Agreed - so let's scale back like any prudent homeowner would do. Kind Regards,
Scott Clary 617-968-5769 Sent from a mobile device - please excuse typos and errors On Tue, Jun 3, 2025, 6:42 PM Bob Kupperstein <[email protected]> wrote: > It's rather naive and/or disingenuous to think we wouldn't have to pay a > price for the tariff shell game going on - or think the CCBC is to blame > for the lack of bids that fit the budget. > > Any developer willing to take on this project has to price for the worst > case since no one can know from one day to the next what the > tariffer-in-chief will do next. When the plan was approved, we had a > strong and stable economy. That's no longer the case. > > -Bob > > On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, Seth Rosen <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Thanks for posting Sarah. >> >> I find the scare tactics embedded in that to be shockingly disingenuous. >> How do they know a “redesign” would add $5m to project costs if we haven’t >> done it yet? It’s fear mongering so people agree to fund a massive overage >> from prepaid taxes. >> >> Just because we take it from our savings account doesn’t mean it’s “free >> money”. If we can’t deliver what was promised within budget, the town >> should weigh in via a vote on a new scope. >> >> Seth >> >> On Jun 3, 2025, at 4:11 PM, ٍSarah Postlethwait <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> >> For clarification on the amount of the additional funds being requested, >> from the special town meeting website: >> >> <IMG_4793.jpeg> >> >> >> https://www.lincolntown.org/1580/2025-Special-Town-Meeting >> >> >> On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 3:53 PM Seth Rosen <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> Hi Jeff - I can understand the shock but I assure you it's true. Please >>> see attached. >>> >>> According to the town’s own memo, the lowest construction bid came in at >>> *$20.8 >>> million*, which is *$2.3 million more than they budgeted for >>> construction* — and that’s *after* they already cut major features to >>> try to stay on track. That might seem confusing since the total project >>> budget is $24 million — but here’s the catch (from what I can surmise): >>> >>> The $24M has to cover everything — not just construction, but also >>> architecture, furniture, kitchen equipment, permits, inspections, and >>> contingency for surprises. Only about *$18.5–$19M was actually >>> available for construction*, so a $20.8M bid blows past that. It’s like >>> planning a $24K home remodel, and the builder says, “I’ll take $20.8K just >>> to do the framing.” You’ve got nothing left for appliances or furniture. >>> >>> Now the town is proposing a vote to use *$2.6 million in reserves* — >>> prepaid taxpayer dollars meant for emergencies or future needs — just to >>> cover the overage. That’s a risky precedent, especially when key features >>> like the kitchen and playground are still missing from the current plan. >>> >>> The responsible choice is to *vote no* and demand a project that fits >>> the budget taxpayers already approved — without raiding our reserves. >>> Attachments show just how far off the mark this bid is. >>> Seth >>> >>> >>> On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 2:42 PM Jeff B <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> I know multiple people have mentioned this $2.3 million number, but I >>>> cannot believe that is true. >>>> >>>> There should be absolutely no way after what was an >>>> unnecessarily horribly contentious town meeting to the point that we are >>>> now 'studying' how better to do town meeting that we would be getting a >>>> possible tax increase of that magnitude with less than a month to consider >>>> it and still zero official comments on what numbers we are talking about. >>>> >>>> Surely the town leadership -- both the committee that appears to be >>>> thinking of this request as well as the general town government -- cannot >>>> be *this* absolutely carefree with the concept of educating the voters. >>>> Are we really waiting until June 11th to have an official response and then >>>> with under 2 weeks to digest it and midweek vote on it? >>>> >>>> Whether you supported the original community center or not, and whether >>>> you support increasing the budget or not (I have no idea how one would have >>>> an opinion on this yet even), this process absolutely seems completely >>>> inappropriate at best, and intentionally so at worst. >>>> >>>> Jeff Birchby >>>> >>>> On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 9:56 AM Seth Rosen <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Yep. It’s now a $27m project. >>>>> >>>>> There’s a $2.3M gap from the original $24m project and they refuse >>>>> to adjust the scope more than $386k (which itself involves cutting things >>>>> like the playground!) >>>>> >>>>> The issue is quite simply that people who want the project want it >>>>> done at any cost. And they all show up to vote. >>>>> >>>>> The people who think it’s unreasonable do not show up in force to >>>>> vote. >>>>> >>>>> So if people don’t show up and encourage their friends to show up, >>>>> they will get the project they bargained for and the tax increases to pay >>>>> for it. >>>>> >>>>> Seth >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Jun 3, 2025, at 9:38 AM, Lynn DeLisi, M.D. via Lincoln < >>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> There were 3 choices for MAXIMUM budgets that had been voted for and >>>>> the most expensive budget won. >>>>> PLEASE stay within that budget and just eliminate certain items within >>>>> the building so that you can do that. This is what any responsible >>>>> homeowner does. >>>>> Do not even bother to come back to the Town to ask for more money. >>>>> Please please take it off the agenda for the special Town meeting. >>>>> Thank you. >>>>> I speak up only as a tax paying resident of Lincoln >>>>> Lynn DeLisi >>>>> S Great Rd >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Monday, June 2, 2025 at 10:54:25 PM EDT, Sara Mattes < >>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Could please share, in this forum, the dollar amounts? >>>>> - original budget, how much was raised privately, and the amount you >>>>> will be asking? >>>>> Will you also discuss where cuts might be made to stay within budget. >>>>> This is what we, private homeowners, must do when our home project >>>>> design exceeds the budget. >>>>> Thank you. >>>>> >>>>> Sent from my iPad >>>>> >>>>> On Jun 2, 2025, at 8:42 PM, Krystal Wood < >>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> *CCBC General Contractor Budget and Funding* >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> The Community Center Building Committee (CCBC) wishes to provide an >>>>> important update on our project and the construction bidding process that >>>>> has recently concluded. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Over the past year, we have worked diligently to advance the >>>>> conceptual plans presented at Town Meeting 2024 to be ready to begin >>>>> construction this coming summer. Throughout this process we have focused >>>>> on >>>>> exploring design modifications and value-engineering opportunities to >>>>> deliver the best possible facility within our approved budget—and without >>>>> compromising programmatic functionality, safety, or energy efficiency. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Despite these extensive efforts, we must report that the bids we have >>>>> received for General Contractor have come in over our current budget. >>>>> While >>>>> this outcome is disappointing, it reflects the broader construction market >>>>> conditions that are impacting projects across the country. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> As such, at Lincoln’s Special Town Meeting on Wednesday, June 25, >>>>> 2025, we will be seeking approval from the community to utilize some of >>>>> existing town reserves to augment our current budget. This additional >>>>> allocation will allow us to deliver the community center that Lincoln >>>>> residents have been anticipating in the most fiscally responsible manner. >>>>> You will hear more about this in the coming days. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> *Public Forum* >>>>> >>>>> We understand that you have questions, and we invite you all to join >>>>> us for a public forum where we will present detailed information about our >>>>> work over the past year, discuss the bidding results, and outline our path >>>>> forward. This will be an opportunity for residents to ask questions, >>>>> provide input, and better understand both the challenges we are facing and >>>>> the solutions we are implementing. Our current forum date is below, but >>>>> more will be added as necessary: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> *Date:* Wednesday, June 11, 2025 >>>>> *Time:* 7:00 PM >>>>> *Format: *Hybrid* (*Donaldson Room, Town Hall; and via Zoom—link to >>>>> be provided on the town website) >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> The CCBC remains committed to transparency throughout this process and >>>>> to delivering a community center that will serve as a cornerstone of >>>>> Lincoln's civic life. We appreciate the community's continued support and >>>>> patience as we navigate these challenges. We look forward to seeing you at >>>>> the public forum and answering any questions you may have. >>>>> -- >>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>> Browse the archives at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>> Change your subscription settings at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>> >>> -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > >
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