Hubbardston committee approves updated municipal complex plans, sends two options for pricing

The Municipal Complex Building Committee voted May 19 to accept revised plans for a proposed municipal complex and public-safety building and to send two design options forward for pricing and a project timeline.

The vote followed a detailed walk-through of two sketches from the project designer, Dror, who repeated that the drawings were preliminary. "This is a sketch. It's not a done deal, and that's how we should treat it," Dror said during the meeting as he described differences between a single-floor layout (Option 1) and a larger, two-floor approach (Option 2).

Why it matters: Committee members said the two options meet different priorities — cost containment vs. long-term flexibility — and that a clear cost comparison will be needed before the town votes. The committee directed staff and the designer to refine both options to a level suitable for pricing and to prepare a project timeline for presentation to residents ahead of a planned debt-exclusion vote in November.

What the committee discussed: Members focused on interior layouts for town offices, secure spaces for finance functions, public-facing kiosks, and the operational flow of the fire station and ambulance bays. The fire department representative stressed operational needs such as separate entrance and exit flow for turnout gear and vents and laundry space for contaminated gear. "The changing room is code driven," the fire department representative warned, noting that toilets and changing-room sizing can be driven by plumbing and accessibility codes and may increase costs.

Budget signals: At the meeting Chair noted an outstanding bill of about $6,900 that had been submitted and said Sean (staff) had previously negotiated $4,000 for the current phase. The chair also said the schematic portion of the project previously included a figure of roughly $69,000, which has not been applied to the current bill.

Public-facing layout and records: The committee debated keeping an open, accessible public area versus adding more locked offices for records and treasurer functions. Dror proposed glass-front kiosks for departments to maintain an open feel while preserving secure rooms for the treasurer and town administrator. He also said the proposed production/cable room would need about 12 by 8 feet of space to serve the assembly room below.

Formal action: After discussion, a committee member moved to accept the plans as presented with the committee's requested changes; the motion was seconded and the chair declared the motion passed. "Motion passed and we are good to go," the chair said after vocal assent.

Next steps: The committee directed Dror and staff to prepare both options for pricing, assemble a project timeline, and bring cost estimates and recommended ballot language back to the committee. Members agreed to brief residents at an upcoming town meeting with a short update highlighting the two design options and said they intend to present a debt-exclusion question to voters in November rather than a Proposition 2½ override. The committee tentatively scheduled a follow-up meeting for June to continue the path toward pricing and the debt-exclusion plan.

The committee adjourned after confirming the next meeting date and assigning follow-up work.