Town of Westborough committee accepts $102,271.92 contractor credit to close Forbes Municipal Building Project

Peter Collins told the Town of Westborough Municipal Building Committee that Change Order 25 is a credit from 5 Star Building Company ‘‘in the amount of $102,271.92’’ intended to close the monetized punch list and finalize the contract for the Forbes Municipal Building Project.

The credit was presented as the final change order after 24 prior change orders. After committee discussion confirming there were no outstanding invoices and that required closeout documents had been submitted, an unnamed committee member moved to accept Change Order 25 and another member seconded. The Chair called the vote; five members were present and the motion passed unanimously, closing the project for 5 Star Building Company.

Christy, speaking for town staff, clarified how legal fees were billed: "They they just are charged to our legal budget," she said, and offered to review past billing and report back at the next meeting. She also noted the town may need to bring an item to a future town meeting to rescind borrowing authorization tied to the project now that it is closed out.

Committee members discussed performing a final contractor rating as part of contract closeout; Peter Collins noted ratings are traditionally completed when a contract is finalized and that a final rating could be done now even if the contractor is no longer active on town projects. One committee member also recorded that 5 Star is no longer eligible for state business; the committee did not take further action on debarment at the meeting.

The committee thanked Peter Collins for leading the project through completion. The committee asked staff to follow up on legal billing details and, if appropriate, bring any necessary borrowing-authorization rescission to a future town meeting.