PUBLIC BUILDING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 3, 2009
A meeting of the Public Building Commission was held on Thursday, September 3, 2009 at Town Hall in the 2nd Floor Conference Room. The meeting was called to order at 6:10 pm by Chairman Daniel DePietro.
PRESENT Daniel DePietro, Chairman
Richard Domler, Jr., Vice Chairman
Valentine Povinelli, Jr.
Travis Simpson
Richard Kehoe, Town Council Chairman and PBC Representative
Pat Harmon, Town Council Member and PBC Representative
ADDITIONAL ATTENDEES
Mayor Melody Currey
Chief John Oates, EHFD
David Stein, Architect, Silver/Petricelli
Billy Taylor, Director of Public Works
OLD BUSINESS -
Approval of June 29, 2009 Minutes – A motion was made by Richard Domler, seconded by Rich Kehoe to approve the minutes of the June 29, 2009 Public Building Commission Meeting. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS -
New Firehouse Project – Update
Mayor Currey updated the Commission on the progress of the new firehouse. The project is shovel-ready and the town is now awaiting Federal stimulus funds to begin the bid process. Hopefully anticipates that the stimulus funds will be ready before winter. Mayor asked David Stein to give the update to the Commission.
David brought in updated drawings and again gave an overview of the overall layout of the building. The building is a one story, 1600 SF building on a 2.4 acre parcel with three specific areas: Living quarters and administrative fire operations, 2 bays for the engine co. and ladder co., and 3 bays for an indoor apparatus repair shop and storage. There is no basement. There are two curb cuts – one an egress for the fire trucks and another for maintenance. David reiterated that all traffic and activity happens in the rear of the building, out of site to the residential area.
The location of the new fire house is at the intersection of Brewer Street and Graham Road, which is a mixed use/residential area. The façade blends in with the neighborhood and the landscaping acts as a buffer to the residential side. Rain guards were incorporated to recycle rain water to help maintain foliage. The clock that was on the original renderings was changed to the Town seal.
Commissioners posed questions to Chief Oates, David Stein and Billy Taylor regarding:
- Green Materials being used – requested further detail on geo-thermal application, solar panels, concrete – plan for cracking problems?
- Parking for residents and Traffic
- Who is Owner’s Rep
- Radiant heated floor in repair bay bays – weight/load bearing questions, how heated
- Boulevard South
The new building is energy efficient. All materials used will be maintenance free. They have submitted an application to the Green Building Council for LEED Certification. Most areas heated with Geo-thermal energy. The wells for geo-thermal apps are far below the roadway surface. Weight from trucks will not have an affect on them at all.
Solar panels used on south end of building for heating, air, and electricity. There is still some dependence on natural gas for hot water. The project has received all permits and it is not in a flood zone. The Owner’s Rep. for the Project is Associated Construction, out of Hartford.
The repair shop will have a radiant floor system with 10” concrete slab, epoxy based finish. Tubing for the radiant heat is approx. ½” in diameter and 2” inches below the surface. There is an oil/water separator in the drainage system. The above floor wheel lift system fully supports the weight loads. When asked about if there was a problem with concrete cracking problems, David indicated that it was not a problem. Said that they control the joint spacing and expansion joints – they are troweled. A vapor barrier is used – no sealant.
There is parking for the public in the front of the building. Parking for staff is in the rear.
Traffic was addressed again by Chief Oates. Findings were that there would be minimal impact on the traffic in the area with the addition of the new firehouse. Chief Oates indicated that the Fire Dept is already in the area, and they have minimal issues with traffic. When the trucks have to go out on calls, the lights on Brewer Street are sequenced. There is an optical sensor on the traffic light, and they have control of the flashing lights. There will be signage from each entrance when the trucks are in motion.
Mayor Currey reiterated that the Matos Group should be starting construction of Boulevard South in January, so all of the traffic from Pratt and Whitney will be on that road when it is completed, which would also divert some traffic from Brewer Street.
Having all concerns addressed, the Commissioners were satisfied with the project updates for the new fire house.
MOTION by Dan DePietro
Seconded by Richard Domler
To approve the August 21, 2009 drawings of the East Hartford Firehouse
#5 as presented.
Motion unanimously carried.
MOTION by Richard Kehoe
Seconded by Dan DePietro
To pay the clerk.
Motion unanimously carried.
MOTION by Richard Domler
Seconded by Travis Simpson
To adjourn the meeting of the Public Building Commission at 7:15 pm.
Motion unanimously carried.
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