This summer, extensive prep work started at the new Tri-County High School building project as heavy equipment arrived, fencing was put in place and digging began. The construction team set up preliminary work on drainage, re-building utilities, removal of the solar field, tree removal and received approval from the Conservation Commission.

In early to mid-October, ground blasting will take place. The noise will be significantly softened by using 30 tons of mats. The blast efforts help break up the rocks quickly, minimizing the use of jackhammers that could last for months. A public and individual invitation was sent to each abutter to attend meetings to obtain updates on what to expect during the blast portion of the project. In addition, abutters were offered a free home survey evaluation of the inside of their home before the blast dates.

Sixty percent of the Architectural drawings were approved at the end of September by the Massachusetts School Building Authority. MSBA is a state agency tasked with monitoring the building costs of all Massachusetts schools and providing recommendations to lessen expenses. In addition, a financial reimbursement rate is applied to the project when completed. The hope is to be 100 % approved with the full design by next year.

Some exciting new design features are:  

·      Fully ADA Compliant

·      Leed Silver Certified Design

·      Landscaped courtyard to include a playground for the Early Education Department

·      A new multi-purpose sports field

·      Solar panels and geothermal heating

·      3-story building allowing classrooms to be located near the shop workrooms.  

 

The community will be in awe of these and other features. Brian Mushnick the Tri-County School Building Committee Chairman and Town of Norfolk School Committee Representative shared, “Reminder, this is a public school owned by 11 towns that pay into it. This is everyone's building. It will be a great community property that anyone can use. It is currently an under-utilized public space. Whenever the school is not using the spaces, the public should be using it.” 

Since the school teaches technical skills such as Electrical, Plumbing, Carpentry, HVAC, and others, this project provides the perfect opportunity to learn firsthand.

“Part of the agreement with the contractor is that we can involve students weekly in observation although we cannot allow them to work due to age.  Watching the ground-up process of construction provides a living classroom for students to learn by observing the simultaneous phases of construction.”  These students may not get a chance to use the new building as students but will get their footprint on it and see how this amazing structure gets built” praised Brian.

Consigli Construction, the contractor based in Milford, MA is fully engaged in involving the students.  Many of the employees on this project have students in the area and or attending the school. This project is akin to a family project, vast as it is.  

Moving forward, a brief, non-comprehensive timetable for project completion is as follows:

·      Fall                 2024:  Leveling backfield, blasting process, requesting bids for the materials needed

·      Spring            2025:  Set up a concrete foundation; steel erection to follow

·      Spring & Fall 2026:  All phases of construction active

·      June               2027:  Move in furnishings when school is out for summer, demolish old building                                       

·      Fall                 2027:  New school opens

·      Fall                 2028:  Sports Fields developed (some fields could be done before this date)

The community can remain informed by viewing a comprehensive project website at www.tri-countybuilding.com . The site offers a “Frequently Asked Questions” tab, and the public has an open invitation to attend Zoom meetings posted on the first page of the website.