Town Center committee approves OPM RFP, forwards it to the select board

The Richmond Town Center Committee voted to forward a draft Owners Project Manager request for proposals (RFP) to the select board after adding language about flood risk and code compliance.

Mike said the RFP should describe the buildings history, current use and "any known issues related to flood risk or code compliance," noting recent basement flooding and the buildings location in a FEMA-designated flood plain. "I think Mike did a great job in laying that out," Matt said of the RFP text he had prepared.

A committee member moved to approve the RFP as written by Matt with Mikes suggested edits; the motion was seconded and the committee voted to send the RFP to staff for final check and then to the select board. Adam said he would represent the committee on the select board agenda and encouraged members to attend if they wished to speak about the need for an OPM.

Committee members said an OPM would help define a phased approach for larger capital work, identify required architects and engineers, and estimate costs needed to bring a project to a bond vote. Mike warned the committee to be cautious about spending the reserve fund for professional services without a clear accounting of current balances and commitments.

Next steps: staff will review the RFP for administrative details, incorporate the committees language, and post it to the select board agenda for formal consideration and posting.