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Millis select board: school building committee reports big drop in town share after value engineering
Summary
Select board members said architects and the school building committee reduced the Millis middle–high school project costs and reported a town share now estimated near $63 million, pending MSBA confirmation of a 45–50% state contribution; the board previewed a final vote next week to lock the amount to send to MSBA.
Select board members reported that extensive value engineering by the school building committee and its consultants has whittled the total projected cost of the Millis middle–high school project and reduced the town’s share to roughly $63,000,000.
The board’s update said architects and engineers (named in discussion as Tappe and Vertex) cut contingency and scope elements; one board member said consultants identified about $2,000,000 of contingency they believe can be removed. Town officials emphasized that the final town obligation depends on the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s (MSBA) determination of the per‑square‑foot number and the MSBA percentage contribution, which they described as likely in the 45–50% range.
The board noted a joint in‑person meeting of the school building committee, select board and finance committee is scheduled next week to vote the final recommended project amount to send to the MSBA. Town staff said that once the MSBA signs a contract it will lock in the state contribution percentage, making the amount binding for the project.
The board emphasized the numbers discussed are preliminary. “Once the state tells us, they sign a contract,” a speaker said, noting that the MSBA’s percentage is a binding number once the contract is executed. The board said the final contract is expected in September and that the school building committee will return with exact figures at the upcoming meeting.
Next steps: the select board and school building committee will meet in person next week to finalize the town recommendation for MSBA submission; the board said it will report confirmed figures once the MSBA contract is executed.
