The Hubbardston Select Board voted Jan. 21 to engage Derek Rubinoff Architects as the designer for the town’s public safety project at 48 Gardner Road.

Why it matters: The choice clears the next procedural step in a multi-year project to create a combined or consolidated public safety facility; the designers will develop schematic and construction documents to define scope, costs and phasing.

The Public Safety Building Committee, which reviewed proposals from two architecture firms, recommended Derek Rubinoff’s firm following a unanimous committee vote. Committee members cited the firm’s experience with similar conversions and the chiefs’ confidence that the firm would work well with on-site personnel.

Derek Rubinoff introduced his firm’s background to the board, saying his eight-person West Roxbury practice has recent experience adapting office/bank buildings into municipal facilities in other jurisdictions. The committee and the town emphasized that the project is not a standard new build but will combine renovation and new construction elements at the town-owned 48 Gardner Road site.

Motion and vote: A motion to approve Derek Rubinoff Architects as the designer and to authorize the town administrator to proceed with contract negotiations was moved and seconded; the board voted in favor and the motion carried.

Next steps: The vote authorizes the town administrator to enter contract negotiations with the firm; the town will return with negotiated terms and a recommended contract for the board’s approval. The project will proceed through design phases and public review; the board and committee noted that schedule and phasing (for example whether garage space or office space is prioritized) will be defined during schematic design.