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Council approves architect contract for DPW building with $3,125 cap; one councilor objects
Summary
The council authorized contracting with architect Melissa Hutchinson for building‑envelope services related to a DPW building, establishing a $3,125 cap and requiring council approval before exceeding that amount; the motion passed 4–1 after council debate about meeting the architect in person.
The Little Compton Town Council authorized a limited contract with architect Melissa Hutchinson for building‑envelope services on a proposed DPW building, establishing a $3,125 cap and requiring the contractor to seek council approval before exceeding that amount.
Speaker 2 (Presiding officer) explained the scope as building‑envelope services and said the total amount cited by the architect was $3,125. Speaker 5 (council member) objected to approving the contract without meeting the architect in person, saying, “I would be uncomfortable with voting for this. I've never met the woman. I think we should bring her into the council and discuss what her responsibilities are in this phase.”
Solicitor/administrative counsel (Speaker 6) recommended that the motion include a condition that any work exceeding the estimated hours or the cap return to council for approval. Speaker 1 amended the motion to add that condition. The motion carried 4–1. Council members emphasized that Hutchinson’s role is limited to the building envelope and that a different firm or designer may carry out structural or steel‑building design work later.
The contract includes the cap and a requirement that the contractor obtain council approval before exceeding the estimated hours; Speaker 5 asked to schedule a meeting with the architect before future approvals. The town will move forward with the capped contract and return to the council if additional funds or scope changes are needed.
