In the wake of concerns expressed about how two large facilities projects are being managed, several town officials have weighed in on the situation.
Last Tuesday, June 3, worries were discussed by the Board of Selectmen relating to cost overages and a lack of clear accountability regarding the $19-million police HQ construction project, which is being managed by Jeff Pardo, assistant director/facilities manager with Wilton’s Department of Public Works.
Two days later, Superintendent Kevin Smith chimed in with concerns relating to how Pardo was managing the expansive renovation project at Middlebrook School, estimated last year to cost $6.2 milllion. He questioned Pardo’s decision-making in managing that project, as well as stating that Pardo had presented incorrect details to the BOS on June 3.
On Friday, June 6, Smith expressed regret that the email he sent the morning before to both the BOS and the Board of Education had been made public (though such email communications between municipal officials are technically available to the public through the Freedom of Information Act; GOOD Morning Wilton obtained Smith’s email through a FOIA request).
“The note I sent was for the intended audience,” he said. “It’s regrettable that it’s been shared more widely.”
In his original email, Smith wrote of Pardo, “I am not confident that we have the best project management to ensure this project is done right, well and on schedule … Please accept this email as me registering a formal concern.”
On Saturday, June 7, Wilton’s DPW Director/Town Engineer Frank Smeriglio issued a statement on behalf of First Selectman Toni Boucher and her staff in response to Smith’s concerns.
“It is disappointing to see the superintendent’s email,” Smeriglio said, especially as his department is preparing to start Board of Education projects in mid-June.
“The interpretation of the conflicts, critical path problems, coordination issues and solutions appear to be one-sided,” he said. “DPW brought [the] BOE team up to speed with the issues, provided them with a path to solve them and adjusted the solution based on their input. All of this was discussed over the last two months and at [a] June 5 meeting.”
Smeriglio said it had been additionally disappointing that Smith sent this email just four hours before a scheduled meeting with Pardo, Smeriglio, Town Administrator Matt Knickerbocker, and BOE Plant Manager Jose Figueroa.
Smeriglio said that Smith knew that meeting would be happening and stated it resulted in “a great outcome and positive path forward.”
“We have put a process in place that all parties agree will work well,” Smeriglio said.
“DPW has done numerous successful projects with the BOE team over the last three years as well as completed many successful other DPW projects in Wilton,” he said. “Our track record of obtaining approximately $30 million in grants over the last five years should speak volumes.”
Both Boucher — who was out of state for a medical procedure — and Knickerbocker deferred any comment on the matter to Smeriglio’s statement.
Board of Selectmen Members Weigh In
Whether or not BOS members will be placated by Smeriglio’s statement is yet to be determined, with its next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 17.
“Clearly, the points raised in Kevin’s email are important and will be discussed by the BOS,” Selectman Bas Nabulsi said on Friday, June 6. “Any actions to be taken by the BOS will be based on that discussion and input from all involved parties.”
“Any thoughts I might have on the broader issues, (such as) the interplay with the police HQ project, will be shared as part of the BOS discussion,” he said.
Selectwoman Kim Healy has been the most outspoken member of the BOS this year, expressing repeated concerns on several issues.
“I was not surprised by Dr. Smith’s email about management concerns, since it only confirmed what I have been saying for well over a year,” Healy told GMW. “I have not heard from anyone on the board regarding the email, but we need to act now and agree on appropriate oversight procedures going forward.”
Healy, who has repeatedly pushed to have Boucher and her team to keep the BOS better informed with more details on a range of different items, including the Ambler Farm lease, the senior tax credit, and the operating budget itself, voiced strong worries about Middlebrook.
“I think you can tell that I am extremely frustrated that this project and other recent projects have repeatedly been over budget,” Healy said. “All requests should be vetted better, before it comes to the BOS, and they should have been prepared to be able to explain why this was over budget.”
“I do not understand if this is occurring because of bad budgeting or for another reason,” she said.
Earlier, Selectman Josh Cole had expressed appreciation that Smith had brought his concerns forward, stating he looked forward to learning more details about the situation.
Selectman Ross Tartell was the lone BOS member who did not provide a response to inquiries from GOOD Morning Wilton.
Smeriglio went on to strongly recommend creating an agreement between the town and BOE to determine who should be covering which expenses — something the BOS had some discussion about during budget season.
“We plan to continue to work with Kevin and Jose to complete these projects together,” he said. “The construction field is very volatile at this moment and if the solution to problems involves BOS input and approval, we plan to obtain them.”
“Jeff [Pardo] will continue to be the lead on various BOE building projects with assistance from other DPW staff and with my supervision,” Smeriglio said. “I will continue to be the lead on BOE site projects.”
Smith did not want to comment further on his email, but he indicated the seriousness of properly handling facilities projects going forward.
“We have a great deal of facilities work to contend with and we need to get the projects right from scope to cost and quality,” he said. “Wilton has a long history of doing these things right and well.”