Town of Holden
Public Safety Building Committee
April 2, 2008
7PM Starbard Building
Present: Chairman Chris Lucchesi, Jack Chandler, Brian Forts, Peter Liddy, Mary Ryan, Karl Makela, George Sherrill,
Absent: Richard Bates, Robert Beck, Hal Lane, David White,
Others Present: Michael McKeon, Kaestle Boos Associates, Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:09PM.
Public Comment
No one from the public addressed the Committee.
Approval of Previous Minutes
Motion by Peter Liddy, seconded by Mary Ryan, it was VOTED 3-0 WITH 1 ABSTAINED TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 8, 2008 MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. (ABSTAINED: FORTS.)
Motion by Mary Ryan, seconded by Karl Makela, it was VOTED 3-0 WITH 2 ABSTAINED TO APPROVE THE MARCH 5, 2008 MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. (ABSTAINED: LIDDY, FORTS.)
Motion by Brian Forts, seconded by Karl Makela, it was VOTED 3-0 WITH 2 ABSTAINED TO APPROVE THE MARCH 19, 2008 MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. (ABSTAINED: RYAN, LIDDY.)
Executive Session minutes will be distributed for review prior to the April 16, 2008 meeting.
Updates from the Chairman
Chairman Lucchesi informed the committee members that contract extension negotiations between the Town and Kaestle Boos are on ongoing. The Town Manager will seek to split the borrowing of the project in half. An 8M borrowing will be sent out to bid May 8th. The remainder of the borrowing will occur as the project develops. Chairman Lucchesi said the RFP process for a Project Manager was being handled through the Town Manager’s office. The RFP will be posted in the Central Register April 9, 2008. All Bids will be due on April 24th. A final copy of the RFP will be emailed to committee members. The Chairman said that discussions with an abutting property owner continue.
Project Schedule Discussion
The committee reviewed and discussed a preliminary schedule made by Mr. McKeon of Kaestle Boos. The entrance to the high school has changed which will prompt additional survey work. A proposal for the survey is currently being developed.
Mr. McKeon discussed the first stage of the project schedule: Schematic Design. Mr. McKeon said that the review of the schematic design would take approximately 6 weeks and then the committee would move into the Design Development portion would is scheduled to last approximately 3 months. He said that the market is favorable for large construction projects due to the lack of work/projects that exist. He said that the Watertown police facility bid went out 800,000 below its estimate and the Holliston, MA rebid came in 8% below. The project is anticipated to take a year and a half to build with a target completion date of June 2010. The Chairman inquired how the committee could add to this Schematic Design process? Mr. McKeon said that Kaestle Boos would present energy efficient/high efficiency options and
their payback periods. These options may be more expensive up front but payback periods for their energy efficiency are less. The committee will be charged with making these types of decisions. He said that engineers from Kaestle Boos would sit down with Chiefs and go over in a more detailed fashion, improvements and efficiency suggestions with design recommendations, while staying within the footprint of the proposal. The May 7th meeting will close review schematic design portion of project schedule
Peter Liddy commented that it is important to begin dialogue with Mass Highway in regards to the cut on 122A. First, the committee must engage a traffic engineer to complete a traffic study, which are not included in the architectural costs. Engineer Don Graves has recommended a firm to conduct the study. Mr. Ken Costello with Mass Highway will coordinate with civil engineer Don Graves. It can take up to 3 month to obtain this permit. Site survey will have to be brought up to date before cut proposal can be designed, but traffic counts can start now. Proposals for the traffic study will be ready for next meeting.
The committee discussed the status of the town’s sewer capacity. The existing fire station is currently using a septic system, which will need to be evaluated by a civil engineer. Karl Makela recommended applying immediately for a sewer permit for the existing fire station. Chief Chandler said he would follow up with Dennis Lipka about process for filing for both the old and new building. While the project does not require a sewer connection permit from the DEP it will require a permit from the DCR. Mr. McKeon said that Kaestle Boos could start that process as soon as schematic design is complete. Chief Chandler inquired if the project would need an approval letter from the railroad? Mr. McKeon said that he would check with Mass Highway to determine if an approval would be
necessary.
The committee discussed communications and the process of building the communication center. Mr. McKeon recommended that the Chiefs work with their preferred vendors to design the dispatch consoles and types of communications equipment they will require. The Wright Line Company is a local console vendor. Money can be allocated in the budget to hire a communications consultant. Many stations prefer to use their communications vendor. Chief Chandler asked Mr. McKeon to provide the Town of Foxboro’s budget for communications/list of telecommunications equipment. Plans include a new tower/monopole. Cybercom Communications consulted for the City of Watertown. Other ideas discussed were the possibility, if a tower is erected, of selling communications/cell space. Placement of a tower on a
hill behind the high school was discussed. Mr. McKeon commented that Kevin Witzel from his office would meet with the committee to discuss their options. The committee agreed that hiring a communications consultant is a priority. Chief Chandler said that the communications room needed to be designed for equipment growth. It was determined that each Chief would set up their own internal communication’s team to evaluate the needs of each the department.
The subject of HVAC in the communications room was discussed. Mr. McKeon commented that due to high temperatures generated by equipment the room will run on a separate cooling system/ electrical system with a backup for power failure
Peter Liddy recommended that the Town Manager begin discussions with the property owners where the secondary egress will go through. Mr. McKeon questioned how necessary was a second egress to the property? It was agreed that a secondary egress is important for police department. The committee directed Mr. McKeon to redesign the entrance or look for new secondary egress options. There is not a lot of room for redesign, but some options can be investigated.
It was also agreed that Kaestle Boos would meet jointly with the Chiefs to coordinate an analysis of a new security system.
New Business
Chief Chandler visited the new Foxborough, MA joint Public Safety Building. The Foxborough Building Committee Chair offered his help and advice to the HPSBC. Chief Chandler announced that the town of Franklin, MA is hosting an open house at their new fire facility from 10AM-2PM on April 4th.
Chief Chandler requested a new design drawing of the building.
Public Comment
Mrs. Zabelle D’Amico expressed concern regarding the entrance for the visitor police parking lot. She said she felt it looks narrow and asked if the entrance could be relocated to the back of the building? The committee said they would look at plans to try to improve the situation. She also requested expanded buffering and less asphalt.
Dr. D’Amico stated that the police driveway is located at the worst place for visibility. The committee informed him that a traffic consultant would conduct a study of the traffic flow.
Mr. Dave Ellis suggested widening the lower driveway. He expressed concerns about the waterline into the present fire station building. He said that the pipes from the building had been rerouted through the back driveway. He added that a catch basin in the lower parking lot drains into the backyard and needs to be rerouted. The committee asked Mr. Ellis to review the site plan to identify/determine if any additional pipes need to be relocated.
Adjournment
Motion by Brian Forts, seconded by Peter Liddy, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:30PM.
Approved:
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