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ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2006
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 Wednesday, October 25, 2006. The meeting was called to order at 6:37 p.m.
ROLL CALL – Present were Councilmen Edgar, Kaupin, Lee, Mangini, Maxellon, Nelson, Ragno and Tallarita. Councilman Hilinski entered at 6:49 p.m. Councilmen Crowley and Peruta were absent. Also present were Town Manager, Matthew Coppler; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki; Town Attorney, Christopher Bromson; Director of Public Works, John Kazmarski; Town Engineer, Jeff Bord; Assistant Director of Public Works, Colleen Brand; Road 2005 Coordinator, Thomas McGee; Director of School Facilities, Arthur Pongratz
DISCUSSION RE: UPDATE ON THE ROAD 2005 PROJECT
Mr. Kazmarski stated the referendum for the Road 2005 (s/h/b Road 2000) was approved in 1998, and they had $21.6 million dollars appropriated for that program. He noted under that program, 25.2 miles of roadway were reconstructed and there were 13.5 miles of overlay, and that’s exclusive of Section 13. He explained Section 13 was supposed to be under Roads 2000, but they ran out of money, therefore, it was rolled over into Road 2005.
He stated the current Road 2005 program, which has a price tag of $24 million dollars, was approved in 2004. He noted that program included 35.3 miles of reconstruction, including Section 13. He stated so far they’ve completed 2.6 miles of reconstruction and 3.9 miles of overlay. He pointed out some decision-making will be required in the future as to what sections may need to be dropped or moved to a following bond issue. He explained they’re facing high increases in material costs, particularly bituminous concrete. He went on to note that in 1999 the low bidder for bituminous concrete was $35.50 per ton, and in 2005 the same low bidder on the same type of project came in at $52.25 per ton, which is a 48% increase. He stated that increase wasn’t factored into the dollars appropriated for Roads 2005. He noted they were anticipating a figure between $39 to $40 per ton.
Mr. Kazmarski stated they’re trying to get as much done as they can with the funds that are available.
Mr. Bord stated the pavement condition index (PCI) is used to determine whether roads require an overlay or reconstruction. He explained this is a score on a street, with 100 being a high score and high 60’s and low 70’s a failing score. He stated studies show the life expectancy of a road is anywhere between 20 and 30 years. He noted a road usually starts showing deterioration about 12 years out, and after 20 years a road usually needs to be reconstructed. He explained they use a PCI of 60 and below for reconstruction and the 70’s for overlay work.
Mr. Bord then reviewed a street map to show Roads 2005 sections.
Mr. Kazmarski stated if they’re aware of serious drainage issues, they will address those issues.
Mr. Kazmarski stated the smaller contractors shy away from the large projects, therefore, they try to keep projects on the smaller side so that local contractors have a chance.
Councilman Mangini questioned how they’re accounting for the dollars as they come across surprises in the road. Mr. Bord explained they do look into things, i.e., test holes and borings and analyzing existing drainage using cameras in the pipes.
Councilman Kaupin stated if they think they are running out of dollars prior to the end of a five-year construction window, he would like that to be known so they might consider having a referendum in 2007 or 2008 so that the work can be completed. He stated his belief people might not like to see a two-year gap when no work is being done.
Councilman Kaupin noted he and the Town Manager will be visiting Green Manor to look at sidewalk and road issues. He stated he has not heard any negative comments about having sidewalks on only one side of the street.
Mr. Kazmarski stated they need funding for roads that suddenly deteriorate. He noted in previous Councils, money was set aside for “worst roads”. He stated this is something that needs to be considered because if a road does go bad, they can’t use any of the Road 2005 monies and move them elsewhere.
Councilman Maxellon questioned the last time the PCI was done, and Mr. Bord stated 100% of the Town was done in 2003 for the bond issue.
Councilman Maxellon referred to Section 13 and stated his belief Jondot has deteriorated further since the PCI was done. He questioned if this is addressed as they are in the area with a contractor. Mr. Bord stated the contractor bids on a set project, and that’s what he builds. He agreed Jondot is deteriorating, and he was going to look at this road to see if perhaps they could do an overlay with some curbing and build up the driveway aprons to keep water out. He noted he will look at Jondot and get an estimate to Mr. Kazmarski.
Councilman Maxellon questioned the status of Booth Road. Mr. Kazmarski stated a preliminary proposal has been put together, and they’re considering milling some sections. He noted they will talk with Longmeadow regarding the section that is situated in Massachusetts to see if they can address that stretch jointly. He noted they will probably do some work in the spring season. Mr. Kazmarski pointed out as they’re closing out Roads 2000, there will be some monies left over and possibly those monies could be used with approval from the Director of Finance and Bond Counsel.
Councilman Maxellon requested a definition of “in-house”. Mr. Kazmarski stated the Town wouldn’t be using highway crews to do the work, but rather this involves in-house design, engineering and the Public Works Department will get the on-call contractors.
Councilman Maxellon questioned if it might be more cost effective to go out to bid, rather than using on-call contractors. Mr. Bord noted they could consider that.
Councilman Nelson questioned why they don’t have the Town Engineering department do all the work. Mr. Kazmarski stated the Engineering Department is already working on 57 projects. Councilman Nelson questioned if it would be more cost effective to hire another engineer who would be responsible for just the roads projects. Mr. Bord stated they can’t attract engineers for this type of work because they could only guarantee this job for the duration of the project. Mr. Kazmarski stated it would take more than one person to do this work. Mr. Bord stated if they had the staff and time, they could do this.
Mr. Coppler questioned how much will the Town be spending on engineering work for Roads 2005, and Mr. Kazmarski responded soft costs, which include design and construction inspection, were earmarked at $2.3 million dollars.
Councilman Nelson stated Tabor Road had an overlay a year or two ago, and that road is cracking up. Mr. Kazmarski stated the Town has been unable to get a crack-sealing contractor for at least two years now. Mr. Bord pointed out an overlay extends the life of the road a little, but it’s nothing like building a whole new road.
Councilman Hilinski requested a summary of where they stand schedule-wise on Roads 2005 compared to the original time-line plan. He questioned if they’re behind or ahead of schedule, and what’s the plan going forward, and which areas are they addressing, and when do they plan to have it completed. He questioned if there are any leftovers from the earlier road programs. Mr. Kazmarski stated there are no leftover roads from earlier road programs. He noted there are some things that have occurred within certain sections, whereby they need to replace sidewalks, etc., and those things will be done. He pointed out this bond issue is just like the first one. He explained when the Roads 2000 program was approved, everyone tried to make the general public understand that everything designated for Year One would be done, Year Two would be done, Year Three probably would be done, and Year Four and Five were unknown. He stated after they received the money for Roads 2000, the bituminous prices actually went down for a couple years and started climbing back up about the time they were putting together the package for Roads 2005, and those prices escalated to where they are now. He stated they will try to get as much work done as possible. He pointed out the $1 million dollars worth of work for Section 13 was not anticipated. Mr. Bord used the map to point out the status of the different sections and how the projects are divided up. He noted the projects which have a firm schedule are Sections 2A, 5 and 6. He stated Sections 2 and 3 are divided up into four sections.
Chairman Tallarita questioned whether it might be feasible to have benchmarks for different projects so that the Council can respond to the public when they inquire about the status of a project. Mr. Kazmarski stated they could provide an update periodically. Chairman Tallarita suggested possibly there could be a spreadsheet format that’s accessible through the Town’s website, and perhaps it could be updated every quarter.
Chairman Tallarita stated it might also be beneficial to include updates on other projects such as Post Office Road and the South Maple Street bridge. He noted it would be very useful if some timelines were included for these projects.
Chairman Tallarita requested there be a full analysis done within the next month concerning making Fletcher Road a dead-end road. He requested that the safety aspect discussed with the fire and police departments be included in this analysis.
Councilman Maxellon questioned whether Public Works stays abreast of the new technology and products available, and Mr. Kazmarski responded they try to keep abreast of the technology, but they don’t want to be guinea pigs. He noted they would like to see a couple years’ results of new technology.
DISCUSSION RE: FERMI REMEDIATION
Councilman Lee stated they put forth an immediate emergency appropriation for a million dollars, and there are now questions about whether it’s really an emergency and whether Dieldrin is really the risk that the State is contending it to be.
Mr. Pongratz questioned whether Councilman Lee feels Mr. Kazmarski and Ms. Brand should challenge DEP and the State Department of Health on their conclusions. Councilman Lee responded he did not know. He added his belief the residential standard that they are using is unfairly high given the general use of this property and the age of the contaminants.
Chairman Tallarita stated the Town is subject to the direction of the State because the state sets the standard, and then they are the enforcer of that standard. He stated his impression it seems futile to argue with the State on this. He acknowledged that could be done, but he feels the only thing the Town would achieve would be to alienate the State, and the Town probably would just waste a lot of time doing so.
Councilman Lee stated Geo Design said there are additional tests that can be done and there are additional studies that can be undertaken. He noted there could be further discussion as to whether the Council would want to spend several thousand dollars to a hundred thousand dollars to possibly save $2.6 million dollars. He went on to state that although he respects the authority of the State, this is not State land, it’s Enfield land, and he feels the burden of proof is on the State to show what the health risk is on the Fermi property, and not to apply a standard that is questionable at best, and perhaps even subjective.
Mr. Kazmarski stated after the Town got the first test results back and before they took the additional samples, the Town asked what type of remediation might be expected. He noted the first response the Town received was that if they went by the book, with the levels of contaminants present, they would be removing four feet of soil over the entire site and disposing of it at an off-site place in Massachusetts. Councilman Lee pointed out the State ended up accepting something different, and now they’re again accepting something different. He stated his belief they are dealing with a bureaucracy that, although based on science, it does have some ebb and flow, and he feels with the cost escalating, the Town would be foolish not to go back and ask more questions.
Mr. Coppler stated the Town had requested both the DEP and the Department of Health have representatives present this evening. He noted DEP couldn’t make it, and they were told there would be a representative from the Department of Health, however, that representative did not show up.
Councilman Mangini stated her belief Councilman Lee is presenting circular logic. She noted the Town is trying to remediate an issue that has been clearly identified by the State DEP and Health Department. She noted they are also looking at public safety and children’s health and other people who may be exposed to that chemical. She stated Councilmen aren’t scientists, but rather they are policy makers, and their goal is to do what is prudent and what is best for the community. She stated she does not believe spending a couple thousand dollars to do further research is prudent or in the community’s best interest. She stated her belief it’s important to go forward and there are federal and state monies which the Town will pursue to get this job done appropriately. She voiced her support of Town staff for going forward and following the guidelines set forth by the State, and she will not support any other method at this point.
Councilman Maxellon stated he respects Councilman Lee’s research. He noted the State is basically telling the Town what needs to be done. He stated one of his concerns is the delay of this project, which might drive up the cost of the work. He noted GeoTech suggested they stay with the plan and move forward.
Councilman Lee stated he’s uncomfortable with moving forward without further study and attributing the emergency appropriation to what is amounting to the expediency for the renovation project and not a real documented threat to public health.
Councilman Maxellon stated he is also concerned because this is a school property and involves the health of children.
Councilman Hilinski stated in a prior career he dealt extensively with the DEP on an industrial basis, and when the DEP puts out a level of exposure limit, that level of exposure is calculated based on exhaustive research that they’ve done, and they then place some conservatism on that to make sure there’s no exposure issue. He stated the fact is that Enfield is in violation of that risk criteria at Fermi High School and they need to do something. He stated his belief the Town needs to forge ahead with the plan that they have.
Councilman Lee stated he’s very disappointed the State is not present this evening. He stated his understanding they would find the presence of the material, but the relative toxicity of the material could be tested extensively to determine the exact half-life of that material and from there they could back into a number or a year when it would no longer be an issue.
Mr. Coppler stated his understanding the degradation of the material is quick in the early years, but then it starts sloping off as they get into future years.
Councilman Lee stated he would like to make sure the DEP is aware of the Department of Health’s statements about the non-activity areas at Fermi. Mr. Kazmarski and Ms. Brand stated they were aware. He noted both representatives were present at all the meetings that were held and then both those representatives went back to their respective supervisors.
Councilman Lee stated if the Department of Health feels that walking on grassed surfaces in non-activity areas poses no health risk, he believes there’s no harm in the Town going back to DEP and asking for a little bit more out of the plan to reduce the scope and cost without effecting the athletic field work. Mr. Coppler stated there was discussion about that in terms of keeping the grass cap on top, which minimizes the exposure risk.
Chairman Tallarita stated he feels comfortable that it’s the State requiring the Town to do this, and they signed off on this and they believe that this is going to meet the needs to insure the safety of the children and general population. He added they’re also willing to
come to the table with the funds to support the project.
Councilman Kaupin questioned whether the fencing has to go back up in April, and Ms. Brand stated she did not believe so, but she can check into this. Mr. Kazmarski stated the State also stated that as long as the Town maintains a good grass cover in those areas, they don’t have to put the fences back up.
Councilman Ragno questioned whether these chemicals are classified as persistent or non-persistent. Mr. Pongratz responded he did not know. Councilman Ragno stated perhaps they should determine this so they have a more adequate grasp on what they’re dealing with.
Councilman Lee stated his belief this is a persistent compound. He noted in addition to half-lives, they described another characteristic as the disappearance rate, and they stated the disappearance rate for Dieldrin was 95% disappearance in the soil after 25 years. He pointed out they’re approaching almost 40 years. He thanked the Council for at least letting him put these questions on the table. He concluded stating that based on the DEP’s statement that there’s no public health risk on the landscaped areas, if there’s anything the Town can wring out of them as far as efficiencies, it would be worthwhile.
Councilman Nelson stated staff was directed to check out the option of closing down Fletcher Road. He questioned whether that was the directive of the Council or the Mayor. Chairman Tallarita stated that was his directive, and he would like feedback to the Council so that the Council can discuss this. He noted residents have been requesting this. He pointed out there’s a safety factor regarding this as concerns the bridge on that road.
There was no Executive Session.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION #8979 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Ragno to adjourn.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #8879 adopted 9-0-0, and the meeting stood adjourned at 8:32 p.m. |