BOXFORD – The Town of Boxford is pleased to announce that it has received competitive bids for the construction of the new Department of Public Works (DPW) facility. Seven general contractors submitted bids for the project, with the lowest bid coming from BW Contracting at $16,514,121 – approximately $3 million below the final cost estimate provided by the project’s design team.
With additional project costs including construction oversight by the design consultant team, services from the Town’s Owner’s Project Manager, a contingency allowance, and the demolition and disposal of the existing DPW facility, the total project cost stands at $18.99 million.
The Town will seek approval from residents to fund the project through a debt appropriation article at the May 13th Annual Town Meeting, followed by a debt exclusion vote on May 20th.
“This is an exciting milestone,” said Margaret Chow-Menzer, Chair of the Permanent Building Committee and the Select Board. “The PBC is pleased to receive so many competitive bids for this project. Over the last two years, we’ve held dozens of public meetings to develop a project that meets the needs of a modern DPW operation. We’ve been laser-focused on getting the best value for residents while keeping costs as low as possible.”
Chris Olbrot, DPW Superintendent and Town Engineer, highlighted the practical significance of the new facility: “This project is about ensuring that our public works team can continue to maintain roads, respond to storms, and support critical town infrastructure safely and efficiently. The current facility is outdated and undersized. With the support of a strong project team, we’ve developed a solution that will serve the town’s needs for decades to come. I’m very encouraged to see the bids come in under budget, and I believe this proposal strikes the right balance between long-term durability and responsible financial planning.”
Boxford Town Administrator Matt Coogan added, “This has been a major undertaking, and I want to recognize the hard work of everyone involved in designing and value engineering a project that meets the town’s needs while keeping an eye on cost. Residents will be asked to consider a project at Town Meeting and at Town Election that is fully permitted, shovel-ready, and backed by actual construction bids – not estimates.”
Included in the overall project cost is a line item to fund the demolition and disposal of the existing DPW facility, once the new facility is built. Should voters approve funding for the project, the current DPW site will become available for reuse. Located in the heart of one of Boxford’s major athletic field complexes, the site holds strong potential for expanded or enhanced recreational use. The Town is also pursuing funding at Town Meeting to undertake a Recreation Facility Master Plan, which will help determine how best to incorporate this land into Boxford’s broader recreation strategy.
Assistant Town Administrator and Finance Director Brendan Sweeney noted that the Town’s financial leadership is working to minimize the tax impact. “The Finance Committee and Select Board are in the process of finalizing the financing plan for this project. Our goal is to utilize as many funding sources as possible to reduce the additional taxes necessary to fund this project,” said Sweeney.
More information about the project – including site plans, building renderings, cost breakdowns, and recordings of public meetings – can be found on the project website: www.boxfordma.gov/NewDPW. ♦
