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Council debates $80,000 feasibility study and $12,000 stairs design for two town-owned halls
Summary
Councilors questioned outside engineering costs after staff announced an $80,075 feasibility quote covering two town-owned buildings and a separate $11,990 stairs design; members directed the building official and DPW director to prepare bid specifications and explore lower-cost local options before hiring outside engineers.
The Little Compton Town Council on Monday reviewed consultant quotes for structural and accessibility work at two town-owned halls and directed staff to prepare a bid package rather than immediately contracting a costly outside engineering design.
Unidentified town staff presented a proposal saying architect Christine Shea’s firm had quoted $80,075 to perform feasibility studies covering both the Odd Fellows Hall (32 Commons) and the town’s DPW building, and separately estimated $11,990 to prepare drawings for replacement stairs. The staff presentation noted the $80,075 quote covered both buildings and that the $11,990 figure was separate from the feasibility total.
Several councilors and members of the public pushed back on the stairs estimate. One councilor said, “I just can’t see spending $12,000 for a design to build a set of stairs,” and reported a local contractor estimated the work, including labor and pressure-treated materials, for under $5,000. The building official told the council that stairs can be rebuilt without a formal engineering study so long as replacements meet current code, but also cautioned that existing stairs do not meet code and liability concerns remain if work is deferred.
Rather than approving the outside engineer’s proposal tonight, the council summarized a path forward: the building official, with the director of public works, will draft design/specification language that can be used to solicit bids. Council members discussed having a local architect already known to the town provide drawings if that would reduce cost. Several members emphasized that whoever prepares bidding documents should not then be the inspector for the work to avoid a conflict of interest; the state inspector can inspect if requested.
The council framed the decision as direction to prepare an RFP and scope, not as contract approval. Staff said they will return with a clarified specification and then advertise for bids, and the town clerk will manage permit/list issuance for any historic-building accommodations discussed by the harbor and building officials.
Next steps: staff will develop the bid package and consult with the building official and DPW director to ensure code compliance; the council will consider awarding the work after bids are received.
