Engineer recommends full DPW garage floor replacement after slab found thinner than specified; committee backs $2.2M article

Combined Facilities Director Sandra Duran told the Finance Committee on March 16 that structural testing of the Department of Public Works garage found the installed concrete slab measured approximately six inches, rather than the eight-inch thickness required by the original contract specification. Following pit borings and hammer testing, the structural engineer and the project designer concluded the most appropriate remedy is full replacement of the slab, which is the highest-cost option.

Committee member Henry Sorett expressed concern about the discrepancy between the specified and installed slab thickness and suggested the Town explore potential legal recourse. The committee discussed the construction issue but proceeded to consider the article on its merits.

After discussion, the committee voted to recommend approval of Article 32, DPW Garage Concrete Floor Replacement, in the amount of $2,200,000 (vote recorded as 8–0–1). The committee asked staff to document the engineering findings and indicated follow-up steps could include legal review; no formal legal action was taken at the meeting.

The transcript paraphrases remarks made by participants rather than providing verbatim, punctuated quotations; the article reflects that paraphrase and attributes claims to named speakers where the meeting minutes identify them.

Next steps: Engineering and design documentation will be included in the Town Meeting packet and the committee recommended that staff consider whether legal remedies are appropriate before construction proceeds.