The School Building Rehabilitation Committee has chosen Custom Mechanical Systems Corp. as project manager for the still-developing effort to build a new Avery Elementary School.
Committee Chairman Andy Lawlor said his group voted unanimously last week to enter into contract negotiations with CMS, provided its references pan out. The committee acted after a five-person subcommittee interviewed four project manager applicants and recommended CMS.
"The subcommittee felt that they had the most experience working on public schools, and that they were small enough of a company that we would get personalized service," Lawlor said, adding that CMS has "detailed familiarity" with the Massachusetts School Building Authority, the state agency that reimburses towns for portions of school construction projects.
CMS, based in Bargersville, Ind., is a 12-year-old general construction company that has completed hundreds of projects in more than 20 states, including Massachusetts.
CMS would act as "the clerk of the works" when construction eventually begins on the new Avery School, monitoring the process and making sure that construction work matches up to building codes and contract specifications, Lawlor said.
David Roberts, who headed the subcommittee, said Friday that CMS's references are being checked out. The selection of CMS as project manager must also be submitted to the School Building Authority, he said.
Last spring Town Meeting appropriated $300,000 for a feasibility study to renovate or build a new Avery School. The School Building Authority said it would reimburse Dedham for 47 percent of the cost of the study, which includes coming up with a preliminary design.
The authority has said the current, 87-year-old Avery building on High Street is one of the worst educational facilities in the state, due in part to leaking walls and antiquated plumbing. A 2007 study by the authority found that Avery's classrooms are too small, and noted that the school has no cafeteria and kitchen. The school serves students from grades 1-5.
Lawlor said the rehab committee has been using some of the $300,000 in funds to find a project manager and designer. On the latter, committee members unanimously said Tuesday night that they want to continue working with Dore & Whittier Architects Inc., the firm behind the new Dedham Middle School, which opened in 2006. Lawlor said the committee instructed him to meet with the School Building Authority to get its approval for that. Assuming the authority approves, the rehab committee would then take a formal vote to begin contract negotiations with Dore & Whittier, Lawlor said.
Coming up, the rehab committee will work with its project manager and designer to weigh the pros and cons of potential sites for the new school. Lawlor said the best option is 5 or 6 acres off Pottery Lane, behind the Dedham High practice football field.
Other East Dedham locations including Condon Park and the existing Avery site will also be evaluated, though the state already deemed that 3.81-acre site is too small for a replacement building.
Daily News staff writer Edward B. Colby can be reached at 781-433-8336 or ecolby@cnc.com.
