Dr. Carol Cavanaugh’s departure as superintendent was the focal point of the meeting. Her tenure, which began in March 2020 at the onset of the pandemic, saw developments in the district’s infrastructure projects. She expressed gratitude for the collaboration with the committee and external project management teams, emphasizing the progress made despite challenges. A representative from Vertex, a firm involved in the school projects, praised Dr. Cavanaugh for her extensive experience and dedication to the school district’s initiatives.

The meeting also provided substantial updates on the construction and street improvement projects associated with the Marathon School. The committee issued a notice to proceed with the construction contract, with a kickoff meeting recently held and ongoing weekly meetings planned. The general contractor mobilization began, and there is an impending review of the contractor’s schedule. Meanwhile, the bidding process for street improvements is underway, with bids due by July 10th. Notably, the meeting highlighted the need for utility pole relocations, necessitating the removal of four trees within the town’s right of way, a decision driven by safety concerns from Eversource. The committee assured that mitigation efforts, including plantings and fencing, are in place to address the impact on the affected area.

Additionally, future meetings were outlined to ensure continuous progress on these projects, including the potential awarding of road improvement contracts. The importance of timely invoice approvals was also stressed, given the anticipated increase in contractor costs.