Lakeville committee sets timeline to bid new fire station, approves two consultant invoices

The Town of Lakeville Fire Station Building Committee on June 25 reviewed a finalized timeline to put the new fire station project out to bid, discussed site mitigation for turtle habitat and radio‑system options, and approved two consultant invoices totaling $17,448.75.

Committee members and consultants said the project is entering the “home stretch” toward issuing bid documents. Taylor, a Pomeroy Associates representative, said the team will notify prequalified bidders on Monday, June 30, post bid documents on Project Dog on Wednesday, July 16, and hold an optional pre‑bid site visit later in July. Taylor said the team is projecting filed subcontractor bids due August 13 and general contractor bids returned in late August/early September, with contract execution targeted for late September and a notice to proceed around Oct. 1.

The schedule matters because of time‑sensitive environmental measures and site work, consultants and members said. Committee member Nate asked that the schedule be shared with Brian Madden to coordinate turtle fencing, training and a required “turtle sweep” before animals go dormant. A consultant said the team has identified several parcels that may be offered as mitigation and has documented a state‑listed eastern box turtle near one candidate parcel.

Why it matters: the timeline governs when contractors can mobilize, when protective measures for wildlife must happen, and when the town will move from design and permitting into construction. The committee’s approvals and the pace of permitting will determine whether the project meets the consultants’ target for fall construction starts and foundation work before winter.

Key details: consultants said documents will be available electronically through Project Dog and estimated the platform cost at $1,395. They noted the bidding window gives four weeks for filed subcontractor bids and an additional two weeks for general contractor bids. The waterline serving the site is about 50% through design and is expected to be bid separately to seek competitive pricing. Permitting materials were submitted to the planning board, board of health and the state review process; the planning board hearing was continued to July 8 for further review.

The committee discussed quality control during construction. The design team has prepared an RFP for HVAC commissioning (an independent on‑site review and testing process) and has budgeted money for commissioning specifically for the HVAC system. Material testing quotes were in hand with a third quote pending; on‑site materials testing would begin when construction starts in October.

Cybercom provided a preliminary radio‑system quote that included a broad list of upgrades for town‑wide systems. Committee members said Cybercom’s initial estimate included items outside the fire station’s day‑one needs — including a spec‑quoted tower price that committee members estimated at roughly $600,000–$700,000 — and asked Cybercom to pare the list to the minimum equipment required for the station to operate at opening.

Votes at a glance: the committee approved two invoices. A motion to approve Pomeroy Associates LLC invoice 23.111.0‑14 dated 06/08/2025 for $16,200 passed on a roll call (Darling, McCullough, Roy, Carbone, Suquoth, Conroy — all aye). The committee also approved LAC invoice 153162 dated 06/12/2025 for $1,248.75 (Darling, McCullough, O’Brien, Arboni, Suquoth, Conroy — all aye).

Meeting logistics and next steps: the consultants said the town council (legal review) will review front‑end contract language and that KB/municipal counsel will provide comments; the front‑end procurement language must be ready before bid issuance. The committee agreed to a virtual check‑in on the evening of Wednesday, July 30 (the planned site walk), and to meet in person on Wednesday, Sept. 10 (or after bids are reviewed) to consider recommendations and any award actions.

Quotes used in this report are verbatim from the meeting transcript. Taylor (Pomeroy Associates representative) said the team was “in the final kind of the home stretch to getting this project, you know, out to bid.” A consultant describing the electronic bidding platform said it “makes life way, way easier.” A committee member summarized the Cybercom estimate this way: “I think 6 or $700,000 of that quote was just the the tower.”

The committee did not take action on the radio quote or on the waterline design; both were described as continuing items that will be refined and brought back to the committee. The record shows the committee approved the two invoices noted above and directed staff and consultants to continue coordination on mitigation, permitting and the final bid package.