Saugus tabs manager for Belmonte repairs

The Daily ItemThe Belmonte Middle School Building Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to name Consigli Construction Co., Inc. of Milford its construction manager for the middle school repair project.According to Jim Dowd, Project Manager for Skanska Builders, Consigli was the most qualified applicant and came in at the lowest bid at $1.9 million, which Dowd said was negotiated down to $1.6 million.Dowd said seven potential construction management firms showed interest in the project. Those seven were narrowed down to three, and after a long interview process, the Construction Manager Search Committee chose Consigli.?We had a very thorough discussion,” said Dowd. “And we had no doubt we would get a very good firm with either one.”O?Connor Constructors of Canton and Shawmut Design and Construction of Boston were the other two firms in the final three, but Dowd said Consigli?s experience with schools put along with their low bid put them over the top.?They have 33 public school projects under way,” said Dowd. “I don?t believe there is any firm in the commonwealth with that kind of experience.”Scott Payette of the architecture firm Fletcher Thompson said Consigli seemed more focused on the project after an extensive interview project.?Right out of the gate they seemed to very much understand what the significant issues on the project were and we thought going forward that that sort of understanding would be helpful in setting them apart,” said Payette.Committee member Arthur Grabowski said a good construction manager will act as an advocate for the town during the building process, by finding the most qualified contractors at the lowest cost.?This company makes (contractors) justify what they?re going to charge us and that?s to our benefit,” said Grabowski, who was also on the Search Committee. “Because every dime that?s saved by their scrutiny will go toward putting more items back into the project.”Dowd said he and the construction manager will hold a walkthrough at the school and then the construction manager will begin pre-qualifying contractors.Construction is scheduled to begin on June 26.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].