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| Public Works
Committee Actions |
JUNE 5, 2007
ATTENDANCE: William Krummel, Chairman; Fred Bondi, Carvin
Hillard, Douglas Hempstead, Kelly Straniti, Kevin Poruban
STAFF: Hal Alvord, Director of Public Works
OTHERS: Laurel Lindstrom, ENNA; Diane Lauricella, League of Women
Voters, Diane Cece, Dee Arnone, Donna Rostocki, Ted Copola, Olmstead Place;
Larry Ruttenberg, Buckingham Place
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Krummel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. He stated that a
quorum was present.
PUBLIC HEARING
Chairman Krummel opened the public hearing on the proposed Public Works rate and fee revisions for FY 2007 – 2008 at 7:31 p.m.
Let it be noted that the following comments and remarks by all speakers have been summarized and are not necessarily verbatim.
Chairman Krummel asked if there was any member of the public present who wished to speak.
Ms. Lauricella stated that while it was important to pay for the process of picking up trash, she wondered whether the fee was on par with surrounding towns. She said she was very impressed with Mr. Okafor, who was recently hired as a Highway Superintendent and will also be working on public outreach for recycling. Ms. Lauricella said that the tipping fee for recyclable materials was less expensive than it is for trash. She would encourage the City to evaluate whether it was necessary to raise the tipping fee and also said that there are two stakeholders who are not currently consistently complying with the State Law, which are small businesses and the City schools. Ms. Lauricella said that the League of Women Voters had done a study on trash and solid waste. The League also helped the State when it was writing the solid waste plan many years ago. Ms. Lauricella said that she had received many calls from parents and teachers who have expressed concern about recycling. She said that during Earth Day week, recycling is done, but most of the time there is no consistent recycling. This costs the City more money because recycled goods are being thrown into the trash and the City is paying a higher tipping fee. Ms. Lauricella said that she is aware that the City is looking to find ways to save money in the City budget and suggested that this might encourage the residents to participate in the recycling program that will reduce the costs to the City.
Chairman Krummel asked again if there was any other member of the public who wished to speak. There was no one else present who wished to speak.
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED PUBLIC WORKS
RATE AND FEE REVISIONS FOR FY 2007 – 2008.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The public hearing on the proposed Public Works rate and fee revisions for
FY 2007 – 2008 closed at 7:37 p.m.
PUBLIC INPUT
Chairman Krummel asked the members of the public to keep their remarks to three minutes because the Committee had a lengthy agenda.
Ms. Cece, who resides on Olmstead Place, requested that Chairman Krummel consider suspending the rules to discuss the issues related to flooding first. She said that she believed that there were two items to be addressed that were flood related. Ms. Cece said that she had two additional questions on items included in the agenda.
Regarding Agenda #9, Ms. Cece said that she was not sure what a “Public Hearing of Necessity” was in reference to the removal of private storm drainage connections to the sanitary sewer collection system as part of the Westport Avenue Inflow and Infiltration Remediation Project (Water Pollution Control Authority Project 2007-2). She also asked if the City would be paying for the disconnected laterals under the WPCA project or if the City would assess the cost of the disconnect and charge it back to the owner. She wanted to know whether this would also be done for other residents in other neighborhoods if they were found to have illegal hook-ups.
Ms. Cece then asked if the East Avenue Roadway improvements were included on the Agenda. Chairman Krummel said that this was covered under Agenda Item 10. Ms. Cece went on to state that she was not familiar with seeing that project previously and asked for a quick update. She said that she thought it was part of the drainage problem and pointed out that East Avenue had recently been repaved.
Ms. Cece said that Maggie Peterson had been ill and not able to attend the meeting. Ms. Cece then asked Mr. Alvord to please update the group on Ms. Peterson’s neighborhood and to bring to his attention that paving work was being done in her neighborhood. Ms. Peterson wished to know why they were digging up the road and paving but not fixing the pipes.
Ms. Cece then said that if the rules were suspended, she would like to have Agenda Items #11, the first amendment to the Tighe and Bond engineering study for the design of storm drainage system improvements for “Drainage Area I Olmstead Avenue and Fitch Avenue”, and “Drainage Area 5 Buckingham Place and Lockwood Lane”addressed first. Ms. Cece said that she had not seen the backup material before the meeting and requested that Mr. Alvord give a brief update.
Ms. Cece then said that she would like to see Agenda Item 12b – Tentative schedule update – stormwater-related work, moved up on the agenda. Ms. Cece said that she was hoping to see a timeline chart so that the residents could follow the progress and communicate off-line with Mr. Alvord about the project.
Ms. Lauricella spoke next and commented that there were two items that were to be added on the agenda as New Business that she wished to address. She said that she noticed Agenda Item 2- an agreement with Milone & MacBroom for final survey of the landfill capping project for a sum not to exceed $7,000.00. Ms. Lauricella said that her printer was not working and therefore she did not have a copy of a letter requesting that she receive copies of the testing that was done and the cost to the City regarding the illegal dumping in Oyster Shell Park. She said that she will be conducting her own investigation into this matter. She said that there was some questions about why the City has to pay almost a quarter of a million dollars without any apparent investigation to recover some of that money from the parties responsible for dumping the material and caused the area to need a new cap. She reiterated that she would like copies of the test results, the costs and the details of this project, which cost the City $249,000. Ms. Lauricella reminded the Committee that both the Council and the Committee had approved this project.
Secondly, she referred to Agenda Items 4a, 4b, and 11. She said that she was pleased that the Committee was looking at the storm drain work and asked if there would be any public information sessions for the neighborhoods identified by Tighe and Bond throughout the project.
Lastly, Ms. Lauricella said that she was having a meeting with Northeast Utilities to discuss an item that is not on the agenda. This involves the Northeast Utilities installation of a high voltage line from Middletown to Norwalk. The trenching operations will begin shortly. Three weeks ago, Northeast Utilities informed Ms. Lauricella they began to look for a site for their ground water storage tank farm, which will operate between June and November from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. They are currently proposing a site at the head of the harbor owned by Michael DiScala. Ms. Lauricella said that many of the important stakeholders were left out of the process despite several of the department directors knowing about the project. Ms. Lauricella said that the Public Works Committee was also not informed about this. She said that she felt that everyone could help Northeast Utilities find a better site. The current site is right on the Norwalk River and Ms. Lauricella stated that she was the founder of the Norwalk River Watershed Association. As a citizen and environmental consultant, Ms. Lauricella said that she had previously worked with tank farms for underground storage tank removal. She also felt that there were ways to allow this process to happen smoothly by looking at other sites. Ms. Lauricella said that she had been told it would be put on the agenda.
Ms. Lindstrom then addressed the Committee and said that she was really pleased to see the flooding issues move forward. In addition, she said that it would be important to get the public aware of the project, especially for those whose property would be affected.
Ms. Lindstrom said that she wished to address Agenda Item #10, the East Avenue engineering. She said that there had been a preliminary design done back in the 1990’s, which had not actually been approved. She also said that she expected a public hearing process before the project moved forward because there were a number of properties on East Avenue that would be affected by the road widening and additional sidewalks. This would result in some property loss via takings. She said that there were other ways of improving roads other than widening, but was not necessarily saying that was the case with this particular project.
APPROVALS/AUTHORIZATIONS
Chairman Krummel said that there were requests to suspend the rules for two purposes, the first to add an item to the agenda. Mr. Poruban suggested approving the minutes from the last meeting first. This was acceptable to all.
1. Approve the Minutes from the Public Works Committee meeting of Tuesday May 1, 2007.
** MR. BONDI MOVED THE MINUTES OF MAY 1, 2007.
The following corrections were noted:
Page 1, paragraph 1, line 1: please change “Chairman Krummel called the meeting to at 7:34 p.m.” to “Chairman Krummel called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.”
Page 5, paragraph 1: please change “Mr. Alvord then introduced Mr. Okafor, who has been promoted to the position of Superintendent of Operations and Mr. Grant, who has taken the position of Fleet Service Manager. Mr. Alvord said that the Department now has a vacant Highway position.” To “Mr. Alvord then introduced Mr. Okafor, who has taken the position of Superintendent of Operations and Mr. Grant, who has been promoted to the position Fleet Services Manager. Mr. Alvord said that the Department now has a vacant Highway foreman position vacated by Mr. Grant.”
** THE MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES FROM THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING
OF TUESDAY MAY 1, 2007 AS CORRECTED PASSED WITH FIVE IN FAVOR (KRUMMEL, HILLARD,
PORUBAN, BONDI AND STRANITI) AND ONE ABSTENTION (HEMPSTEAD).
Chairman Krummel said that he would consider a suspension of the rules. Mr.
Hempstead suggested that the Committee just proceed through the agenda as listed
because of the number of items (#2, #3, 4 a&b, #10, #11 and 12 b) that were
mentioned by those who spoke during the public input. Chairman Krummel then
requested that the Committee consider adding an item to the agenda concerning
a letter agreement with the Third Taxing District and the Connecticut Municipal
Electrical Energy Cooperative (CMEEC).
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO INCLUDE AN ITEM CONCERNING A LETTER
AGREEMENT WITH THE THIRD TAXING DISTRICT AND THE CONNECTICUT MUNICIPAL ELECTRICAL
ENERGY COOPERATIVE (CMEEC).
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
It was decided that this item would become Agenda Item 12 and all the subsequent items would be renumbered accordingly.
2. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an agreement with Milone & MacBroom for final survey of the landfill capping project for a sum not to exceed $7,000.00.
** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED AGENDA ITEM #2. AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH MILONE & MACBROOM FOR FINAL SURVEY OF THE LANDFILL CAPPING PROJECT FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $7,000.00. ACCOUNT No. 09 02 0910 5777 C0241 (REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ACCOUNT)
Chairman Krummel said that he had spoken with Mr. Alvord about this issue before.
He said that although Mr. Alvord recognized that there was an illegal landfill
operation going on that Mr. Alvord felt that the expense to prosecute would
not be worth the return. Mr. Alvord said that he did not know who would be prosecuted.
He also said that he believed the agenda item was to approve the contract with
Milone and MacBroom. Chairman Krummel then asked for some background on the
item.
Mr. Alvord stated that Darien Asphalt was in the process of recapping the landfill. The project will be completed before the end of the month. Mr. Alvord said that Milone and MacBroom has done all the prior surveys on that project, so they would have a better price and more timely prepared to move in and do the final survey once the seeding is done on the site. Then the City can go immediately to the DEP, get an inspection and then get a Certificate of Closure so that the Redevelopment Agency and Recreation and Parks can start with the BSC group there in the fall. No future use can be done there until the City has the Certificate of Closure.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Approve the Proposed Public Works rates and fee revisions.
** MR. HILLARD MOVED AGENDA ITEM 3 – APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED PUBLIC WORKS RATES AND FEE REVISIONS AS FOLLOWS:
ORDIN# DESCRIP. CURRENT FEE PROPOSED FEE
94-10 SOLID WASTE
ACCEPT SOLID WASTE $79/TON $82/TON
BULKY SOLID WASTE $79/TON $82/TON
Mr. Hempstead stated for the record that although there was no conflict of interest, he wished to state that Stew Leonard’s, who is Mr. Hempstead’s employer, does have a permit with the City of Norwalk to haul their own garbage.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
4a. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Agreement with _________________, for Project No. BR 2007-1, Proposed Bridge Rehabilitation on Perry Avenue over the Silvermine River and Perry Avenue Retaining Wall Installation, State Bridge No. 04130, for a sum not to exceed $_________.
4b. Authorize the Director of Public Works to issue Orders on Contract to _________________ for Project No. BR 2007-1, Proposed Bridge Rehabilitation on Perry Avenue over the Silvermine River and Perry Avenue Retaining Wall Installation, State Bridge no. 04130, for a sum not to exceed $__________.
Chairman Krummel said that there is a bid opening on June 19, 2007 and he expected that this item would be for the June 26th Council meeting. He then asked the Committee to approve this item in advance without the final figures.
** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED AGENDA ITEMS4 A&B
4a. AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH _________________, FOR PROJECT NO. BR 2007-1, PROPOSED BRIDGE REHABILITATION ON PERRY AVENUE OVER THE SILVERMINE RIVER AND PERRY AVENUE RETAINING WALL INSTALLATION, STATE BRIDGE NO. 04130, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $_________.
4B. AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO ISSUE ORDERS ON CONTRACT TO _________________ FOR PROJECT NO. BR 2007-1, PROPOSED BRIDGE REHABILITATION ON PERRY AVENUE OVER THE SILVERMINE RIVER AND PERRY AVENUE RETAINING WALL INSTALLATION, STATE BRIDGE NO. 04130, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $__________.
(BID OPENING EXTENDED TO TUESDAY, June 19, 2007)
Account No. 0907 4021 5777 C0394 ($50,000)
0907 4021 5777 C0392 ($350,000)
and added
IN THEIR CURRENT FORMAT THAT THE ITEM BE PLACE ON THE COUNCIL AGENDA BUT NOT INCLUDED IN THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION.
Mr. Hempstead then asked why the bid was delayed. Mr. Alvord said that the original bid date was May 25th. Only three contractors had picked up bid packages, so the Department was concerned that there were too few contractors who had picked up bid packages. The bid date was extended by three weeks and calls were then placed to every bridge contractor that was reputable and explained the situation. Six additional bridge contractors have picked up packages, so DPW expects a much better range of bids.
Mr. Hempstead asked if a revised schedule for the bridgework be included in the back up material for the Council. Mr. Alvord said that the City had hoped to start in the spring, but that a schedule had not yet been created.
Mr. Poruban suggested that the Committee consider a special meeting about an hour before the Council meeting in order to avoid doing Committee work on the Council floor. Mr. Alvord pointed out that there was another agenda item that would require a special meeting before the Council meeting. Chairman Krummel agreed, saying that since Agenda Item #8 would require a special meeting, Agenda Items 4 a & b could be added to that agenda.
** MR. HEMPSTEAD THEN AMENDED HIS MOTION FROM:
** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED AGENDA ITEMS4 A&B
4a. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Agreement
with _________________, for Project No. BR 2007-1, Proposed Bridge
Rehabilitation on Perry Avenue over the Silvermine River and Perry
Avenue Retaining Wall Installation, State Bridge No. 04130, for a sum
not to exceed $_________.
4b. Authorize the Director of Public Works to issue Orders on Contract
to _________________ for Project No. BR 2007-1, Proposed Bridge Rehabilitation
on Perry Avenue over the Silvermine River and Perry Avenue Retaining Wall Installation,
State Bridge no. 04130, for a sum not to exceed $__________.
IN THEIR CURRENT FORMAT THAT THE ITEM BE PLACE ON THE COUNCIL AGENDA BUT NOT INCLUDED IN THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION.
TO:
** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING AGENDA ITEMS:
4A. AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH _________________, FOR PROJECT NO. BR 2007-1, PROPOSED BRIDGE REHABILITATION ON PERRY AVENUE OVER THE SILVERMINE RIVER AND PERRY AVENUE RETAINING WALL INSTALLATION, STATE BRIDGE NO. 04130, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $_________.
4B. AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO ISSUE ORDERS ON CONTRACT TO _________________
FOR PROJECT NO. BR 2007-1, PROPOSED BRIDGE REHABILITATION ON PERRY AVENUE OVER
THE SILVERMINE RIVER AND PERRY AVENUE RETAINING WALL INSTALLATION, STATE BRIDGE
NO. 04130, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $__________.
(BID OPENING EXTENDED TO TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2007)
ACCOUNT NO. 0907 4021 5777 C0394 ($50,000)
0907 4021 5777 C0392 ($350,000)
ADDED TO THE AGENDA OF THE SPECIAL MEETING FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON JUNE 26, 2007.
There was a brief discussion regarding the time for the meeting.
Mr. Poruban asked Mr. Alvord for a brief update on the project. Mr. Alvord said that this package was to repair and restore the Perry Avenue bridge over the Silvermine, where the curbstone fell into the river in October of 2005 and repair the failing retaining wall along Perry Avenue about a quarter mile south of the bridge. These are both essentially masonry work. Mr. Poruban asked if there would be a public hearing. Mr. Alvord said that there had been several public meetings with the residents on this issue.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Authorize the Purchasing Agent to purchase three (3) snowplow trucks from
Interstate Ford Truck Sales, Inc., for a sum not to exceed $406,461.
Account No. 09 07/08 4031 5777 C0313 ($375,000)
01 40 25 5736 (FY 06-07) ($ 31,461)
** MR. BONDI MOVED THE FOLLOWING AGENDA ITEM:
AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASING AGENT TO PURCHASE THREE (3) SNOWPLOW TRUCKS FROM INTERSTATE
FORD TRUCK SALES, INC., FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $406,461.
ACCOUNT NO. 09 07/08 4031 5777 C0313 ($375,000)
01 40 25 5736 (FY 06-07) ($ 31,461)
Mr. Alvord explained that Interstate Ford had agreed to hold last year’s price
through to this year. Mr. Poruban asked why International bid on the package.
Mr. Alvord said that he did not know. Mr. Alvord said the City had worked with
Interstate Ford before and that they had a good reputation. When asked, Mr.
Alvord explained that the budgeting process had a problem with the increased
price. These were a result of having stainless steel bodies for the sanders
and also having new EPA environmental requirements for all large trucks.
The transferred amounts are from scrubbed accounts and the BET has approved
the transfers, making the fund available.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Authorize a Special Appropriation in the amount of $1,709,074.20 for the Westport Avenue Area Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) Remediation (Project WPCA 2007-01) from the WPCA available fund balance to the Capital Construction account. WPCA approved on Monday, May 14, 2007. Account No. 22 40 62 5777
** MS. STRANITI MOVED THE ITEM .
Mr. Alvord said that this item was placed on the agenda thanks to the cooperation of the Finance Committee Chair who is also on the Public Works Committee. There is a low bidder, In Situ Form, who has been selected to accomplish this project. This will involve lining seven miles of pipe to solve the moratorium in that area and also some of the downstream problems. This project has already been approved by the WPCA and the BET. Normally, it would be presented to the Finance Committee, which will be meeting at the end of the month. This would result in another month’s delay in moving the project forward. Mr. Hamilton, the Director of Finance, coordinated with Mr. Hillard and Mr. Hillard agreed that it could come to Public Works in order to gain a Council Committee approval in order to be presented to the Council at its next meeting.
Chairman Krummel asked why there were two different numbers for the WPCA projects. He pointed out that on the bid results sheet the project was listed as Project WPCA2007-02) along with some of the correspondence and Agenda Item #9 while on the agenda it was listed as WPCA 2007-01. Mr. Alvord then suggested that the project number listed in Agenda Item #6 be changed to WPCA 2007-02. This was agreeable to all.
Chairman Krummel then asked if this project would include dealing with the illegal sewer connections. Mr. Alvord explained that in the project area there are fifteen residential properties that have illegal connections to the sanitary sewer system, including down spouts, roof leaders, and driveway trench drains. Several of these could be contributing significant amounts of flow during rainstorms. There are two possible ways to correct these as the project is being done. One way to is to issue an order to the property owners to disconnect and repair. Mr. Alvord said that the Department is reluctant to do this because they don’t have the staff to enforce the order. The second way would be to use the Free Holder process, which would mean that the City would do it as part of the entire project and then assess the cost of the repair on each property’s taxes. Mr. Alvord said that the Department had elected to utilize this option and has a letter prepared to be mailed to the property owners once the Committee and Council approve Agenda Items #8 and #9. This will implement the Free Holder process and inform the residents what will be done. This will give them a detailed assessment and calculate the impact on their taxes over a ten year period. Mr. Alvord explained that the residents will have an appeal, but that the City would end up disconnecting the laterals if the City is not allowed to repair the problem. Chairman Krummel said that this was not mentioned in the back up materials. Mr. Alvord said that each of the properties was bid as an “add alternate” in the bid package.
Mr. Hempstead said that the company involved was also the contractor for the Water Street project and the South Main Street project during the 1980’s. The City was very happy with the work and the company discovered a number of storm drains that were illegally hooked up in the area. Mr. Alvord explained that all the properties have already been identified. The survey has already been done and the Department already knows where all the illegal connections are.
There was a brief discussion about the choice of the bidder. Chairman Krummel asked if the name of the company should be included in the motion. Mr. Alvord pointed out that this agenda item was only authorizing the special appropriation, not the contract.
** THE MOTION REGARDING THE AUTHORIZATION OF A SPECIAL APPROPRIATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,709,074.20 FOR THE WESTPORT AVENUE AREA INFLOW AND INFILTRATION (I/I) REMEDIATION (PROJECT WPCA 2007-02) FROM THE WPCA AVAILABLE FUND BALANCE TO THE CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT. WPCA APPROVED ON MONDAY, MAY 14, 2007. ACCOUNT NO. 22 40 62 5777) PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Ms. Cece then asked if Mr. Alvord could answer questions about whether a similar approach would be taken in other parts of the City and whether the cost of the work will be pro rated to the individual property owners. Chairman Krummel said that this would be discussed under Item #8.
7. Authorize the Director of Public Works to pay for emergency work to Kemsco Construction and Equipment Company, Inc. for the installation of 4,200 LF of 1 ½” conduit on Riverside Drive from Belden Avenue to New Canaan Avenue, for a sum not to exceed $9,500. Account No. 0140 31 5269
** MR. HILLARD MOVED THE ITEM.
Mr. Hempstead asked if there were funds available to put the cable in the conduit. Mr. Alvord said that the City does have the funds. He went on to explain that the City was trying to transition the traffic signals to all fiber optics. There is no fiber cable that extends up Riverside Avenue to connect and synchronize the lights at Route 123 and the other lights on Riverside and Van Buren. A bid had been previously received for the installation of aerial cables on poles for more than $50,000. When the Department was working with CL&P on the project that is coming down Riverside Avenue, the Department asked if it would be possible for Kemsco to bury a 2” diameter conduit with four handholes for the City. Kemsco agreed and stated that they would only charge the City for the cost of the conduit. This is a savings of approximately $40,000 for the City. Chairman Krummel asked if the City would have to deal with CL&P every time the City needed access to the fiber optics. Mr. Alvord replied that the City would have their own handholes for the fiber optics. The City will be installing their own fiber after the conduits are in place. Mr. Poruban asked what kind of fiber would be used. Mr. Alvord reviewed this with him.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. Schedule a Special Public Works Committee meeting to be held in the Norwalk Common Council Chambers on Tuesday, June 26, 2007.
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO SCHEDULE A SPECIAL PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING TO
BE HELD IN THE NORWALK COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2007, WHICH
WILL INCLUDE AGENDA ITEMS 4A&B, #8 AND #9.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. Schedule a Public Hearing of Necessity for the repair of private sanitary sewer laterals and the removal of private storm drainage connections to the sanitary sewer collection system as part of the Westport Avenue Inflow and Infiltration Remediation Project (Water Pollution Control Authority Project 2007-2) to be held at the Special Public Works Committee meeting in the Common Council Chambers in Norwalk City Hall on Tuesday, June 26, 2007.
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING OF NECESSITY FOR THE REPAIR OF PRIVATE SANITARY SEWER LATERALS AND THE REMOVAL OF PRIVATE STORM DRAINAGE CONNECTIONS TO THE SANITARY SEWER COLLECTION SYSTEM AS PART OF THE WESTPORT AVENUE INFLOW AND INFILTRATION REMEDIATION PROJECT (WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY PROJECT 2007-2) TO BE HELD AT THE SPECIAL PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS IN NORWALK CITY HALL ON TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2007.
Mr. Alvord stated that there was a series of two public hearings involved. The first will involve the Committee and the Common Council will determine that there is a necessity to appoint freeholders to assess the value of the repair projects on the fifteen private properties that have been determined to be part of the Westport Avenue Pumping Station service repair area project. Agenda Items 4 a & B and #9 will already be included on the Council agenda for that night, even though the meeting is scheduled for just before the Council meeting. Once this has been approved by Council, then three freeholders will be selected from the list of freeholders and they will review the appraisal of the cost to repair each illegal connection. The freeholders will present the Committee with a report. Both the Committee and the Council must approve the freeholders report and then the project can go forward. The second public hearing is on the results of the freeholders report. Mr. Alvord said that during the special meeting on June 26th, the Committee will be requested to schedule a meeting and public hearing for July 10th.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
10. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute an Agreement with the A. DiCesare, to provide professional engineering services in connection with the East Avenue Bridge Reconstruction Project, for a sum not to exceed $_______. Account No. 0140 32 5258 ($14,770) 09 00 4021 C0162 ($43,360) Price quote due June 1, 2007.
** MS. STRANITI MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE A. DICESARE, TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE EAST AVENUE BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $_______. ACCOUNT NO. 0140 32 5258 ($14,770) 09 00 4021 C0162 ($43,360) PRICE QUOTE DUE JUNE 1, 2007.
Mr. Alvord distributed the latest quote from Mr. DiCesare to the Committee members. He said that there have been plans to improve East Avenue between Exit 16 and the railroad underpass in conjunction with the State DOT when the railroad underpass is replaced and widened, and the reconstruction of Exit 16 is done. Mr. Alvord said that he had no idea when the reconstruction of Exit 16 will happen. DOT has scheduled the replacement and widening of the railroad underpass. The bid package for the East Avenue underpass will be put out in either October or November of 2009. The contract will be awarded in the spring of 2010. Grant funds have been committed to accomplish the work. There will be a brand new railroad underpass with four lanes and two sidewalks. This will require that East Avenue fit into the scheme. The intersections at Fort Points and Fitch Streets will be improved. There could be some sliver property takings.
The original quote was higher than the matching funds available, so the Department then asked Mr. DeCesare to break the project into phases, which Mr. DeCesare did. Phase One focuses on coordinating ConnDOT Rails’ plans with the City plans. Mr. DiCesare has done all the work on this project up to this point, but the project has been so delayed that all the former contracts have expired and been closed out.
Mr. Alvord was asked if Olmstead Place traffic problems could be included in the project. Mr. Alvord replied that this would be examined as part of how the City can improve the entire area between Exit 16 to the railroad underpass. There was a discussion about the clearance height of the new underpass. Mr. Alvord said that the new clearance would most likely only be a few inches more than what is there now.
There was a discussion about the property takings that will be needed and the drainage situation in that area.
Chairman Krummel asked if there would be a public hearing. Mr. Alvord said that there would be one scheduled. DOT will also have a series of public meetings or hearings on the railroad underpass project. Mr. Alvord said that he hoped to coordinate the City’s meetings with DOT’s public meetings where appropriate.
Mr. Poruban said that the subsurface on East Avenue was concrete. Mr. Alvord agreed that some of it is. Mr. Poruban then said that in other construction areas outside the City, the contractors have been digging up the concrete and installing asphalt. Mr. Alvord said that this was not a good idea because the concrete was already stable and not shifting.
Chairman Krummel asked what the proposed amount was for the project. Mr. Alvord said that it was $50,000. This contract will need to be amended over the time of project. Chairman Krummel said that the two accounts listed added up to $58,000. Mr. Alvord said that this was correct. The oldest account will be closed out first and the second account may have $8,000 left in it at the conclusion of the project.
Mr. Hempstead asked what the basic timeline would be for the project. Mr. Alvord said that he would have a good sense of that at the end of Phase One, within the next year.
** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE A. DICESARE, TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE EAST AVENUE BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT, FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $ 50,000. ACCOUNT NO. 0140 32 5258 ($14,770) 09 00 4021 C0162 ($43,360) PRICE QUOTE DUE JUNE 1, 2007 PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
11. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute the First Amendment to the Agreement for Professional Engineering Services with Tighe & Bond, Inc. for the design of storm drainage system improvements for “Drainage Area I Olmstead Avenue and Fitch Avenue”, and “Drainage Area 5 Buckingham Place and Lockwood Lane” for a sum not to exceed $333,900. Account No. 09 08 FY 2007-08 Capital Budget
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES WITH TIGHE & BOND, INC. FOR THE DESIGN OF STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS FOR “DRAINAGE AREA I OLMSTEAD AVENUE AND FITCH AVENUE”, AND “DRAINAGE AREA 5 BUCKINGHAM PLACE AND LOCKWOOD LANE” FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $333,900. ACCOUNT NO. 09 08 FY 2007-08 CAPITAL BUDGET.
Mr. Alvord reminded everyone that in several previous projects, one of the least expensive and most timely ways to move the project forward was to negotiate a scope of work and a price with Tighe and Bond, who have done all the investigations in all of the areas identified for flood examination. After a series of meetings with Tighe and Bond, a scope and schedule have been arrived at that everyone is comfortable with. The schedule is aggressive, but Tighe and Bond believe that they can meet it. The full design for Olmstead Place is scheduled to be done by December, the bid package for construction would go out in January for construction in February and March. The Conservation Commission will not allow or issue a permit for construction in a wetland other than during the winter. That is the only controlling and regulatory body for the Olmstead retention pond.
Buckingham Lockwood needs permitting from the DEP. Upon the Committee’s acceptance, and the agreement to put the item on this meeting’s agenda, Tighe and Bond had already agreed to open negotiations with DEP to start the permitting process for putting a bigger outflow pipe into the harbor. The Department is requesting a 65% design by December in order to have accurate capital numbers for the construction project for the next capital budget. The design will be completed by the early spring and the bid package that is able to go out as soon as possible in order to issue a contract quickly after July 1st of that year. Mr. Alvord said that this was a $334,000 amendment to a $119,000 contract. There are some officials that are uncomfortable with this, principally the Purchasing Agent and the Finance Director, because this is not being competitively bid. If an RFP is put out then it will be October before a contract is in place. This will result in missing a complete construction season on Olmstead and Buckingham Lockwood. Mr. Alvord said that he could not imagine that Tighe and Bond would not come in as the lowest bidder since they are so familiar with the system already.
When asked if the money was available for the projects, Mr. Alvord said that the funds for both the design and the construction were available for the Olmstead project. The only funds available for the Buckingham Lockwood project are for the permitting and the engineering. Mr. Alvord said that Mr. Hamilton has expressed his intention of supporting the construction funds for the Buckingham Lockwood project in next year’s capital budget.
Chairman Krummel asked for an overview of the Olmstead project. Mr. Alvord then reviewed the details of the project with the Committee. This will include replacing all of the 24 inch pipe that starts at the outflow structure down to the 30 inch pipe. There have been updates to the initial Tighe and Bond report because when the details are adjusted, the hydraulics must be adjusted. There was also a brief discussion about the 42” pipe that goes underneath Interstate 95.
Mr. Alvord reminded everyone that this project does not include the pipe clearing project that will be done with McVac or the eventual impact of removing sediment out of the culvert under Metro North. These will also improve the situation.
Mr. Arnone had a question about the pipe, to which Mr. Alvord responded that he did not recall the length of the pipe that would be installed. Mr. Arnone then asked about the timing of the work. Mr. Alvord explained that the work would be done this fiscal year but the next calendar year, which would be February and March of 2008.
Chairman Krummel reviewed the financial numbers. He then asked about the problem on Moody Lane. Mr. Alvord explained that the pipe that runs from Lockwood under East Avenue then to Moody and downwards is in a difficult location. There is a retaining wall that will pose a problem. Mr. Alvord said that the Department would like to do a “jack and bore” on a straight shot to the river. That will increase the pitch of the pipe and avoid the structural issues with the roadway and the retaining wall on Moody’s Lane. Mr. Alvord then reviewed the options for the trench technology.
Ms. Rostocki asked about Mr. Alvord’s earlier statement about the 42 inch pipe that goes under the interstate. Mr. Alvord stated that that pipe line has two collapsed sections and reviewed the details of those and said that it would be best to prevent any overflow from going into that system since it will not be needed once the other storm water pipes were in place.
Ms. Cece said that with all due respect, the public does not have the benefit of having the backup material available until the meeting. Ms. Cece said after reviewing the Olmstead portion of the project, she had twenty questions in order to better understand what is being proposed with the Tighe and Bond contract. She then suggested that this item be tabled to give the residents a better explanation and Ms. Cece would feel more comfortable with it. Ms. Cece said for the record that she was philosophically opposed to doing addendums to existing contracts based on someone’s interpretations of the most intimately involved parties to date. Ms. Cece said that she failed to see why this could not go out to bid and not be done before October 1st. She stated that she had a number of issues and felt that haste may make waste. She said that she would like an opportunity to read the back up materials and for Mr. Alvord to meet with the Olmstead and Buckingham residents about this issue. She then asked what the repercussions would be of not having the item on the Common Council agenda at the next meeting.
Mr. Alvord then reviewed the details of the RFP process and explained how this would delay the project at least for a year. Mr. Alvord explained that municipal government moves slowly. Ms. Cece disagreed with the process. Mr. Alvord said that it was up to the Committee but the staff recommendation was that Tighe and Bond knows the system, they are ready now and have already started the process and this will be the best price that the City can get.
Mr. Hempstead said that usually with professional services there is a short list of contractors and companies that have been interviewed in the past and have worked well with the city. This is usually a scope of work rather than bidding out of materials. Mr. Hempstead said that Tighe and Bond was one of the companies on the short list. Mr. Alvord agreed. He then asked regarding the fact that the issue with the funding was making the Finance Department nervous, how Mr. Alvord proposed to resolve that issue. Mr. Alvord said that he had spoken to Mr. Hamilton and the Mayor about this, but understands what the project involves and what the timing issues are. Mr. Hempstead said that as a member of the Council for the last three years, he has heard all the complaints and sense of urgency. He said that he was comfortable with Tighe and Bond because they are extremely reputable and will move the project forward. Mr. Hempstead said that he wants to get this project done.
Mr. Hillard said that he agreed with Mr. Hempstead. Normally, Mr. Hillard said that he was for putting everything out to bid when dealing with the public’s money. However, in lieu of what he had heard from Mr. Alvord, Mr. Hillard said that he was ready to move forward on the flooding project.
Mr. Poruban said that Tighe and Bond was a reputable firm. Mr. Poruban said that he felt doing the addendum to the existing contract was the best way to do it. Mr. Poruban then asked how many companies submitted proposals when this project first went out. Mr. Alvord said that there had been an RFQ on storm water related issues and fifteen companies had responded. Tighe and Bond have been shortlisted on every project that was advertised. Mr. Poruban asked how many were on the short list. Mr. Alvord said that there were three to five. Mr. Poruban asked about having the short list companies submit. Mr. Alvord said that this was not possible; the bid would have to go out to the general public again.
Ms. Cece said that she wanted to make sure that things were done right and not quickly. If it is another year, it’s another year. Ms. Cece said that she does not believe that the pond has anything to do with the flooding problem. She believes it is the other end of the system. She then repeated that she would rather the process be thorough and have the residents completely understand what the project entails. She also commented that she believed that many of the Council people never read the study and said that there may be an alternative there. If the window of opportunity is this winter or next, Ms. Cece said that she was not speaking for her neighbors, but she would ask that the Committee table the item until a meeting can be arranged with Mr. Alvord to hear the steps of the design analysis and make Ms. Cece more comfortable with Tighe and Bond. She said that she was not comfortable with the scope of what the project entailed. She said that she did not support this project.
Chairman Krummel said that he felt the sense of the Committee was to support the Director of Public Works and to move ahead with the project. Chairman Krummel said that he also agreed with the statements from the Committee members about how this issue had been going on for several years and believes that there is progress being made. He said that he believes that this is a sound project to move forward on.
Ms. Lauricella said that this might be an opportunity for a compromise. She said that since there will be a special meeting on the 26th before the Council meeting, and then one on July 10th, either of those times could be used as a public information meeting where Ms. Cece and others could sit down and review the projects. This would not delay the vote and delay the project to next year.
Mr. Arnone then said that he wished everything was done yesterday. He said that he supported Ms. Cece’s suggestion to have an informational meeting for the residents. He also said that he appreciated the Committee’s input, but it is not only a flooding issue but an economical issue. He then asked if there was something that could be done in the interim in-house to alleviate the flooding, such as clearing the culvert under Metro North. Mr. Arnone asked what has been done on Fitch and Olmstead since August 27, 2006. Mr. Alvord said that nothing had been done yet. Mr. Arnone said that he realizes that the current Committee has done more for the residents than previous administration. Mr. Alvord asked how many more meetings the residents wanted. Ms. Cece said that the residents wanted as many meetings as they need. Mr. Alvord replied that the City would then have to decide who was going to do contracts in the City of Norwalk. Ms. Cece objected and said that Ms. Lauricella had proposed a meeting that would not delay the vote.
Chairman Krummel said that the Committee had now heard Ms. Cece’s argument and understands the situation and that the Committee was now ready to vote.
** THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES WITH TIGHE & BOND, INC. FOR THE DESIGN OF STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS FOR “DRAINAGE AREA I OLMSTEAD AVENUE AND FITCH AVENUE”, AND “DRAINAGE AREA 5 BUCKINGHAM PLACE AND LOCKWOOD LANE” FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $333,900. ACCOUNT NO. 09 08 FY 2007-08 CAPITAL BUDGET PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman Krummel then said that the Committee would move to Agenda Item 12, which was added earlier in the meeting.
12. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia, to execute a letter agreement with the Third Taxing District and the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative for participation in the Forward Capacity Market as a Demand Response asset during the period June 1, 2010 through May 31, 2011.
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE MAYOR, RICHARD A. MOCCIA, TO EXECUTE A LETTER AGREEMENT WITH THE THIRD TAXING DISTRICT AND THE CONNECTICUT MUNCIPAL ELECTRIC ENERGY COOPERATIVE FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE FORWARD CAPACITY MARKET AS A DEMAND RESPONSE ASSET DURING THE PERIOD JUNE 1, 2010 THROUGH MAY 31, 2011.
Mr. Alvord said that he had just received this the previous day. He then said that the City had been involved in the ISO-New England Real-Time Demand Response Program, which is commonly called “load shedding”. There are four City back up generators that are committed to the program and the City receives $9.00/kilowatt hour for each of the committed hours that the City agrees to dump if a brown out or black out situation arises. Since the City entered that contract through the Third Taxing District and CMEEC with ISO New England, the City has received over $280,000 in revenue. The City has been called to shed load twice with the longest period being two and a half hours. The City has also been audited twice, which lasted thirty minutes or less. The contract with the Third Taxing District, CMEEC and ISO New England expires in June 2008. There is a one year option period. ISO has re-evaluated their forecast on load response. Mr. Alvord feels that the transmission line projects will have an impact on how much additional power they think they may have to deliver to southwest Connecticut. Mr. Alvord went on to explain the rest of the details of the contract. All the letter does is commit that the City is interested in remaining in the program even at a reduced rate of between $3.00-$4.00. The only reason that the Mayor has to sign this is because there is a financial penalty, which the City will have if the City fails to respond within thirty minutes or fail to shed the committed load.
Ms. Straniti asked for some of the details of the contract, which Mr. Alvord reviewed with her. Mr. Hempstead asked what would happen if the city did not participate in the program. Mr. Alvord said that the City would not generate any revenue. A discussion about the terms of the contract then followed.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
DISCUSSION
13. Engineering Division Report
b. Tentative schedule update – stormwater-related work
Mr. Alvord said that regarding the agenda and the back up material, that the material is available and ready for distribution on the Thursday prior to the meeting. He said that it would be possible to pick up a copy of the agenda and all the back up materials in advance simply by either calling the office or sending in an email so that a copy can be left at the front desk. Ms. Cece asked if she could download this from the website. Mr. Alvord said that it was only available via the office.
Mr. Alvord said that this subject was being listed separately because of the general interest in the topic. He then reviewed the Tentative DPW Schedule of Stormwater Related Work with the Committee. Mr. Alvord said that a letter had been sent from the Corporation Counsel to ConnDOT Rails. Ms. Cece said that Atty. Nolin’s letter was basically very nice, but a paragraph was added warning the railroad that they would potentially face litigation unless they responded immediately. Mr. Alvord said that there was some discussion about the language in the letter and there was some indication that residents might be willing to sue MetroNorth or ConnDOT Rails if the problem is not resolved.
Mr. Alvord then reviewed the 100 Connecticut Avenue problem. He said that there is a credit card services company that is flooded every time there is significant rain because there is a 36 inch pipe that can’t handle the overflow. The credit card services company is in the process of suing the landlord for termination of lease. Hall Investments, the landlord, retained Tighe and Bond to design a solution for their property. Tighe and Bond did that and supervised the construction and with no involvement by DOT, they have alleviated the flooding problem at Connecticut Avenue. There still needs to be pressure applied to DOT because the pipe needs to be replaced. The intersection at Connecticut Avenue, Fairfield Avenue and Clinton Avenue still floods. The bigger pipe is still needed. However, DOT has directed CL&P to bury their transmission line deeper so that when the larger pipe is installed later the room will be available.
The other area where there have been gains is on the Norwalk River south of the Perry Avenue bridge. The channel just before Deering Pond is overgrown with trees and during the last nor’easter; it captured all kinds of debris, which dammed the water up into the condominium units. One shore of it is part of the flood control project that was done by the ACOE in 1961. The other portion is an engineered bank north of the channel. There was damage there also and the City has applied for reimbursement under Public Law 84-99, that the ACOE manages. Mr. Alvord said that he believes the City is eligible because the City maintains that area. There were some available funds in the tree removal contract and so the contractor has been removing the trees from that flood control channel. In the most recent rain yesterday, there was very clear flow in that area. Mr. Alvord said that there was a very large uprooted tree in the middle of Deering retention pond and the pond is very silted in.
Chairman Krummel said that there was concern about the Five Mile River regarding the erosion and loss of retaining walls. He said that Mr. Alvord had been working with those residents also. Mr. Alvord said he had talked to a few of them and made some site visits. Mr. Alvord said that the loss of property due to erosion during high flows is in essence a private property issue. The City has no responsibility or jurisdiction. Mr. Alvord said that he would not recommend building a retaining wall anywhere along the Five Mile River; he would suggest putting in rip rap. However, this is up to the property owner. The issue with the Conservation Commission is because the high flow lines vary all along that river. One thing that a property owner should do early on is to speak with Alexis to find out where that line is on the property to determine if a permit is needed. Chairman Krummel said there was a question about the engineering design. Mr. Alvord said that was a Conservation Commission issue.
Ms. Lauricella said that she had spoken with Mr. Ed Svec about the Five Mile River and he wanted to make people aware that there is a big triangular slab from someone’s retaining wall that is now leaning into the river. Ms. Lauricella said that she would speak to Alexis about putting up some signs there because it has been undermined by flooding. She said that there are questions about private responsibility vs. the public trust.
a. Projects - See attached project status sheet.
Mr. Alvord asked if there were any questions about the eighty four projects listed.
Chairman Krummel asked if there was any further information about the Foxboro traffic signal. Mr. Alvord asked if Chairman Krummel received a letter from Corporation Counsel. Mr. Alvord explained that the Corporation Counsel had also sent a letter to the Foxboro Condominium Association.
c. Personnel – junior engineer [1 position]
Mr. Alvord said that there had been 10 job vacancies and that the job hiring freeze prevented those slots from being filled. The Mayor has lifted the hiring freeze and allows the Department to advertise for the Highway Foreman. All the positions have been advertised and the application for the Junior Engineer will close on June 8th. There are thirty eight or thirty nine applications for the highway foreman. Mr. Alvord anticipates a similar amount for the Junior Engineer. There are two or three positions that will be filled from in house. Nationwide criminal and credit checks are now done on new applicants.
Mr. Hempstead asked about the statue of project #70, the water leaks at the Maritime Garage. Mr. Alvord said that the glazing company has gotten the subcontractor to deal with the situation. There is one section that is not covered by warranty and that will be sealed up by an outside contractor.
14. Operations Division Report
a. Personnel
(1) Roads Supervisor [1 position]
(2) Class I Mechanic [2 positions]
(3) Maintainer III [1 position]
(4) Maintainer II (sanitation) [1 position]
(5) Maintainer II [1 position]
(6) Maintainer I [3 positions]
This was discussed earlier in the meeting.
b. Other
Mr. Alvord said that he has been working with FEMA and they have identified what is eligible for reimbursement. All of this will be on a 75% basis, with the exception of clearing the Norwalk River south of the Perry Avenue bridge. FEMA does not like channel clearing projects. However, FEMA did offer to split the cost 50%-50%. Mr. Alvord recommended that the Mayor accept this offer. The residents at Riverbend Condo went out and rented four 30 yard dumpsters and cleared 120 cubic yards of debris out of the river. The City can get volunteer credits for the hours the volunteers put in.
Mr. Alvord said that he had recently inspected the Silvermine School area and there are some significant issues regarding downed trees and crushed fencing. Downstream of the Perry Avenue bridge on the Norwalk River, the estimate is $50,000. Upstream the estimate is $82,000. At 144 Silvermine Avenue, it is $54,000 and the FEMA official seems to think that there will be no problem being reimbursed for any of those projects.
Chairman Krummel said that he had written an email to Mr. Alvord regarding CL&P removing water from the trench. Mr. Alvord said that was one of the three remaining information items he was going to mention to the Committee.
He then said he would like to get a sense of the Committee. A.J. Penna and Sons has been the general drainage contractor for the past year. The contractor has offered to keep his current prices if the City retains him as the general drainage contractor for next year. Mr. Alvord said he needed a general sense of the committee to go forward and do the analysis and if it shows that there is financial gain for the City that the Committee be willing to do it. If there was not interest, then a bid package needs to be prepared for the City. Mr. Hillard asked if Mr. Alvord was satisfied with the work. Mr. Alvord said that the contractor had done very good work and there have only been two bidders for general drainage in the past several years. Mr. Hillard said that he was comfortable with it. Chairman Krummel then asked for details about general drainage. Mr. Alvord then reviewed the specifications of general drainage. Mr. Hempstead said that he was also in favor of this.
Mr. Alvord then said that the second item was Southwest Environmental Recycling Operating Committee (SWEROC), which is the recycling contract. Mr. Alvord then reviewed the difference between SWEROC and CRRA, who is a contractor to SWEROC. After some analysis, Mr. Alvord said that he would not recommend informing CRRA that the City would like to leave the contract. SWEROC will pay the City $10.66 a ton for all recyclable materials that the City delivers to the recycling center in Stratford. On the open market, the City could make more than that, but it would require hiring more employees and, in the net, could probably not realize $10.66 per ton.
CL&P is building a number of projects throughout the City. Unfortunately, the City is the hub of four CL&P transmission projects. One is from Bethel to Norwalk, another one is Middletown to Norwalk and is held up at the Westport line and the third is the Glenbrook project which goes from Stamford to Norwalk and the final one is replacing the seven existing cables from Norwalk to Long Island.
There was heavy ground water involved in the Norwalk to Middletown project. The WPCA has a program that allows contractors that encounter ground water to take the ground water and put it into the sanitary sewer system. They are charged a good price for this service, but in this case, the Westport Avenue system is at full capacity.
In these types of cases, CL&P creates a holding tank, pumps the water out of the trench and takes it via a vacuum truck to the tanks and then deposits it into the tanks. After it has been tested, the water is released into the sewer system. When they are out of the Westport Avenue area, they can release into the sanitary sewer system directly. CL&P has located a site on Smith Street on the DiScala property. Twelve tanks will be located there and CL&P will be working at night to haul the water down there and discharging it. Mr. DiScala has agreed to lease the property to them. Mr. Alvord said that there have been some concerns expressed about this and he has meet with the parties involved to discuss this. There are no zoning violations and Mr. Alvord has met with Redevelopment, Planning and Zoning and other parties about this. He did propose that they should do some public outreach with various entities such as the Historical Commission and neighborhood associations. Mr. Alvord said that the City has no jurisdiction on this matter. The City has not allowed them to enter into the sanitary system, but this is a private contractor who has negotiated a lease with a private property owner and they have met all the requirements necessary. There are no violations.
Mr. Hempstead said it has been his experience that CL&P pretty much has the right to do whatever they want because the State has given them so much authority and blanket eminent domain. He said that it has been his experience that it is better to work with them than against them because it will take longer to complete the project otherwise.
Mr. Bondi said that he did not see a problem with the tank farm being there since there was already an asphalt plant there. There was significant truck traffic there anyway. Mr. Hempstead commented that because they were using the sewers, it really wasn’t DPW’s issue and they were not using city property. The only one who could permit them to dump into the sewers is the WPCA.
Ms. Lauricella said that she wanted this on the record because she had done her homework and ordered and subcontracted out similar companies that needed similar accommodations. She said that this was very common, especially in industrial areas. Ms. Lauricella said that the City does have jurisdiction called political will. The City and Redevelopment Agency has been urging people to stay on Wall Street. Ms. Lauricella said that she heard about this from Chris Swan of Northeast Utilities. She said that Mr. Swan respects her, which some people may not, and knows that she does her homework that she began doing yesterday after receiving the details of the project. She said that she had asked for a flow control plan and putting up a tank farm is not something that is unusual. It is important to have a place to store the materials until the lab results come in. Ms. Lauricella said that she had asked them for the parameters that are being tested. She also stated that she was and had taken samples of tankers when she was with the DEP, and asked for their sampling methodology to keep them on their toes. She also said that apparently no one else in the city asked them for this but the City has every right to do so. She said that she was glad that the WPCA has a program for ground water, however, the WPCA is not an independent authority, they are a City agency. Just as this Committee and the Mayor’s staff, they want to do the best for all the City, including all the stakeholders such as landowners, tenants, and in this part of the area, which Ms. Lauricella is intimately involved in as a kayak trip guide, walker and former president of the Norwalk River Watershed Association is familiar with the stakeholder because the Norwalk River Watershed Associated needed to get people psyched about the river. So, Ms. Lauricella was trying to quickly review what she just heard at the table. The Committee does have authority. Ms. Lauricella said that she was very disappointed in the Health Director, the Planning and Zoning Director and the Director of Public Works because there were stake holders that were not even informed of this. Quite frankly, Northeast Utilities’ poor planning is not the problem of the City of Norwalk. They have known that they were going to be digging trenches for months, over a year ago. So, the fact that they come into the city – this is not the first time that they have done this – they did this with the Bethel to Norwalk power line. And the reason why Mr. Swan got in touch with Ms. Lauricella was because apparently at the time, Mayor Esposito and Mayor Knopp did not do their own independent work. They were told that this had to be done right away and the cables can’t be put underground for more than a certain number of miles. Ms. Lauricella went on the Internet and with the help of an out of work chemist, found information showing that the cables could be put underground for longer distances. The City had not done enough independent work and she wished to help Northeast Utilities find a different site because first of all, when a vac truck is off- loaded, which is an important point that Mr. Alvord had left out, and this is why she is very disappointed in what the director is saying, vac trucks are noisy and it will be done from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Ms. Lauricella said that she has talked to Hal Fachelle, one of the land owners on Commerce. Ms. Lauricella said that she should not have to do the work that the City is supposed to do to give the Committee the proper advice in order to do a good job. The reason that Ms. Lauricella said that she was getting a little peeved is because of what Mr. Alvord is telling the Committee, which is his version of what is going on. It is unfortunately not all correct. Ms. Lauricella has taken her own personal time and done her homework that the City should have done and will be having a meeting with Northeast Utilities on June 6th. Ms. Lauricella claimed that they are willing to meet with her because they wish to have the residents comfortable, which she appreciates. Ms. Lauricella said that she wished the City cared as much about that. Quite frankly, she said that first of all, the City should help them find a place. Secondly, Ms. Lauricella said that the City should not just accept without enough due diligence of the twelve sites that Northeast Utilities emailed to her and she is not satisfied that they have done their due diligence. In fact, there are other sites that are much better because there is a Redevelopment Agency there, along with noise in a valley. Ms. Lauricella said that she thinks Mr. Alvord would admit that vac trucks do make a lot of noise when they are off loading as well as rattling up Moody’s Lane.
Ms. Lauricella said that she had spoken with the Fat Cat Grill owner and he is not pleased because he is trying to stay in Norwalk. It is not easy because the redevelopment has taken so long, which has to do with political will and decisions made over many years.
The last thing that Ms. Lauricella wished to say for the record is that Mr. DiScala initially said that he was not in favor of this. He has his reasons for being neutral he told Ms. Lauricella today. The Redevelopment Agency told Ms. Lauricella that they were not in favor of this in an email that arrived at 4 p.m. So, the fact that the Committee is being given information that the Agency and property owner are in favor of this is ludicrous. Ms. Lauricella said that she was very disappointed that the Director of Public Works would misinform the Committee about things that Ms. Lauricella has been told were not quite right. Ms. Lauricella said that it would be important to take a breath and realize that the City does have dominion over Northeast Utilities. Ms. Lauricella then said she had called Senator Bob Duff and informed him. He asked Ms. Lauricella to keep him informed. She then concluded with the statement that she knew this was going to happen because this is the way it always happens. She said that she would like the Committee to reconsider and tell Northeast Utilities to reconsider another site.
Mr. Bondi pointed out that all the sites on the list have reasons why Northeast Utilities can’t use them. Ms. Lauricella said that of course they do. She then contended that there was not enough reason there. She asked them for their decision tree and said that nobody makes decisions on such light information. Ms. Lauricella said that she had additional sites that she will be proposing.
Ms. Lindstrom said for the record that because the Eastern Norwalk Neighborhood Association actually includes this location, she had not heard about any of this until she heard about it from Ms. Lauricella this afternoon. Ms. Lindstrom said that she had not had the opportunity to talk to residents to find out how they felt about it. For the record, she repeated that this site is part of ENNA.
Ms. Lauricella said that Sherwood Island is a possibility for this. Mr. Hempstead said that the trucks were there now. She said that there was plenty of room there regardless of what CL&P says.
Mr. Alvord was asked what the duration time line was for this project. He stated that it was six to eight months, which will be how long CL&P will be trenching. Chairman Krummel said that he understood that there would be a meeting tomorrow, which he would attend, but the Committee would not be taking any action tonight. Mr. Poruban said that he would like to be kept informed about this because he was not in favor of the truck traffic on the roads. Ms. Lauricella said that there were many stakeholders, which was her point. She then proceeded to name issues.
OTHER
15. Future of the Load Response Program
16. Status of public power consultancy.
These issues were discussed earlier in the meeting.
17. Action on any items discuss herein.
** MR. BONDI MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon L. Soltes
Telesco Secretarial Services
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