Stoneham School Building Committee Approves $197,276 Architect Fee Over Member Objections

STONEHAM — April 7, 2025 — Stoneham School Building Committee approves $197,276 in architect fees as high school project risk tops $3.4 million. The committee voted 11-0-1 Monday to authorize Amendment 37 with architect Perkins and Will, covering additional services from November 2024 through February 2025, bringing total post-completion billings from the firm to approximately $340,000. Member Sharon said the charges were valid but frustrating: "We had no control frankly over the delays, we had no control over how many times things had to be done or redone." OPM Julie disclosed that roughly $4.5 million remains in contingency but that unresolved Consigli Construction change requests — including $500,000 in MEP coordination claims and $350,000 in stadium-related schedule impacts — represent $3.4 million in risk, leaving an effective buffer of approximately $1 million. The committee directed the project team to produce a month-over-month cost forecast tied to a construction schedule, and voted unanimously to retain newly elected School Committee member Corey on the Building Committee for the project's duration.