The Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) advisory board received an update on the master plan and community center feasibility study procurement process at its Feb. 19 meeting.

Parks staff said six firms submitted proposals; one firm was disqualified for missing a mandatory pre-bid meeting, leaving five bids to review. A selection team that included two PROS representatives, staff and department leadership convened to evaluate proposals and has shortlisted two firms for second-round interviews, with staff aiming for in-person meetings with finalists.

Staff said the next steps are to complete interviews, negotiate contract terms with the town attorney, and—if negotiations go as expected—request board of trustees approval for the contract. The planned project schedule proposed by bidders runs about 12–14 months in most shortlisted proposals, though individual firms offered different phasing; one firm proposed a shorter timeline and others longer. Some firms proposed doing feasibility work concurrently with master-plan tasks; others proposed phasing the studies.

PROS members emphasized the importance of vetting firms for local understanding and stakeholder engagement. Staff said the process includes town staff, PROS representatives and stakeholders and that the selected firm will hold extensive community engagement activities once under contract. If needed to meet timing, staff said they could request a special meeting of trustees to begin the contract process sooner.

No contract award had been made at the meeting; staff asked board members to expect a recommendation after interviews and negotiations and to participate in stakeholder sessions after the contract is finalized.