The Elementary School Building Committee on Thursday heard about an issue that came up during drilling for a geothermal test well at the Charleswood School site. Members also saw a presentation showing design updates at the 90% construction document phase.

Vertex project manager Christopher Eberly reported that geothermal testing garnered similar results to the Hopkins School renovation/addition project. The exception is temperatures underground tested lower at Charleswood, which Eberly said is a positive thing.

However, he said although the intention was for the wells to have a depth of 600 feet, the driller reported a problem. After demobilizing the drill and inserting the pipe, it hit an obstruction at 560 feet that it could not clear.

“Based on that trouble,” Eberly asked for consideration of well depths of 550 feet instead.

He added that engineers would continue to look at what it would mean from a site plan perspective and if there is more “right sizing” they can do.

Tim Persson, director of facilities and grounds, noted that the geothermal wells at Hopkins School are 500 feet, so this change fell “well within the comfortable limit.”

Infiltrometer report reviewed

Eberly also reviewed the infiltrometer report, which measures how quickly water infiltrates into the ground.

He said the testing was done during the recent drought with the knowledge that the ground is wet.

Experts estimated 0.17 inches per hour when the actual amount was from 0.65 to 1.36 inches per hour.

“It means water is moving fast into the earth,” Eberly said, noting the testing means it fulfilled a condition with the stormwater design. He said the Planning Board feels no further modifications are necessary.

Eberly also talked about issues with the plumbing/fire protection drawings that are still being addressed. He said the lead engineer from CES (Perkins Eastman consultant) has a severe health issue and has been replaced by someone else.

The project manager said he is satisfied with replacement’s work so far and that “they are on a path to address a lot of things.”

To catch up, according to Robert Bell of Perkins Eastman, CES will continue its review, and a back check will be done for further assurance.

Design plan at 90% completion

Bell also gave a visual update of the design plan at 90% completion.

Alterations he highlighted included revised crosswalks with added flashing signals, a reduction to 15 feet for light poles and the addition of a gate at the upper fields.

A few changes were necessary in the interior, Bell said, including the lobby/vestibule being narrowed and the mechanical and cafeteria space increased.

Offices for a counselor and assistant principal had to be moved to a nearby location to make room for more mechanical space.

Bell also showed how the floor patterns keep with a meadow, forest and lake motif that carries into color choices and how hallways “have hints of pathway/trailway” qualities.

Adaptable playgrounds discussed

Eberly said something that came up is the possibility of adaptability in the playgrounds.

“We may revisit equipment selection,” he said.

Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Susan Rothermich said there has been a lot of support for a proposal to have an adaptive playground at the Marathon School site.

Partial funding for the $1.2 million project was approved by the Community Preservation Committee in the amount of $300,000.

However, she said the matter still had to go through the Capital Improvement Committee to get placed on the May Town Meeting warrant, and there is no guarantee it would get funded there.

“It makes sense for Charleswood to move in that direction,” she said. “It is a conversation to have whether the other playground [at Marathon] moves forward or not.”

During a discussion on furniture, fixtures and equipment, Eberly said there are three issues driving the budget over by approximately $120,000. These items are having teacher desks rather than podiums, additional mobile storage and student mailboxes/spaces for all grades.

“There is ample contingency to absorb [this] overage,” the project manager said. However, he is waiting for feedback from the principal and other personnel and will bring back a recommendation in January.