|
ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
APRIL 4, 2005
A Special Meeting of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairman Tallarita in the Enfield Room of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, April 4, 2005. The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m.
ROLL-CALL - Present were Councilmen Crowley, Dodd, Edgar, Egan, Fiore, and Tallarita. Councilman Tait entered the meeting at 6:07 p.m. and Councilmen Kaupin and Mangini entered at 6:50 p.m. Councilmen Peruta and Reveruzzi were absent. Also present were Town Manager, Scott Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki; Town Attorney, Christopher Bromson; Director of Public Works, John Kazmarski; Director of Economic Development, Raymond Warren.
DISCUSSION RE: SOUTH MAPLE STREET BRIDGE DESIGN BRIEFING
Present from Tectonic, Inc. were Gary Fontanella and Glenn Jarvis
Mr. Shanley stated at the last discussion the Council came to a consensus on a road alignment and that they did not want a covered bridge. He noted a decision wasn't made as to what the bridge should look like.
Mr. Kazmarski stated they need to learn which one of the three bridge alternatives the Council wishes to pursue. He noted the cost of all three alternatives is fairly close. He added they are also seeking guidance on the approaches to the bridge and whether they wish to pursue traffic calming.
Mr. Jarvis stated they looked at three different bridges, all about 80 feet in length with a little extra room for a future trail along the river.
Mr. Jarvis used illustrations in describing the three different bridges and described them as follows:
Alternative #1: Very low maintenance cost and the design provides the beams protection
from road salt. This design has the deepest superstructure and a large crane would be required to move the heavy beams. Also, this design has a longer construction time. The cost would be $1,090,000.
Alternative #2: Concrete deck with fairly shallow superstructure. Beams are lighter requiring lighter equipment to erect. It would be necessary to paint the steel on this structure every 20 to 25 years. Construction time similar to Alternative #1. The cost would be $1,185,000.
Alternative #3: Similar pre-cast concrete bridge. Fastest to build and one of the least costs at $1,035,000. One disadvantage with this design would be the necessity to hang the utilities outside the bridge.
Mr. Fontanella described a few possibilities - extend the sidewalks and allow for crosswalk on either side. A mid-block divider could be installed at either end of the bridge as a traffic calming measure. A textured pavement could be laid down to slow down traffic.
Councilman Fiore stated he would lean toward Alternative #1 or #3.
Councilman Tait questioned the necessity of the railing on Alternative #3. Mr. Jarvis stated all the railings are interchangeable and the Town can choose any railing it wishes.
Councilman Crowley questioned whether it would be more prudent to have a wider sidewalk on one side, rather than a narrow walkway on both sides. Mr. Jarvis agreed and noted he would look into that.
Councilman Tait agreed with Councilman Crowley and stated his belief the sidewalk should be on the downstream side.
Councilman Crowley questioned whether installing a sidewalk on the bridge would later commit the Town to installing sidewalks further on the road.
It was the consensus of the Council to go with a wider sidewalk on the downstream side.
Chairman Tallarita questioned whether the bridge clearance would allow for kayakers to pass under the bridge, and Mr. Jarvis responded yes.
Councilman Egan questioned the possibility of creating a more rustic look to blend with the area. Mr. Jarvis responded yes, there are a number of things that can be done. Chairman Tallarita questioned the increase in cost to make the bridge more rustic appearing, and Mr. Jarvis indicated there wouldn't be much of a cost involved.
The consensus of the Council was to go with a more rustic look for the bridge.
Councilman Dodd questioned the material being used for the surface of the bridge deck, and Mr. Jarvis responded bituminous concrete.
Councilman Dodd questioned the maintenance cost for the traffic calming divider, and Mr. Fontanella responded not significant at all.
Chairman Tallarita questioned the timeline for this project, and Mr. Jarvis responded six to seven months.
Chairman Tallarita stated it seems to make sense to go with Alternative #3 and use the remaining balance to do the aesthetic components.
The consensus of the Council was to go with Alternative #3, incorporate a sidewalk on the downstream side, and install an open railing.
Chairman Tallarita questioned if it would be beneficial to have lighting on the bridge. Mr. Shanley noted the lighting can be decided as an alternative. He added they could ask neighbors how they feel about lights on the bridge.
Mr. Kazmarski stated he would be in favor of having some kind of illumination on the bridge. Chairman Tallarita requested some options on the lighting for the bridge. Mr. Kazmarski suggested they could have some period lighting.
INTRODUCTION ART GROUX EMS DIRECTOR/BRIEFING
Mr. Shanley introduced Art Groux, the new EMS Director. He noted Mr.Groux was last responsible for Suffield Ambulance and had 85 volunteers working with him and has also been a District Manager for AMR. He has a degree in EMS and is a paramedic. Mr. Shanley noted Mr. Groux has been on board with the Town since March 9th. He stated a major task has been getting to know the in-house people. Additionally, Mr. Groux understands July 1st is when the Council wanted to see the EMS operational. He noted the question is whether the Council wants to see this service 100% operational on July 1st, or that there be a phased-in approach starting July 1st.
Mr. Groux stated he is moving forward and reviewing the plan proposed for EMS. He noted they will be running a written test and physical agility test on Saturday. He noted he has a goal to bring in volunteers right away. He added he did receive a lot of calls from volunteers. He stated the goal is to start on a limited basis with some of those volunteers the first week in May and start building that up.
Mr. Shanley stated there will be a Public Hearing on April 12th concerning the ALS service application.
Chairman Tallarita questioned the conversations with the fire departments and the role they might play. Mr. Groux stated those conversations have been going well. He noted at this point they're trying to work out how the transition will go and what role everyone will play in this system.
Chairman Tallarita questioned if in those discussions with the fire departments they are offering a point person at each fire department that has the ability to answer for the department. He noted he's concerned there needs to be some structure to this. Mr. Shanley stated they have had that discussion with the Chiefs and the goal is to first get the operation up and running.
Councilman Fiore questioned the budgeting for this, and Mr. Shanley stated if the Council wishes this service fully staffed by July 1st, legally they can do that. He noted the question is whether it's best to do that or go forward over a period of months. He stated his opinion the best business model would be to be up and running for July 1st.
Mr. Shanley stated there is the question of whether the Council will give staff the authority to work with the fire departments to see how they can phase this in.
Councilman Fiore questioned whether housing for this service is being investigated. Mr. Shanley stated long-term housing for ambulances and staff isn't critical at this point.
Councilman Fiore questioned the collection rate, and Mr. Shanley stated they have a good strong collection rate.
Councilman Crowley questioned Mr. Groux as to what he thinks is the best way to go. Mr. Groux stated his belief slowly building it up is the best direction to go.
Mr. Shanley stated they will have to see how the public hearing goes for the ALS service application.
MOTION #7761 by Councilman Fiore, seconded by Councilman Mangini to go into Executive Session to discuss Pending Litigation and Contract Negotiations.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7761 adopted 9-0-0, and the meeting stood recessed at 7:12 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Executive Session of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairman Tallarita at 7:13 p.m.
ROLL-CALL - Present were Councilmen Crowley, Dodd, Edgar, Egan, Fiore, Kaupin, Mangini, Tait, and Tallarita. Also present were Town Manager, Scott Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki; Town Attorney, Christopher Bromson; Director of Economic Development, Raymond Warren.
Pending Litigation and Contract Negotiations were discussed with no action or votes being taken.
Chairman Tallarita adjourned the Executive Session at 7:33 p.m. He reconvened the Special Meeting at 7:34 p.m. and stated that during Executive Session Pending Litigation and Contract Negotiations were discussed with no action or votes being taken.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION #7762 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Tait to adjourn.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #7762 adopted 9-0-0, and the meeting stood adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
| |
|