The committee approved two major invoices, signaling progress in the school construction project. The first invoice, from Vertex, amounted to $52,589.33, and the second, from Perkins Eastman, totaled a $654,500.

A concern was raised during the meeting regarding the potential for scams related to school construction projects, a serious consideration given incidents in other towns. The committee inquired about the safeguards and protocols in place to prevent such fraudulent activities in Hopkinton.

Further, the committee moved to authorize the project team to proceed with submitting applications to the planning board and conservation commission, an essential step in advancing the project’s development. Michelle Kaiserman from Sami Otis Consultants provided a detailed update on the local permitting process, noting that the submission would include comprehensive information on the school project’s impact, utilities, stormwater report, architectural elevations, traffic report, and lighting plans. The planning board expressed interest in the phasing of dewatering, and it was clarified that the contractor would be responsible for these calculations.

The complexities of coordinating the local permitting process with the broader MEPA process were addressed. With a scoping session already completed, the committee anticipated comments from analysts and agencies by week’s end, and the issuance of a certificate the following week. It was discussed how comments received from the public through the MEPA office would be managed alongside reviews from local permitting agencies.

A misstep at the MSBA meeting was noted, where a design presentation was missed, leading to the new project manager requesting a record copy. This incident was indicative of a potential oversight which the committee aimed to rectify. In addition, the committee engaged in discussions about ongoing negotiations with abutters to the project. There was a focus on the efficiency of the negotiation process and the mitigation efforts for each affected property. To streamline this process, the committee sought and obtained authorization to act as representatives in these negotiations, allowing for a more direct and flexible approach in handling the specific concerns of abutters.

The meeting also briefly touched on the lack of air conditioning at the middle school, a matter of comfort for students and staff, especially with the upcoming summer break approaching. This issue, while less pressing in the context of the construction project, is indicative of the ongoing infrastructure considerations the committee must balance.

Despite some technical difficulties experienced during the meeting, with issues concerning muting and unmuting audio, the committee members managed to progress through the agenda effectively. The meeting concluded without any public comments being addressed.