The Permanent Public Building Committee and School Building Committee approved multiple financial items Oct. 6, including a reallocation of $377,404.50 within the Powell (Pollard) Middle School budget, an $8,500 cost-estimating invoice from CHA Consulting Inc., and several architect and contractor invoices tied to ongoing projects.

What passed: the committee approved a motion reallocating $377,404.50 from environmental/site-testing categories into the design team budget to cover testing and engineering services; a motion to approve CHA Consulting Inc. cost-estimating services for $8,500 tied to a CAF project; and a package of invoices for HMFH Architects, Lyro Hill (OPM) and several construction invoices across current facility projects (RTU replacement, Broadmeadow, library renovation, DPW complex bid packages). The committee also approved a motion delegating a proposed Needham High School auditorium roof and rooftop-unit replacement project to Building Maintenance for procurement and management; committee members noted the estimated construction cost is near $2 million and that the work exceeds building-maintenance delegation thresholds without committee concurrence.

Votes at a glance:
- CHA Consulting Inc., cost-estimating services — approved; amount: $8,500; outcome: approved by roll call.
- Budget revision (Pollard project) — approved; amount reallocated: $377,404.50; outcome: approved by roll call.
- HMFH Architects invoices (September 2025 services and consultant pass-throughs) — approved; aggregate amount shown to committee: $107,147.52; outcome: approved by roll call.
- Lyro Hill (OPM) invoice (August 2025) — approved; amount: $9,125; outcome: approved by roll call.
- RTU replacement project change order (Broadmeadow) — approved; amount: $4,479.80; outcome: approved by roll call.
- Tower Construction (Library renovation) requisition — approved; amount: $190,809.72; outcome: approved by roll call.
- Weston & Sampson invoice (DPW complex design services) — approved; amount: $82,404.47; outcome: approved by roll call.

Why it matters: these votes reallocate design-phase funds to address immediate testing and consultant needs and keep multiple facility projects moving. The invoice approvals indicate a steady flow of consultant and construction work tied to feasibility, design and short-term construction at school and town properties.

Procedural notes: nearly all approvals were recorded by roll call and entered into the public minutes; motions were typically made by the chair and seconded by committee members. Several committee members asked for clearer itemization and documentation of the budget transfers and asked staff to include the reallocation in the next packet and in MSBA materials where relevant.

Next steps: staff will circulate detailed budget backup showing the $377,404.50 reallocation and will submit standard invoice documentation to the town finance office for payment. Contract and change-order backup will be provided in advance of the next meeting for review.