New Kent supervisors send PPEA out for publication

New Kent supervisors sat quietly for several minutes before voting unanimously to accept an unsolicited PPEA bid from Marengo Management for publication to determine the construction of the Historic School’s second phase over the next 45 days.

Supervisors took action during a continued meeting on Dec. 11 after receiving more information from Marengo Management during their regular meeting on Dec. 9. Supervisors digested the information as best they could before speaking on the issue at the deferred meeting.

Questions emerged from supervisors about the project’s completion (July 2015) and if penalties could be imposed if the date wasn’t met. County attorney Michele Gowdy confirmed that a fine could be imposed, but further negotiations on the issue could be worked out.

District 1 supervisor Thomas Evelyn questioned county administrator Rodney Hathaway about any progress being made with talks involving New Kent’s School Board.

“Has anybody talked to the school board?” asked Evelyn. “I see they were talking about adding wings to both New Kent Elementary and George Watkins Elementary.”

That option for adding wings emerged from the school board’s November work session, emphasizing the extension of wings to the sides of the current buildings. The idea of the additions will keep all students together in one place and could return the Historic School to its original idea of being used as a school board office and possibly as space for Heritage Public Library.

“As of now, I have not heard anything from the school board, but they do have it up on their website in their CIP (Capital Improvement Plan),” responded Hathaway.

Supervisors, however, seemed to spurn the idea of adding wings to the elementary schools.

“They [school board] said two years ago that it wasn’t feasible,” said District 5 and supervisors’ chairman Ray Davis. “Why would they say it’s feasible now?”

“I think this renovation is more economically feasible for the schools,” added Evelyn. “Remember, we agreed to a tax increase to the citizens with two cents specifically designated to these renovations.”

Supervisors returned to the proposed PPEA bid, commenting on new conditions met including a complied conceptual design. With the PPEA unsolicited bid returning to publication, supervisors considered the possibility of hiring a part-time construction superintendent to help oversee the project.

District 4 supervisor Ron Stiers emphasized the importance of staying within budget for the renovations before voting on the issue.

“I want a set figure for the penalties if they are late,” he said. “I want them to pick up the tab for anything above the set figure we have.”