The most pressing topic at the meeting was the unresolved moisture issue at the police station located on King Street. Testing conducted by a waterproofing company revealed that the moisture infiltration was not a result of rain or exterior water intrusion, but rather due to humidity transfer originating from between the windows. The tests involved a substantial amount of water being sprayed on the building, which resulted in minimal leakage. The consensus among committee members was that the building’s design and lack of proper flashing might be contributing to the problem.

The committee discussed the financial implications of the testing, with an invoice amounting to $9,340 being unanimously approved. Despite this, concerns persisted regarding the building’s air sealing and insulation. The committee acknowledged the necessity of further investigation to understand the moisture situation comprehensively. There was a consensus to bring the engineer who conducted the tests to a future meeting to provide detailed findings and potential solutions, even if this would mean additional costs for the town.

In parallel to the police station issues, the committee deliberated on financial matters concerning the senior center and other town projects. An invoice from Classic Construction for $378,121.70 was discussed but not approved due to pending finalization of a change order. This led to broader discussions about the project’s finances, including the depletion of contingency funds and the need for clarity on approved change orders before proceeding with payments. Jim, a member questioning the financial source, received confirmation that funds would be drawn from previous capital articles with existing balances. However, the unresolved status of the change order raised further questions about the billed amount’s legitimacy.

For the senior center project, the committee approved expenditures totaling $343,775.84, covering various invoices for exercise equipment, audiovisual consulting, and other project aspects. The billing from Commodore Builders was highlighted, with efforts to reduce retainage for subcontractors who had completed their tasks. The committee also approved change order number 11 from Commodore Builders, which included credits back to the town, resulting in a total credit of $112,916. This change order primarily involved eliminating unnecessary finishes and adjustments, which contributed to the project being projected as $750,000 to $850,000 under the original budget.

The feasibility study for the Shaker Lane School was also briefly touched upon, with updates on schematic design submissions to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). The senior center project was progressing towards finalizing closeout documentation, which was expected within a month. Concerns about acoustics at the senior center were raised, with reports of noise from pool tables disturbing the facility. The committee discussed potential solutions, including acquiring additional sound attenuation materials.