BET Budget Committee To Review MISA Plan

The Greenwich Board of Education is to present its plans to forge ahead with the Music Instructional Space and Auditorium project at Greenwich High School—along with its growing pricetag—to the Budget Committee of the Board of Estimate and Taxation on Thursday night.

This is the first time the committee will formally review the proposal that now has a $42.4 million pricetag. The Board of Education worked out an agreement during the BET budget process last month, to present the construction plan after bids for the work were received. The special committee meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room.

However, the bids were considerably higher—by more than $5 million—than the original estimates of $36.4 million. And last week the education board reaffirmed its support of the original plan that would include a 1,325-seat auditorium with a balcony, and an orchestra pit. The cost would be $42.4 million in a multi-phase construction plan. The board is seeking $8.5 million to begin the project during the 2013-14 fiscal year.

Chairman Leslie Moriarty said the primary reason for the bids coming in at a higher level is increase competition with larger construction projects around the state. She said the “change in costs has not been driven by scope or programs,” but by timing and environmental issues. The project has been delayed since the discovery of PCBs and other contaminants on the Hillside Road campus two years ago. The Town of Greenwich is working with consultants and state and federal agencies to devise a cleanup plan that is separate from the MISA project and has cost estimates ranging from $5 million to $180 million.

BET Budget Committee Chairman Joseph Pellegrino said, "I need to look at everything … how did they arrive at this, is it the correct number, do we have the contingency? What’s the impact on the capital budget, the impact on the operating budget, what decisions need to be made on this, based upon its impact on other town projects and what possible changes that will have to be made elsewhere."

Pellegrino added, "Assuming the BET votes favorably, it will go to the RTM (Representative Town Meeting)." If there isn't a favorable vote at the full BET's special meeting scheduled for April 24, the project wouldn't be included in the budget plan the RTM is expected to vote on May 13.