ANNUAL TOWN REPORT 2006

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 involved 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. The entire project is now completed.

The department responded to 41 plugged sewer calls in addition to the regular cleaning and maintenance of the sanitary sewer system.

Denslow Road Pump Station Improvements: This project involved the upgrade of the station's mechanical components including pumps, piping, stand-by power provisions and electrical/control upgrades. An odor control system was also installed which utilizes a nitrate based liquid chemical that is injected into the wastewater to reduce odors and hydrogen sulfide at the force main discharge.

This fall the Department took to task the clearing of the sanitary sewer easements that run cross-country in many sections of the town. The removal of vegetation and trees from these right-of-ways, which has not been done for many years, allows our workforce access to sewer mains when emergency repairs are required.

Water System

There were 20 major water main breaks throughout the year, which were repaired by this department.

New Water Tank Replacement Project: Construction began on the installation of a new 2,000,000-gallon water storage tank on Prospect Street. The underground pipe network for the new tank has been completed and the old 75,000-gallon tank has been demolished. The foundation for the new tank is in place with scheduled completion for next year.

During the past four years we have been replacing manual-read water meters with new radio-read meters. These new type meters allow us to read them simply by riding down the street. The readings are transmitted by radio waves from the water meter and captured on a laptop computer inside the vehicle. The reading of meters for a particular billing period can now be accomplished in a matter of hours instead of weeks. By July 1^st of next year, the water meter conversion will be nearly complete.

In December, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection conducted a sanitary survey of the Town’s drinking water system. A sanitary survey, which is conducted every four years, is an on-site review of our water sources, facilities, equipment, operation and maintenance of our public water system for the purpose of evaluating our system’s ability to produce and distribute safe drinking water. We are pleased to report that no major deficiencies were found in our system.

Highways & Parks/Grounds

Resurfacing occurred on the following streets: Maple Street, Rollins Drive, Pease Road, Mill Road and a section of Somers Road. The Police Department parking lot was also resurfaced.

The Department, working in conjunction with the East Longmeadow Jaycees, made further improvements to Heritage Park. The old “skate shack” was removed and rebuilt. The new facility has been fitted with electrical power and an area that can be used for concessions.

The Department continued work on the installation of the underground fiber optic system. The new fiber optic system provides for almost instant communication between sites and allows for ultra-high speed internet access. We are now looking to expand the network to provide service for both residential and commercial use.

Building Facilities Maintenance Division

Rich Gale, the Town’s first Building Facilities Manager, resigned in June to pursue a career in the private sector. He was instrumental in establishing the new Building Facilities Division in the Department and oversaw many improvements to Town buildings during his tenure. In July, Mr. Bruce Fenney was hired to succeed Rich.

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

Meadowbrook School:

Install new ADA hardware on all interior doors.

Electrical upgrades in all classrooms.

Mountainview School:

Electrical upgrades in all classrooms.

High School:

Replace 9x9 asbestos tile with VCT tile in South Wing.

Auditorium Rigging replaced and asbestos fire curtain removed.

Mapleshade School:

ADA Bathroom Renovations: ADA doors, toilet partitions, plumbing fixtures.

Replace 67 windows in north and south wing hallways.

Replace four gymnasium exterior doors.

Install new compressor for pneumatic control system.

Install new emergency lighting throughout building.

Repair heating system entire building: steam traps, repair old pipe in tunnels, vacuum return system.

Town Hall:

Installed new Leibert Challenger 3000 Environmental Control System in the town’s server room.

Install new heating diffusers with thermostats in four offices on first floor.

Police Station:

Paint interior of building first and second floor plus garages.

Install new carpet throughout entire facility.

Strip and wax existing floors throughout building.

DPW Service Building:

            Install vehicle wash platform.

Personnel/Miscellaneous

The Redstone Rail Trail Project is finally advancing towards fruition. The final plans have reached the 100% phase and Mass Highway has approved the plans for construction. Final negotiations with Hasbro for use of a portion of their property are almost complete. It is anticipated that the project will be put out to bid by the State during the late spring of 2007 and construction could start soon after.

The two closed landfills currently under the jurisdiction of the Board of Public Works have been continuously monitored for leachate of hazardous materials. Both the Allen Street site and the Knowlton Transfer Station are currently being utilized for our composting operations. The Department of Public Works has developed a composting program that uses all of the grass and leaf waste from the Transfer Station and turns it into dark topsoil. This mulched topsoil is then added to screened loam and will save the Town monies normally spent towards loaming tree belts and the like.

The Knowlton Transfer Station was open 86 days last year and took in over five thousand tons of refuse. The Transfer Station currently accepts yard waste, brush, metal items, wood items, used motor oil, fluorescent bulbs and mercury containing items and for a nominal charge, bulk items. The Transfer Station is open Saturdays year round (9am to 5pm) and Wednesdays seasonally (mid-April through November).

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.

In October, Secretary Kathy Field passed away after battling cancer. We all miss Kathy’s wit and good humor.

Two retirements occurred during the year. We extend our thanks and congratulations to these longtime and dedicated individuals.

·      Derwood Pepoon - 19 years of service

·      Stanley Obara - 14 years of service

Two employees resigned during the year:

• Rich Gale
• Gary Turnberg

There were six new hires to fill vacancies:

• Bruce Fenney – Building Facilities Manager
• Cori Savio – Secretary
• Dennis Olisky – Skilled Worker
• Stephen Monette – Skilled Worker
• Michael Hill – Custodian
• Linda Zebrowski – Custodian

Promotions:

• Michael Ciepiela to Building Facilities Technician
• Erich Rasid to Equipment Operator

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,

John F. Maybury, Chairman

Daniel S. Burack

Michael A. Perkins