Tri-Town Board of Water Commissioners

TRI TOWN BOARD of Water Commissioners Braintree, Holbrook, Randolph MINUTES September 26, 2019 Present: Joseph C. Sullivan, Chair, Town of Braintree, Bill Alexopolous, Town of Randolph, Tim Gordon, Town of Holbrook. In attendance: Jim Arsenault, Bill Clunie, Stephen DeFrancesco, Lou Dutton, Paul Gabriel, Helen Gordon, William Dana Green, Brian Howard, Robyn LaFrance, Al LeBlanc, Anne Malenfant, Keith Nastasia, Chris Pellitteri, Walter Pitts, Rhonda Pogodzienski, Carol Rego, Alex Richards, Debra Saucier, Bob Scherpf, Janine Smith, Ed Spellman, and Mike Walsh. Mayor Sullivan opened the meeting at 1:10 pm and briefly summarized the history of the Tri Town Board of Water Commissioners that led to this point. Mayor thanked everyone involved in the process for their professionalism and said the final project will be a suitable facility for all three communities. Mayor stated that there would be no decision made at today’s meeting and that the board would take time to consider the presentations made today and schedule another meeting for next week. Presentation led by Mike Walsh, PE, Officer-in-charge, CDM Smith: Mike Walsh, PE, started the presentation by explaining that he has personally been involved in the Tri Town project for the past ten years and he highlighted the technical knowledge of the CDM Smith team who joined him. Mike Walsh explained that CDM has a wealth of knowledge in water treatment plants and water quality regulations and has the knowledge and history of this project.  Mike Walsh discussed the company profile of CDM, an employee owned Massachusetts firm, and he introduced the five staff members who accompanied him, Dana Green, Al LeBlanc, Ann Malenfante, Walter Pitts, and Carol Rego, stating that these are the people who will be working on the Tri Town project and who have worked on similar and the same projects and have the demonstrated experience.  Carol Rego, PE, Project Manager, discussed her 37 years of experience in her career in water treatment plant work. Carol explained CDM’s collaboration process, and presented examples of new construction and remodeled projects. Carol expressed that the Tri Town Board, EPG, and CDM would have open, clear and strong collaboration and that the  goals will be achieved. Carol highlighted the design concept, emerging contaminants, new technology and the way they design today, and the tools and technology they use.  Anne Malenfante, PE, expounded on the future needs of the treatment plant, the communities, and flexible storage. She discussed how they consider future needs so that the plant design stands the test of time.  Al Leblanc, PE, continued the presentation by discussing the topic of “success” and he discussed dissolved air flotation technology (DAF). Al discussed and showed examples of other projects including ongoing optimization of a new treatment plant in Cambridge, MA, a water treatment plant upgrade in Haworth, NJ and a DAF water treatment system improvement project in Montville, CT. Al explained that the plant will be designed to operate efficiently for decades and will incorporate emerging contaminants provisions and going green.  Anne Malenfant gave a presentation on current and future needs, emerging contaminants, existing regulations, and staying compliant. She discussed potential future regulations such as PFAS, and potential future regulations with regard to climate change and drought.  Walter Pitts, Technical Advisor, and Dana Green, Production Design Lead, discussed tailoring the schedule for project success, efficiency, collaboration, and showed an example of a CAD model of a project in Maine. They showed the first look at the Tri Town plant and they passed around a 3D model of a CAD model plant to be able to envision the future Tri Town water treatment facility.  Carol Rego restated the technical skills, knowledge and experience of the CDM team and she briefly discussed an accelerated schedule and tasks that could be done in the winter months for example. Carol expressed her personal commitment and strong collaboration and communication and then she led the presentation to the Q & A. Bill Alexopolous asked if CDM designed for Tri Town already. Carol Rego replied stating yes, they did a preliminary design. Bill asked if this would be a new design or an update to the previous one. Carol explained that discussions would happen and from those discussions they would collectively optimize for what everyone needed. Bill Alexopolous asked how they plan for emerging technology. Carol and Al responded explaining that they accommodate for that at the start or in a way that it can be added on and they gave a couple of examples. Anne Malenfante said the team will make an informed decision on what might be needed and not have wasted space. Tim Gordon asked what other projects each of the team members would be involved with at the same time. Carol Rego responded stating that they will all constantly be working on the Tri Town project and she reiterated the dedication of the team, explaining that the specific level of involvement for each person will change depending on the stage. Tim Gordon asked who would attend a Town Council meeting. Carol Rego answered that she and others would attend. Tim Gordon asked to provide an example of an unforeseen issue. Carol Rego answered and discussed a current issue with a Newark, NJ plant that made national news. She explained that in all of her career as a corrosion control specialist, this was a surprise to her and the public aspect of the news coverage was a challenge. Lastly, Tim Gordon asked if they were comfortable with the Tri Town budget and Carol replied yes. Al LeBlanc gave a few examples of projects that were completed under budget, including projects in central and western Massachusetts and Rock Island, Illinois. Mayor Sullivan asked if they have ever worked with a regional entity. Carol Rego replied yes, they do all the time, and she briefly discussed the Mansfield-Foxborough-Norton Wastewater District (MFN). Mayor Sullivan asked to describe the arc of balance with PFAS. Carol provided an explanation and she said that they could consult with coworkers in other parts of the country to provide insight on emerging contaminants, and she gave an example in Michigan. Mayor Sullivan asked a question regarding solar and Carol Rego replied explaining the lifecycle of solar and the use of quality materials. She added that the community’s commitment is also part of it. Lastly, Mayor Sullivan asked a question about design, bid, build and an expedited design process. Carol Rego responded discussing 3D design. Bill Alexopolous asked if CDM would do the design from scratch or if they had samples of designs and look for a similar one. Carol Rego replied stating that it would be from scratch. In conclusion, the CDM team reiterated their technical knowledge, expedited design process, collaboration, and long term value. Mayor Sullivan asked if anyone else in attendance had a question and Keith Nastasia asked a mechanical and cost related question. Carol Rego replied explaining that they would reach out to their other clients to seek information and that they recommend client to client relationships and she gave an example of the need to get an estimate on a specific item for budget reasons. Mayor Sullivan confirmed that there were no more questions and asked if CDM wanted to make a closing statement. Mike Walsh reiterated that this is the team, they are a long term partner, and this will be the project they envisioned. Presentation led by Bob Scherpf, PE, Principal-in-Charege, AECOM: Mayor Sullivan introduced the presentation by AECOM at 2:30pm. Mayor reiterated that they would not make a decision at this meeting but will schedule a meeting next week and make the decision. Bob Scherpf, PE, introduced himself and the rest of the interview team including, Rhonda Pogodzienski, PE, ENV SP, DBIA, Bill Clunie, PE, Technical Leader, and Steve DeFrancesco, PE, Associate Vice President. Bob explained that AECOM does four things, Water, Transportation, Energy, and Environment. He talked about the AECOM team, the locations and statistics, and explained that all of them came from the firm, Metcalf & Eddy. Bob discussed the full range of services. Bob noted just two things that AECOM does not do and that they sub- contract, topographical surveying and drilling.  Rhonda Pogodzienski, PE, discussed her responsibilities and her directly related experience. She explained that AECOM has had a 20 year relationship with Environmental Partners (EPG) on a Provincetown project. She discussed how they would meet Tri Town’s goals in achieving high quality drinking water and a facility they will be proud of. Rhonda discussed AECOM’s expertise in the requirements of the State Revolving Fund, Massachusetts Procurement Requirements, and State and Local permits. Rhonda discussed the EPG plan in the RFQ and she explained potential areas of life cycle cost savings, including the Civil site vs hydraulic assessment, simplify spent washwater recycling system, dehumidification of process area, and optimizing placement of building components.  Steve DeFrancesco, PE, presented on the road map to project success, building the project foundation and an estimate of probable cost. He said they bring in Keville Enterprises for cost estimating. Steve discussed turning ideas into reality with 3D visualization and the 60% design project approach. They showed a video of a 60% design on a Newport facility, and discussed final biddable plans and specs and the project approach at the 90-100% draft and final design.  Bill Clunie, PE, presented on emerging contaminants and technical considerations. Bill explained that his thought is that Tri Town is at low risk due to the reservoir and surface water. Bill Clunie discussed PFAS briefly and said he believes it may be regulated in eight or nine years. Bill gave an example of a shut down in Toledo, Ohio a few years ago. Bill discussed how they will address emerging contaminants and DAF technology  and what ifs. He gave an example of a project in Cumberland, Rhode Island and showed DAF facilities in Rockville, CT, and Woonsocket and Newport, RI. Bill invited the Tri Town Board to visit and tour the DAF water treatment plants in Portsmouth, RI that serves Newport and was completed in 2015. He noted that this plant is 9 MGD.  Bob Scherpf concluded the presentation by reiterating his commitment and that of his team, and reviewed why they should select AECOM. He said AECOM has unmatched DAF experience, a focus on constructability, optimization not re-creation, collaboration, and a local full service design center. He extended an invitation to the board to visit and challenge them on decisions. Bob stated that at the end of the project he wants the board to say this is exactly what we envisioned. Mayor Sullivan opened the Q & A period and asked Tim Gordon if he had a question. Tim Gordon asked what other projects the team will be working on at the same time. Bob Scherpf replied that it will be all hands on deck and the entire team will be available and he restated an invitation the Tri Town team to visit and use the design center. Tim Gordon asked to provide an example of how they addressed an unforeseen issue. Bob Scherpf explained what happened in the steel industry and that some of the niceties and frills were left out and the project completed under budget. Bill Alexopolus asked if AECOM will design from scratch or if they start with a general plan. Bob Scherpf replied that it will not be cookie cutter and they will show examples if needed. Mayor Sullivan asked if there were any unique characteristics, such as pre-cast vs masonry walls, that they envision in the Tri Town project. Rhonda Pogodzienski responded by describing the site tour and showing a slide of the site analysis of a civil site assessment vs hydraulic requirements. She said she understands that there’s a lot of rock in Braintree and said that they will do a full assessment right off. Rhonda pointed out the slide of the plan and how they would maximize space. She said they would drill now in preparation for needing to drill later. They pointed out a few possible design suggestions. Bill Alexopolous asked a question concerning future processes. Bill Clunie responded showing part of the design and explaining where and how future processes would be located or incorporated. Mayor Sullivan asked a question concerning PFAS. Mayor stated that they are dealing with that now and it involves ongoing monitoring, management, and oversight and he asked how AECOM will help with that. Bill Clunie responded stating that he expects that the EPA will put an MCL on everything. Mayor Sullivan asked if AECOM wanted to make a closing statement. Bob Scherpf thanked the board and stated that they are very enthusiastic and that they want their business. It was decided that there would be no executive session and no decision made today. The minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed and accepted. MOTION: by Tim Gordon to accept the minutes of the September 5, 2019 meeting SECOND: by Bill Alexopolous VOTE: unanimous Mayor Sullivan scheduled a meeting for Thursday, October 3, at 1:00 pm and at that meeting the board will vote for the designer in an open session. The meeting was adjourned at 3:20 pm. Respectfully submitted, Robyn LaFrance Recording Secretary