Westborough Library Committee Approves $149,300 in Construction Change Directives

WESTBOROUGH -- June 30, 2026, Westborough Library Building Committee clears $149,300 in construction change directives as project targets late-August completion. The committee voted 9-0 on June 30 to approve Construction Change Directive 11, a 14-item package covering work ranging from freeze protection at the boiler room to $69,000 in sidewalk replacement along West Main Street and Parkman Street, of which the Department of Public Works has committed to reimburse 20 percent. Vertex project manager Steve Farron told the committee that general contractor Seaver Construction's revised schedule shows a September 1 finish date, and that the consolidated CCD was designed to "keep the pressure on" and eliminate pricing delays that had repeatedly stalled the work. With full NTE spend, $164,000 remains in the construction contingency. The committee also voted 9-0 to approve Amendment 4 to Vertex's contract, adding MEP commissioning and construction testing services within existing budget lines. A subsequent motion to reaffirm the existing Bowler Engineering landscape plan, which includes 20 liriope plants flagged by a public commenter as potentially invasive, deadlocked 4-4 and failed, leaving the prior approved plan in place while the project team was directed to explore a substitute ground cover without affecting the project schedule.