Galvin Middle School project gets green light from town boards

An exterior rendering of the new GMS courtesy of Ai3 Architects

With the recent approval of the Canton Conservation Commission, the Galvin Middle School project has now cleared every local regulatory hurdle with construction set to commence in late June.

“The GMS project is now fully approved from the Planning Board, Zoning Board and the Conservation Commission,” said Superintendent of Schools Derek Folan. “This is very exciting as it represents approval for over two years’ worth of work and is really the green light to get started this summer on schedule. We could not be happier. Kudos to Ai3 Architects, Consigli Construction, LeftField Project Management, and the town of Canton. The partnership is strong, and the work has yielded great results. We are ready to go.”

Bill O’Rourke, project executive for Consigli Construction, said the official start of construction will be June 25. Work planned for this summer includes construction of perimeter fencing and an access road around the site, digging the geothermal wells that will be part of the school’s heating and cooling system, and demolishing the Kevin T. Mutch roller hockey rink, which will be rebuilt in the summer of 2029. Folan said an abutters’ meeting will be held prior to the start of construction.

In other project news, one soil sample among 52 taken from the deep back region of the Galvin Middle School was recently flagged, and the GMS Building Committee voted unanimously last week to cover the cost of further testing ($38,000).

Justin Thibeault of Ai3 Architects said the flagged soil sample could be due to soot from a barbecue or bonfire in the area. He said the additional testing will be done as an “ultra-conservative” precaution and should not delay any construction plans. Folan stressed that the area remains safe for children and members of the public.

* Thibeault said 90 percent of design plans and construction documents were submitted to the Mass. School Building Authority on schedule last month, and the MSBA responded with some minor modifications, but nothing “earthshattering” or “alarming.” The final submission of plans and documents are due to the MSBA on June 8.

* Interim Town Administrator Jen Kemalian will fill the committee seat vacated by Town Administrator Charles Doody, who retired last week. Kemalian is awaiting official approval from the MSBA before being able to vote on committee motions. Her first assignment is to talk to the DPW to see if the department is interested in using all or portions of the fill to be excavated from the project.

* The design team from Ai3 Architects is now in the process of reviewing the school’s signage package and graphics. This includes all exterior and interior signage, plus branding and program-specific graphics for the performing arts, visual arts, world language and tech engineering. The team will also finalize plans for furniture, fixtures and equipment after further consultation with GMS teachers and department heads. “We will also finalize finish and color selections,” said Jonathan Quell, senior associate at Ai3. “This is an ongoing process which won’t be finalized until we get into construction. We will target a particular palette, which includes everything from floor color to wall finishes to acoustic treatments and furniture. This is a fun process that we share with the district and working groups.”

* All three companies involved in the project (Ai3, Consigli and LeftField) have recently published a legal notice requesting statements of qualifications from contractors for services including masonry, metals, waterproofing, damproofing, caulking, roofing and flashing, metal windows, glass and glazing, tile, acoustical ceilings, resilient flooring, painting, fire protection, plumbing, HVAC and electrical work. Replies are due back by 12 noon on May 6.

* The next meeting of the GMS Building Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, at 5 p.m.

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