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Board asks for Fuss & O'Neil contract, holds invoices amid questions about bathroom project work
Summary
Andover's Board of Finance asked the Board of Education for the contract and drawings from engineering firm Fuss & O'Neil and placed recent invoices on hold until the town and BOE clarify deliverables and whether the project changed from an RFP to a design‑build approach.
The Andover Board of Finance voted on Dec. 17 to request the contract and design documents between the Board of Education and engineering firm Fuss & O'Neil and to press the BOE for a public meeting with the firm before authorizing outstanding invoices.
Chair Robert opened discussion after the BOE's recent presentation of plans for the school bathroom renovation and questions raised by board members about whether the work delivered matched the contract. First Selectman Jeff said he had instructed the finance office to hold multiple checks while the town reconciles what has been received. "I have sat there and requested that the checks be held," he said, explaining he wanted to confirm final stamped drawings and to understand whether the project's procurement approach had changed.
Board members said invoices received to date approach the design budget the board originally authorized. One member noted, "We approved $48,600 for this," and cited an internal tally suggesting billed amounts may exceed that figure; another countered that the BOE believes it has received the agreed deliverables. The disagreement centered on two questions: (1) whether the contract contemplated a design‑build delivery or an RFP/bid process, and (2) whether the board and subcommittee have final, stamped drawings they can review.
To provide clarity, the board voted to request the Fuss & O'Neil contract and copies of the plans and to ask the BOE and Fuss & O'Neil to hold an open meeting for the town's boards. The motion passed on a roll call; members who voted yes included Louise, Liz, Bill, Nick, Heather and others. The town chair said he would email the BOE and circulate received documents to all board members.
Jeff emphasized the board was not refusing to pay vendors indefinitely: "They will get paid," he said, but the town needs to confirm that the firm delivered the contracted scope before signing the remaining checks.
Next steps: the chair will request the contract and plans from the BOE, attempt to schedule a public meeting with Fuss & O'Neil in January, and circulate any documents the BOE provides to the Board of Finance; payments will be reconsidered after the review.
