Selectmen authorize construction contract for Simsbury performing‑arts bandshell but budget gap remains

The Simsbury Board of Selectmen on July 14 approved a motion authorizing the town manager to execute a construction contract with the apparent low bidder for the Performing Arts Center bandshell. The board’s action clears the way for construction to begin, but town staff and project leaders warned there remains a modest funding gap that they plan to close through a combination of the nonprofit’s fundraising and available town resources.

Town Manager Mark (last name not specified in the public record) and public‑works staff presented bid results and a line‑by‑line review of project allowances, contingencies and value‑engineering options. Engineering estimates and the winning bid were closer than is common on municipal projects; after value engineering there was still an identified shortfall of about $128,000 relative to the top‑line referendum figure, largely attributable to newly discovered site issues and required allowances.

"We could sign the contract tomorrow," the town manager said in presenting the report, but he also told the board that staff and SIMPAC were continuing to work to cover the remaining contingency gap without returning to voters. Adam (last name not given), the town engineer who reviewed the bids, described unexpected site items the team discovered after more detailed on‑site work, including unsuitable soils requiring removal and utility relocations that added to the project’s estimated costs. He told the board the project team had identified roughly $109,000 in value‑engineering savings and that SIMPAC had raised roughly $904,000 toward its commitment; together those moves narrowed but did not eliminate the shortfall.

SIMPAC representatives said the group has raised committed funds and expects to continue fundraising. "We have that amount in hand to meet our commitment to the project," SIMPAC leadership said, and added the nonprofit is balancing contributions to both capital costs and a working‑capital fund to support programming. Project presenters stressed that the referendum authorization and state DECD grant remain sufficient to cover the project’s approved budget and that the remaining uncertainty revolves around contingency levels and unpredictable site conditions rather than baseline approvals.

The board voted to authorize the town manager to execute a contract with the designated contractor. Selectmen and the town manager asked staff to continue negotiating practical cost‑sharing steps with SIMPAC and to bring any required supplemental appropriation requests back to the Board of Finance for approval rather than returning to the voters. Town staff also said they would keep the board informed when foundations are completed and unknown site conditions are resolved, a milestone that typically reduces contingency risk.

No final change to the referendum total was proposed or approved during the meeting; any supplemental town funding would follow the town’s normal budget and appropriation process.