Below is an update from Wilmington Elderly Services Director Terri Marciello, published in the Senior Center’s latest Buzzell Buzz newsletter:
WILMINGTON, MA — Here’s what has been happening since our last update in the August Newsletter:
The first of two important meetings that took place in August was the Board of Selectmen Meeting on August 8. The meeting was held in the auditorium of the Town Hall. In attendance were members of the Senior Center Building Committee, members of the Town Hall/School Administration Building Committee, the Finance Committee and the School Committee. George Hooper, Chair of both Building Committees, along with the architect for each of the projects, gave a presentation to bring the Board of Selectmen up to date on the status of both projects. The Town Manager began a discussion regarding the financing for both projects. More discussion is needed between the Town Manager, Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee to determine the appropriate amount of Free Cash to be used.
Also, on the Agenda for the Board of Selectmen meeting was the setting of the date and time for the Special Town Meeting. It was voted that the Special Town Meeting will be held at 9:00AM Saturday, November 19, 2022 in the High School Auditorium. There are only two articles on the Warrant for that Meeting; one for the Senior Center and one for the Town Hall/School Administration Building.
Prior to the Special Town Meeting, there will be a Public Forum on both projects; date is to be determined. In addition, the Finance Committee will have a Public Hearing, tentatively scheduled for October 18, to review both projects and the proposed funding.
The second important meeting was the August 17 Senior Center Building Committee meeting. At that meeting, the architect and our Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) presented the preliminary construction cost estimate prepared by an independent consultant. The detailed item by item cost estimate consisted of 21 pages. Final design, construction administration and inspection and testing and other services, as well as contingencies for design, construction and escalation were then added to arrive at a total project cost. The total preliminary project cost estimate is $17.1 Million. The Committee is going to review the cost estimate and discuss it further at its August 31st meeting.
We have come a long way in getting a new Senior Center but we still have some important steps to take to bring it to fruition. Mark your calendars for the Special Town Meeting; Saturday, November 19, at 9:00AM.
We will also keep you informed relative to the date of the Public Forum and Finance Committee Meeting. These are also important steps in getting this project approved.
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