Annual Report 2007-2008(color).pub - Town of South Windsor

Public Building Commission
Howard E. Fitts
Chairperson
During Fiscal Year 2007/2008, the Commission
members held meetings focused on finalizing
plans and schedules for construction of a
replacement for Firehouse #3 on Sullivan
Avenue. The building is designed to also
include accommodations for the South Windsor
Ambulance Corps. Referendum approval for the
project occurred in the election of November
2005.
The development of plans and value
engineering were both completed some time
ago, but approval to proceed with site work and
construction could not be secured from the Army
Corps of Engineers and the Connecticut
Department of Environmental Protection. An
endangered species (several Clustered Sedge
plants) was found on the site, several vernal
pools were identified, and some mitigation of
wetlands has been in discussion for more than
two years. The Clustered Sedge plants can be
transplanted and the vernal pools on the site do
not support maturation of wood frog egg masses
as the pools dry out quickly. However,
suggested solutions to those problems have not
met with agreements that translate into permits.
As the fiscal year ended, efforts had begun to
consider another site along Sullivan Avenue
without the physical problems of the initiallyselected
site. The delay of several years, while
materials and construction costs continue to
escalate, has generated discussions with the
Town Council about additional monies required
to be added to the amount approved in the
referendum if the project as designed is to
proceed. If another site is purchased,
construction is not likely until the 2009 building
season.
defeated in a 2004 referendum. Because the
State of Connecticut had revised rules for
bidding and selecting professional help for
construction projects since our last schools
project, a detailed RFP and selection process
was required. Precious time that could have
been used for design work needed for providing
the Board with comprehensive materials was
used instead for the selection of professional
assistance. The firm of Drummey Rosane
Anderson Inc. (DRA) of Windsor was selected
and given an ambitious time-line to review
previous project work, adjust designs for four
buildings, and prepare project cost estimates
and schedules.
DRA met their deadlines and the PBC delivered
a detailed program of work and cost estimates to
the BOE in August 2008. With the passage of
time, the total cost estimates now approximate
$120 million. Plans are for discussion by the
BOE with the Town Council and the possible
setting of a referendum in November.
Members of the Commission appreciate the
cooperation and support of the many people
who participate in the work required to bring
these projects to regulatory boards and
commissions and then to the public for input and
approval. Contractors, architects, engineers,
inspectors, suppliers, Town employees, Town
agency people, and Town Councilors all are part
of the efforts that enable the PBC to bring the
community economical new facilities and to plan
for future ones. Unfortunately, the firehouse
project has not had cooperation and support
from agencies outside the community.
Commission members also worked with the
Board of Education and Superintendent
Kozaczka on preparation of costs for a
referendum to be submitted to the voters in
November. The project is an up-dated plan for
construction of two replacement elementary
schools and renovation-as-new construction
work on two existing elementary schools, a
program estimated to cost $97 million was
Town of South Windsor: Annual Report 2007/2008 | 27