NEWTON FALLS City, schools to work on project

Contracts for the project were awarded this week.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NEWTON FALLS -- City and school officials hope that by working together, a planned construction project will go smoothly.
Council and the board of education will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Community Center on East Quarry Street to discuss the new middle school.
Superintendent Linda J. Clapp said the project, which falls under the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission plan, also falls in line with the city's improvement plan, so the two groups decided to work together.
"We are trying to make sure everything flows well once we dig the hole," she said.
Clapp said architects working on the new school will attend to coordinate construction, utility service and other aspects of the project.
Awarded contracts
The school board awarded contracts this week on six phases of the project, which is estimated at $8 million.
Hummel Construction of Ravenna bid $4,985,200 for the general trades contract, which includes masonry, concrete and roofing work.
The contract for heating, ventilation and air conditioning went to Antonucci Inc. of Warren for $1,068,000; the plumbing contract was awarded to Steinglass Mechanical Contracting Inc. of Medina for $357,000; Grunau Co. of Boardman will install the sprinkler system for $114,500; Penn-Ohio Electric Co. of Masury was awarded the electrical contract for $687,000; and food service equipment will be installed by Brysco Food Service of Pittsburgh for $159,565.
The new school is part of a districtwide plan that calls for the conversion of the middle school to kindergarten through second grade and the elimination of Arlington Elementary School.
The junior/high-school facilities will also be upgraded.
"If all goes well, we will hopefully break ground by the end of March" on the new middle school, Clapp said.
slshaulis@vindy.com