New town hall advances

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving

Looking to purchase or refinance a home?

We can provide expert advice and a wide selection of loan programs with competitive rates NMLS # 114933 ● (C) 336-456-9374 ● 8004 Linville Rd, Unit C1, Oak Ridge

nfmlending.com/stephanie-anderson ● sanderson@nfmlending.com

Make sure you understand the features associated with the loan program you choose, and that it meets your unique financial needs. Subject to Debt-toIncome and Underwriting requirements. This is not a credit decision or a commitment to lend. Eligibility is subject to completion of an application and verification of home ownership, occupancy, title, income, employment, credit, home value, collateral, and underwriting requirements. Refinancing an existing loan may result in the total finance charges being higher over the life of the loan. Not all programs are available in all areas. Offers may vary and are subject to change at any time without notice. MLO licensing information: NC I-200485. NFM, Inc. d/b/a NFM Lending. NFM, Inc is licensed by: NC # L-135884. For NFM, Inc.’s full agency and state licensing information, please visit www.nfmlending.com/licensing. NFM, Inc.’s NMLS #2893 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess. org). NFM, Inc. is not affiliated with, or an agent or division of, a governmental agency or a depository institution. Copyright © 2021.

Summerfi eld town hall advances despite over-budget costs

HOT. RAIN. COLD.

Tested for every weather extreme

7101 US 158, Stokesdale

NEW SYSTEM INSTALLATION • SERVICE • REPAIR

Ask about special fi nancing

Subject to credit approval, see store for details

Town Council authorizes the project’s architect and construction manager to fi nalize design and nail down expenses

by CHRIS BURRITT

SUMMERFIELD – Summerfield Town Council is moving ahead with plans for a new town hall, despite estimated costs exceeding the original $3.5 million budget by about $272,934.

The council voted 3-2 during its meeting Nov. 9 to authorize Creech & Associates, the project’s architect, and construction manager Samet Corp. to proceed with the design of the building and finalize costs. The council also instructed the Finance Committee to evaluate how to pay for the project – cash, borrowing or a combination of both – if the council decides to proceed with construction.

Mayor Pro Tem Tim Sessoms, who will be sworn in as the town’s mayor next month, joined council member Teresa W. Perryman, a longtime opponent of the new town hall, in voting against advancing the project. Two months ago, the council went along with Sessoms’ recommendation that Summerfield delay the project until costs for building materials decline.

While Sessoms continues to favor a delay, council members Lynne Williams DeVaney, John O’Day and Reece Walker voted to move ahead.

“Our town deserves something nice that we can be proud of,” DeVaney said.

If plans move forward as envisioned by town staff, construction of the building could begin next spring. Sessoms 2 NOV. 18 - DEC. 1, 2021 The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 said he favors delaying the project until the economy normalizes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, possibly easing higher prices for building materials that pushed costs above the $3.5 million budget.

Higher prices for structural steel and roofing are inflating construction prices, according to Scott Robinson, preconstruction project manager for Samet. O’Day noted that prices for materials may continue rising, making the project even more expensive the longer the town waits to move forward with it.

In recent months, Sessoms, DeVaney and O’Day met with Creech and Samet officials to pare projected design, development and construction costs by about $600,000, Robinson said. A redesign unveiled in April reduced the size of the building from 9,000 square feet to 8,000 square feet.

During last week’s council meeting, Creech representatives proposed further cost savings, such as installing less expensive flooring and narrowing the width of hallways. Sessoms said he’s disappointed the size of conference rooms shrank during the revision process.

“If we wait, our opportunity is better,” he noted. “We could put some of these things back in, maybe, and really score a touchdown.”

According to the latest estimates, site development, building costs and general contractor fees are projected at $2,902,257. In addition, “soft costs” including furniture, fixtures, equipment, technology and design fees are estimated to cost $870,677.

In total, costs are estimated at $3,772,934, which is $272,934 over the $3.5 million budget for the project.

Town leaders have been discussing construction of a new town hall for about 20 years. Noting that previous efforts stalled again and again, Mayor BJ Barnes said, “I think we should go ahead and get this done.” ...continued on p. 34