Published: 7/15/2022 5:55:56 PM
Modified: 7/15/2022 5:55:42 PM
GREENFIELD — The bid process for the new fire station has been pushed back by nearly three weeks to accommodate the requirements of a federal grant application.
Bids for subcontractors will now be due Aug. 10, while bids for general contractors will be due Aug. 24. Originally, bids were due by July 20 and July 27, respectively, to allow for a construction start in early September.
The city has a 30-day window after bids are received to award a contract, according to Katrina Pacheco of Pacheco Ross Architects.
Pacheco explained that the firm needs more time to include the information on the outbuilding into the bid package, not only to produce a more complete package for bidders, but to better describe the scope of the project for a grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program.
“In order for us to do a good job and make sure they have the best information to do a proper bid — and for meeting the requirements of the grant in describing (the project) and getting pricing for it — we needed this extension of time,” she said.
Fire Station Building Committee Co-Chair Butch Hawkins said the executive committee of the Fire Station Building Committee felt the potential benefit of the nearly $1 million federal grant outweighed a few weeks of delay.
“There are opportunities along the way with potential for us to make up that time,” he said. “We’re always concerned about the endgame here and paying for the temporary (station) … as we push the dates forward. Hopefully, along the way we can recoup that time and get us back in line with our schedule.”
To date, the project has received site approval and a special permit, with conditions, from the Zoning Board of Appeals for the new fire station, slated to be built on Main Street near Coombs Avenue.
Those conditions include planting a low-growing green shrubbery along the parking area on the Coombs Avenue side of the development; adding a barrier around the concrete transformer pad (or a transformer that offers significant sound reduction); and that the project meet all city and state building requirements. ZBA members also OK’d the sewer connection plans, while acknowledging receipt of a memo submitted by Engineering Superintendent Alan Twarog.
The overall $17 million budget for the fire station includes $2 million for the construction of the temporary fire station on Hope Street, in addition to construction for the new station, professional fees and contingency funds. The temporary fire station, which the department moved into last September, is expected to be used for two years.
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne
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