Randolph Selex Take Charge
Of Municipal Building Plans
By Chelsea Rose Sargent

New estimates are being made for old plans—designed by Black River Design, Architects, of Montpelier—for expanding Randolph’s municipal building on the existing site. These estimates, which will take into account changes in building expenses, were not yet ready for Tuesday’s selectboard meeting.

Also, Selectman Joe Voci reported that he had been approached by Jeff Tucker, the new CEO of DuBois & King. According to Voci, Tucker has offered to give the selectboard, free of charge, the plans that the engineering firm already made for the proposed on-site expansion. Tucker also expressed his willingness to work with the board to make desired changes, Voci said.

In order to get a better understanding of what Dubois & King is offering, the selectboard voted to invite Tucker to its next meeting.

These recent discussions reflect the fact that the selectboard is taking a more hands-on approach with regards to the municipal building. Tuesday night’s discussion appeared to indicate that the board plans to review project details directly, instead of referring them to the Municipal Building Committee.

"Now the level of responsibility is in question, because it’s such a political hot-button in town. I think the board is trying to get more of an active involvement from the get-go because of that," suggested Town Manager Peter Butterfield, after the meeting.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Selectman Larry Townsend, citing the Town Meeting Day vote in which a small majority of Randolph voters favored the Pleasant Street option for the municipal building, argued that Jesse Sammis should also be invited to meet with the board. Sammis last year purchased the former co-op space on Pleasant Street, and has offered to develop it to meet the selectboard’s specifications for a municipal building.

"We certainly need to look at the option chosen by the voters, as well as any other options we are going to look at," declared Townsend.

The board agreed to meet, if possible, with Tucker at the board’s next meeting, and with Sammis the meeting after that.