Eversource continuing gas main replacement
Eversource Energy will spend about four months and $1.3 million replacing aging natural gas mains in Stamford, officials of the Hartford-based company said Wednesday.
The utility company will replace nearly three-quarters of a mile worth of gas main, removing the existing cast iron and steel pipes and putting plastic pipe in its place, according to Mitch Gross, a company spokesman. Construction is scheduled to begin Monday and be completed by November, Gross said.“This is part of the 19.5 miles of main we plan to replace this year,” Gross said. In the past five years, Eversource Energy has replaced more than 100 miles of older mains around the state.The work will be done on nine streets in Stamford, including Atlantic Street and Tresser Boulevard. Marc Andrukiewicz, Eversource’s vice president of gas engineering, said the plastic mains are safer, more durable and better able to handle changes in underground temperatures than steel or cast irons pipes. “As state-of-the-art materials and construction techniques advance, we continue upgrading our system to ensure the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas,” Andrukiewicz said in a statement. “Each year, we review the system’s performance and identify areas to make necessary and valuable improvements to maintain a first-rate natural gas distribution system.” The construction schedule will vary, depending where the work is being done. Weekday hours will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Night construction will be done from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Gross said Eversource communicates with community leaders and customers where work is being done to minimize traffic and tie-ups, But drivers still may experience delays due to alternating one-way traffic, he said. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Berlin officials speak in support of police station proposal
BERLIN — Local residents and town officials expressed support this week for a proposed new police station that would cost about $5 million less than a project presented in 2014.
The two-story building would be located on the site of the former Kensington Furniture store at 913 Farmington Ave. The project would cost about $16 million. The Town Council held a public hearing Tuesday night on the project, which would be paid for through bonding.
The proposal for a new police station is the second in three years for the town. In 2014, a proposal to construct a $21 million station reached a referendum, but was ultimately rejected by about 62 percent of voters. The proposal under consideration is less expensive, resulting in a smaller building.
“We end up with a smaller building, there’s no doubt about that, that’s some of the cost,” said Tom Reid, chairman of the Public Building Commission. “We went through every square foot of the building, and we itemized all of the costs. We came up with what we think is a much better projection for costs”
The proposed station is still in the design phase. If the Town Council approves the $16 million in bonding during a special meeting on Tuesday, the public would have the opportunity to vote on the project in a November referendum.
If approved, construction could start by March 2017 and be completed about a year later.
Police Chief Paul Fitzgerald said the current department is cramped and unsafe, referencing a limited amount of space for the 42 officer force.
He also said the current station lacks interview rooms and has a poor communication system.
“Our communication system right now is 30 years old. Every day it’s potentially a problem,” Fitzgerald said. Police Commission Chairman Bob Peters supported the location and redesign of the project. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Developer Patrick Levantino and contractors working on the project recently toured the defunct hotel building, abandoned just before completion several years ago, with city officials from building, health, economic development, public utilities and fire departments to determine the work that would need to be done to finish the project.
The group also is working with city Assessor Donna Ralston on the possibility of using a state statute that would apply seven years of phased-in property taxes on any improvements to the property — similar to an enterprise zone tax break.
The City Council would have to approve the tax abatement plan.
Robert Mills, president of the Norwich Community Development Corp., said the new development group posted the winning bid in an online auction of the hotel property brokered by Hospitality Real Estate Counselors.
The auction closed July 13, but Mills said before the group completes the purchase from current owner CT Norwich LLC, a subsidiary of Winston Hospitality Inc., the developers are researching the building needs and city incentives available.
Winston Hospitality Managing Director Jay Davies said the company would have no comment on the proposed sale at this time. He referred questions to Mills and NCDC.
Levantino could not be reached for comment Wednesday. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Killingly commissions plan separate reviews of natural gas plant proposal
KILLINGLY — In the coming weeks, two Killingly commissions are expected to discuss the proposed construction of a 550-megawatt natural gas plant in town that has generated intense public interest among some residents. After joint informational meeting on Tuesday night that drew more than 200 people, the Planning and Zoning and Inland, Wetlands and Watercourses commissions –the two appointed town bodies that deal with land-use issues - will hold their own separate meetings now on the NTE Energy company’s proposal to build a combined-cycle, natural gas power plant on 73 privately owned acres at 189-190 Lake Road in Dayville near the town’s industrial park. But while the meetings will include public comments, neither commission has a final say in whether the plant gets built.That falls on the Connecticut Siting Council, a nine-member board responsible for deciding where such projects can be located in the state. “The council is typically looking for feedback from these kinds of local land-use commissions,” Town Manager Sean Hendricks said. “Especially since these two commissions would typically handle the review and permitting of similar projects for the town.” The plan has drawn sharp criticism from residents living near the proposed site around Alexander Lake, as well as from members of a grassroots organizaton, "Not Another Power Plant," whose supporters worry about possible health and environmental impacts from the plant. On Tuesday, several residents asked how the plant could even be considered for the Lake Road site. “That’s a rural-residential zoned piece of property right near the Quinebaug River,” resident Karen Stone said. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Auditors find million-dollar mistake in state construction projects
Lax accounting and documentation potentially cost taxpayers millions of dollars in lost revenue at state facilities and in unapproved change orders on construction projects, according to a recent state audit.
"Without sufficient documentation and evidence of authorization, there is less assurance that transactions are completed in accordance with state policies and procedures," auditors wrote in the report released Thursday.
An initial review of the state Public Works Department of construction services revealed that 20 randomly selected change orders totaling $1.3 million were incomplete and lacked proper approval.
Further review showed that 11 change orders totaling $537,394, or 31 percent of those examined, didn't have required signatures, and that obsolete forms lacking accountability controls were used in 13 instances. That indicates that work commenced before actual approval was given, auditors say in the report.
In addition, authorization signatures were often indecipherable with no corresponding printed name for identification purposes on a sample of 35 change orders totaling $1.82 million for eight construction projects between March 3, 2012, and Aug. 14, 2014.
Change orders are common to most construction projects, particularly large jobs in which some design element is either added or deleted from the original scope of work.
Lack of legible signatures granting approval indicates a loss of control or management oversight, auditors noted. Auditors also found problems with how the agency keeps track of rental fees for its facilities.
Some state-owned land, buildings, and facilities can be leased for municipal or private use, producing income, or providing a service that's in the public's interest.
However, the agency doesn't maintain a comprehensive database of the wide variety of leases or revenues, causing potential loss of funds to the state, the report states.
This is the second time auditors have recommended designing and maintaining a spreadsheet database with that information. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
East Hartford School Construction Projects On Schedule
EAST HARTFORD — Four school improvement construction projects are on schedule, school officials said.
"All projects are proceeding smoothly and we are scheduled to complete all work prior to the start of the new school year," director of facilities Al Costa said in an email update. "It has been a very challenging construction schedule with essentially 10 weeks between the end of school and when staff and students return."
The $12.4 million in improvements to the schools include the replacing of the middle school window wall, a new roof for Langford Elementary School, a new outdoor athletic complex at the high school and the renovation of Hockanum School to accommodate the new Early Childhood Learning Center.
The $7.9 million window wall replacement at the middle school will install an energy efficient exterior glass wall system.
Costa said the work will only be partially done when school starts because it is a two year project.
"It is not only a modern and aesthetically pleasing design, but it will improve the interior environment for students and staff," he said.At the high school, the revamped athletic complex is hoped to be complete for the first home football game in the fall scheduled for Sept. 30 against Simsbury High School.
"Students, athletes, staff and the public will soon enjoy a new outdoor athletic facility that will be the envy of many visiting rival schools," Costa said. "The work to complete a new field, track, bleacher and a stunning plaza entrance to the field complex is just amazing."
The new athletic field complex cost $1.5 million. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
SIMSBURY — A proposed development could bring as many as 155 residential units to the heart of downtown Simsbury.Michael A. Girard, president of both Simscroft-Echo Farms and the Girard Brothers Corp., presented an informal proposal to the zoning commission earlier this month for 32-36 Iron Horse Blvd.
The parcels sit directly behind St. Mary's Church and the post office, and abut the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center.
The land was designated for residential use in the 2011 Simsbury Center Charette. Since then, Girard said various ideas have been floated for its use.
"We feel now that these plans that we have … represent the best of all those plans, plus more," Girard said. "We feel that we have a very unique residential development that will add a lot to the town center." "We don't want to compete with [the other residential developments] in town or in abutting towns," he said. "What we want is something unique in the sense of the mix of housing that we have and the size and, of course, the location is key here."
Union Studio associate Jeremy Lake said the buildings would not exceed three stories in height, and would be designed consistent with the character of both the downtown area and the greater community. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Field renovations complete at New Haven’s Bowen Field; official opening soon
NEW HAVEN >> Construction on Bowen Field, the athletic field outside James Hillhouse High School, recently was completed after about 15 months of work, according to O&G Industries, the construction company contracted to do the job.
The project includes a newly renovated synthetic turf field, an eight-lane track, various lighting structures, locker rooms, bathrooms and bleachers. The project had been delayed multiple times.In August 2013, preparations for pre-construction by the school district for Bowen Field were underway until preliminary testing found elevated levels of PCB in caulk joints of the bleachers and in the paint on the exterior of the locker rooms, according to the school district. District spokeswoman Mercy Quaye said several sports teams have begun practicing on the field, and the district expects to open the field officially for full occupancy before the school year begins and after Gilbane Building Co., the company contracted by the district for capital projects, has checked over the project “Bowen Field has been a treasured New Haven landmark for decades, and for generations of city residents, providing athletic facilities for Hillhouse students and a recreational outlet for neighborhood residents,” Mayor Toni N. Harp said in a statement. “We’re grateful for the state funding received to underwrite this nearly two-year project, and with great respect for Bowen Field’s history, we look forward to new legends and new memories to be made in its renovated form.” The field is not open to the public at this time. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Revised Quinnipiac field proposal moves forward
HAMDEN >> The proposal to construct a stadium at Quinnipiac University moved forward Wednesday night when the revised application won Inland Wetlands approval.
Two weeks ago the commission denied the university’s request for a variance on one condition of its January 2015 approval for two stadiums on the site at 475 Mount Carmel Ave. That condition concerned the 25-foot buffer requirement for the field slated to be located on the southern section of the property, and it was a condition that the university said it couldn’t meet.After that denial, the university came back with an application to build just the one field on the northern section of the site, which the wetlands commission approved Wednesday. The application now needs the approval of the Planning and Zoning Commission, which will hold a special meeting next Wednesday to take up that request. Quinnipiac Facilities Director Sal Filardi and attorney Bernard Pellegrino attended Wednesday’s meeting but left immediately after the vote. The only activity that can take place on the southern section of the property is the removal of invasive species, vegetative enhancements and an access road to the site’s utilities. A split-rail fence also will be built on the site, Pellegrino said.
The proposal to build the fields, while approved last year without much fanfare, prompted considerable public opposition when the university came back with the request for the variance regarding the wetlands buffer. Residents living in the area of site, as well as members of the Sleeping Giant Park Association, came out to speak out against it. The site is located across the street from the park. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
The project is in the preliminary design phase, all subject to change, and no application has been filed with the town.
The early designs, by architectural firm Union Studio, recommend between 135 and 155 residential units on the lot. There would be a mix of apartments or condos, townhouses and single-family detached homes. Girard said the 13.86-acre property has been in his family for 48 years and is zoned for construction storage use. It is currently Simscroft-Echo Farms' equipment yard, which will be moved to Wolcott Road.The parcels sit directly behind St. Mary's Church and the post office, and abut the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center.
The land was designated for residential use in the 2011 Simsbury Center Charette. Since then, Girard said various ideas have been floated for its use.
"We feel now that these plans that we have … represent the best of all those plans, plus more," Girard said. "We feel that we have a very unique residential development that will add a lot to the town center." "We don't want to compete with [the other residential developments] in town or in abutting towns," he said. "What we want is something unique in the sense of the mix of housing that we have and the size and, of course, the location is key here."
Union Studio associate Jeremy Lake said the buildings would not exceed three stories in height, and would be designed consistent with the character of both the downtown area and the greater community. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Field renovations complete at New Haven’s Bowen Field; official opening soon
NEW HAVEN >> Construction on Bowen Field, the athletic field outside James Hillhouse High School, recently was completed after about 15 months of work, according to O&G Industries, the construction company contracted to do the job.
The project includes a newly renovated synthetic turf field, an eight-lane track, various lighting structures, locker rooms, bathrooms and bleachers. The project had been delayed multiple times.In August 2013, preparations for pre-construction by the school district for Bowen Field were underway until preliminary testing found elevated levels of PCB in caulk joints of the bleachers and in the paint on the exterior of the locker rooms, according to the school district. District spokeswoman Mercy Quaye said several sports teams have begun practicing on the field, and the district expects to open the field officially for full occupancy before the school year begins and after Gilbane Building Co., the company contracted by the district for capital projects, has checked over the project “Bowen Field has been a treasured New Haven landmark for decades, and for generations of city residents, providing athletic facilities for Hillhouse students and a recreational outlet for neighborhood residents,” Mayor Toni N. Harp said in a statement. “We’re grateful for the state funding received to underwrite this nearly two-year project, and with great respect for Bowen Field’s history, we look forward to new legends and new memories to be made in its renovated form.” The field is not open to the public at this time. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Revised Quinnipiac field proposal moves forward
HAMDEN >> The proposal to construct a stadium at Quinnipiac University moved forward Wednesday night when the revised application won Inland Wetlands approval.
Two weeks ago the commission denied the university’s request for a variance on one condition of its January 2015 approval for two stadiums on the site at 475 Mount Carmel Ave. That condition concerned the 25-foot buffer requirement for the field slated to be located on the southern section of the property, and it was a condition that the university said it couldn’t meet.After that denial, the university came back with an application to build just the one field on the northern section of the site, which the wetlands commission approved Wednesday. The application now needs the approval of the Planning and Zoning Commission, which will hold a special meeting next Wednesday to take up that request. Quinnipiac Facilities Director Sal Filardi and attorney Bernard Pellegrino attended Wednesday’s meeting but left immediately after the vote. The only activity that can take place on the southern section of the property is the removal of invasive species, vegetative enhancements and an access road to the site’s utilities. A split-rail fence also will be built on the site, Pellegrino said.
The proposal to build the fields, while approved last year without much fanfare, prompted considerable public opposition when the university came back with the request for the variance regarding the wetlands buffer. Residents living in the area of site, as well as members of the Sleeping Giant Park Association, came out to speak out against it. The site is located across the street from the park. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE