Following a reconciliation by two estimators, the construction costs for the newly named Charleswood School are under budget by $1.4 million, with $9.9 million in contingencies remaining. Chris Eberly, Vertex’s senior project manager, explained the estimate by...
Elementary School Building Committee
Presentation to ESBC focuses on new school’s ‘calming, natural’ theme
Robert Bell, educational programmer for architectural firm Perkins Eastman, said the design elements of the new elementary school project have an “overarching theme that is calming and natural.” His presentation on Tuesday to the Elementary School Building Committee...
MEPA forum reviews new school project
On Wednesday, a public forum about the new elementary school was held to meet state requirements for the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Act office. The MEPA review is designed to allow residents in the environmental justice community portion of Hopkinton the...
ESBC sets date for public forum, pays bills
During an unusually short 15-minute meeting on Tuesday, the Elementary School Building Committee approved invoices and announced an upcoming community forum. The committee authorized total payment of $651,151.35 to Vertex and Perkins Eastman for costs associated with...
Design update, sustainability among ESBC’s focuses
Speaking about potential design themes for the new Elmwood School that could be connected to curriculum, Robert Bell, educational programmer for architect Perkins Eastman said, “the simplicity of marsh, meadow, forest was something that was appreciated” by teachers....
Drilling of test well at new school site hits snag
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sViTNG4YiPc&list=PL8WekT6kxX1Br0cSnDo2TGMdCfeMGnuFg&index=1 Plans to drill a test well for the Elmwood School replacement project were derailed when weather impacted creation of a temporary road to the site. Chris Eberly, Vertex...
Impact of plumbing code changes, MEPA designation among ESBC topics
State plumbing code changes and an Environmental Justice Community designation in a portion of Hopkinton have impacted the new Elmwood School project. Members of the Elementary School Building Committee on Tuesday discussed these topics along with possible theming...
ESBC talks timeline for new school, potential permitting issue
Jon Graziano, chair of the Elementary School Building Committee, credited “extensive analysis, constant communication, different methods of public engagement and the ability to answer questions” as factors leading to a successful property tax override vote regarding...
Independent Thoughts: School in session for Elmwood committee
Whichever way you fall on the proposed new elementary school, you have to — or at least you should — respect the work of the Elementary School Building Committee. Anyone who has followed this closely is aware that these volunteers have worked hard to balance the needs...
Last forum on proposed new school focuses on costs, enrollment issues
During a nearly two-hour public forum, members of the Elementary School Building Committee fielded questions from Zoom and in-person participants regarding the proposed Elmwood School replacement. Like last week’s session, the first half of the meeting was comprised...
Jump in MSBA reimbursement lowers cost to taxpayers for proposed new school
Hopkinton voters will decide whether to approve the Elmwood Elementary School replacement project at a Special Town Meeting on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Hopkinton Middle School auditorium, followed by a town election on Nov. 28. Last week, the financial picture...
Costs, traffic among residents’ concerns about proposed Elmwood School replacement
Traffic and the cost of a proposed new Elmwood School were among the concerns of residents attending Tuesday’s public forum with the Elementary School Building Committee. Special Town Meeting voters on Nov. 13 will be deciding whether to go ahead with construction of...
ESBC discusses review process for new school, implications of ‘no’ vote
The importance of the review process and implications of a ‘no’ vote on the proposed Elmwood School replacement building were among the issues discussed during Wednesday’s Elementary School Building Committee meeting. Chris Eberly, senior project manager at Vertex,...
Additional reimbursement likely for new school project
During a brief meeting on Tuesday, the Elementary School Building Committee learned that the proposed Elmwood School project is likely to receive an additional $1.3 million in reimbursement from the Massachusetts School Building Authority. The range previously cited...
ESBC discusses permits, public outreach plans
At Tuesday night’s Elementary School Building Committee meeting, members talked about permitting matters with the Zoning Board of Appeals and Conservation Commission as well as plans to start outreach about the proposed Elmwood School replacement. The committee...
Select Board votes to endorse $158 million budget proposed for new school building
The Select Board at its two-hour meeting Wednesday night voted 4-0-1 to endorse a budget recommendation not to exceed $158,427,494 for a proposed replacement building for Elmwood School. This figure was approved by the Elementary School Building Committee the night...
ESBC moves $158 million budget forward with School Committee endorsement
The Elementary School Building Committee voted 6-0 on Tuesday to approve a budget not to exceed $158,427,494 for a proposed Elmwood School replacement. The figure is inclusive of the $1 million feasibility study previously approved by Town Meeting. This total will be...
ESBC weighs ‘alternates’ to proposed new school budget
The Elementary School Building Committee will vote on a budget for the proposed new Elmwood School on Aug. 22, the same date the School Committee is expected to endorse it. Currently, the ESBC is looking at a total cost of $158,894,578 and discussed an estimated...
Residents raise questions to ESBC about chosen school site, HVAC system
Hopkinton residents had questions about site selection, the choice of geothermal systems and traffic for a proposed new elementary school during a public forum on Thursday. Their participation followed nearly two hours of presentations by representatives from project...
Snowball effect of capital needs highlighted by School Committee
The Hopkinton School Committee on Thursday reviewed updates to the district’s capital plan and talked about enrollment in conjunction with the proposed new Elmwood School and Hopkins School addition. Assistant Superintendent of Finance/Operations Susan Rothermich...