Board approves $413,009.82 transfer to cover higher-than-expected Erwin demolition and abatement costs

The Board of Finance voted to transfer $413,009.82 from a Waveny exterior-repairs capital grouping to fund higher costs for the Erwin demolition project, board members said. The transfer passed on a motion and voice vote.

Tiger, a town project liaison, and Joe Zagorinsky, the town project manager on Erwin, told the board the biggest cost driver was abatement uncovered during environmental study: "we did uncover a lot of...waterproofing, that contained asbestos in the bomb shelter and and all the below grade areas," Joe said, explaining the abatement estimate rose about $300,000 above the earlier figure.

The board was told the demolition estimate for the building itself rose from roughly $550,000 (the earlier budget) to about $762,500; the additional $413,009.82 covers the increased abatement, relocation and conditioning work prompted by site conditions and by the need to relocate a maintenance shop currently in an attached garage. That relocation requires conditioning and a fire-rating separation for the replacement space because vehicles and fuel-powered equipment are stored there.

Town staff said Waveny exterior-repairs work originally budgeted on the same bonded-capital tranche came in under the worst-case estimates. Project staff described that earlier Hoffman architectural estimates had included a worst-case scope (continuous through-wall flashing at every window). The town later narrowed the Waveny scope to a targeted approach and reduced the Waveny costs by about $400,000 compared with the Hoffman's worst-case figure; staff proposed moving the available funds to Erwin.

Board members discussed the change in scope and the unanticipated abatement costs at length and asked about whether Waveny work was being shortchanged; staff said Waveny work remains funded for the agreed phase and that phase 2 remains under budget. The board approved the move and asked staff to monitor the Erwin schedule and permitting timeline; staff said utilities disconnection could begin about 10 days after approvals and that demolition could be completed before winter if permitting proceeds without long delays.

Action taken: motion to transfer $413,009.82 from Waveny exterior repairs to Erwin demolition; motion moved by Michael (board member) and seconded by Steve Doka; vote: voice vote in favor, no recorded roll-call.