The Harpswell Select Board has chosen the Portland-based construction firm Wright-Ryan to oversee construction of the town’s first municipal fire station.
An interview team consisting of local emergency services officials and Town Administrator Kristi Eiane recommended Wright-Ryan as the best choice out of 14 firms that applied. They noted that interest in the project was much higher than expected.
At its meeting on Dec. 18, the Select Board voted 2-0 to select Wright-Ryan. Member Matt Gilley was absent.
“This company is very well known in the state of Maine,” Eiane told the board just prior to the vote. “They’ve worked on a lot of projects.”
Cordelia Pitman, Wright-Ryan’s vice president of project development, addressed the board and said the company is excited about the project.
“We appreciate being selected, and we’re looking forward to working with you all,” Pitman said.
In June, Harpswell voters approved a measure to borrow up to $6 million to build a central emergency services facility on Mountain Road to house municipal firefighters and paramedics.
Fire officials had argued that the station was needed to complement existing stations spread throughout town and run by Harpswell’s three independent fire and rescue departments.
The town chose to pursue a “construction management at risk” approach recommended by the project’s architect, Portland-based Port City Architecture. The approach involves hiring a construction manager to collaborate with the architect, line up subcontractors, and steer the project through to completion while committing to finish the work for a set maximum price, barring major changes.
The cost of Wright-Ryan’s services is estimated to be about $630,000. Eiane said its 2.75% construction management fee was the lowest among the 14 contractors.
