PUBLIC BUILDING COMMISSION JUNE 29, 2009
A meeting of the Public Building Commission was held on Monday, June 29, 2009 at Town Hall in the 2nd Floor Conference Room. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Chairman Daniel DePietro.
PRESENT Daniel DePietro, Chairman
Richard Domler, Jr., Vice Chairman
Valentine Povinelli, Jr.
Pasquale Salemi, Jr.
Travis Simpson
Pat Harmon, Town Council Member and PBC Representative
ADDITIONAL ATTENDEES
Mayor Melody Currey
Chief John Oates, EHFD
David Stein, Architect, Silver/Petricelli
OLD BUSINESS -
NEW BUSINESS -
New Firehouse Project – Update
Mayor Currey updated the Commission on the progress of the new firehouse. Negotiations with AT&T are complete and the DPUC approved the sale of the AT&T property on Brewer Street to the Town of East Hartford. Town should close on the property tomorrow. The project will be funded by stimulus funds and may require additional bonding from the Town. Mayor introduced Chief John Oates and David Stein, who were to give the specifics of the site plan layout and design.
Chief Oates explained that proposed layout of the building is going to be a one story building with 3 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.
Currently the repair shop is in a separate building on Tolland Street that currently does not meet the needs of the Fire Dept. Chief Oates opened the floor to Commissioners questions to the architect.
Commissioners posed questions to Chief Oates and David Stein regarding:
- Materials being used – road side appearance, insurance
- Traffic – was study done
- Location is it feasible
- Rain guards and recycling – how is it going to work
- Energy efficiency – can other methods be used
- Who is civil engineering firm
- Repair bays – how different – what is set up
- Boulevard South
- Flood Zone
- Clock on Entrance – can it be changed to Town seal
David Stein brought in renderings of what the new fire house façade will look like, and a floor plan layout drawing. The location of the new fire house is at the intersection of Brewer Street and Graham Road, which is a mixed use/residential area. All activity happens in the rear of the building, out of site to the residential area. In designing the fire house, they wanted the façade to blend in with the neighborhood. After hearing concerns from Commissioners, David agreed that the clock on the outside of the building will be changed to the Town seal.
The main exterior and apparatus bays will be made of contain red/brown brick masonry and cast stone; the living quarters are super insulated and made of wood truces, with exterior areas having beige color vinyl siding. Asphalt shingles will be used on the roof. There will be a wall marquee in the front of the building with a layering of plants/foliage surrounding the site.
The project has received all permits and it is not in a flood zone. The new building is required to be energy efficient. All materials used will be maintenance free. Silver/Petricelli does have liability insurance on the materials and the project meets all NFPA standards. Other sustainable materials will be used to comply with the Green Building Council specifications. Geo-thermal energy and solar panels will be used for heating and air conditioning to help reduce energy costs. Natural gas will also be used in specified areas. Rain guards are also incorporated to recycle rain water to help maintain foliage. The repair shop will have a radiant floor system with an above floor wheel lift system, which is designed to support the loads.
Chief Oates explained that two locations were presented – a piece of land off the Pratt & Whitney property, and the old AT&T property on Brewer Street. They weighed the pros and cons of each site and said that the ATT property looked like the most feasible, cost efficient site for the new firehouse.
A traffic study was done by the civil engineering firm BSE of Glastonbury and the DOT. Findings were that there would be minimal impact on the traffic in the area with the addition of the new firehouse. Mayor Currey also pointed out that the Matos Group should be starting construction of Boulevard South soon, which would also divert some traffic from the area. Chief Oates indicated that the Fire Dept is already in the area, and they have minimal issues with traffic. Again, he stated that there was no ideal piece of property for the project, but that this property was the best solution for the Town.
Having all concerns addressed, the Commissioners were satisfied with the site plan layout and design of the new fire house.
MOTION by Pasquale Salemi
Seconded by Richard Domler
To approve design phase of Firehouse #5 and proceed with the next phase
of construction documents.
Motion unanimously carried.
MOTION by Richard Domler
Seconded by Pat Harmon
To adjourn the meeting of the Public Building Commission at 7:16 pm.
Motion unanimously carried.
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