Simsbury Annual Report 2007 - 2008 - Town of Simsbury

Department of Engineering/Capital Projects (continued)
The Simsbury Public Library’s grand opening was held in the spring. This
facility will provide the community with a full range of modern library
services for many years.
With the installation of new rigging, lighting and curtains, the Simsbury
High School auditorium now compliments the recent school renovation
and addition.
Project Professional Services
The Engineering Department staff of design professionals provided survey,
engineering, and contract management and inspection services for 22
projects, valued at $2.5 million.
A study was initiated to construct a multi-use trail from the Farmington
Valley Greenway to Tariffville. This trail will ultimately provide an
important link between the New Haven to NorthHanmpton trail to the
East Coast Greenway.
In order to remedy drainage concerns on roads and adjacent properties,
catch basins and pipes were installed on areas of Canton Road, Stonepost
Dr., Pilfershire Road, and Hoskins Road. All catch basins included deep
sumps to trap winter road sand and debris.
Addressing the need for neighborhood sanitary sewers, the department
worked closely with the Water Pollution Control Authority to install
sewers in parts of Elaine Drive, Bushy Hill Road and Cornfi eld Road.
Sidewalk resurfacing was performed on Powder Horn and Ox Yoke Drives.
This work, which we expect to continue in future years, improves the
safety for children walking to school and residents general use.
These projects, which addressed residents’ travel, environment and
recreation needs, included the use of grants, donations, and inter-town
Agreements. These efforts allowed Simsbury to realize important program
savings, and benefi ted Simsbury and the surrounding communities.
Development Services
Development Services comprise plan review, periodic observation of work,
performance bond administration and data base management for the
land uses commissions. Fifteen projects, with site improvements valued
at $18 million, were managed during the year.
While overall site construction declined, several projects, such as
Hoffman/Best Buy center, River View Banquet Facility, Brookshire,
and the Powder Forest housing, saw completion of, or continuing,
construction in the past year.
Departments & Services
Special Services
Special Services encompass support activities for various Town
departments. Major initiatives included the following:
“Green Summit” - Sponsored with Ethel Walker School, a “Green
Summit” program was attended by over 100 people. The program
highlighted the Towns continuing efforts in energy conservation and
alternative sources, such as solar, wind, photo voltaic and geo-thermal.
Partnering opportunities such as the “20% by 2010” and the Clean
Energy Fund programs were explored for use of non-fossil fuels.
Grant Applications, with a value in excess of $8.6 million, were
administered for design and construction of the Greenway in Simsbury,
Greenway Crossings at Routes 10, Simsbury Library expansion/addition,
the pavement management program (LOCIP), the National Conservation
Resource Center (NRCS), improvement of the Greenway at Hopmeadow
Street & Drake Hill Road, and the Waste Water Treatment Plant
renovation; and, for acquisition of Ethel Walker, Laurel Hill &
Meadowood Open Space.
Open Space Studies were prepared for a number of potential locations,
resulting in successful agreements to preserve over 450 acres of forest,
meadows and wetlands at the Ethel Walker School, Laurel Hill in
Tariffville, and the Barndoor Hill wildlife corridor.
Graphic Design, Studies, and Mapping Services were provided to
numerous Town departments to assist in their presentations, data
management, and community activities. A continuing commitment
to the Town’s Geographic Information System allowed the production
of agricultural resource and pavement management mapping. Graphic
designs were provided for Police community events, Simsbury
Celebrates, and Economic Development Commission displays. Maps
were updated for the Assessor, public work’s utilities and School District
boundaries. Data bases and map fi les were maintained for subdivision
and site developments, surety bonding, excavation permits, and state aid
road maps and mileage records.
Looking Back and Ahead
Our Past year’s efforts were rewarded with the completion of the Simsbury
Public Library, preservation of important open space parcels, and
developing the framework for incorporating clean energy options into
Town projects. Completion of the last sections of the Farmington Valley
Greenway has opened a unique recreation and transportation trail in the
Farmington River communities.
On a regional basis, the Department staff actively participated on the
Board of Directors of the Farmington Valley Health District, the Call
Before You Dig system, the Capitol Region Council of Governments’
Transportation Committee, and the Connecticut Department of
Environmental Protection’s stormwater management program. We will
strive to realize greater effi ciencies & savings from these regional and
state alliances.
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