Letter to the Editor: Vote Yes and Lock in Rates

Emotions were really high at Town Meeting. Understandibly, people are frustrated. But if we put emotion aside and think logically for a moment, we will agree that voting yes is our best option.

One of the biggest reasons we are in this situation is because a year ago when the dollar number was calculated the  build budget portion of the project the professionals hired by the town instructed the SSBC was too low, and even that was based on 20 percent drawings. Partly to blame is the Project Manager's number, but the other part has to do with the building costs rising as significantly as they did this past year.

By voting yes, we now have the opportunity to lock into current costs now. By voting no, we pay the architect more money to redesign a lesser school and we lose money from the state because with anything we cut out, we lose our portion of reimbursement. With the delay we will have to put out to rebid. The Construction Manager (Gilbane) would need to solicit new file sub bids at a time when construction costs of materials and labor are escalating. Who knows when that will be and what the costs will be at that time.  

This project will continue. Based on our vote last year, we as a town committed to this project. What is in question is what this project will be. By voting no, we are still paying our higher tax rate, plus we will be paying more for our portion of the school and getting less of a school. By voting yes, we lock into costs now and finish the project we voted on. A project that we will be proud of. 

Sincerely,

Laura Doble