DPW Facility Committee, February 26, 2018
Holden Department of Public Works Facility Committee
Meeting Minutes
February 26, 2018
Call to order
Daniel Nason called to order the regular meeting of the Holden Department of Public Works Facility Committee (DPW FC) at 7:00 on February 26, 2018 at Holden Municipal Light Department, 1 Holden Street, Holden, MA.
Roll call
Chair Daniel Nason conducted a roll call.
Committee Members present:
Chair Daniel Nason
Jack Cross
Jim Kempton
Scott Sundin
Dawn Michanowicz
Committee Members delayed:
Chris Lucchesi (Arrived at 7:02pm)
Mark Johnson (Arrived at 7:06pm)
Others present:
Geri Herlihy, Board of Selectmen
John Woodsmall, Director of Public Works (arrived at 7:38pm)
Gary Kaczmarek, Project Manager
Ryan Mouradian, Water & Sewer Superintendent
Chris DeMoranville, Supervisor of Operations
Isabel McCauley, Senior Civil Engineer
Jeff Alberti, Weston & Sampson Engineer
JP Parnas, Weston & Sampson Engineer
David White, Finance Committee Liaison
Joe Sullivan- Town Resident
1. Public Comment
None
2. Building Committee Chair (Skipped and revisited later)
a. Meeting minutes Review and approval
b. Discuss community outreach
3. OPM Update
a. Update building demo
Town Council is reviewing and going over it this week. It should be wrapped up in 1 week and send it off to the Central Register. He anticipated demolition to take approximately 40 days.
b. Update on Environmental Cleanup
We are waiting for the LSP to return. Jeff will have another person call to get the quicker test sample results (Hex Chrome scan test) on sub soils from the western location.
4. Designer Update (W&S)
a. Review recent drawings dated 2-12-2018
Jeff Alberti walked through plans. He stated that the floor plan is fluid at this time. A plan like this is needed for cost purposes. JP Parnas highlighted the changes that were made per the board request. Mr. Parnas also pointed out that the space marked for Cable Access is flexible space that could be used for further expansion. Plans will go to the independent estimator for costs. A preliminary equipment list has been included based on standard equipment other new DPW facilities have included. (EQ100 & EQ200)
Dan Nason believes that CATV being included was a miscommunication. He would like that allocated space to be used for vehicle storage. He also asked if the canopy was shown with future expansion available. Mr. Alberti stated that it currently does not. He will add in the addition of the slab being concrete with proper drainage instead of the current asphalt.
Mr. Nason also inquired about the pitch of the roof and the possibility of snow sliding off and doing damage to property or people. Mr. Alberti answered that the pitch isn’t as dramatic as it appears on the drawings and that there are three rows of snow guards on the roof.
Dawn Michanowicz asked if there were enough rest rooms to accommodate everyone. General consensus was that there are enough.
Mr. Nason asked Weston and Sampson when they need comments back. Mr. Alberti said it was no rush. Any shifting won’t change costs dramatically.
2. Building Committee Chair (Previously Skipped)
a. Meeting minutes Review and approval
Chris Lucchesi made a motion to approve the minutes from January 12, 2018. Mark Johnson seconded the motion. Dan Nason, Scott Sundin and Dawn Michanowicz abstained. Vote approved by majority vote.
b. Discuss community outreach
Dan Nason stated that he would like 2 or 3 bullet points as to why there is a need for a new DPW Facility. For example, the safety of the building or the need to protect $6 million+ worth of equipment.
He also asked Weston and Sampson for their assistance. Jeff Alberti offered the biggest opposition will most likely come in a few forms.
- Why does the project cost so much? Answer: It’s the most cost effective solution. Show via other recent DPW projects that this is what this type of project costs.
- Why is the storage garage so expensive? Explain that the value of using it and canopies is to protect the multimillion dollar investment made in the fleet. Also offer that it is lowest construction cost PSF of the facility.
Important messages to make sure the Townspeople hear.
- What the DPW does for the community.
- Let people know that if it is not approved, there is still a need for a new facility. Delaying an approval will inevitably cost more as construction costs rise.
Mr. Alberti suggest having a “tool box” of resources you pick out what you need when you are asked a specific question.
Lastly, while public meetings may be informative, it comes down to speaking to people in the community and getting them to vote.
Dawn Michanowicz suggested remembering who the audience is that is being addressed and to give them the appropriate information that they want/need.
Mark Johnson added that it would be useful to find out numbers on the increase in population, number of additional miles of road and number of wells added to the town since the original buildings were built. This started a general discussion regarding finding old photos of DPW staff and equipment. Juxtapose that with a photo of the current fleet and staff to illustrate how the department has outgrown the existing antiquated DPW buildings. These types of photos may be located in annual reports/historical society and at the library.
Mr. Nason asked for volunteers to work with Weston and Sampson on the community outreach project. Dawn Michanowicz volunteered.
There was a general discussion regarding community education concerning the financial impact per household and how a project funded by debt exclusion is different than funding via direct dollars. Debt exclusion is a different mechanism that doesn’t pull away funding from other projects. Chris Lucchesi also added that outreach efforts should remind the townspeople that the elementary projects will be coming off debt exclusion soon.
Mark Johnson asked for clarification on the future use of Adams Road. Mr. Nason replied that the Fire Departments outpost portion has a standing wall and can be used as a stand-alone structure when/if the garage is removed. Ultimately, it is at the Town Managers discretion what (if any) future use the old Adams Road building would serve.
Mr. Nason stated that he will work with Mrs. Michanowicz on a short consistant message and asked that the committee email him directly (not to the whole board) with any ideas they have.
There was discussion about approaching the town sports associations.
Geri Herlihy stated that she would have a discussion with Town Manager, Peter Lukes.
5. New Business
a. Tour Hopkinton
March 8, 2018 at 8am.
6. Next Meeting
March 12, 2018 and March 26, 2018 at Holden Municipal Light Department, 1 Holden Street, Holden, MA at 7:00pm.
Chris Lucchesi made a motion to adjourn. Dawn Michanowicz seconded the motion. Vote approved by majority vote. Meeting adjourned at 8:19 pm.
Minutes taken by: Maureen Burke
Minutes submitted by: Maureen Burke
Minutes approved by: DPWFC on March 19, 2018