School building committee eyes June MSBA submission, says schematic design remains on budget

The Blackstone–Millville School Building Committee voted to approve $19,536.92 in consultant invoices and affirmed that schematic-design work remains within the project’s committed budget as it prepares a June 25 submission to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

Committee members approved the OPM’s administrative report and two invoices from DRA that together totaled $19,536.92. The group discussed a backup cover-letter date and a $90 contractual markup on a consultant bill; staff clarified the service dates covered and that the $90 reflected the agreed markup from the consultant to DRA. Following that clarification, the committee proceeded with a roll-call vote and approved payment.

Project managers from Colliers and the owner’s project manager said the district has moved into schematic design and is targeting a June 25 SD package submission with MSBA board review in late August and a subsequent fall town vote on the project. The MSBA review period, they said, will also be when the district and MSBA finalize the project scope, reimbursement rate and the district share that voters will consider.

The team emphasized the project remains “within our committed amount,” and noted the packet materials include the committed amount, project budget breakdown and cost-summary columns that show the remaining balance. The committee directed staff to continue tracking costs and to flag any variance to the group.

Next procedural steps: a virtual meeting scheduled for April 15 will focus on building systems, and the committee expects to meet in person on May 13. The project team also plans a quick vote on June 17 to authorize the submission of the schematic design package to MSBA.