High School Project Being Reviewed By State Now

The plans for the Berlin High School renovation project went before the state board on Jan. 8 through 10 and according to Town Manager Denise McNair, "Went as well as could be expected."

"The state had 900 pages of drawings and documents to go through and there were only 25 or 30 comments, which I think is a good sign and would have to be considered successful. So that is good news."

McNair said that the town is trying to anticipate what will come next.

"We are not sure if they will do the code review or we will have to hire our own firm to do that but the Public Building Commission has already identified a company that they would like to hire if needed," McNair said. "We are trying to anticipate what will come up so we are ready to start.

"The phrase 'shovel in the ground' keeps being thrown around but from what I have been told the work may begin on Phase I of the project any week now and that is proceeding on track."

McNair said that FIP is continuing to refine the estimates for the work. That is a process that will be ongoing.

"I'm not sure if it will result in any changes but they will continue to look at it," McNair said.

McNair, who often fields calls and e-mails from residents who are upset about any number of subjects said that she has only heard positive comments about the high school renovation project going forward.

"I haven't heard any complaints about the project moving ahead," she said. "What I am hearing is 'it's about time' and 'I'm glad it's finally proceeding,' I haven't heard any complaints. The people who I talk to seem happy but maybe people just don't tell me if they are unhappy."