Avery Groundbreaking Set for Oct. 15

School officials will break ground on the new Avery School project on Oct. 15, superintendent June Doe said at a School Building Rehabilitation Committee meeting Monday evening.

Doe explained that the groundbreaking ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 15. The site will be prepared so guests can enter through the high school parking lot. It will be ready for students and shovels will be on site.

Just in case of rain, Doe said that the area will be covered with a tent. She also noted that the high school band will play and that one student per grade will be involved with the ceremony.

Jim Byrne, the project manager, and Todd McCabe, the project executive, both agreed that they are a bit behind schedule, but things are beginning to fall into place. Various issues regarding contracts and input from sub-contactors have caused several delays, but McCabe said that personnel has worked on the site and that things will be ready to roll this week.

"I echo frustration with the sluggish start but I think we are getting going here," said McCabe.

McCabe explained to the committee that it will take four or five days to clear trees, and that it should begin at the end of the week. Site demolition will take place, following dig safe requirements, within the next two weeks.

According to presentations by the committee, the new facility will provide Avery School students with a safe and healthy building that promotes student learning.

A presentation found on Dedham.k12.ma.us  states that it will  help with playground space, special education, improved pedestrian access and "an opportunity to receive a 21st century education."

Last week, committee chair Andy Lawlor and several associates addressed the parking plan to the planning board. Lawlor explained that there 107 more spaces than before and access will be improved.

At Monday's meeting, Robert Juusola said the plan was sent to an independent reviewer that will charge a fixed fee of $9,500 which received disapproving grunts from the audience. Juusola said that most of the time these fees are either waved or no higher than $1,000.

Lawlor explained that while a full-site plan review was not required, a parking plan review was. Lawlor said that he talk with the town planner and planning board about the matter. The committee will meet again with the planning board on Oct. 13.

The Avery School project is estimated to cost $21.1 million, based on a construction cost of $300 per square foot. There are $2.26 million in contingency costs coming to a total cost of $23.366,740.Consigli Construction Inc. is in charge of the project with a $1.9 million contract. Dedham received a state grant of $11,086,460, making Dedham's portion $12,260,280.

For more information log onto Dedham.k12.ma.us. The next committee meeting will take place on Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. in the O'Brien Meeting Room in Town Hall.