Howe Manning Topping Out

RFWalsh Collaborative Partners PM, CTA Construction CM
Middleton, MA – RFWalsh Collaborative Partners, owner’s project manager, and CTA Construction, construction manager, celebrated the topping off of the new Howe-Manning School recently with architect DiNisco Design Partners, sub contractors, members of the Howe-Manning School building committee and town officials.
Due to both the low cost of materials and a more competitive environment, the construction of the school will cost roughly $6.7 million under the $31.5 million estimate approved at town meeting and the polls last May. Middleton estimated the construction to cost $24.5 million, but the town awarded the general contractor job to CTA Construction Co., Inc.of Boston based on its bid of $17.86 million.
The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) is funding 51% of the Howe-Manning School construction project involving the new construction of an 83,500sf elementary school, new ballfields and play areas and demolition of the existing 40,000sf school
The Howe-Manning Elementary School is designed as a 21st century learning environment. Included along with sufficient classroom space to accommodate 550 students is a computer lab, library, gymnasium and cafeteria/kitchen, plus art and music facilities.
Ira Singer, Middleton town manager said he was pleased with the work of Collaborative Partners, DiNisco Design Partners and CTA in the development of the project.
“ It’s a good project, good people, good relationships,” he said. “We always have problems on jobs but in going forward the important thing is working them out together so that it is in the best interests of the project for both the contractor and the owner.
Joe Naughton, CEO of RFWalsh Collaborative Partners said “We are proud of the part Collaborative Partners is playing in the realization of this long-awaited facility and very much looking forward to the dedication of this new state-of-the-art educational facility for the citizens of Middleton a year from now.”
David Billings,AIA, senior project manager of RFWalsh Collaborative Partners added, “This is a project that the people of Middleton have been working on for many years and it is very exciting for all of us to see it come together. The community with strong support of the MSBA pushed this project forward. This is going to be one of the jewels of the Middleton educational system.” Billings began working with the Middleton community on the project in 2006. “It has been very exciting being part of the partnership of DiNisco Design, Middleton Schools and Middleton School building committee in putting this incredible school together. Now with CTA as part of the team, the vision is becoming reality,” he said.
Lyle Coghlin, co-founder of CTA, said, “It has been a fast-paced schedule. We replaced the approximately 24,000 cubic yards of unsuitable soils, got right into the foundation; we are topping out the structural steel, and now it is a race to get the building tight for the winter.”
Kenneth DiNisco, President/ Principal of DiNisco Design Partnership, the architects for the project, said, “We are excited to be working with CTA and with RFWalsh Collaborative Partners. The project has had a tremendous start. It appears to be on schedule. We are very excited about coming back in a year and opening a new school.”
Coghlin said, “We are working within a residential neighborhood on a tight site so we have to keep close coordination with the town, the neighbors and conservation groups. All that is essential.
Now we are getting ready for school to start up again. Making sure it is safe for them (students and faculty) and making sure construction activities are not affecting their operation is a big key to this as well. With every opportunity we allow the students to watch what is going on. We encourage that involvement with the kids- to watch their new school being built. It is an active learning experience.”
Steve Melanchino, CTA’s Project Manager added, “The earthwork was a big hurdle to get over before we could start the foundation and structural steel. Where on a typical job we jump right into laying the foundation, here we had six weeks of foundation subgrade preparation to complete before we got started on the foundations themselves.”
The Howe-Manning School is committed to the CHPS process (Collaborative for High Performance Schools) which is a school’s version of LEED. CHPS requirements are part of the design, and implemented by CTA and the sub contractors. “We have to manage our material procurement closely and provide the proper documentation in order for the project to meet the goals and receive certification,” explained Coghlin. “That involves using materials with high recyclable content, waste management and such details as enclosing ductwork at the ends during construction to prevent dust from getting into it. The process transcends the whole project from design through completion.”
“I have a committee of 13 who work amazingly well together,” said Frank Fitzgerald, chair of the Middleton School building committee. The current Middleton School building committee was created in December 2008. Previous committees engaged DiNisco Design Associates and RFWalsh Collaborative Partners in 2006. A school on an alternate site failed at town meeting in 2007. “We had the most amazing parent group that got together and organized the town in spring 2009 to both come to town meetings and vote on the ballot. Mindy Wogan, who is on the committee now, spearheaded that effort.”
Fitzgerald added, “We work directly with Dave Billings of RFWalsh and because of him we have had good relations with neighbors. He is very attentive and if we have had a complaint he has been right on it.”
“They have been great to work with,” says Billings, further citing Middletown Town Administrator IraSinger and Dr. Bernard Creeden, the district school superintendent, for their unwavering support in getting the new school passed.
Lyle Coghlin and Patrick Tompkins are owners and co-founders of 10 year old CTA. CTA worked together previously with DiNisco Design Partners in Milford, and with RF Walsh Collaborative Partners in Revere.

Howe-Manning Middle School Team
Architect – DiNisco Design Partnership, LTD
Owner’s Project Manager – RFWalsh Collaborative Partners
General Contractor – CTA Construction Co., Inc.
Structural Engineer – LIN Associates, Inc.
MEP / FP Engineer – R.W. Sullivan Engineering, Inc.
MEP /FP Engineer – RDK Engineers
Electrical Engineers – Thompson Engineering Co., Inc