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ANNUAL TOWN REPORT 2008

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

On Mapleshade Avenue, the department replaced a stream culvert beneath the roadway.  Extensive stormwater improvements were made on High Meadow circle.  A section of stormwater main was re-laid on Albano Drive.

The department responded to 28 plugged sewer calls in addition to the regular cleaning and maintenance of the sanitary sewer system.

The Town’s fiber optic network was extended to include the Watchaug Pumping Station located off Pease Road.

Water System

There were 16 major water main breaks throughout the year, which were repaired by this department.

On Shaker Road between Denslow Road and the Connecticut line, we replaced old 6 inch water main with 1,990 feet of 12 inch water main and 350 feet of 8 inch water main. 

A new athletic field irrigation system was installed at Birchland Park School.

Construction of a new two million gallon water storage tank on Prospect Street was completed in 2008 and the tank was filled and is currently in service.  The existing 1.5 million gallon storage tank was modified in order to help in maintaining the quality of safe drinking water that we supply to the Town.  We have now increased our storage capacity to three and one half million gallons of water, enough for over two days use should an emergency threaten Cobble Mountain Reservoir which is our source of water.

Highways & Parks/Grounds

The Elm Street Reconstruction Project has seen progress towards becoming a reality.  Engineering plans have been modified and finalized, and are before MassHighway for final review.  The project has been placed on the local TIP (Transportation Improvement Projects) listing for Federal Funding in 2009 for the majority of funds needed.  This project will include a full reconstruction of Elm Street, a new storm drainage system and a new sidewalk from the Center Square Rotary to the Springfield City Line.

At Mapleshade School, the soccer fields were renovated and the softball field was relocated.  The department resurfaced the “track” at the High School.

As part of a continuing effort to improve the safety and drivability of our Town’s roads, the Department of Public Works resurfaced the following roadways:  the Center Square Rotary, Maynard Street, Redstone Drive, Somersville Road, James Street, Franconia Circle (portion), Ridge Road (portion), Tracy Lane, South Brook Road, Crestview Road, Meadowlark Drive, Country Club Drive, Ridgewood Road and High Meadow Circle.

Building Facilities Maintenance Division

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

Town Hall:

Installed a new 97% efficiency gas boiler (Veissmann)

Renovated back stairwell to second floor

New windows and ADA entry in conference room area

Police Department:

New ADA entry doors at the main entrance

New ADA showers in locker room area

Refurbish locker room with new 24” wide units and installed new VCT Tile floor

Install a new 97% efficiency gas boiler (Veissmann) and remove existing electrical heat

Council on Aging:

Install new windows and interior / exterior trim

Renovate director’s office with new office cabinets, desk units and carpeting

Installed new “walk in” cooler / freezer in kitchen area

Fabricate three concrete ADA ramps to double door entry areas

Install new concrete loading dock w/patio

Renovate conference room with new hardwood floors, cabinetry and wainscoting

New VOIP phones for offices and new data system throughout building

New wiring and lighting fixtures

Fire Station:

New 40-year architectural roof installed

Pine Knoll:

Parking lot preparations on front property; tree & stump removal and roadway improvements

Rebuild bunk houses (roofs, wiring & emergency lighting, ventilation, siding, footings)

Installed new grills for barbeques

Installed ADA accessible ramps

Pool House/ Filter Room - new electrical wiring, new locker rooms w/ADA ramps, new restrooms w/fixtures, new restroom partitions and floors in men’s and women’s room, new plumbing throughout building

Construct new Activity building on existing foundation with new garage doors

Meadowbrook School:

Clean ductwork in the entire plant

Install new gym dividing door

Install fire door magnets

Update plumbing system entire plant (new toilet fixtures, new slop sinks, flush valves)

Install new water drinking fountains

Install new air compressor for pneumatic controls

Rebuild café and gym air handling units

Install new lighting in all classrooms and hallways

Mountainview School:

Clean ductwork in the entire plant

Install new fire door magnets

Repair stucco on exterior of kitchen

Mapleshade School:

Clean Ductwork in the entire plant

Install new fire door magnets

New ADA ramp at main entry doors

Install new parking lot lighting

New asphalt for entire parking lot

Update plumbing system to provide hot water to all classrooms

Install new faucets and drinking faucets in each classroom

Install new main exhaust fan and wire unit

Birchland Park School:

Clean Ductwork in the entire plant

High School:

Clean Ductwork in the entire plant

Replace the oil tank in boiler room #2 (10,000 gal.)

Replace the oil tank in boiler room #1 (20,000 gal.)

Replace boilers in room #2 with dual fuel burners

Install new fire alarm system throughout entire plant

New ADA hardware to finish all doors in the facility

Install new football goal posts on practice field

Heritage Park:

Strip off existing shingles and re-roof dugouts

DPW Service Building:

New Roof

Installed new exterior lighting on all buildings

 

Personnel/Miscellaneous

 The Redstone Rail Trail project continues to move forward and the multipurpose bicycle/pedestrian trail should be under construction in the summer of 2009.  The Federal government has committed the funds through the Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act program and MassHighway completed their multiple reviews of the plans and put the project out to bid in December of 2008 with a proposed bid opening scheduled for February of 2009. 

The Knowlton Transfer Station currently accepts yard waste, brush, metal items, wood items, used motor oil, fluorescent bulbs and mercury containing items.  Hazardous items such as televisions, computers and freon containing appliances (air conditioners, refrigerators and dehumidifiers) are currently being accepted at a nominal fee per item.  The Transfer Station is open Saturdays year round (9am to 5pm) and Wednesdays seasonally (mid-April through November).  “Recyclables” taken in during the year are as follows:

Batteries:

  

            NiCad

121 pounds

            Lead Acid

97 pounds

            Alkaline

74 pounds

Used Motor Oil:

2,334 gallons

Grass:

1973.01 tons

Leaves:

1268.25 tons

Brush:

1718.94 tons

Electronics:

42,500 pounds

            Large TV’s

48

            Small TV’s

102

            Air Conditioners

78

            Large Refrigerators

6

            Computers

33

            Monitors

85

            Microwaves

36

Bulk Items:

105.27 tons

Wood Items:

251.97 tons

Metal Items:

99.02

Fluorescent Lamps  

4,163 lineal feet

Compact Fluorescent Bulbs:

42 pieces

Senior Project Manager Sean Kelley was awarded a “Paul Winske” Access Award by the Stavros Foundation of the Pioneer Valley for his dedication to improving the accessibility of sidewalks for persons with visual and mobility impairments.

The department purchased two new utility vans for use by the building facilities electrician and plumber and two of our larger dump trucks were replaced.

We extend our thanks and congratulations to Secretary Lee Lessard who retired after 23 years of dedicated service. 

Darrell Keane was promoted from mechanic to equipment operator. 

There were five new hires to fill vacancies:

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