Saugus official: Middle school architecture firm ‘cutting and running’

SAUGUS – The Belmonte Middle School Building Committee voted to send a letter to the Massachusetts School Building Authority laying out concerns over the third change of architect for the $18.9 million repair project.?I don?t feel confident they?re even considering how they?re going to finish the project,” said Committee Chairman Wendy Reed on Tuesday of architecture firm Fletcher Thompson, which closed its Boston office and laid off the project architect. “There?s two months left in the project and I don?t understand the reasoning. If anything can be done MSBA can do it.”The letter states Fletcher Thompson did not provide a resume for the new architect, did not submit a plan and did not request approval for the change.?Ideally we would like (Fletcher Thompson) to reconsider the change and keep Michael Fazio full-time in Boston rather than the inexperienced replacement they have put forward,” said the letter.At a meeting last week, Mike Marcinek, managing partner of Fletcher Thompson, told the committee Fazio will be replaced by John Campos for construction administration issues, but noted the project will remain “our highest priority.”Superintendent Richard Langlois pointed out that this would be the third architect to work on the project.?Where?s the continuity of service?” he asked.Reed also lamented the architect?s lack of experience.?Did you look at this resume?” she asked. “He doesn?t have any experience in a large project like this. It?s small renovations ? which is a concern ? At least put somebody on that?s experienced.”Reed noted that Fletcher Thompson did send a plan to finish the project, but she called that “inadequate.”?It really didn?t answer the questions,” said Reed. “They?re creating exposure for us and MSBA with the architect that?s taking over.”Geoff Bruno, the town?s executive director of curriculum, instruction and accountability, said it?s “pretty clear” Fletcher Thompson is “cutting and running.”?They?re doing the minimum to finish the project and leaving it to others to pick up the slack,” he said.In other business, the committee voted to approve $16,000 in change orders it previously had not been able to vote on because of a lack of quorum, including $7,000 for pipe insulation in the utility tunnel, $3,600 for additional cleaning in the wood shop and first floor lockers, and $3,500 for upgraded controls for air-handling units.The committee had to start 20 minutes late to wait for enough members for a quorum.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].