Fales Elementary School

The new Fales Elementary School project required careful coordination to deliver a modern, sustainable facility while navigating sensitive regulatory and operational constraints.

Streamlining Approvals and Adapting in the Field
Samiotes collaborated with the Westborough Conservation Commission to define the Zone 2 Aquifer Protection District and Bordering Vegetated Wetlands—ultimately eliminating the need for a formal Con Com filing, which saved the Town valuable time and budget. The team also supported a complex phasing plan: first maintaining the existing school in full operation during construction and later addressing unique NFPA fire protection requirements for two schools running simultaneously on the site. 

 
During construction, unexpected soil conditions presented a new challenge: unusually high suspended solids in the site soils caused runoff to carry silt through traditional erosion controls and into the buffer zone. Partnering with the geotechnical engineer, Samiotes developed a creative, mechanical flocking system using flocculant treated frack tanks to remove particulates before safely discharging the water—meeting environmental standards and protecting adjacent wetlands.

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By aligning permitting strategies with safety and operational needs, Samiotes helped the project team achieve compliance while creating a safe and efficient learning environment for students and staff.