Plans Made To Improve Communication On FHS Project

     Following a lapse in communication with the Massachusetts School Building Authority, town and project officials met with representatives of the state agency yesterday afternoon to improve dialogue concerning the Falmouth High School renovation.
     The result of that meeting is that the town will communicate on a regular cycle with her agency, alternating monthly meetings with monthly reports supplied by Marc P. Dupuis, assistant superintendent of finance and human resources for the district, said Mary Pichetti, director of construction management for the SBA. The next meeting is scheduled to be held on Thursday, September 11, in Falmouth.
     Yesterday’s meeting arose from a letter sent last month to Superintendent of Schools Dennis A. Richards from Ms. Pichetti, alerting him to the fact that the state was withholding $3.4 million in reimbursements because they had not heard from the town since May, among other concerns. The SBA is responsible for reimbursing the town 59.7 percent, or roughly $33.5 million, of the allowable project costs.
     Those attending the meeting included Mr. Richards, Mr. Dupuis, Falmouth Town Manager Robert L. Whritenour Jr., Assistant Town Manager Heather B. Harper, architect Kenneth DiNisco of DiNisco Design Partnership, project manager Jonathan Depina of Gilbane, high school building committee members John K. Scanlan and Patrick J. Callahan, as well as the attorney for the building committee, Christopher W. Morog of Hinckley, Allen, and Snyder LLP in Boston.
     Ms. Pichetti said that her agency will begin to reimburse the town once project and local officials are able to reconcile the alleged overpayment of $2 million to general contractor TLT Construction of Wakefield.
     That issue arose in June following an analysis of all monthly requisitions submitted by TLT since the project started. Mr. Richards expected that in the town’s mediation talks with TLT, which are expected to begin shortly, the reconciliation of overpayments, stored materials, and change orders should occur.
     Mr. Richards called yesterday’s meeting productive, giving members of the SBA a better understanding of what has happened with the project since they last met in May.
     Ms. Pichetti agreed, noting, “It is evident there has been progress made since my last visit in May. It is evident that the team and contractor are focused on completing the high school by the move-in date [for House A] and that is a large imperative for them. They are very focused on accomplishing that.”