Select board recommends CHA as community‑center OPM; committee discusses scope, engagement and $200,000 budget

The Municipal Building Committee heard an update that CHA (CHA Solutions) was recommended and that the select board awarded the firm the owner’s project manager (OPM) role for phase 1 of the community center, subject to contract negotiation.

Christy said the RFQ covered phase 1—hiring a designer, schematic design and construction estimates—and that the selection team received six OPM bids, interviewed three firms and recommended CHA for its in‑house design and cost‑estimation resources and prior experience with intergenerational centers. "They have in house cost estimation," Christy said of CHA, adding the firm has experience building intergenerational centers in other towns.

Staff described phase 1 as running through roughly October for schematic design and estimates, with an option to extend services into construction if the town chooses. Committee members emphasized the importance of community engagement; Christy and others said CHA and the chosen OPMs recommended multiple public meetings through the summer to shape programming, and the committee agreed representatives from this committee should be part of architect review and public‑engagement sessions.

On finances, members said the town meeting approved about $200,000 to cover the OPM, designer/architect and initial fit‑up elements; Christy noted an expected OPM cost estimate of roughly $20,000 for phase 1 based on conversations with other OPMs. Members said if the work is not ready for the October town meeting, they will delay the warrant submission until materials and outreach are complete.