ANNUAL TOWN REPORT 2005

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

 

 

To the Residents of East Longmeadow:

 

Outlined below are some of the more significant accomplishments/occurrences that took place during the year.

 

Sanitary & Stormwater Sewer Systems

Watchaug Brook Force Main Replacement Project: This project involves the replacement of an existing 12" asbestos cement force main with a new 12" DI/PVC force main between the Watchaug Brook Sewage Pump Station and the United Methodist Church on Somers Road. Contract #1 (on Somers Road from Michel Street to the church) was constructed during the fall.

 

Mill Road Sanitary Sewer Project: This project involved the extension of a gravity sewer main along Mill Road from Meadowbrook Road to the Hampden Town line. The project was completed in December.

 

The department responded to 22 plugged sewer calls in addition to the regular cleaning and maintenance of the sanitary sewer system.

 

Shaker Road Sewer Replacement Project: This project involved the extension of the Denslow Force Main from Chestnut Street to Maple Street, along the existing railroad easement to relieve capacity issues within the existing sanitary sewer on Shaker Road. This project was completed during the summer.

 

Denslow Road Pump Station Improvements Project (Contract #2): In conjunction with the Shaker Road Sewer Replacement Project (a.k.a. Denslow Force Main Extension, a.k.a. Bike Trail Sewer), this project involves the upgrade of the station's mechanical components including pumps, piping, stand-by power provisions and electrical/control upgrades. This project is out to bid for late January 2006 contract awarding.

 

Pease Road Reconstruction: This project involves the extension of the gravity sewer on Pease Road from Old Farm Road to Prospect Street, highway reconstruction and storm drainage improvements. Work is scheduled for early summer of 2006.

 

At the High School, a new gravity sanitary sewer main was installed between the school and Barrie Road thus eliminating the need for a pumping system.

 

Water System

The drinking water disinfection system at the Chestnut Street Pumping Station was modified. Disinfection has been changed from chlorine to chloramine. Chloramine disinfection will provide for effective deactivation of bacteria and other water-borne microorganisms.

 

New water mains were installed on Peachtree Road, Windsor Lane, Canterbury Circle, Rockingham Circle, Dell Street, Fenway Lane and Deer Park Drive. There were 18 major water main breaks throughout the year, which were repaired by this department.

 

New Water Tank Replacement Project: An additional 2,000,000-gallon water storage tank is being designed for the Prospect Street site. Contract #1 which was for a new underground pipe network for the new tank has been completed. Contract #2 has been awarded for the demolition of the existing 75,000-gallon tank. This work will occur in early 2006. Contract #3 is for the construction of the new tank and will be put out to bid after the first of the year.

 

Highways & Parks/Grounds

Resurfacing occurred on the following streets: Maple Street, Chestnut Street, Pleasant Street, Pease Road, Calkins Avenue, Murray Court, Newbury Avenue, Alpine Avenue, Veranda Avenue, Greenacre Lane and Merriam Street. Allen Street was repaved from Porter Road to the Hampden Town Line. Highway 'crack sealing' was performed on sections of Hampden Road and Chestnut Street.

 

Synchronization of the traffic signal lights on North Main Street from Harkness Avenue to Mapleshade Avenue was completed. Various signal lights and control systems were replaced and a more effective synchronization scheme was implemented at the intersections.

 

At Heritage Park, both baseball fields were completely rebuilt. The fields were re-graded to comply with athletic field specifications, irrigation systems installed, and covered with turf. Leahy baseball field also underwent major repairs. Department personnel did all work.

 

The Department, made further updates to the Heritage Park Playground with additional funding contributed by the Friends of Heritage Park.

 

Through a Capital appropriation, the department replaced a front-end loader and a backhoe.

 

The Department continued work on the installation of the underground fiber optic system. The new fiber optic system will allow for almost instant communication between sites and allow for ultra-high speed internet access. The Department's water and major sanitary sewer pumping stations are now connected via fiber optics to our SCADA system that allows for optimal operation of the facilities.

 

As a result of the record-breaking rains in early October, the Public Works crews worked around the clock to keep our town roads open. After receiving more than 15 inches of rain in one week, culverts on Prospect Street, Meadowbrook Road, Pease Road, Mapleshade Ave, Elm Street, and others, overflowed and were washed out. Additionally, crews tended to flooded sanitary sewer pump stations and assisted the fire department in pumping out resident's basements.

 

Building Facilities Maintenance Division

During the past year, the Building Facilities Division has managed the following School Capital projects:

Meadowbrook School:

Bathroom renovations: ADA accessible doors, toilet partitions, upgraded lighting and plumbing fixtures, tile flooring, and painting.

Mountainview School:

Addressable Fire Alarm System: Coordinated the installation of an Analog Fully Addressable Fire Alarm System.

High School:

Pool renovations: Painting, tile repairs, ceiling tiles, etc.

Front Doors: Replaced front entrance doors and installed a handicapped entrance opener.

Gymnasium Dividers: Replaced existing gymnasium dividers.

Hall Fire Doors: Added magnetic door holds and wiring to complete Fire Alarm System for hall doors.

Bleachers: Coordinated the effort to ascertain bleachers for the Football Field.

Mapleshade School:

Addressable Fire Alarm System: Coordinated the installation of an Analog Fully Addressable Fire Alarm System.

Intercom System: Replaced existing system with a phone intercom system.

 

In addition to managing school capital projects, the building facilities division has completed renovations to the Town Hall utilizing Public Works staff in conjunction with various subcontractors. The renovations included: Gutter replacement, painting, carpet replacement, heating duct cleaning, HVAC upgrades, electrical upgrades, lighting improvements, ceiling replacements, security system upgrades, installation of a central fire alarm system, and other interior renovations. A third floor storage space was created above the existing DPW offices as well as basement shelving to help fill the current need for file and plan storage.

This division has also managed the day-to-day maintenance for all Town buildings and developed and implemented a self-inspection program that focuses on maintaining current buildings to an acceptable standard thus eliminating unnecessary capital projects. In an ongoing effort to curb expenses, this department has worked closely with the Capital Planning Committee and the School Department to consolidate projects Town wide.

Rich Gale, Building Facilities Manager, has attended numerous courses and seminars which include: Asbestos Awareness Training, Procurement training, HVAC maintenance classes, and several MIIA training seminars.

At the East Longmeadow Fire Station, a new methane gas extraction system was installed to mitigate high methane gas levels that were detected inside the building in 2004. This system was installed during the 2004-2005 winter and has been in operation since. Sean Kelley, Senior Project Manager played an integral part in the design and construction of this endeavor.

 

Through negotiations with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the grass and leaves that we collect at the Knowlton Transfer Station during the year, are transported to the former Allen Street Landfill where they are using as 'capping' material. This results in decreased disposal charges.

 

Construction of the Redstone Rail Trail (Bicycle and Pedestrian) should be put out to bid during calendar year 2006 with construction following shortly thereafter. Design plans are at 95% review status with the Massachusetts Highway Department. On October 5th, 2005, U.S. Congressman Richard Neal presented Public Works Officials with ceremonial check in the amount of $1.44 million dollars representing federal funding awarded to East Longmeadow for construction purposes. The Rail Trail is envisioned as a multi-use trail designed to improve local recreation and transportation opportunities for people of all ages and interests. The project will also offer residents and visitors the opportunity to discover East Longmeadow's rich history as a quarry town. The East Longmeadow High School has direct access to the trail from its athletic fields providing opportunities for students to study habitat for wildlife and native vegetation. The presentation of the check culminated fourteen years of meetings, grant writing and lobbying by members of the Redstone Trailway Committee and the Board of Public Works.

 

Personnel/Miscellaneous

Department staff attended CPR and First Aid training during the year as well as continuing education courses for those individuals who possess Massachusetts Drinking Water licenses.

 

Fiscal Year 2006 budgeting constraints resulted in the elimination of one skilled worker position from the department. This loss is most evident during snow plowing operations. It must be remembered that East Longmeadow, unlike most communities, does not use any outside contracted assistance for snow plowing; all work is done by departmental staff and equipment.

 

To fill a vacancy in staff, Mr. William Ferraro was hired as a skilled worker.

 

In closing, the Board of Public Works would like to thank its staff as well as the other Town boards, departments and committees, and clubs and organizations for their continued cooperation and assistance.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Michael A. Perkins, Chairman

John F. Maybury

Daniel S. Burack