Brookfield board authorizes up to $8,500 in preliminary Townhouse acoustics and architectural studies

The Brookfield Select Board voted on Nov. 4 to authorize preliminary professional work to study and address poor acoustics in the Townhouse. The board approved two contracts for assessment and design work with not‑to‑exceed amounts: $4,900 for an acoustical engineering firm to perform reverberation measurements and calculations, and $3,600 for an architect experienced with historic buildings to develop product selection criteria and phased recommendations.

Staff described the deliverables as a site visit and reverberation analysis from the engineering firm and a complementary architectural evaluation that would identify potential materials (rugs, window treatments, fabric panels or other treatments), quantify how much each phase would reduce reverberation, and provide cost estimates for phased implementation. The goal is to obtain enough information to prepare a warrant article for town meeting (March) outlining a phased plan and associated costs.

The board discussed contract details, including an upfront payment the architect requested ($1,500, to be credited on final invoice) and the need to include firm caps in letters of agreement. One board member asked that the contracts be reviewed by town counsel and that language include “not to exceed” amounts. Staff agreed to obtain revised contracts with capped totals and payment terms; the motion authorized signing contingent on those clarifications.

The motion to approve the two agreements with the stated not‑to‑exceed amounts carried on a voice vote with two members voting in favor and one abstention. Staff said the firms expect to complete the preliminary work by year‑end, subject to scheduling, and that the scope could be phased if the board prefers to spread implementation costs over multiple years.