Finance Committee Meets with Parks and Rec., Public Works Committees over Local Projects
The Baldwin Parking Lot off of Elm Street received funding for its reconstruction, with lack of drainage cited as one of the reasons. The new lot will use recycled materials from the former lot, and will incorporate a rain garden as a way to manage water runoff. WestportLocal.com photoTonight’s RTM Finance Committee meeting consisted of six agenda items to be discussed with the Parks and Recreation committee or the Public Works Committee, and one independently. By the end of the meeting, Parks and Rec Director Jenn Fava received the thumbs-up from Finance Committee and Parks and Recreation Committee members for just over a half million dollars, while Public Works Director Pete Ratkiewitch received a nod for just over two million dollars. Finance Director Gary Conrad couldn’t receive an okay due to a loss of quorum by the Finance Committee, but his discussion on the state of Westport’s finances were promising to committee members.
Joint Finance and Parks & Recreation Meeting
Agenda Item 1. Upon the request of the Director of Parks and Recreation, to approve an appropriation of $436,000.00 to the Capital and Non-Recurring Account #31508810-500339-10121 for Improvements to Riverside Park.
Approved unanimously by both groups.
Parks and Recreation director Jennifer Fava presented the plan for Riverside Park with Steve Edwards, Westport’s retired Public Works Director who has been brought in as a consultant. “This will allow people to enjoy the riverfront and to make some ecological improvements” she said in the presentation. The park, which covers about 6.5 acres about one half mile away from the Riverside Avenue/Treadwell Avenue intersection, was described as a “beautiful piece of land that has been neglected all these years” by RTM member Louis Mall, who was excited about the developments.
Fava answered security questions from RTM member Sal Liccione, describing that they could look into putting in blue light stations - which include cameras - to the tune of about $38,000. RTM member Bill Jaffe brought up the overall department, asking if the project “was just low hanging fruit, or if its really going to bring the most pleasure to the most people” citing other projects like Baron’s South that could use the capital funding more. Fava described a parks master plan being designed and acted on that would answer Jaffe’s questions.
The Riverside Park will include three sections - and will incorporate walking trails, vista points, and will add in pollinator gardens while getting rid of invasive species. The park is being planned in three sections, each with its own purpose - like section 3 that Steve Edwards described as “difficult, with lots of rocks and invasive species to remove. But I can see kids running through the meadow and enjoying it.”
Agenda Item 2. Upon the request of the Director of Parks and Recreation, to approve an appropriation of $95,000.00 to the Capital and Non-Recurring Account #31508810-500345-10122 for Professional Services related to the Longshore Capital Improvement Plan.
Approved unanimously by both groups.
Fava again presented on the Town’s recent approval of a bid submitted by Standtech Consulting Services based out of New Haven to assist the Department in not only collecting public input and creating a master plan for Longshore, but also executing the plan. Some of the master plan items include a warming hut, pool improvements, and looking into adding more docking spaces. “We’re competing with private clubs, so this is an investment” said RTM member Chris Tait.
Standtech was chosen out of 8 proposals, which ranged from $69,500 to $122,000. Fava cited their ability to do all work in house, their wide breadth of services available, and their stellar references from other towns and projects - like Silver Sands State Park in Milford and Greenwich Point Park. They estimated the consulting work for the master plan to take about six months, not exceeding $95,000.
Joint Finance and Public Works Committees
Agenda Item 3. Upon the request of the Director of Public Works, to approve an appropriation of $1,492,000.00 along with bond and note authorization to the Municipal Improvement Fund Account 30503310-500337-10119 for the reconstruction of the Baldwin Lot (accessed from Elm Street).
Approved unanimously by both groups
“It’s in dire need of repair” Public Works Director Pete Ratkiewitch said to the committees while showing a presentation of the Baldwin Lot’s current state. He cited that the lot does not confirm to current Planning and Zoning regulations, and that draining systems are “marginally functional”, evident by heavy flooding and pooling in the lower grades of the lot during rain storms.
The new parking lot will lose about 30 parking spaces, totaling 173 spaces instead of the current 203. However Ratkiewitch added that 72 of the current spaces are now in the 25 year flood zone, while the new parking lot would only have 22 in the flood zone.
The lot will go out to bid sometime in October with work beginning as soon as February - with plans to be complete by the summer shopping seasons. The new lot will incorporate recycled materials from the old lot, and will even utilize a rain garden feature in the current flood-prone area to assist in water treatment prior to storm basin collection. He also described electric vehicle charging stations and blue light indicators for emergencies.
When asked about the former talks about creating a parking deck above the current lot, Ratkiewich said that “nothing that we are doing that would preclude the construction of a second deck, but nothing in this plan that is accomodating that. “
Agenda Item 4. Upon the request of the Director of Public Works, to approve an appropriation of $290,600.00 along with bond and note authorization to the Municipal Improvement Fund Account 30503310-500339-10120 for funding Westport’s share of the Construction and Engineering expenses to replace the Cavalry Road Bridge over the West Branch of the Aspetuck River.
Public Works Committee approves Unanimously
Finance Committee unable to vote due to loss of quorum
The bridge, which splits between both Weston and Westport, was in such disrepair that “the State was going to take jurisdiction” due to its deterioration. A project on the minds of the two towns for nearly 15 years, the construction began in March with Weston managing it, “we’re basically reimbursing [Weston]" Ratkiewitch said as he described that they would be paying for the project and expecting Westport’s funding. The split of the project is about 73%/27% - with Westport paying the majority due to a larger grand list, a practice that State statute describes when cost sharing between municipalities. “It could be 75%” Ratkiewich added, citing our grand list growing recently.
The project is expected to cost somewhere around $1.7 million - with Westport’s share being around $290,000 after grants/other funds are factored in. The bridge’s repairs are expected to be done this season.
Agenda Item 5. Upon the request of the Director of Public Works, to approve an appropriation of $220,000.00 along with bond and note authorization to the Municipal Improvement Fund Account 30503310-500335-10117 for the purchase of one Four Wheel Drive Front End Loader.’
Public Works Committee approves unanimously
Finance Committee unable to vote due to loss of quorum
Mr. Ratkiewitch continued with his next agenda item, where he asked for $220,000 to replace an aging 2006 front loader.
The heavy duty piece of machinery is used in areas such as the Bayberry Lane brush pile and is a frontline vehicle due to its importance during major storms or other disasters. Due to its age, pieces of the machine are beginning to rot out - the most important being its rollover protection system. The system was repaired temporarily, but a full replacement and repair would be nearly $50,000, “if we can even find the parts.” he added.
The old machine will be auctioned off, with RTM member Christine Meiers Schatz asking how much it could be worth. With a value of around $25,000, whatever it would bring would be put into its purchase, Ratkiewitch confirmed.
Agenda Item 6. Upon the request of the Director of Public Works, to approve an appropriation of $154,000.00 to the Capital and Non-Recurring Account 31503310-500336-10118 for the purchase and installation of standard street furniture in the Downtown Area.
Public Works Committee approves Unanimously
Finance Committee unable to vote due to loss of quorum
Ratkiewitch ended his series of presentations by speaking about the Downtown Area street furniture to be purchased. The furniture was decided upon by member of the Downtown Association, as well as the Village District and Architectural Review Boards to assure it conforms with the aesthetics of the downtown area, as well as being structurally appropriate.
The downtown area can expect to see new benches, trash receptacles, bike stands, cafe tables, and picnic tables popping up throughout the next few seasons as they go for approval at the RTM level. The current benches were donated by David Waldman about 15 years ago, members said.
Finance Committee only
Agenda Item 7. Upon the request of the Finance Director, to approve an appropriation in the amount of $42,000.00 into Hurricane Isaias Accounts 10101980 – Project 10005, to cover additional storm expenses incurred.
Finance Committee unable to vote due to loss of quorum
Although unable to vote, Director of Finance Gary Conrad described a $42,000 request to help pay for Hurricane Isaias expenses. Westport has requested approximately $1.2 million from FEMA to cover expenses, making the $42,000 “basically a loan” until FEMA approves and disburses funds to the Town. Present members said they would approve of the funding if they had a quorum.
While present, Conrad also gave a general synopsis of the Town’s finances - with an overall positive demeanor as he spoke of projects like Longshore’s newest tenants and an influx in building permits and tax conveyance fees from property transfers. The new Hook’d On the Sound restaurant group was performing positively, according to Conrad, who then spoke about the recent opening of La Plage at Longshore, which he said “seems to be working very well” citing personal experience with the group running the new waterfront restaurant.
When asked about by RTM member Jessica Bram about any costs associated with moving to virtual workplaces, Conrad said “We basically only missed a couple of days” and continued to say “It prepared everybody in case of disaster.” The Town of Westport found itself in a coincidental good position to transition to working from home so rapidly, as the Town has been updating systems to be fully virtual throughout the past decade - allowing most functions to be done completely from home. “Everything went very smoothly.” Conrad concluded.