Contractor: Phase 1 of Belmonte rehab project moving toward finish

SAUGUS – Jim Dowd, Project Manager for Skanska USA Building, said work at the Belmonte Middle School is proceeding “rapidly toward completion of Phase 1.”?Over Christmas break we will actively be coordinating with the school to move the second floor down to the first floor and the second floor will be under construction as of Jan. 2,” said Dowd in his monthly update to he Belmonte Building Committee.Dowd said $26,000 in contingency money had to be used for additional repairs to the outer walls of the school, but noted he was able to save between $20,000 and $25,000 on a previous change order to reinforce all of the exterior walls that was not to exceed $260,000.?We broke even this month with changes,” said Dowd.Dowd also said there were cracked plumbing pipes not in the contract that would cost an additional $9,000 to fix.The committee voted to approve both changes orders.Dowd also updated the committee on the wooden beams that support the gym roof. Dowd said some of the beams had cracks in them and four of them would be reinforced.?They reinforce it with steel at the ends,” said Dowd. “We?ve got plenty of money in that allowance. There?s no impact to the budget.”According to Dowd, the project budget was finalized by the Massachusetts School Building Authority Monday. To date, $4.6 million has been spent on the $18.9 million project, said Dowd.?The money is being spent at the rate it?s supposed to be spent, which is good news,” he said.In other business, Jill Rachubinski, project manager for construction management firm Consigli, said the new bathroom in the girls locker room is nearly complete and installation of the new brick facade and the metal panels has started on the first floor.?We?ve been working fast and furious out there,” she said.The committee will meet again on Dec. 17.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].