The Middletown School Building Committee on Dec. 10 received a monthly construction and budget update from the project team and agreed to shift its regular meeting start time to 4:30 p.m. beginning in the near term.

Justin, presenting Gilbane’s monthly update, said the project has recorded "0 recordable injuries to date," that 170 submittals were in review and roughly 25 requests for information were outstanding. He said the project schedule in the package shows a building completion milestone of June 22, 2027.

On site progress, Justin walked members through Nov. 20 drone footage and photos showing increased decking on structural steel in Area A (the high school wing), multiple stairways installed (including "Stair 5") and backfilled underground electrical and data conduits now at slab grade. He said tested topsoil on the south side is "ready for reuse" and that any remaining excess soil will be hauled off-site.

The committee discussed remaining foundation and utility work, detention systems and retaining walls. Justin said the team currently projects "under 1,000,000 dollar savings" on trucking costs if the Gardai site soil tests clean; he noted final savings depend on phase‑2 testing and decisions about reuse.

Valley Elementary is also moving forward: Justin said Bentley completed insulation work in utility tunnels and recommended some heating piping be addressed now because the heating system is operational. He said a redesign required by Newport Water is under way; Colliers will submit the revised drawings to Newport Water and the project team is targeting final design by the end of January.

On the budget, Justin reported available funding of $194,684,308 (the original $190 million bond plus a $484,000 general‑fund appropriation and about $4.2 million in bond interest). He said the Valley Elementary and middle–high school budgets remain locked at $193,555,300, $31,416,000 has been spent through November, and the team has contracted GMPs totaling $170,260,200 with total anticipated costs (including approved alternates) at $181,109,500.

Justin also noted two grant items: NEVI responses remain delayed pending two internal signoffs at the agency, and "our request for a grant for photovoltaic panels was not approved through the state," though he said solar remains a possibility later using leftover funds or contingency and by exploring net metering with the town.

The project team reported recent approvals and near‑term work: the design for the North Drive (an R.I. DOT‑related alternate) was approved Dec. 9 for $84,120 and Colliers asked HMFH to revise a Forest Avenue submission addressing ride requirements. Storm detention installation, ongoing underground MEP work and structural steel erection in Areas A and B are expected to continue; the Gautet gas line relocation has been contracted with Rhode Island Energy and will be performed over the winter break using a hot‑tap method intended to avoid gas service interruptions.

Committee logistics and next steps: members discussed offering optional pre‑meeting site tours (for example at 3:30 p.m.) when safety and quorum rules allow; the group also agreed to test moving regular meetings to a 4:30 p.m. start in winter months to ensure packages are current when posted. The cultural/historic memorial subcommittee plans to meet in early January and will circulate scheduling information.

Procedural actions: the committee approved the Nov. 12, 2025 meeting minutes (motion seconded as recorded), and later moved, seconded and approved adjournment. Justin closed his update saying he had no further items.

What’s next: Colliers/HMFH will continue design revisions for Forest Avenue and coordinate the Newport Water redesign; the project team will follow up on delayed NEVI sign‑offs and explore options for photovoltaic work later in the project timeline. The committee scheduled a building authority walkthrough Dec. 19 and plans to test a 4:30 p.m. start as discussed.