Diana Stricker Photo
Tabor site.
A consultant hired by Branford to evaluate possible sites for a new public works building has come to two conclusions: The project will cost about $10 million; and the Department of Public Works is so crucial to daily life that the expense is justifiable.
“We want to get the word out that public works really is a first responder,” said Jeff Alberti (pictured) of Weston & Sampson, an engineering consulting firm.
Alberti, whose company has designed 60 public works buildings from Maine to New York, said people are more aware of the value of public works departments since Tropical Storm Irene, and the rare October snowstorm pummeled the northeast. Locally, Branford residents were appreciative last winter when public works employees cleared roadways in record time during the unusually heavy snowstorms.
Alberti gave a full report of the estimated costs of two possible sites during the Public Works Building Committee meeting Tuesday night held at Canoe Brook Senior Center. Seven sites were originally under consideration when the committee held a special meeting to garner input on the project last May.
After months of investigating, the committee and its consultant are nearly ready to present their findings to town officials and regulatory boards.
The final two contenders for the Department of Public Works (DPW) are the town-owned Tabor Drive property; and a privately owned site at 20 Northeast Industrial Road. The other sites were ruled out for various reasons following a fatal-flaws analysis by the consultant.
The seven-member committee, headed by Kurt Treibler, includes Mario Ricozzi, Jim Perito, Joe Michelangelo, Craig Fuchs, Bob Zettergran and Public Works Director Art Baker. After discussing the issues Tuesday, they agreed to present both sites to town officials and include rankings, fatal flaws analysis, cost estimates, and a list of pro and con comparisons.
“Define everything and spell it out for them. Either site works for us,” said Baker (pictured seated).
First Selectman Anthony “Unk” DaRos proposed building the DPW facility at the 77-acre Tabor Drive site in January, 2008, and using the remaining acreage for ball fields and recreational areas. A Master Plan was drawn up.Those plans never proceeded.
The 5.1‑acre site at 20 NE Industrial Road is located behind the Tremonte Auto Group dealership on East Main Street. The industrial site has two existing buildings and is on the market for $1.25 million. Town records lists the owner as Quality Carriers Inc., a Tampa, Fla,. Company.
“They’re comparable in the big scheme of things,” Alberti said in regard to the two sites. He said the Tabor site is more efficient because all DPW operations could be located in one building, but the other site is slightly less expensive.
“Both sites are viable but Tabor has more space,” Baker said. He also noted that the central location of the Tabor property is an important factor when considering response time throughout the town.
The previous public works building was demolished in March to make way for construction of the new fire headquarters. Public works, which shared a site with the fire department at 45 N. Main St., is now temporarily located in a leased facility on Route 139 while the committee searches for a permanent site.
Tabor Drive
Alberti showed schematic drawings of the Tabor site, with the DPW building located toward the front of the property. “The rest of the site remains usable for other town purposes,” he said. Alberti said he used the 2008 sketches to show ball fields simply as “placeholders” to give an idea of how the DPW facility would sit in relation to other possible uses.
Alberti said the size of the building was pared down from 48,000 square feet to 35,900 square feet. “It does not compromise the operation,” he said.
The consultant previously completed a needs assessment of the public works department, and said that either site would meet the department’s needs for more than 50 years.
North East Industrial Road
NE Industrial site.
Alberti said that construction costs at 20 NE Industrial Road can be reduced by renovating the two existing buildings and adding some new construction. He showed sketches for two different layouts at the property.
He said that because of the paved surfaces and configuration of the property, the drainage system for rainwater retention would have to be underground.
In either scenario, the fleet of DPW trucks will be parked inside to extend the life of the vehicles and to keep them in readiness during inclement weather.
Costs
Alberti provided an extensive breakdown of estimated costs for each site. Total project costs include construction, industrial equipment, salt/sand sheds, furnishings and engineering and survey fees.
“These are all budget numbers, the building hasn’t been designed,” Alberti said, adding that these are probably top cost estimates.
The estimated total project cost for Tabor would be $10,847,119 based on average bid prices for construction. Potential cost with low bid price based on current economic conditions would be $9,937,419.
The Tabor costs include an estimated $1 million to upgrade Tabor Road and add two access roads connecting to Pine Orchard Road.
The estimated total project cost for the 20 North East Industrial site is $10,021,629, based on average bid prices. The potential price based on low bids would be $9,289,645. The costs include $1.25 million to purchase the property.
Baker said the committee should also seek input from Planning and Zoning and the town’s engineering department before any decisions are made.
John Opie, the Republican former third selectman who became a private citizen when the new board was sworn in last week, attended the meeting and offered advice on how to proceed.
“I’d like to compliment you guys, you’ve worked through a lot of options,” Opie told the committee. In regard to the two sites, he said “Neither one is cheap…There is not one victor here.”
Opie suggested taking the project first to the BOS, who could help “champion” the costs to the Board of Finance. Once there is tentative approval for financing, the project would go to the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) for consideration.
Opie said if both locations are presented, the Board of Finance might take a “global” approach to the sites, since the costs are similar, rather than choose one. In regard to site selection, Opie said “the RTM is going to battle that out.”
When the plans for the new fire headquarters were nearly complete in 2010, the project was almost scuttled as the RTM and its committees debated final approval. One issue at that time was whether to approve $600,000 for a three-year lease for a temporary home for the DPW. Both the fire headquarters and the DPW rental funding were approved. The DPW is now in the second year of that three-year lease.
“I just hope the RTM will take the time to learn the needs of the department,” Baker said at Tuesday’s meeting.
The committee asked Alberti to prepare written information for town officials, and also to prepare a formal presentation. The committee will continue discussions at a special meeting Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Canoe Brook Center.
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