Public Works & Facilities Commission

PUBLIC WORKS & FACILITIES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING AMENDED MINUTES WEDNESDAY November 9, 2022 TIME: 6:30 P.M. Via WebEX.com MIDDLETOWN CONNECTICUT Members Present: Councilman Gene Nocera Councilman Darnell Ford Councilman Phil Pessina Councilman Edward McKeon Councilman Mike Marino Staff Present: Christopher M. Holden, P.E., Director of Public Works Howard Weissberg, P.E., Deputy Director of Public Works Cathy Lechowicz, Director of Recreation Kim O’Rourke- Recycling Coordinator Mike Doherty- SLR Public: Philip Nettis, Patti Nettis-Deegan & Kristen Rzasa The meeting was called to order by Councilman Nocera at 6:30 p.m. Councilman Pessina moved to approve the Meeting Minutes dated October 12, 2022. Councilman Ford seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: Kristen Rzasa is in attendance in regards to the dog leash ordinance. She asks that this be added to the agenda under the dog park update discussion. She states that as it is written now is vague. Philip Nettis is in attendance in regards to an update on Dripps Road and Saybrook Road. As there were no other members of the public present, public comment was closed. CORRESPONDENCE: None NEW BUSINESS: None OLD BUSINESS: a. Hauler Registration & Bulk Waste- Director Holden stated that there were updates to the ordinance. Kim O’Rourke went through the changes and updates to the ordinance. She stated that because we get a lot of material, some of which is from other towns, we are tightening up our process on registering haulers. The ordinance would register haulers and any company that transports any type of solid waste. There would be no charge for the registration but there will be a licensing fee of $25 and they would get a sticker. Proof would need to be provided that the material is coming from Middletown. Licensing fee would be renewed annually. Registration period is in question for this year. The ordinance itself was outdated and has been updated to show our current practices. Councilman McKeon moved to approve the ordinance updates to move forward to the next steps. Councilman Ford seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. b. Monarca Drive – Director Holden stated that there isn’t a ton to update about Monarca Drive. Deputy Director Weissberg will review the plans that the Chief Engineer came up with. There will be a full report in the month of December. c. Fairchild Road Island Update- Director Holden shared that he was able to get in touch with one of the residents who is in favor of removing the island. He is still trying to get in touch with the two other residents on the street who would be impacted by its removal. More information will be available next month. Removing the island would help plowing efforts and access for emergency vehicles. d. Dog Park Update- Director Holden stated that ordinance says that dogs and other pets are permitted in City parks and recreational areas on leash only and under control of their owners or keepers. Councilman Nocera stated that if there are any suggested revisions they can be sent to him directly as it is something that can be brought to Council. Director Holden and Deputy Director Weissberg have found a few viable locations. There is a potential for the upper portion at Vets Park but areas are still being reviewed. Councilman Pessina brought up the face that there are concerns from the Veterans about noise at Vets Park and specifically the trees of honor as it is meant to be a place of quiet reflection. He also thought that the transfer station may be a good area for a dog park as there is existing infrastructure, parking and trails. e. Recreation Center Update – Director Holden shared that the Recreation Center is close to being complete. Solar is up, energy systems are going into place. HVAC is complete. Director Lechowicz said there was a small issue in the pool area. There was a blocked pipe under the pool deck. It has since been resolved. f. Veterans Pool and Splash Pad Update – Director Holden said that construction and site work is going well. The Splash Pad area is ahead of schedule and the pool is dug. The winter months they will be working on the internal building. Director Holden stated the package is being put together for the pedestrian bridge to go to FEMA for review. The pedestrian bridge would connect the North End to Veterans Park. The permitting process with DEEP and FEMA can take a few years. Additional New Business:  Director Holden stated that the co-collection food waste program was starting and bags will be distributed to sanitation district households. Our sanitation employees will  collect trash as normal and dump it into a roll-off at the Recycling Center. The materials dumped at the Recycling Center will be brought to an off-site facility where they will be sorted and diverted appropriately. OTHER: Reported on by Christopher Holden a. October 2022 Monthly Report - Highway Division- Road projects are being finished up. They have done Heritage Blvd, Sbona Drive, Westfield Terrace, Silver St and part of River Road, sections of Bartholomew Rd, Talcott and also Watch Hill. Atkins St is 2.5 miles long and 1.5 miles will be able to be completed before the winter. The last mile has been overlaid with a skim coat to get through the winter until it can be addressed fully in the spring. The bridge over 91 on Country Club will be worked on. Leaf collection will be starting throughout the City. b. October 2022 Monthly Report - Parks Division – Parks has been working on getting fields ready for the winter. Concerts and sports activities are still going on. Holiday lights have been going up. c. October 2022 Public Works Overtime Report- OT has been due to road project work. d. October 2022 Building Permits – $284,000 in Building Permits so far. The numbers are lower from this time last year but there are major projects still going on. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS: None Adjourn – As there were no further questions the meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.