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Town hall renovation faces $382K shortfall; council moves to ask town meeting for $750K owner‑controlled contingency
Summary
After presentations from the architect and construction manager that placed the 95% guaranteed maximum price about $382,000 over the approved budget, the South Berwick council scheduled a Dec. 9 public hearing and a Dec. 16 special town meeting to consider designating up to $750,000 from town funds as an owner‑controlled contingency to cover unforeseen conditions.
The South Berwick Town Council on Nov. 25 heard a detailed update on the town hall renovation that showed a 95% guaranteed maximum price (GMP) remaining about $382,000 above the voter‑approved budget. After a multi‑hour presentation by Oak Pointe Associates (architect) and Charter Brothers (construction manager), the council unanimously scheduled a Dec. 9 public hearing and a Dec. 16 special open‑floor town meeting to ask taxpayers to designate up to $750,000 as an owner‑controlled contingency for the project.
Peter McGovern of Oak Pointe Associates reviewed the design development and said the building plan has not materially changed since concept design; work on mechanical, egress and accessibility systems plus upgrades to restrooms remains. Mike Beam of Charter Brothers told the council the 50% market pricing returned roughly $1.1 million over budget; value‑management exercises and alternate specifications…
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