SOUTHWICK – Repairs to the Department of Public Works (DPW) heating and cooling system is set to cost the town just under $7,000.
A problem was detected with the failed system last fall.
Upon inspection, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds John Westcott discovered an even bigger problem, which is also a concern for Fire Chief Richard Anderson. Westcott said it appears there was a fire that burnt out the boilers, possibly in January of 2012.
“The compressor was not wired in,” Westcott told the Board of Selectmen in September. “We discovered they didn’t install any safety valves or switches going to the boiler – somebody had to wire past it,” he said.
Anderson said there is a major problem with the alarm system, as well, which is why no one knew there was a fire.
Westcott said one of the issues is the air.
“There is approximately 40 square-feet of air going out in the building, but it can only take in eight,” Westcott said.
The town is working with Englewood Construction, the contractor who revamped the building after the town purchased it from the former Suburban Chevrolet, as well an an independent inspector and B&G, the town’s contracted HVAC service provider.
DPW Director Jeffrey Neece said this week the $6,800 in costs to the town include a new fresh air intake, inspection service and a five-ton air handling unit. The rest of the cost to remedy the problem will be absorbed by the contractor.
Neece said the five-ton air unit will alleviate much of the problem on the cooling side.
“We have a 10-ton unit in an area that doesn’t even require five tons,” said Neece. “It builds up ice all the time.”
Neece told selectmen that Englewood is owed a payment for the work it did, which was held while deciding what to do about the system failure. Now that the issue has been resolved, Neece said Englewood “will be looking for their final payment.”
Neece said the work would likely be completed quickly once the payment is received.
