In an effort to further lower the estimated cost of the Phase 2 renovation, the Hildreth House Phase 2 Subcommittee removed the entire estimated budget for furnishings and equipment, $250,000, from the project. The group will instead rely on fundraising for tables, chairs, kitchen appliances, and audio-visual equipment. The budget will include $25,000 for security, telecommunications, and information technology needs.
The cut brings the total budget down to $4.3 million, a half-million lower than the original estimate from DAI, the architectural firm that was hired to create the schematic design for the addition. The subcommittee met Sept. 27 to discuss if any further cuts could be made to the building, which will serve as a separate dining and activities center next to Hildreth House. Chair Guy Oliva told the group that the only way to cut more would be to reduce the number of people the dining area could serve, now set at 90. “If we do that,” he said, “it’s not worth building.”
The Council on Aging board of directors reviewed the new estimate at an Oct. 1 meeting and voted unanimously to approve its capital request for the project. The COA now has all the necessary information, drawings, and estimates it needs to submit the capital request form to the Capital Planning and Investment Committee (CPIC) in time for the Oct. 3 deadline. If the Select Board agrees to put the project on the warrant, the town will vote on it at Town Meeting in the spring.
