Whitman DPW Building Committee Votes to Disband, Transfers Project Oversight to Select Board

WHITMAN — September 25, 2025 — Whitman's DPW Building Committee voted unanimously to disband at its September 25 meeting, declaring the new public works facility substantially complete. Committee chair Kevin Cleary and owner's project manager Scott Lepker of CMS reported the $22.239 million project has expended just under $21.1 million, leaving roughly $663,000 in contingency. The committee approved a final batch of invoices totaling $136,753.91 and a last change order of $23,261.03 covering soil removal overage, paving remobilization, and irrigation sleeves. Unresolved items include a driveway grading problem that sheds water away from a catch basin — a potential icing hazard this winter — and a payment dispute involving a Canadian steel fabricator reportedly owed approximately 184,000 Canadian dollars. Lepker recommended the town send a letter to general contractor Page, with town counsel input, acknowledging the subcontractor notification. Responsibility for future warranty claims and final payments now passes to the Select Board and town administration, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony set for September 29 at 3 p.m.