NORTHFIELD — PMA Consultants has been tapped to lead the Northfield EMS building project, pending contract negotiations.
The Selectboard met with the two finalists for owner’s project manager (OPM) last week and unanimously agreed to begin contract negotiations with PMA Consultants, a Braintree-based construction consulting firm, for the job overseeing the design and construction of a new headquarters for Northfield EMS.
Board members said they appreciated that PMA Consultants came to their meeting prepared with contacts they could reach out to for wetlands delineation, draft public outreach materials and a draft timeline. Members said they believe that as the project proceeds, the firm will be a good partner to work with while keeping the project on schedule and on budget.
“They will say ‘no’ to frivolous things,” Selectboard member Dan Campbell said, “which is what we need to have people say about this building.”
“I liked the handouts,” Selectboard Chair Barbara “Bee” Jacque said. “I liked the interaction with us that I could envision.”
The town is working to construct a new headquarters at the current site of the EMS station, 41 Main St. Town Meeting voters had approved purchasing the site, which the town had previously leased from Sandri. The sale, for $270,000, was finalized on Jan. 8. The town also acquired 39 Main St. for $1 and $110,000 in closing costs and abatement fees.
In planning for a new building, the town is hoping to construct a facility that will be large enough to store all EMS vehicles and equipment, as well as provide offices, meeting space and living quarters for staff.
Blair Nahm, a project manager with PMA Consultants, explained that the company’s role would be coordinating with all parties involved in the project, from the designers to Northfield EMS to the Finance Committee and Selectboard.
He suggested that they take EMS Chief Matt Wolkenbreit on a tour of the South County EMS facility in South Deerfield to make a checklist of what details he likes and believes would work well for Northfield, as well as what would not be suitable for the town’s needs.
PMA Consultants would also have a role in public outreach. Nahm said the company would create flyers and mailers explaining funding sources and tax impact, as well as hold public meetings to keep residents updated on the project’s progress.
“We want to make sure that there’s no question that they haven’t been able to ask, because then they’re more confident standing behind the project and feeling like it really is best for their community and for their needs,” Project Manager Ann Pedwell said.
Selectboard members emphasized that the timeline would be very important, as the town is hoping to present a proposal to voters at a November Special Town Meeting and wants to ensure residents have enough information to make a decision. They added that keeping the project cost reasonable will also be important.
Nahm said PMA Consultants had made preliminary inquiries with surveyors and wetlands specialists who could complete delineations of the property as soon as a contract is signed, and the timeline is something the firm will continue to watch as the project proceeds. He added that even if he has to drive to pick up materials to ensure construction goes as scheduled, he is committed to keeping the job on track.
Additionally, PMA Consultants could assist the town in looking for grants, Nahm said. Pedwell added that she can usually find local companies that are willing to donate equipment and supplies to help lower costs.
The Selectboard is expected to discuss and potentially vote on a contract — with costs broken into phases for design, planning and construction — with PMA Consultants during its next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 7.
Town Administrator Andrea Llamas said that while the EMS project gets underway, plans for a new fire station are also in the works, but will be managed separately.
“There will be an OPM working on this project and then another project moving forward at the same time,” Llamas noted. “But they’re two different projects, and [we need to explain] how are the finances on both going to impact people.”
She said the town will look for a project manager for the fire station project later this summer.
