WESTFIELD – The Board of Public Works awarded two contracts Tuesday night totaling $11,600 for an investigation of erosion problems being caused by the city’s stormwater system in two neighborhoods.
The board authorized contract for professional services with Woodard & Curran to provide engineering and environmental services to resolve the erosion issues related to stormwater outfalls in the Crescent Circle and Crawford Drive neighborhoods.
Casey Berube, who manages the city’s stormwater program at the Department of Public Works, said the Crescent Circle drainage issue is a chronic problem and is further complicated by the fact that there is a wetland and buffer zone in the area of erosion.
“There is a question if the outfall is on private property,” Berube said. “There was a blowout which created a large washout.”
The soil washed out of the gully may have an environmental impact on a nearby wetland and buffer zone. Berube said the city’s Conservation Department has been notified of the situation.
Woodard & Curran will assess the stormwater drainage system, including the size of the storm pipes to determine if they are adequate during heavy storms as well as the outfall and area of erosion.
“Some sort of energy dissipation system may have to be installed to slow down the water,” Berube said.
City Engineer Mark Cressotti said the Crestwood Circle storm drainage outfall is located in a valley and that access with heavy equipment will be limited.
The Crawford Drive erosion issue is being caused by the collection of stormwater on Falley Drive and Steiger Drive. That water enters a detention basin with an outfall onto private property at the end of Glenwood Drive.
Woodard & Curran will determine if the city’s stormwater is causing the erosion of if there is another source of water contributing to the erosion problem.
“Both of the projects were initiated because residents contacted the city,” Berube said. “The Crescent Circle issue has been a chronic problem.”
The BPW also approved two change order with ET&L Construction Company of Stow for additional work on the Columbia Greenway and the Esplanade at the junction of the Columbia Greenway and the Westfield Levee Riverwalk.
The Columbia Greenway change order for $18,000 was submitted for “out of scope” work added to the project. The additional items, being installed to accommodate the privacy of residents abutting the current phase of work between East Silver and Main street, includes additional installation of railings and landscaping, including shrubbery.
The Esplanade work includes installation of additional four-inch conduit and electrical controls at an additional cost of $10,000.
Cressotti said the plan was changed to use existing structures, abandoned by the Westfield Gas & Electric Department, at a considerable cost savings.
Former Mayor Daniel M. Knapik and Cressotti sent a letter to the Municipal Light Board thanking the municipal utility staff for working in conjunction with the Engineering Department and contractor on several projects, including the Esplanade, which cut construction costs by $250,000
