlos Garcia described the typical classroom electrical plan.

á         Lighting will be indirect with daylight dimming, occupancy sensors, wall switches.

á         Circuits will be isolated for computers.  Carlos will meet with technology director to plan.

á         LCD projector in ceiling, wireless clock system, smart board in every room, telephone, DVD player, classroom amplification system, wireless microphones, paging system are planned.

á         Security system including cameras, closed circuit TV, key cards is being proposed.

á         Roof top photo voltaic system is included for now.

The committee commented as follows:

á         Will WHS be an emergency shelter?  We need to talk to public safety officials.

á         What level of security do we want?  This security system is very different from what we have.  The School Committee and administration, as well as public safety will have to weigh in on this.

á         Technology people must be included in decisions.

á         Light spill-over to the neighborhood must be controlled.  (MA-CHPS standards are very strict here.)

á         The schematic design documents include everything we might need.

 

Plumbing -  Carlos spoke briefly about plumbing plans.  There will be some dual flush toilets, some waterless urinals, and low flow toilets.  This will help us downsize the WWTP.  It was pointed out that reverse osmosis (RO) water will be used to flush and is nearly drinkable.

 

General overview of consultantsÕ progress Ð Steve Millington reported on the following work by consultants:

 

1.  Wellhead Protection Committee invited the hydro and civil engineers to discuss the high school project.  They met this morning and had a very productive, positive discussion.  The committee was especially pleased with the relocation of the parking area away from the wells, and the WWTP plans.  The committee was interested in the plans for storm water drainage.  There was a difference of opinion on the use of permeable pavement in the parking lot.  DPW is concerned with maintenance and possible accidents resulting in leakage on a permeable surface.  The current plan is to use rain gardens to collect run off.

Comments were:

á         We should recycle demolition materials for parking lot base.

á         Can we grass over access roads around building and overflow parking areas?

á         There are decisions to be made on curbs and landscaping plan.

á         Parking lot is elevated 5 feet.  We could have drains that serve as collection system.

 

2.  Geotechnical engineers found no surprises in their testing of soils.

 

 

 

3.  Steve showed the current landscape plan.

      Comments were:

á         We need to figure out what level of landscaping we want and advise the designers.  Do we want a more natural look? More open grass areas?

á         We should consider not having landscaping or curbs on edges of roadways?

á         There are LID (low impact development) methods we can consider.

 

Schedule Update Ð David presented an updated schedule that he will send to MSBA this week.  He pointed out that the schematic design work will continue after September 8th, the date that the reconciled cost estimates will be delivered to MSBA.  Prior to September 8th, David will send other completed documents so that MSBA has time to digest them.  Documents such as schematic building floor plans, construction systems outline of specs, hazardous material survey, and value engineering plan will be submitted over the next three weeks.

 

David reported that MSBA is expecting Wayland to be considered at the Sept. 30th board meeting.  There has been no challenge from MSBA to our schedule, although John Jumpe has asked for an expanded schedule.  The committee reiterated its appreciation for HMFH and KVAÕs high level of output on this job to say on schedule.

 

Meeting dates are as follows:

 

á         8/27/09            -  HSBC meeting (6:00 pm start)

á         8/17 Ð 9/8 Ð Wayland submits schematics package to MSBA

á         9/10/09 Ð HSBC meeting

á         9/14 Ð 9/18 Ð Wayland and MSBA negotiate project scope and budge

á         9/24/09 -  HSBC meeting

á         9/30/09 Ð MSBA Board votes on Wayland project scope and budget

á         11/?/09 Ð Town Election and Special Town Meeting

 

Next steps Ð The HSBC agreed that smaller working groups with expertise in specific areas should be formed to help guide the design team.  The following people were recommended to lead these groups:

            MEP Ð Brian Chase

            Landscape and outside systems (WWTP, storm water, etc.) Ð Jennifer Steel with help from Eric Sheffels and Fred Knight

            Architectural/educational Ð Cindy Lombardo and Pat Tutwiler

            Communications Ð Dianne Bladon

Other committee members are invited to join these teams or form others (green design, technology, security, etc.).  Lea will help organize this effort.

 

Motion: A motion was made by Mary Lentz and seconded by Josh Bekenstein to approve the minutes to HSBC meeting #79 held on July 30, 2009.

Vote: The motion was approved unanimously: 8 in favor, 4 abstentions

 

Adjournment Ð The HSBC adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

 

Next meeting Ð Thursday, August 27 at 6:00 pm in the School Committee conference room

 

Observers:  Malcolm Astley, Sam DiSavino, Lori Frieling

 

Comments from the Public:  Doug Sacra sent in a public comment by e-mail with two points:  the design team should concentrate on super insulation of the shell of the buildings and also consider a wood chip gasification heating plant.