By Theresa Knapp 

The Milford High School Building Committee is getting closer to announcing the design firm for the new Milford High School. 

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Designer Selection Panel (DSP) – made up of state and district representatives – is spearheading the process, conducting interviews, and making the final selection. 

In December, 10 firms applied for the job and DSP narrowed that down to five, and the DSP conducted reference checks, which the town’s project manager - James Riefstahl who attends the meetings - said were all “glowing.” 

On Jan. 13, the DSP further narrowed the field to two finalists: HMFH Architects, and Kaestle Boos Associates, both firms have experience designing high schools.

At a Jan. 14 meeting of the MHS School Building Committee, Riefstahl said, “We got a very good group of architects that submitted for this project. All of them would have been capable to do this project, we would have had no reservations.”

DSP was scheduled to conduct interviews and make its final selection on Jan. 27, after the Milford Free Press deadline.  

At the Jan. 14 meeting, MSH School Building Committee Chair Jonathan Bruce said, “The great news is both firms could do the job, that’s where we’re at so…it’s one of those things it’s hard to fail at.” 

The video recording of the meeting can be found at www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-c-eUQ1FYU. 

Follow the progress of the project at www.milfordpublicschools.com/about/mhs-school-building-project.