Public Works & Facilities Commission

PUBLIC WORKS & FACILITIES COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY November 8, 2023 TIME: 6:30 P.M. Via WebEX.com MIDDLETOWN CONNECTICUT Members Present: Councilman Gene Nocera Councilman Ed McKeon Councilman Darnell Ford Staff Present: Christopher M. Holden, P.E., Director of Public Works Howard Weissberg, P.E., Deputy Director of Public Works Kimberly O’Rourke- Recycling Coordinator Public: Carolyn MacMahon, Jessica Borkowski, Ken Borkowski, Tim Hollister, J. Rennie, Ethan Bennett, Philip Nettis, Tricia Bennett, Lynette Lockhard, Todd Berch, Jackie Legendre, Sandra Renkiewicz, Chris Cardella, Mick Bolduc, Simon Skymba, Jeffrey Misenti, Patti Nettis Deegan. The meeting was called to order by Councilman Nocera at 6:30 p.m. Councilman McKeon moved to approve the Meeting Minutes dated October 11, 2023. Councilman Ford seconded the motion. The motion was approved. Councilman Nocera made a motion to add North Stantack Rd access to the agenda under new business. Councilman McKeon moved to approve the additional item. Councilman Ford seconded the motion. The motion was approved. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: Todd Berch- of 1646 Country Club Rd. Spoke in regards to traffic on Country Club Road and some of the other outlets that go to I91. He stated there appears to be another development going in the area. The Police and Mayor’s Office have been called about traffic issues in this area. He spoke a second time and suggested this may be an issue that should be deferred to the public safety commission. Chris Cardella- of 1545 Country Club Rd. He stated speeding is a concern in this area. There are companies that operate with large trucks and it is considered a cut through to avoid traffic off of I91. He shared a few years ago a neighbor was hit by a car. He asked the commission to consider speed bumps, stop signs and rumble strips or anything else to help manage speed on this road. Sandra Renkiewicz- of 205 Preston Avenue. She stated that over the years, the improvements done to the road do not make it fit for two vehicles to travel at a normal speed. Her vehicle was recently struck because of this and though she called the police, the person who hit her took off. She stated that Preston Ave and Country Club Road are unique to the area in that they directly parallel I91 and they are unimpeded from the corner of Country Club Rd to Meriden. She shared that she came across a bag full of deer body parts. People are coming to the area and dumping garbage and bulk items, including a boat. She recommends stop signs, speed dumps, and making Atkins Street a 3-way stop. She spoke a second time regarding the construction on the highway that is estimated to take five years and suggested limiting access to Preston Ave to local traffic only and/or no thru trucks. She questioned what the next steps are. Philip Nettis- Would like an update on Saybrook Road and Dripps Road. He shared his oil truck couldn’t get up the road because of people parked along Dripps Road. J. Rennie- of 145 Preston Avenue. He stated he and his wife have put in numerous complaints regarding the issues on Preston Avenue dating back to July 2021. He said speeding is a definite issue in that area. He also stated that Preston Avenue is not wide enough. Simon Skymba and AnnMarie Schebatzi- of 165 Preston Ave. They stated their home is at the narrowest part of the street and their driveway is a blind driveway. They stated that they have issues coming in and out of their driveway because of how dangerous it is. They have small children and fear for their safety. Jeffrey Misenti- stated that he’s lived here for 20 years and has noticed an increase in traffic on this street. He said it is an unsafe road and he can’t imagine what it will be like when construction is started on I91 and 691/ Route 15 interchange. Tim Hollister- 1000 Chamberlain Hill Rd. He is waiting for an update on drainage of Chamberlain Hill Rd. Jessica and Kenny Borkowski- of 1578 Country Club Rd. They are right across the street from Preston Avenue. They said that people do speed down Preston Avenue and have had their car hit in their own driveway. People have skidded into snowbanks. Neighbors have had their homes hit by vehicles. Lynette Lockhart- of 38 Preston Ave. She states that she agrees with what everyone has already said in terms of Preston Ave being used as a cut-through to Meriden, speeding issues and narrowing of Preston Ave. She also mentioned that she called the Police Department several years ago for signage warning that oncoming traffic doesn’t necessarily see cars coming. Speed needs to be addressed, as well as visibility issues. Ethan Bennett- is looking to purchase property at the end of North Stantack Rd. He would like to have access down that road at a gated area, which is unimproved, so that he might be able to build a house. CORRESPONDENCE: No correspondence. NEW BUSINESS: a. Sanitation Fees & Enforcement Policy- Director Holden spoke to the Save As You Throw program. He requested the new rates for sanitation services be approved by the commission. Standard rates for dumpsters did not change. Councilman McKeon made a motion to approve. Councilman Ford  seconded the motion. The motion passed. Director Holden spoke regarding the enforcement of the program. Kim O’Rourke spoke to landlord/tenant issues with this program. b. Preston Avenue Safety Concerns- There was a motion to move this issue to the top of new business. Councilman Ford made the motion. Councilman Ford seconded the motion. It passed. Director Holden stated that they will be working with the Police Department Traffic Division on additional signage. Deputy Director Weissberg is working with the Police Department to send a letter to DOT regarding these issues. Director Holden said that DOT responded and said not to bother them with local road issues. They have attended several public hearing regarding the construction that is set to happen on I91. DOT cannot detour onto local roads during construction. Deputy Director Weissberg stated there are some things they can do with lane markings to help with speeding on Country Club Rd. Director Holden stated that speed bumps would not be an option in this area for maintenance and plowing reasons. He also stated that they may be able to deploy some cameras in the area to mitigate illegal dumping. Deputy Director Weissberg went through some State and Federal guidelines on the use of stop signs in traffic control. He shared they are not to be used as a means of traffic control. Director Holden stated that generally, the Traffic Division will tell Public Works where a street sign needs to go. Councilman Ford discussed what next steps should be. Councilman McKeon suggested having a police car go out and ticket in the area for speeding. This item will remain on the agenda for next month. c. North Stantack Rd Access- Director Holden stated there are a few parcels in this area. The road ends on Footit Drive, where there is a gate. Beyond the gate there is an old logging road that continues on. Ethan Bennett, who is in attendance, is interested in improving it himself with the caveat that the City would maintain it in the future. Public Works will be working with General Council and see what is legal. This will be on the agenda next month for an update. OLD BUSINESS: a. Dog Park Update – Deputy Director Weissberg stated the working group is working on comments before anything is presented to the committee. b. Veterans Park, Pool & Splash Pad Update- Director Holden stated that they are wrapping up the project. There are a few more items that are being worked on. c. Proposed Paving Program Update- Deputy Director Weissberg stated that paving is completed for the year. We are now in the process of curbing and driveways, as well as putting lines down on the roads. It was a very successful year, in which 9-10 miles were paved. A contractor should be on board to do an updated pavement management survey. This will be used to determine which roads will be addressed in the future that aren’t necessarily on a road bond yet. d. Chamberlain Hill Rd Issues- Director Holden shared some concept plans as to what will be done moving forward. Deputy Director Weissberg stated some of the catch basin tops will be replaced, storm drain lines will be jetted, and there will be some additional catch basins put it. He said there are some bigger issues with the Eversource access road. They have put in a request with Eversource to do some geotextile stabilization on that road, which will prevent a lot of the migration of fine materials. They would also like it regraded. There are a series of detention ponds that were put in and they want to see, during the next rain event, if they are functional. They will also be having a contractor do a calcium chloride application to help the migration of a lot of gravel and fine material. e. Honorary Naming of Existing Streets while retaining its actual name- Director Holden stated that there isn’t much of an update as they are still working on the process. f. Raving Avenue Abandonment Update- Director Holden stated that there is not much of an update as they are working through the process. g. Newfield Street Addressing- Director Holden stated that the developer is requesting the name Springside Lane for the new development going up on Newfield Street. They submitted a letter requesting this name and their reasons for it. There was no motion to accept the name. It did not move forward or pass. Director Holden will let them know. h. Saybrook Road- Director Holden stated that a water line is being done. The area by the medical centers is actually part of the Route 9 project improvements. Deputy Director Weissberg stated they have been coordinating with the DOT on this project routinely about issues in this location. He shared that for the City project they have met with the design engineer and there have been some really good modifications done to the plans for the project. They have significantly reduced impacts to private property. Deputy Director Weissberg also gave a quick update on Dripps Rd, stating that no parking signs have been installed. They were only installed past the access to the spider weave. He said that he has some silt mats and straw logs that will help catch sediment. He will be taking a ride out to Dripps Rd and see if more parking restrictions need to be in place. Councilman Nocera asked if the Saybrook Rd project is on track for a spring start up. Director Holden stated that we would be going out to bid in February and out to public session shortly after that. Construction would likely start in June or July. i. Smith Park-Director Holden shared a layout for Smith Park’s playground. They are waiting on a quote from the vendor. They are also looking into making some improvements to the pavilion out there. There should be enough money to cover the project. Director Holden also took the time to show a picture of what the scoreboard for Beman school will look like. j. Skating Rink at Vets Park- Director Holden said that the parks department will be buffing the surface and adding the slick additives so that they can get the skating rink up and running. k. 455/465 Middlefield Street- Director Holden stated he has been working with the building department. The spray booth has been approved through them and the Fire Marshal’s Office. The back building has been condemned. Councilman McKeon said that they were working in the back building the day before the public works meeting. OTHER: Reported on by Christopher Holden a. October Department Updates- Nothing additional to report. b. October 2023 Monthly Report Highway – Nothing additional to report. c. October 2023 Monthly Report Parks – Parks is working on keeping the fields up and running. Parks will also be dismantling Smith Park. d. October 2023 Public Works Overtime Report- Highway is finishing up paving projects, including topsoil and seeding. e. October 2023 Building Permits – Permit totals were not shared. The Building Officials have been working overtime to keep up with inspection demands. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS: None Adjourn – As there were no further questions the meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.