Public Works & Facilities Commission

PUBLIC WORKS & FACILITIES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY October 14, 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 Christopher M. Holden, P.E., Deputy Director of Public Works Catherine Lechowicz, Director of Recreation and Community Service Others: Diane Smith- 10 Blacksmith Dr. Christina Wasch- 190 Coleman Road Elaine Bank- 109 Red Clover Circle Jane Harris-161 Ridgewood Road Maria Holzberg-192 Coleman Road Augusta Mueller-375 Laurel Grove Road Jeffrey Grant- 747 Longhill Road George Mack- Patty Hamilton 795 Longhill Road Anna Salo-Marko- 1 Red Bud Street Elaine Bank- 109 Ridgewood Road Robert Reynolds- 68 Gowin Road Councilman Pessina opened the Public Works & Facilities Commission meeting at 6:33 P.M. Councilman Pessina requested a motion to approve the minutes dated September 9, 2020. Councilman McKeon made a motion to amend the agenda to add Future sidewalks to Ridgewood Road. The motion was seconded by Councilman Ford and passed unanimously. Councilman Pessina made a motion to amend the agenda-moving item 5B to 5A. The motion was seconded by Councilman Ford, and passed unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: Diane Smith (10 Blacksmith Dr.) is in favor of having sidewalks reinstalled on Ridgewood Road. She states that having no sidewalks right now is a big safety issues. Christina Wasch (190 Coleman Road) is in support of the Land Acquisition. Jane Harris (161 Ridgewood Road) called in to express how delighted she would be if Ridgewood Road gets sidewalks installed. Maria Holzberg (192 Coleman Road) is in favor of the Land Acquisition Augusta Mueller (375 Laurel Grove Road) is in favor of the Land Acquisition Laurel Grove Road Pool Club Jeffrey Grant (747 Longhill Road) just called in to listen to the meeting George Mack- just called in to listen to the meeting Patty Hamilton (795 Longhill Road) Anna Salo-Markowski (1 Red Bud St) called in to share some of her ideas for the land. She suggested either lease as farmland or use as a solar array. Elaine Bank (109 Ridge Road) called in to share some of her ideas for the land. She suggested a small sculpture garden, meditation maze, meadow for bird watching or a recreational space for things such as a pickle ball court. She would like to keep the integrity of the Wesleyan Hills. Robert Reynolds (68 Gowin Road) called in to express that he does not want to lose the pool or courts. CORRESPONDENCE: Pre-Bid Meeting Minutes for the Harbor Park Boardwalk and Handrail Improvements. NEW BUSINESS: a. Land Acquisition Laurel Grove Road pool Club- Director Joe Samolis comes before the Commission to speak in regards to the land acquisition on Laurel Grove Road, which is the Middlesex Pool and Tennis Club. Director Samolis explains to the commission that the Middlesex Pool and Tennis Club fell into financial hardship and suffered a fire. The opportunity to buy the property presented itself. An appraisal of the property was done. The final estimate of value “as is” comes in around $15,000.00. Director Samolis explains that the Middlesex Pool and Tennis Club owe back taxes on the property, so the final cost would come in a little under $10,000.00. Director Russo explains to the commission that they would like to secure the area and meet with the association and members of the public to see what they would like to see out there for the future. Director Russo stated that if the property is purchased, he would like it to come out of the parks bond. A motion was made by Councilman Pessina. The motion was seconded by Councilman Ford and passed unanimously. b. Naming of the driveway leading up to the Military Museum- The Military Museum requests that the driveway leading up to the museum from Walnut Grove Road be named in honor of the long-serving first President of the Museum, Ronald L. Organek. Councilman McKeon made a motion. The motion was seconded by Councilman Pessina and passed unanimously. c. Name approval Butternut Park Bench- Lance Hansen wrote to Director Russo requesting consideration of having a bench at Butternut Park Hollow dedicated to his mother. His mother has been a resident of Middletown for over 20 years and is currently a resident of the Pondview apartments and unfortunately suffering from aggressive stage IV cancer. Hansen writes that before she passes away, my family would like to donate a bench in her honor to the City of Middletown Parks, as a tribute for friends and family to visit in the future. Councilman Pessina made a motion. The motion was seconded by Councilman Ford and passed unanimously. d. LOCIP request to install a mini duct air conditioner- The City of Middletown Town Hall Center office located on the second floor is in need of an installation of a Ductless Air Conditioner. The unit will be a Ductless air conditioner and heater that is an excellent way to maintain constant internal climate within the office. The needs meet the  guidelines for projects eligible for Local Capital Projects Improvements Program funds, costing $ 15,000.00. An additional $ 3,000.00 is include as a contingence to cover unforeseen cost relating to installation. Councilman McKeon made a motion. The motion was seconded by Councilman Pessina and passed unanimously. e. Approval for the Sanitation Depreciation Fund Budget- Director Russo would like to present the Sanitation Depreciation Budget Resolution to the Public Works & Facilities Commission for review. The Sanitation Depreciation Budget is used to make purchases of Capital Non-Recurring items such as Dumpsters, Waste Removal Container, Refuse Trucks and Vehicles. OLD BUSINESS: a. Harbor Park Boardwalk Update- a Pre Bid conference took place on September 23, 2020 at 80 Harbor Drive we had six contractors come to get information on the job. The bid will open on October 15, 2020. b. Vets Pool and Splash Pad update- Field Survey is finished and we are hoping to have the analysis phase completed by early November. 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. As of today, we have generated $393,590.00 in building 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: 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.