The selection of the OPM was a central topic of discussion, with the committee weighing the merits of three potential candidates. All three were closely scored, but the chosen OPM was distinguished by the depth of their firm, promising continuity and a range of expertise within the team. This “deep bench” was considered important to maintaining project momentum in case of staff unavailability. The OPM’s fee proposal came in under the committee’s budget, which was greeted as a positive sign for the project’s financial management.

The committee also discussed the electrical components that were on back order, which posed a risk of delaying the project. To mitigate this, the committee considered steps, including purchasing the components themselves to expedite the process.

Moving on from the OPM topic, the committee turned attention to the building’s HVAC system. After a proposal from Inovis, the committee concluded that only three out of the proposed five zones were necessary.

Moreover, the committee reviewed a proposal for an energy audit. While debating the specifics, there was uncertainty about whether the audit would encompass the entire building or just a portion. The potential for adding to the initial system in the future was also on the agenda.

Financial prudence was a recurring theme, as members highlighted cost savings in various aspects of the project. During the discussion on renovation priorities, a member noted that even the sprinkler system was expected to come in under budget. Additionally, the possibility of funding the HVAC system through a program with National Grid was raised.

As the meeting progressed, the importance of finalizing the selection of an architect was underscored, given its impact on proposed code changes. The committee acknowledged the need to involve other stakeholders, including the Council on Aging (COA) and veterans’ groups, to ensure a comprehensive decision-making process.

The meeting concluded with logistical planning, including scheduling the next meeting and outlining the timeline for the subsequent phases of the renovation efforts.