NORTHBRIDGE — The Building, Planning & Construction Committee is concerned about a selectmen’s initiative to go ahead with their own plan to inquire about the cost of a new, much smaller Department of Public Works facility than the BPCC had earlier proposed. Selectmen Chairman James Marzec at the July 12 board meeting proposed the selectmen look into acquiring plans available from the state for building a 10,000- square-foot metal facility.

Although no site was pinpointed, selectmen and the BPCC have discussed the possibility of using town owned land near the wastewater treatment plant off Route 122. Earlier building specifications have suggested a space of 30,000 square feet was necessary.

Later, an already existing set of four buildings in Linwood was rejected by voters. That complex had just under 20,000 square feet of space. In recent sessions since the Town Meeting failed to produce the necessary two-thirds vote, the BPCC has left on the back burner the idea of returning to a proposal for the town-owned land on Route 122, but it is also moving ahead with plans to shore up the existing DPW facility across the Mumford River from the Whitinsville Cotton Mill.

Several BPCC members seemed taken aback at the selectmen’s action. BPCC Chairman Robert Knapik noted that the selectmen are authorized by law to propose a project at the fall Town Meeting, but that if voters approve it, the BPCC must then have oversight of the project.

Marzec, at the July 12 selectmen’s meeting, avoided nailing down a site for any building that emerges from his and the board’s effort.

At the same time, some BPCC members seemed to assume the very site it abandoned because of the possibility of a species of wood turtle there that could become endangered is the only tenable site at this point.

And no selectman offered any ideas of some different site.

But, as Knapik said, the site would require the approval of the Providence & Worcester Railroad to improve a crossing that would be necessary. BPCC Vice Chairman George Murray said he received an informal estimate of the cost of improving the crossing at between $325,000 and $375,000. The accessibility of utilities is another concern.

Marzec had explained that recently he and other selectmen toured the present DPW facility. Marzec said the DPW center was in deplorable condition.

Asked by BPCC member Robert Mello whether he agreed with the numbers put forth by the selectmen (he was referring specifically to the 10,000-square-foot space) DPW Director Richard Sasseville said: “I never saw it. No one said anything to me about it. I was at the Board of Selectmen meeting and I wasn’t offered a copy.”

Knapik said the 10,000 square feet are much less than what is needed.  “[The selectmen’s proposal] assumes there is going to be a site,” he added. He said he thought it “goes back to the spring idea of the town-owned land.”

“This seems to be a few steps down the line from endangered species,” Knapik said.

He indicated the Environmental Protection Agency had put a stop to any plan to develop the town-owned site because of the turtles’ presence.

Sasseville did say he had been asked to prepare a request for proposals in regard to the 10,000-square-foot building. There is a state component of review of proposals, a ranking of them, then the price. “You don’t have to take the lowest price,” Sasseville said. That depends upon the whole package of building and price.

Sasseville said he has already submitted information to Kozak.

“It’s a run-around,” Mello said of the selectmen’s action.