Willington committee recommends Colliers Project Leaders as OPM after narrow vote

The Willington School Building Committee voted 4'to'1 on March 2 to recommend that the Board of Selectmen enter contract negotiations with Colliers Project Leaders to serve as the town's owner's project manager (OPM) for school project development and a possible referendum.

Chair James Marshall, who moved the committee's funding motion earlier in the meeting, said the recommendation reflects a need to "hit the ground running" to meet grant-application and schedule pressures. "I move that we approve funding of up to $910 for the invoices related to the deed revision document for the Hall School property," Marshall said earlier in the meeting while explaining administrative steps already underway.

Why it matters: the committee must file a grant application before a June deadline to preserve reimbursement eligibility, members said. That time pressure pushed several members to favor a firm that already has local knowledge and can begin work immediately, even if another firm appeared to offer stronger community-engagement plans.

What members said: committee members debated two finalists, Arcadis and Colliers. One member who interviewed both firms said Arcadis "said from the beginning that they're going to be here for us right from the beginning," arguing Arcadis might do more outreach to persuade voters. Another member and the chair emphasized Colliers' existing familiarity with the town and capacity to onboard quickly.

Cost differences were discussed: members cited a quoted cost of about $52,369 for Colliers on the stated scope and referenced a lower figure of roughly $35,000 for a narrower, grant-application-only engagement; the committee said any final scope and fee would be negotiated if the Selectmen approve an award.

Motion and vote: after an informal preference round, a motion was made to recommend Colliers and was seconded; a roll-call vote recorded four in favor and one opposed. The committee chair said he would notify Colliers and the Selectmen, seek the firm's willingness to engage on an aggressive schedule, and pursue a letter of intent while contract negotiations proceed.

Next steps: the committee will forward its recommendation to the Board of Selectmen, pursue a letter of intent to accelerate onboarding, and ask the recommended OPM to help with grant-application tasks and the architect/engineering procurement process. Interviews for A/E firms were tentatively scheduled for March 11'13 with the committee aiming to finalize selections prior to March 17.

What the vote does not do: the committee's recommendation does not bind the Selectmen to contract; formal award and execution of agreements will follow Selectmen approval and negotiation.

The committee adjourned at 10:01 p.m. and plans to continue procurement and outreach work in its next meeting.