Above: Selectmen approved new committee members and a (preliminarily) and “Owner’s Project Manager” firm to help make the envisioned public safety building a reality. (image from Facebook)
This week, Selectmen made four new votes related to the future police and fire station. All four were related to the team of people who will oversee important work on the project.
The board filled the vacancy on the Public Safety Building Committee. They had held the seat in hopes of finding someone with experience in construction. Selectmen expressed great enthusiasm about the expertise construction attorney David J. Officer will add to the group.
Officer also previously served on the School Building Committee for construction of Trottier and renovations at Finn. Selectmen said they were impressed with his experience, and (for some) personal knowledge of him. Selectman Brian Shea was hopeful Officer could help the committee minimize interaction with outside lawyers.
One of Officer’s sons is a member of the Southborough Police Department. Selectwoman Bonnie Phaneuf asked how he would handle a disagreement between PSBC and safety chiefs. He assured that if there was any conflict, he would represent “the people’s” interest.
The PSBC’s charge was also amended to change the Advisory Committee’s representative from non-voting to a voting member. That member, approved by selectmen, is Kathy Cook.
The request had been made by Advisory. Te committee determined any member serving on another committee (even non-voting) is prohibited to vote at Advisory on related items. Between that, Cook’s expertise, and her already proven commitment to attend meetings, selectmen agreed she should have a vote on PSBC.
Following the new appointments, selectmen voted to support the PSBC’s recommendation of a firm to act as the “Owner’s Project Manager”. Selectmen said they witnessed and were impressed by the work that the PSBC put into the selection process.
Southborough Wicked Local covered the decision:
The Public Safety Building Committee received bids from seven companies and recommended Vertex Companies of Weymouth for the job.
On Wednesday, selectmen approved the recommendation pending contract negotiations.
You can read more about that here.
