Public Works & Facilities Commission

PUBLIC WORKS & FACILITIES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY September 9 , 2020 TIME: 6:30 P.M. Via WebEX.com MIDDLETOWN CONNECTICUT Members Present: Councilman Gene Nocera Councilman Ed McKeon Councilman Philip Pessina Councilman Darnell Ford Members Absent: Councilman Ed Ford Jr Staff Present: William Russo, Director of Public Works Catherine Lechowicz, Director of Recreation and Community Service Others: Ellen Lukens- 46 Pine St John Hall- Jonas Center Paul Pizzo- Landmark Chair Nocera opened the Public Works & Facilities Commission meeting at 6:30 P.M. Chair Nocera requested a motion to approve the minutes dated September 9, 2020. Councilman Ford made the motion. The motion was seconded by Councilman Pessina and passed unanimously. Councilman Pessina made a motion to amend the agenda by adding Multiuse Trail update. . A motion was made by Councilman Pessina. The motion was seconded by Councilman Ford, and passed unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: John Hall- from the Jonas Center called in to listen to the meeting. Ellen Lukens -46 Pine St. spoke her concerns on the portion of the bike path that is gong near Lawrence school. She brought up to the commission that back in the 90’s there was talks of putting a golf course in that section and studies showed that the area had a large amount of Vernal Pools. Vernal Pools are seasonal digressional wetlands. Vernal Pools serve as essential breeding habitat species of wildlife. CORRESPONDENCE: Sumner Brook Drainage Study to Commence- The City of Middletown has contracted with BL companies of Meriden, CT to perform a comprehensive analysis of Sumner Brook and its tributaries, to analyze streamflow, culverts, flooding, and make recommendations for long-term improvements. BL Companies will be commencing the fieldwork for this study beginning in September of 2020 and continuing through the fall. Residents are asked to cooperate with this important program, to enable the consultant to obtain the best most accurate information about the stream and its conditions. The Middletown Police Department will be informed of the location of work. NEW BUSINESS: a. Tree Warden School –Deputy Director Chris Holden would like to attend The Tree Warden Virtual School. A motion was made by Councilman Pessina. The motion was seconded by Councilman Ford, and passed unanimously.  b. National Zero Waste Virtual Conference –Kim O’Rourke would like to attend the National Zero Waste Virtual Conference. A motion was made by Councilman Pessina. The motion was seconded by Councilman McKeon and passed unanimously. c. Community Center Update- Paul Pizzo from Landmark has called in to give a brief update to the Commission. He states that in May a feasibility study was requested. Landmark has created a Woodrow Wilson Community Center Zone layout. This was created to help identify the areas of work that is needed. Phase one of the project is going to be a larger dining area, the weight room, and the boiler room. These areas in Phase 1 are critical to keep the building intact. Further discussion ensued. OLD BUSINESS: a. Harbor Park Boardwalk Update- a Pre Bid conference will be held on September 23, 2020 at 80 Harbor Drive for the contractors to come out to get information on the job. The bid will open on October 15, 2020. b. Multiuse Trail Update- Deputy Director Chris Holden gives the Commission a brief update on the Multiuse Trail. They are working on getting a proposal for the design. Phase one of the project is focusing on the Northern section of the Multiuse trail. Deputy Director does mention that Ellen is correct when she stated that the area does have Vernal Pools and they are looking to put the multiuse trail on the opposite side. Chair Nocera would like to setup a meeting at the sight to evaluate and get a visual of the plans for the project. Chair Nocera would like to take a vote on Phase 1 in the October Public Works and Facilities Commission Meeting. c. July 2020 Public Works Overtime- the Public Works & Facilities Commission reviewed their monthly reports. There were no questions as the overtime has been at a minimal due to the Covid-19 pandemic. d. July 2020 Building Permits- the Commission reviewed their Building Permits. Building continues to be busy. Approximately $40,000.00 is generated a month in permits. OTHER: a. July 2020 Monthly Reports- Highway Division- the Public Works & Facilities Commission reviewed their monthly reports for the Highway Division. There were no questions. b. July 2020 Overtime Reports-Parks Division – The Public Works & Facilities Commission reviewed their monthly reports for the Parks Division. There were no questions. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS: Councilman Pessina asked if the Commission could get an update on the Eagle Scout Project for Crystal Lake. Director Russo states that the Eagle Scout is in the fundraising stage of the project, once he has reached his goal for the project he will reach out to Public Works for the next stage in the project. As there was no further discussion, a motion was made to end the meeting by Councilman Pessina. The motion was seconded by Councilman McKeon and approved unanimously. The Public Works & Facilities Commission meeting adjourned.