WESTFIELD – Progress on the design of the Council on Aging Senior Center may be measured by the number of municipal agencies and contractors being integrated into that process.
Wednesday that number increased as the project manager, Diversified Project Management of East Hartford, identified a number of issues which have to be resolved to bring the design to the level of detail needed for the Planning Board review, tentatively scheduled for January.
The Building Committee goal is to present the project to the Planning Board on Jan. 17 to begin the board’s review of a petition for approval of a special permit, site plan and stormwater management plan associated with the $7 million construction project.
The stormwater management plan not only includes detail of how stormwater will be managed on the Noble Street site, but also plans to relocate an existing stormwater line crossing under the proposed building. The line, which passes through an easement granted to the city for drainage of the Ely-Dolan apartments, is being moved to the northern border of the property.
City Engineer Mark Cressotti is slated to meet with project engineers to discuss the stormwater management plan, relocation of the existing stormwater line and water supply issues, issues that will require involvement by the city’s Law, Water Resource, and Public Works departments.
Cressotti said the Senior Center work should also be coordinated with the city’s planned Old Town street improvement project, which includes replacing undersized water mains and enhancing stormwater drainage lines, as well as paving streets and installing new sidewalks in the residential neighborhood around the project site.
Water pressure was one issue raised Wednesday in connection to the facility sprinkler system. The consultants said that a flow test was needed to confirm that there is sufficient pressure for the sprinkler system. That test would cost $1,650 if performed by a private contractor.
Cressotti said that he would discuss the requirement with Water Resource Department officials to determine if it could be performed by the city. The current plan is to install a 6-inch line from Murphy Circle, then later connect a second water line directly to the Noble Street main, after the Old Town improvements, to create a looped system.
The 20,000-square-foot, two-story building is being designed by a team of two architectural companies, Dietz & Company Architects of Springfield which is teaming up with Courtstreet Architects of Newton. Courtstreet has designed several senior centers constructed recently in the state.
Much of the Building Committee’s discussion continues to be focused on the project timeline, including permitting and when the project would be ready to advertise for construction. The most advantageous time to seek construction bids is early spring when contractors are lining up projects for the summer construction season.
City Purchaser Tammy Tefft said that advertising the project in early summer puts the city at a competitive disadvantage because many contractors will already have secured summer projects and would submit higher bids.
The committee anticipates a construction phase of 14 months beginning late next summer or early fall if the other milestones are met.
