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Town hires Arrow Street to test DPW options; board to review study in September
Summary
Select Board members reviewed progress on DPW facility planning: Arrow Street Architects is producing conceptual options (renovation, phased construction, separated staff building), with cost estimates forthcoming. The board emphasized avoiding an undersized facility and minimizing operational disruption.
The Select Board received an update on the Town’s Department of Public Works building planning: Arrow Street Architects is completing conceptual options and cost estimates after reviewing prior Western Sampson plans, the existing site and DPW operations.
Arrow Street’s work includes multiple concepts: renovating the existing building, renovating and adding a new fleet storage building, a phased approach that constructs new staff or shop space first and renovates existing bays second, and options that retain or modify portions of the current structure. The consultants are preparing conceptual drawings and cost estimates to help the town decide whether to pursue a single‑phase replacement or a phased approach.
Board members emphasized two principles: avoid an undersized facility that will fail to meet DPW operational needs, and consider construction phasing that minimizes disruption to winter operations and fleet readiness. Select Board member Fran urged the town to review successful neighboring DPW facilities (e.g., Tewksbury, Bedford, Burlington) and not reduce the scale of the project to cut costs, while other members cautioned about presenting clear and realistic financing options to voters.
Arrow Street will provide a draft report to the town’s DPW working group on Aug. 27 and a fuller presentation to the Building Committee on Sept. 11; the Select Board will receive the material at an upcoming meeting. Depending on the option selected, the town may need to seek additional design funding at a future town meeting and would then return with a recommended scope and financing plan.
