Published October 21, 2020

By MARK SARDELLA

WAKEFIELD — Pending negotiations, LeftField has been selected by the Permanent Building Committee (PBC) as their first choice to serve as the Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) for the expansion/renovation of the police side of the Public Safety Building.

PBC Chairman Joseph Bertrand will now enter negotiations with LeftField related to the cost and terms of those services.

Massachusetts General Laws require any municipality to contract for the services of an owner’s project manager (OPM) to serve as the municipality’s agent and consultant during the planning, design and implementation of a contract for the construction, reconstruction, installation, demolition, maintenance or repair of any building estimated to cost $1,500,000 or more.

LeftField was one of four finalists that the PBC interviewed at its Oct. 7 meeting. The other firms interviewed at that meeting were Dore + Whitter, Vertex and CHA Consulting.

Following the meeting, PBC members filled out written scoresheets rating each firm. At a meeting last Thursday, LeftField was identified as receiving the highest combined score from members.Vertex finished a very close second in the ratings.

Bertrand said that he will report at next week’s PBC meeting on the results of his negotiations with LeftField. It was noted that if an agreement cannot be reached with LeftField, the PBC has a very solid second choice in Vertex.

The PBC and the town are quite familiar with LeftField, which served as the OPM for the 2018 expansion and renovation of the Walton School. LeftField project executive Lynn Stapleton, then working for Joslin, Lesser & Associates, was also heavily involved with the Galvin Middle School project.

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At last week’s meeting, the PBC also discussed a feasibility study to look at upgrading the Public Works Facility on North Avenue. The 2019 Annual Town Meeting voted to appropriate $100,000 for a study to look at upgrading or rebuilding the Public Works Facility.

Public Works use of the North Avenue location pre-dates 1937. The North Avenue facility supports the following DPW divisions: Highway, Forestry, Parks, Fleet, Water, Sewer and a small workshop. The North Avenue facility also supports at least nine other town departments for such things as vehicle maintenance, vehicle fueling, building improvements, etc. The facility has also served as a command center for operations during snow and other emergencies.

The size of the buildings and the size of the overall site are considered inadequate for DPW operations. Other issues with the facility include the vehicle maintenance shop, which is responsible for the maintenance and repair of nearly all town vehicles, including police cruisers. The shop is considered inadequate in size and height to properly work on vehicles. Areas of the concrete floor near the lifts are cracked and sinking.

Other problems and deficiencies identified at the North Avenue facility in 2016 include: serious roof leaks in both buildings; a collapsing floor drain system in the storage garage; inadequate storage for parts, tools and equipment; building ventilation issues; insufficient parking for staff; structural issues with both buildings; an inadequate and outdated vehicle fueling system and inadequate site security resulting in dumping and theft.

The PBC discussed the feasibility study with DPW Director Joseph Conway at last week’s meeting. It was noted that the $100,000 allotted for the feasibility study would be tight, but Conway said that he thought it would be adequate as long as it would not involve looking at relocating the DPW site.

Conway said that he could also provide the successful bidder with materials from various DPW files to help streamline the process.

PBC member Chip Tarbell predicted that the feasibility study would probably take about six months.

The PBC suggested a couple of minor changes to the proposed bid documents. Conway said that he would make the changes and get them to Bertrand. The committee voted to authorize Conway and Bertrand to place the updated request for proposals in the Central Register as soon as possible.

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The PBC also received an update last week on the Greenwood School roof project. Anthony Lopresti of PMA Consultants, the OPM for the roof project, reported that after a recent inspection, the roof project was “98 percent complete.” He said that gravity vents have been ordered and are expected to be installed by Oct. 31.

Lopresti said that there were also a few punch list items remaining on some of the interior handicapped accessibility upgrades that were required by the MSBA as part of the project.

The PBC approved payment of several invoices related to the Greenwood School roof project, including $12,564.75 to PMA Consultants, $7,615.14 to design firm Gale Associates and $5,585 to Peer Consultants.