A Farmington architectural firm with a host of senior centers among its many successful projects has been approved as the architectural firm that will create Branford’s combined Community Center and Senior Center at the current Community House.

On July 15, the Board of Selectman (BOS) voted unanimously to approve the June 24 unanimous recommendation of the Public Building Commission to select Quisenberry Arcari Architects for the project.

“As you know, we put out an RFQ (request for quote) for this project based off the concept that we approved by Arbonies King and Vlock,” said First Selectman James B. Cosgrove.

The Branford architectural firm of Arbonies King Vlock provided consulting services during the site search process and provided a conceptual sketch showing how the Community Center could be increased in size, with existing space reapportioned, to include a new Senior Center at the facility, located at 46 Church St.

The town had 15 responses to the RFQ and the commission invited six firms to come in to interview. Cosgrove said Town Engineer Janice Plaziak met with the firm to review the scope of the project following the commission’s June 24 recommendation. He also noted that Branford Senior Center Director Dagmar Ridgway felt Quisenberry Arcari was a well-respected firm among her colleagues.

Among its municipal projects to date, the firm has created new or renovated/enlarged senior centers for the towns of Groton, Bridgewater, Columbia, Lebanon, Plainville and Stonington. More about Quisenberry Arcari is available at www.qa-architects.com

Firm principal Thomas P. Arcari Jr., AIA , was unable to attend the July 15 BOS meeting, said Cosgrove, “...but we’re anxious to get moving on this project. On approval tonight, he’ll be back and ready to start on Monday,” he told the board.

Third Selectman Bruce Storm confirmed with Cosgrove the project is expected to have some “stipulation as to the deliverable” set in writing.

“At some point (they will) deliver some form of a document in which all of these things get laid out,” said Storm. “It’s important that we have a document from them that contains all the wonderful things they’re doing for us.”

Storm also asked Cosgrove to outline the “next step” following BOS approval on July 15.

“By the end of this process we’ll be through the design concept and budget phase, and from there you go for approval of the funding of the actual project and construction drawing for the project,” answered Cosgrove.