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Select Board authorizes $426,000 OPM contract for fire department project after questioning fees and oversight
Summary
After questioning fee structure and contingency for a projected $8.3 million fire department project, the Town of Hampden Select Board voted to authorize the town administrator to sign a $426,000 owner's project manager (OPM) contract recommended by the fire department building committee.
The Town of Hampden Select Board on Oct. 27 authorized the town administrator to sign a $426,000 contract with the recommended owner's project manager (OPM) for the planned fire department building project, after committee members presented a revised scope that shortens the construction schedule and removes FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment) monitoring from the OPM’s duties.
Mark, a member of the fire department building committee, told the board the recommended firm had the most relevant experience and had reduced the proposed schedule by a few months and trimmed scope to lower cost. Committee members said they had narrowed candidates to three and selected the firm judged most likely to give the project adequate attention.
Select Board members pressed the committee on oversight and fee structure. Board members asked who would approve contingency work and whether the fee was fixed to the $8.3 million project estimate. Committee members and staff said the OPM’s fee is time-based (hourly/time-on-project) rather than strictly a percentage of construction costs and that major changes would be brought back to the board.
One board member expressed concern about committing to a high baseline budget at a time when other town capital needs may require borrowing, and asked whether a smaller design could be considered to reduce costs. The committee said future design work and the architect phase remain to be negotiated and that design revisions could reduce scope if the board chose to pursue that option.
A motion to authorize the administrator to sign the contract passed following a mover and a second; the board approved the action and directed the administrator to proceed with contract execution so the project can move forward.
The board did not adopt a binding limit on total project spending at the meeting; committee members said the next steps include architect selection and final design that will shape the overall budget.
