The Town of Lakeville Select Board approved a $33,050 change order to the design contract for the proposed fire station’s waterline on April 9.

Town staff explained the waterline work is being advanced separately from the main fire station construction—like previous practice during the police station project—to save time and costs. The change order is to the design contract with Secochio and Associates. Under municipal purchasing rules, change orders above $20,000 must be presented to the select board for approval.

Staff estimated the $33,050 change order represents a small portion of the overall fire station program. When asked if the increase equated to a large percentage of the waterline portion of the project, staff said the change is “probably, like, under 1%” of that small portion. Board members also asked whether the design could be extended to reach recreation fields; staff replied extending to the fields would add roughly $1.5 million and likely require outside grant funding.

The motion to approve the change order passed unanimously in roll call: Hunt — aye; Plonka — aye; Carboni — aye; Candido — aye; Day — aye. The board’s packet notes that by policy any change order greater than $20,000 requires select board approval.

Why it matters: Approving the change order lets design work proceed for the waterline, a prerequisite utility improvement tied to the proposed fire station. Staff flagged that more expansive waterline work (to reach athletic fields) would require far more funding and separate approvals.

Details: The contractor is Secochio and Associates; the design change is limited to services on the waterline. Town staff said other funding sources, such as federal water grants, have limited eligibility and would be harder to secure for the expanded work that would reach the athletic fields.