At its first meeting on Nov. 17, the newly formed Town Hall Construction Committee (THCC) got down to business promptly at 7:30 a.m. Within the first few minutes, Rick Maiore was appointed chairman of the six-person committee, and members voted unanimously to use Town Administrator Tim Bragan as the deciding vote if any future votes result in a tie. Jack Guswa was appointed vice-chairman and liaison to the Historical Commission.
Bragan brought the detailed design documents delivered last week by LLB Architects. He informed the group that new cost estimates are not yet in, but he is pushing to get them within a week. Members all asked for copies of the design documents, which they plan to review over the next few weeks.
The committee’s next task is to review owner’s project manager (OPM) applications and make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen. The position is currently being advertised, and applications are due back by noon on Dec. 1. Once an OPM is appointed, that person will have to review the detailed design documents and cost estimates before LLB can move ahead to produce construction documents, so time is of the essence. Bragan estimated that, once started, the OPM’s review should be completed in one to two weeks.
Going forward, the THCC will hold meetings as needed. Members plan to work in two-person subcommittees and bring their research and recommendations to the full committee for decisions. Most THCC members have not yet met LLB architect Drayton Fair, so they have invited him to a meeting on Nov. 24 to introduce himself to the committee. If Fair is unavailable, that meeting will be rescheduled.
