CFAL Cost Drops By $1.6 Million

 CHATHAM – Lower than anticipated construction bids for renovation to the Center For Active Living building on Stony Hill Road will save the town $1.6 million over previous estimates.

 Rather than asking voters at the May 11 annual town meeting to add $1,880,000 to the $5 million previously appropriate for the work, officials will seek just $200,000.

 The low bid of $3,447,000 plus “soft” costs such as architect fees, equipment, furniture, relocating the COA and similar expenditures will bring the project in at $200,000 over the original budget.

 “Of course we won’t feel 100 percent great about this until the ribbon cutting, but I think we’re well on our way,” board Chair Dean Nicastro said at the March 24 select board meeting.

 It’s been a long haul for the council on aging, which has been working toward a new facility for the town’s seniors for more than a decade. Previous attempts to secure funding for new buildings in West Chatham and on Middle Road were turned down by town meeting numerous times, once by just a single vote.

 “We’re finally going to see this come to fruition,” COA board chair Patricia Burke said.

 Voters appropriated $5 million for the project last May, but a subsequent design development process determined that would not be sufficient and would require significant changes to the plan. A building working group set up by Town Manager Jill Goldsmith worked with the project developers to refine the plans and developed an estimate of $6,880,000. Officials planned to seek approval to borrow the additional $1,880,000 at this May’s annual town meeting, which would have required a two-thirds vote and approval at the ballot box.

 However, bids opened March 20 were significantly lower than anticipated. Nine bids were received, with low bidder Builders Systems, Inc. of Auburn and Sandwich coming in at $3,447,000. Adding in subcontractor bids and design, engineering and oversight costs, the original 2025 appropriation was just $200,000 short.

 The lower bid will eliminate the need to borrow the additional funds. Voters will be asked to appropriate the additional $200,000 from available free cash; while that only requires a majority vote, because the article also asks voters to authorize the select board to grant or receive an easement from the abutting condominium association in order to accommodate the parking layout, it will still require a two-thirds vote.

 The select board Tuesday voted unanimously to support the article at town meeting.

 Owners’ Project Manager Rick Pomroy was confident that Building Systems’ bid was “solid.” The company recently completed renovation of the town office restrooms, and was the contractor for the Dennis Center for Active Living and the Sandwich harbormaster’s building.

 “This is right in their wheelhouse,” Pomroy said. “We’re satisfied that it is a solid bid.” He said the lower than expected price was the result of a favorable bidding climate and Building Systems’ eagerness to do the job.

 Plans for renovations to the building have not changed. Improvements include upgrading the lower level to accommodate the CFAL’s adult supportive day program; improving the flexibility of the existing multi-purpose rooms by removing obstructions; improved handicap access; expansion of dining and storage areas; reconfiguration of offices; dormers to add functionality to second floor program space; and site improvements including better parking and circulation layouts. The entire building’s exterior will also be replaced with low-maintenance materials that Pomroy said will save the town money over time. Kitchen renovations as well as other changes were the result of the working group’s efforts, Goldsmith noted.

 If the additional funds are approved, CFAL staff will move out of the Stony Hill Road building and into space at the community center on June 30, and construction will begin July 1. If all proceeds according to plan, the work will be completed in time for the CFAL staff to move into the renovated building on Aug. 1, 2027.