January 23, 2008
1. Call to Order
The Killingworth Reservoir Road Bridge Engineer Review Committee held a special meeting on Wednesday, January 23, 2008, at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth. In attendance were Edward Coppola, Steve Durdy, Paul McGuinness and Peter Venuti. Kurt Weiss arrived during the meeting. Chairman Coppola called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM and welcomed new member Peter Venuti.
2. Election of Officers
Motion Durdy, seconded by McGuinness, to nominate Edward Coppola as Chairman. SO VOTED. Motion by McGuinness, seconded by Venuti, to nominate Steve Durdy as Vice Chairman. SO VOTED. Motion by Durdy, second by Venuti, to nominate Paul McGuinness as Secretary. SO VOTED.
4. Visitors
First Selectman Richard Cabral, Joseph Cermola III (Cardinal Engineering), James Sylva (Sylva Engineering acting as Structural Consultant to Cardinal) and Delores Sansing from Reservoir Road were all present. Jerry Sansing arrived during the meeting.
First Selectman Cabral noted he apologized to the members for not coming to the Committee first with the temporary fix idea for the bridge. There are some snags but he felt they could be solved. He voiced his displeasure in an article that recently appeared on the Killingworth Today website from one of Killingworth's citizens attacking this committee. Mr. Cabral noted it is very hard to get individuals to serve as volunteers on committees and it is unfortunate this individual probably did not have all the facts.
5. Review and Discussion of Concrete Form Liners
Steve Durdy reviewed a catalog of concrete form liners and railings supplied by CJM. Jim Sylva reviewed pricing ($45.00 per square foot for form liners). They reviewed a couple of different options, either doing just the retaining walls or both the retaining walls and the end walls. A total of 306 square feet would cost approximately $13,770 with $2,700 being added to the Town's cost of the project. There was much discussion regarding the visible look of what is exposed. Peter Venuti asked if this was a preformed wing wall. Mr. Sylva noted it was cast in place.
Joe Cermola gave a status update on the progress of the plans and permit process. It will probably take CJM about a month to review the 70 percent design once they receive it sometime in February.
Motion by Durdy, second by McGuinness, that the Committee recommends the Board of Selectmen consider funding the additional cost to include the concrete form liners and design of the Reservoir Road Bridge based on the nominal cost to the town and the long term impact and notify Cardinal Engineering in writing of the final decision and selection. Discussion followed regarding the visual impact of the bridge railing. SO VOTED.
6. Visitor Peter Venuti - Review and Discussion of Temporary Roadway Concept
Chairman Coppola corrected the Agenda which states Mr. Venuti is a visitor. He is actually now a member of this Committee. Mr. Venuti noted he attempted to come up with a temporary solution using drag line mats which are used to cross peat bogs and wet spots. They come in various lengths and relieve ground pressure. In conversations back and forth between Mr. Venuti and Mr. Sylva, they came up with the possibility of using drag line mats set on mafia blocks. Using concrete rebar would add cost to the project whereas using the drag line mats would not. The drag line mats could just be loaded on to a truck and removed Mr. Venuti briefly reviewed the process of using the drag line mats. There was discussion regarding the use of a timber bridge. Chairman Coppola also noted part of the consideration with regard to a temporary solution is the fact that this bridge is not scheduled to be completed until the end of 2009, so that's another two years. There was discussion regarding the possibility of the pipes collapsing. It was noted the pipes are not structurally adequate by themselves, they need the soil around them. It was confirmed the Board of Selectmen closed the bridge due to structural deficiency as recommended by the State Bridge Safety. Mr. Venuti noted he could also talk to Blakeslee Pre-stress about using a pre-stress beam. Using pre-stress was reviewed.
Chairman Coppola noted the options were using Douglas Fir on mafia blocks or pre-stress beams. Mr. Venuti will look into the cost of using cast in place with reinforced slab. In summary, the concept is for a 30 foot span for an H10 load, Douglas Fir beam or pre-stress beam and a 12 foot width for one lane.
7. Reports and Progress to Date - none.
8. Review and Discussion of Past Correspondence, Reports and Minutes
Motion by McGuinness, second by Coppola, to approve May 16, 2007 Minutes amended as follows -
Under 5., 22nd paragraph, change last sentence to read, "He also noted he was collecting petitions from local residents to that effect."
SO VOTED w/Durdy and Venuti abstaining.
Motion by Durdy, second by McGuinness, to approve July 18, 2007 Minutes as written.
SO VOTED w/Weiss and Venuti abstaining.
Motion by Durdy, second by Weiss, to approve November 7, 2007 Minutes as written.
SO VOTED w/Venuti and McGuinness abstaining.
Correspondence -
Letter received from Cardinal Engineering dated November 30, 2007 to First Selectman Cabral outlining status of the Reservoir Road Bridge Project.
Letter from First Selectman Cabral to Joseph Cermola dated January 4, 2008 authorizing Cardinal Engineering to proceed with the final design of replacement of the Reservoir Road Bridge.
Memo dated December 6, 2007 from Town of Killingworth Town Clerk reminding the Committee to file a 2008 Meeting Schedule. Chairman Coppola noted he sent a notice to the Town Clerk that meetings are held on an as needed basis and will be conducted as Special Meetings.
Email from Lou Fronte that he would not accept his reappointment to this Committee.
Copy of Notice of the November 15, 2007 Public Meeting.
Copy of the Killingworth Today article regarding the opening of a one lane bridge.
Email Chairman Coppola sent to all Committee members regarding membership.
Email Chairman Coppola sent to all Committee members indicating that Bret Stark has indicated that CJM has received design approval from Conn. DOT.
Copy of Killingworth Today article Letter to the Editor dated 1/18/08.
9. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted
The Killingworth Reservoir Road Bridge Engineer Review Committee held a special meeting on Wednesday, January 23, 2008, at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth. In attendance were Edward Coppola, Steve Durdy, Paul McGuinness and Peter Venuti. Kurt Weiss arrived during the meeting. Chairman Coppola called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM and welcomed new member Peter Venuti.
2. Election of Officers
Motion Durdy, seconded by McGuinness, to nominate Edward Coppola as Chairman. SO VOTED. Motion by McGuinness, seconded by Venuti, to nominate Steve Durdy as Vice Chairman. SO VOTED. Motion by Durdy, second by Venuti, to nominate Paul McGuinness as Secretary. SO VOTED.
4. Visitors
First Selectman Richard Cabral, Joseph Cermola III (Cardinal Engineering), James Sylva (Sylva Engineering acting as Structural Consultant to Cardinal) and Delores Sansing from Reservoir Road were all present. Jerry Sansing arrived during the meeting.
First Selectman Cabral noted he apologized to the members for not coming to the Committee first with the temporary fix idea for the bridge. There are some snags but he felt they could be solved. He voiced his displeasure in an article that recently appeared on the Killingworth Today website from one of Killingworth's citizens attacking this committee. Mr. Cabral noted it is very hard to get individuals to serve as volunteers on committees and it is unfortunate this individual probably did not have all the facts.
5. Review and Discussion of Concrete Form Liners
Steve Durdy reviewed a catalog of concrete form liners and railings supplied by CJM. Jim Sylva reviewed pricing ($45.00 per square foot for form liners). They reviewed a couple of different options, either doing just the retaining walls or both the retaining walls and the end walls. A total of 306 square feet would cost approximately $13,770 with $2,700 being added to the Town's cost of the project. There was much discussion regarding the visible look of what is exposed. Peter Venuti asked if this was a preformed wing wall. Mr. Sylva noted it was cast in place.
Joe Cermola gave a status update on the progress of the plans and permit process. It will probably take CJM about a month to review the 70 percent design once they receive it sometime in February.
Motion by Durdy, second by McGuinness, that the Committee recommends the Board of Selectmen consider funding the additional cost to include the concrete form liners and design of the Reservoir Road Bridge based on the nominal cost to the town and the long term impact and notify Cardinal Engineering in writing of the final decision and selection. Discussion followed regarding the visual impact of the bridge railing. SO VOTED.
6. Visitor Peter Venuti - Review and Discussion of Temporary Roadway Concept
Chairman Coppola corrected the Agenda which states Mr. Venuti is a visitor. He is actually now a member of this Committee. Mr. Venuti noted he attempted to come up with a temporary solution using drag line mats which are used to cross peat bogs and wet spots. They come in various lengths and relieve ground pressure. In conversations back and forth between Mr. Venuti and Mr. Sylva, they came up with the possibility of using drag line mats set on mafia blocks. Using concrete rebar would add cost to the project whereas using the drag line mats would not. The drag line mats could just be loaded on to a truck and removed Mr. Venuti briefly reviewed the process of using the drag line mats. There was discussion regarding the use of a timber bridge. Chairman Coppola also noted part of the consideration with regard to a temporary solution is the fact that this bridge is not scheduled to be completed until the end of 2009, so that's another two years. There was discussion regarding the possibility of the pipes collapsing. It was noted the pipes are not structurally adequate by themselves, they need the soil around them. It was confirmed the Board of Selectmen closed the bridge due to structural deficiency as recommended by the State Bridge Safety. Mr. Venuti noted he could also talk to Blakeslee Pre-stress about using a pre-stress beam. Using pre-stress was reviewed.
Chairman Coppola noted the options were using Douglas Fir on mafia blocks or pre-stress beams. Mr. Venuti will look into the cost of using cast in place with reinforced slab. In summary, the concept is for a 30 foot span for an H10 load, Douglas Fir beam or pre-stress beam and a 12 foot width for one lane.
7. Reports and Progress to Date - none.
8. Review and Discussion of Past Correspondence, Reports and Minutes
Motion by McGuinness, second by Coppola, to approve May 16, 2007 Minutes amended as follows -
Under 5., 22nd paragraph, change last sentence to read, "He also noted he was collecting petitions from local residents to that effect."
SO VOTED w/Durdy and Venuti abstaining.
Motion by Durdy, second by McGuinness, to approve July 18, 2007 Minutes as written.
SO VOTED w/Weiss and Venuti abstaining.
Motion by Durdy, second by Weiss, to approve November 7, 2007 Minutes as written.
SO VOTED w/Venuti and McGuinness abstaining.
Correspondence -
Letter received from Cardinal Engineering dated November 30, 2007 to First Selectman Cabral outlining status of the Reservoir Road Bridge Project.
Letter from First Selectman Cabral to Joseph Cermola dated January 4, 2008 authorizing Cardinal Engineering to proceed with the final design of replacement of the Reservoir Road Bridge.
Memo dated December 6, 2007 from Town of Killingworth Town Clerk reminding the Committee to file a 2008 Meeting Schedule. Chairman Coppola noted he sent a notice to the Town Clerk that meetings are held on an as needed basis and will be conducted as Special Meetings.
Email from Lou Fronte that he would not accept his reappointment to this Committee.
Copy of Notice of the November 15, 2007 Public Meeting.
Copy of the Killingworth Today article regarding the opening of a one lane bridge.
Email Chairman Coppola sent to all Committee members regarding membership.
Email Chairman Coppola sent to all Committee members indicating that Bret Stark has indicated that CJM has received design approval from Conn. DOT.
Copy of Killingworth Today article Letter to the Editor dated 1/18/08.
9. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted
