Linden Street School project ends on time, under budget

Officials said they are glad the Linden Street School renovation and construction project has ended on time and well within budget, saving the town more than $533,000 off the original $21.7 million cost, bringing it down to $21.2 million.

Becky Tyrrell, chairwoman of the Board of Education said Jan. 3 the next step is for Alan Schutz, the school business manager, to conduct an audit of the project in anticipation of sending a report to the state before a percentage reimbursement rate. Tyrrell said a reimbursement rate, which would be affixed to the project by the state, could be announced within the next year.

The Town Council has officially dissolved the Linden Street School Building Committee headed by Ken Prigodich Sr. Tyrrell was a long-time member of the building committee, along with fellow school board member Barbara Willard and others. They said they wanted to thank Prigodich and other members for their hard work since the group was named. Willard said she was a member since 2001 and the group did its job with diligence and professionalism. She said she also thanked New Britain-based Downes Construction Co., which was the project's construction manager.

Both Tyrrell and Willard said the process from beginning to end was long, but well worth it. In November 2001, the first referendum on the project failed, but officials reworked particulars and decided not to demolish the 1920s part of Linden Street School. A second referendum in 2003 passed, construction began and the school was opened in 2006.

Patrick Ringrose, who preceded Tyrrell as head of the school board, said the official announcement that the project had finished on time and under budget was important because it proved the process was well-managed. Ringrose said there were many residents critical of the project.

Ringrose said good news about a project can get lost in the scheme of things. He said the building committee handled the project effectively and efficiently, especially when it came to the interests of taxpayers.

As the building committee closes the books on Linden Street School, two other projects, including the $44 million Plainville High School renovation project is nearing its end and the $20.7 million Toffolon School project still has a way to go before completion.