Public Works & Facilities Commission

PUBLIC WORKS & FACILITIES COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, August 14, 2024 TIME: 6:30 P.M. Via WebEX.com MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT Members Present: Councilman Gene Nocera Councilman Darnell Ford Councilman Tony Gennaro Councilwoman Leslie Spatola Councilman Grady Faulkner Staff Present: Howard Weissberg, P.E., Acting Director of Public Works Public: Chris Bevans, Jennifer Schwares, Kristen Razsa, The meeting was called to order by Councilman Nocera at 6:44 pm. Councilwoman Spatola made a motion to accept the minutes from July 16, 2024, Councilman Ford seconded. Motion passed with one abstention from Councilman Gennaro. Motion to add Electric Distribution Easement to the agenda made by Councilwoman Spatola, seconded by Councilman Ford. Motion passed unanimously and item will be added as 5F under new business. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: Jennifer Schwares-checked in regarding Jack English Drive. Acting Director Weissberg provided an update and stated that the Public Works and Land Use Departments are working closely with the Engineer. Kristen Razsa-requested information regarding the dog park and asked that a special meeting be held regarding the dog park and requested that the dog park be moved to the first item in old business. Chairman Nocera moved to discuss the dog park during this session. Acting Director Weissberg suggested a field meeting in late August or early September and will send out a special meeting request. Chris Bevans-Expressed concern regarding the potholes on the road and the amount of trucks that pass through the street causing vibration in his home. CORRESPONDENCE-None submitted NEW BUSINESS: a. Melilli Drive crosswalk-a decorative crosswalk was requested on Melilli Drive. The Public Works Department is working on formalizing a request for public art and will provide the form for the Commission to see.  b. 334-344 Russel Street Public Right of Way abandonment-There is a large amount of public lawn space that is now maintained by the property owners, they would like to put some sort of fencing or shrubbery to keep people off of their property. Public Works Department sees no issue with it and Acting Director Weissberg will provide information and a draft resolution at the next meeting. c. Save As You Throw (SAYT)-The SAYT program was tabled at both Finance and Government and the last Council Meeting. Recycling Coordinator, Kim O’Rourke sent out a 2 page information sheet to council members. d. Building Security-Discussion about contracting with a security firm. Councilman Gennaro suggested discussion in an executive session so that the building security weaknesses are not made public. The council was in agreement that the security contract idea should go before the Public Safety Commission. e. Approval of amendment to SLR Contract/Outstanding Invoices-additional $35,000 needed to be added to contract to allow invoices to be paid. Motion made by Councilman Ford and seconded by Chairman Nocera. Motion passed unanimously to pay the invoices i.-v. below: i. $7,500.00 Invoice No. 000000194432 ii. $6925.76 Invoice No. 196333 iii. $1126.47 Invoice No. 197191 iv. $2042.96 Invoice No. 10000604 v. $2886.82 Invoice No. 10002618 f. Electrical Easement-Eversource has 2 requests for easements. The first is to provide power to 545 Main Street and requests permanent rights for installation, maintenance and repair of electric gas lines. The second request is for the solar power grid at the recycling center. Councilman Ford moved to approve the request to bring this forth to General Council, Councilman Gennaro seconded. Motion passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS: Reported on by Acting Director Weissberg a. Smith Park -ARPA grant was applied for to build a new pavilion and possibly add a restroom trailer. b. Westfield Safety Concerns (Country Club Rd, Atkins St, Preston Ave) as soon as staff is in place the intersection warning signs, stop conditions, stop signs and pavement markings will all be upgraded. c. Chamberlain Hill Rd Update-base paving with Hot in Place recycling has been done, as well as Lee and Paddock. Drainage will be installed and once it is all dry pavement repairs will be completed. d. Saybrook Road Update-Updated plans have been received from Cardinal Engineering. e. 455/465 Middlefield Street Concerns-This will be taken off of Public Works and Facilities Commission as it is currently a recurring topic on The Code Enforcement Agenda. f. Sanitation Update-discussed SAYT during new business. g. West Lake Park- RFP will be going out when time and staffing permit. h. Pameacha Pond-Looking at cost comparisons of removal vs. repair of the dam. i. Route 9 Update-DOT is continuing to meet with Elected Officials and Civic Groups to address the concerns that were brought forth at the public meetings. j. Dog Park Update-discussed during public comment. OTHER: Reported on by Howard Weissberg a. Department Updates-vacancies at every level, several people in the Department are in Acting Roles.  b. July 2024 Monthly Report – Highway Division was distributed with the agenda. c. July 2024 Monthly Report –Parks Division was distributed with the agenda. d. July 2024 Public Works Overtime Report was distributed with the agenda. e. July 2024 Building Permits was distributed with the agenda. Adjourn – Motion to adjourn made by Councilman Gennaro, seconded by Councilwoman Spatola. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:37 pm.