By ANDREW MARTIN
In a perfect world, repairs and construction would begin at the Chariho Regional School District’s Switch Road campus this summer. At least, that is what Supt. Barry J. Ricci said at last Wednesday’s Building Committee meeting.
“I would like to use those 10 weeks [to get work done],” Ricci added. But, before anything can happen, the first step in the process must take place — finding an architectural firm,.
And now that first step is well under way. The Building Committee unanimously approved sending out a request for proposals (commonly referred to as an RFP) to attract architectural firms.
Brian Stanley, Chariho Director of Administration and Finance, said the RFP is very similar to the one used in 2005, when the district went for a $99 million bond that failed in Hopkinton and Charlestown.
“The RFP gives quite a bit of specifics to what the project will entail,” Stanley said.
Of course, some adjustments had to be made from the older information since the bond amount this time around is $20.5 million. Of that total, $17.8 million is for work at the high school while $2.7 million is for work at the middle school. That money comes from the recently approved referenda last month. Only two of three questions passed, though, as a $4.4 million bond question for a permanent Reaching Youth through Support and Education failed.
The $17.8 million piece is reserved for upgrades such as a new library and new agricultural science and general classrooms. Other improvements include replacing the track and upgrading the heating and ventilation systems. As for $2.7 million portion, that money is reserved for a new auditorium and three permanent classrooms.
Ricci provided a proposed schedule to get the ball rolling. After officials from the firms attend a mandatory pre-bid conference on Dec 10, they must send in their bids by Dec. 22. That same morning there will be a public opening of the bids.
The next day, Dec. 23, Ricci said he hopes to deliver all of the proposals to Building Committee members. “I will have an early Christmas present for all of you,” he joked. Then, they will discuss the proposals on Jan. 6 and decide whom to interview at the next meeting on Jan. 20.
“I hope to have someone chosen by late January or early February,” Ricci said.
Some committee members expressed concern over the schedule, particularly the period of time between receiving the proposals and then deciding whom to interview. Ricci said the schedule will remain flexible and added that many of the proposals should be laid out in a similar fashion to make them easier to sift through. To further expedite the process, the superintendent provided the committee with rating sheets as a guide for selecting proposals.
The Building Committee also unanimously approved sending out an RFP for a financial advisor for the project. Stanley explained that the advisor will be heavily involved in numerous aspects.
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