Public Works & Facilities Commission

PUBLIC WORKS & FACILITIES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY November 10, 2021 TIME: 6:30 P.M. Via WebEX.com MIDDLETOWN CONNECTICUT Members Present: Councilman Gene Nocera Councilman Darnell Ford Councilman Edward Ford Jr Councilman Philip Pessina Staff Present: William Russo, Director of Public Works Christopher M. Holden, P.E., Deputy Director of Public Works Cathy Lechowicz, Director of Recreation Kimberly O’Rourke, Recycling Coordinator Others Present: Michael Doherty- SLR International Corporation (formerly Milone & MacBroom) John Hall- Community Member Trevor Davis- Community Member Patrick McKenna- Community Member Kristen Rzasa- Community Member Councilman Nocera opened the Public Works & Facilities Commission meeting at 6:30 P.M. Councilman Nocera requested a motion to approve the minutes dated October 13, 2021. Councilman Darnell Ford made the motion to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded by Councilman Pessina and passed unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: Trevor Davis and John Hall attended the meeting to speak about the naming of the new trail at the landfill. The trail could use mowing so the view is not impeded. The name they would like to recommend is the Midden Panorama Trail. A second circular path and wildlife viewing platform is also recommended. New signage will be placed to show where the trail, the landfill and Keating Enterprise Park are located. Kristen Rzasa proposed a rehabilitation/ conservation center and a dog park. The proposed area for the dog park is where the old Pool & Tennis Club was. The rehabilitation /conservation center was proposed at the Forest City Farms location on River Road. Patrick McKenna proposed art work along bike lanes being placed in the North End, specifically Spring Street. They would like local artists, specifically artists of color, to paint art work with local Middletown Public School Students. The Free Center is willing to be the fiscal sponsor for the project. The Mayor is aware of the request, as is the Public Safety Police Officer. Principal Reardon and Macdonough Schools Governance Council is very supportive of the idea. Mr. Mckenna will speak with the Arts Coordinator, Kisha Michael. Councilman Nocera believes the first step would be approval from the Traffic Division at the Police Department to ensure there are no violations with State traffic code. CORRESPONDENCE: There was no correspondence. NEW BUSINESS: a. Landfill Trail naming- The naming authority is the Common Council. There has been a lot of public interest in having the trail. More research can be presented to the Common Council regarding the name for the trail. Councilman Nocera asked how close this trail would be to the multiuse trail. This trail could end up having a connection from the multiuse trail. b. 2022 Paving projects- Saybrook Road/ Wall Street, Sandhill Rd/ Lee St/ Tryon Street, Olympus Pkwy, Sbona Drive, Atkins Street, Heritage Blvd, Smith Street are all priority paving projects for 2022. Paperwork will be sent to state and hope that the Saybrook Rd/ Wall St will be something that can happen in early spring. Councilman Nocera would like to know what the potential overall cost would be. The $2.4 Million of River/Cog money will be used towards some of these projects. Wall Street will be roughly $1.1 million and part of a Road Bond. Sbona will be in the 200-250,000 range. Heritage Blvd sidewalks need to be brought up to ADA regulations and will cost in the 300-350,000 range. Typically the City spends $2.5- $3 million on paving projects per summer. c. Dog Park- There has been an interest in dog parks in different parts of the city. The pool and boardwalk projects should be finished first before starting a dog park project. The public and health department should weigh in and a public hearing be scheduled. Councilman Nocera brings up points of soil issues in the future and from a risk liability, what the City needs to do. Councilman Pessina suggests a dog park near the landfill. d. Addition: Nature Center. The City currently owns an 80 acre property that has an entrance from River Rd. Build a building near greenhouses where there can be a conservation/ wildlife rehabilitation center. There is nothing like this in Central Connecticut. Councilman Nocera stated that the committee put together for the American Rescue Act funds will be accepting proposals for jobs like this. OLD BUSINESS: e. Recreation Center Update- Approval for the bid waiver has come through, as has the contract. The project will be starting soon. Other portions of the project, the roof and lighting, for example, are out to bid. Eversource will not be able to do gas line work before the paving starts. Cathy Lechowicz said there has been a lot of discussion about accessibility for parking. f. Veterans Pool and Splash Pad Update – Mike Doherty spoke regarding the design development set that has been submitted. This is 50-60% design details. Some of the costs are still being fleshed out but should only take another week or so. This project should be wrapped up and out to bid late winter, ready for construction late spring/ early summer.  Cathy Lechowicz asked if the pool will not be finished by summer, is there any way the splash pad could be made accessible. Mike Doherty will find out and report back to see if that’s an option. The only issue that could arise are mechanicals that will be tied into the pool construction too. Most likely there won’t be a facility this summer. g. Harbor Park Boardwalk Update – Wall resurfacing was completed around the perimeter. The railings are going up. They should be finished with the railings in three weeks time. Gerber will be on site tomorrow regarding drainage issues. A revision has been submitted to the City. There have been talks about adding aerators to the inlets. The new owners of the restaurant on the boardwalk will be carrying the design through to their patio. h. Multiuse Trail Updates- DEEP Rec Trails Grant has been submitted and hope that some money will come in from that. Trail alignment needs to be definite pending a potential easement. Once tied down, plans can be submitted for regulatory review. Archeological review also needs to happen. The bridge for the trail is being worked on. i. Saybrook Road Update- update provided earlier regarding paving project priorities. j. October 2021 Public Works Overtime Report- Leaf pick up, middle street road bond and transitioning to being winter ready. k. October 2021 Building Permits- the Commission reviewed their Building Permits. There has been $380,289 worth of Building Permit. Potential for $1.14million for the year. OTHER: a. October 2021 Monthly Reports- Highway Division- the Public Works & Facilities Commission reviewed their monthly reports for the Highway Division. Leaf collection started in addition to work that has happened due to the two large rainstorms. b. October 2021 Overtime Reports-Parks Division – The Public Works & Facilities Commission reviewed their monthly reports for the Parks Division. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS: As there was no further discussion, a motion was made to end the meeting by Councilman Darnell Ford. The motion was seconded by Councilman Pessina and approved unanimously. The Public Works & Facilities Commission meeting adjourned at 7:56 PM.