click here to view the consultant’s presentation

By Carol Britton Meyer

Voters at Monday’s annual town meeting will be asked to approve an additional $4 million to pay for the relocation of town hall to the Memorial School, according to an update Wednesday night by PCA 360, a project management firm hired by the town, that laid out three options.

“At town meeting on Monday, we’ll be requesting an additional $4 million to support this project,” Town Manager Jennifer Constable told the select board this week.

This is on top of the up to $3.6 million approved at the 2024 town meeting for repairs and improvements related to the relocation to Memorial School. The targeted move-in date is spring 2027.

The town is expected to use the space for municipal purposes for 30 years under the current memorandum of understanding with the school committee.

With regard to the increased cost, Constable noted that such a process takes a considerable amount of time and that “maybe [enough information] wasn’t communicated at the beginning.” She added that “nothing is awry. There are no bells and whistles that caused the increase – just the reality of what this project is. We’re fortunate to have a $7 million only project rather than one requiring full construction.”

If town meeting voters approve the expense, the next step will be to proceed with the design for the bid documents, Constable said.

The final construction budget will be established based on the architect’s detailed construction cost estimate.

Click here to view the consultant’s presentation on town hall relocation options

Of the three options presented, Option 3 is the preferred.

Option 1, with a total project cost of $3 million, including construction costs in the $1.37 million range, represents a minimal construction approach, with no air conditioning or new finishes, limited new partitions/walls, basic electrical work, and data wiring.

The impacts of this option include departments needing to fit into available space rather than customized layouts; an inefficient program layout; the entire available footprint would be used, with no flexibility for future improvements; and no ability to incorporate a future community center within the building.

While this meets the initial budget projection, going with Option 1 would result in “a compromised and inflexible long-term solution,” according to the presentation.

Option 2 – at a cost of $5 million, including a $3.25 million construction range – would offer an enhanced interior and full schematic design build-out without air conditioning; carpeted office areas; removal of hallway lockers to eliminate the “school feel;” an improved aesthetics and work environment; and a “more appropriate” municipal building character and would provide “a more polished and professional town hall environment and future space that could be used for a community center.”

Preferred Option 3 – resulting in a “functional and right-sized town hall” – would involve a full buildout with new rooftop air conditioning units to serve the office areas – at a total project cost of about $7.1 million, including construction costs in the $5.25 million range.

This proposal offers a full schematic design buildout, carpeted office areas, removal of hallway lockers to eliminate the “school feel,” space reserved for a future community center – which could include a relocated senior center; an ADA-compliant exterior ramp as a separate project funded through a potential state grant; improved aesthetics and work environment; a municipal building character; and improved occupant comfort while maintaining long-term flexibility for additional community use. This option is considered to provide the “highest-quality outcome.”

In other business

The select board approved 2026 Memorial Day street dedication requests by Veterans Agent Paul Sordillo and Veterans Council Chair Andrew Wohar:

• Raymond Russell Chase: To be added to the sign at the corner of Samoset Avenue and Phipps Street. His four brothers are already named on the sign.

• Patrick O’Hare: Vietnam War, K Street and Nantasket Ave.

• Raymond Strozewski, Sr.: U.S. Marine Corps, Korean War, Infantry Sergeant – no location named yet.

• Francis J. Tierney: U.S. Navy, Korean War, Aviation Photographer – Nantasket Road and Third Street.

• Fredrick Martin Tobman: Second Class Petty Officer, U.S. Navy, Vietnam War, 2 Centre Avenue.

Constable noted that over the course of the summer and beyond, the town will replace the already posted veterans signs that need replacing.

• The board entered into executive session following its regular business to discuss Western Avenue beach stairs ownership findings, Jake’s Seafood lease, and negotiations regarding the town manager’s contract.

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