HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-11-21-PBC-min.pdf TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
PERMANENT BUILDING COMMITTEE
Minutes of November 21 1991 Meetina in Room G-15, Town Office Building,
as approved for safety project (Page 1) only, January 16 , 1992 , and as
approved for school matters April 21 , 1992
The meeting was called to order at 7 45 p m by Chairman Kennedy
Present were other committee members Edson, Johnson and John Kennedy, as
well as consultant Brian Rowlands and Director of School Building
Operations John J Moynihan III Until 8 23 p m committee members (for
project involving protection facilities) Fire Chief Bergeron and
Lieutenant Ken Donnelly of the Fire Departmentas well as Town Manager
White and Firefighter Bob Cunha attended
Outline of Fire Protection Capital Improvement Proaram was sketched by
Town Manager and Chief Bergeron A five-year program is envisioned
year 1 , needs assessment; year 2 specifications and plans; year 3
project of some $million Town Manager suggested that the present two
fire stations might be consolidated into one more central location such
as the present school administration site An example of three
facilities serving a population of over 26,000 is in a new 26 square
mile special district composed of Osterville-Centerville-Marston Mills
at a cost of about $4 million (Lexington is 16 64 square miles) Among
the functions that could be incorporated in a new facility would be
training simulation and day care The consolidation would be a tough
political decision, according to several present
Among the ills of the present central fire station are lack of
facilities for females and handicapped people, poor heating, inadequate
space for training, and sagging floors under the engine parking area
Also noted that the station serves as a poor facility for Precinct 8
voting Built in 1948 on filled land, the building is taking water in
the boiler room Only minimum maintenance has been done recently (the
DPW budget that covers this is a lean one) The building needs some
investment for more effective firefighter job function, Town Manager
stated, calling the task a "nice meaty project" for the PBC
The East Lexington fire station is in 0 K condition except for needing
a new boiler To upgrade the central station, many issues must be
considered Is it worthwhile to build or rebuild at that location?
What should be the budget for the needs assessment? Whitman and Howard
estimated $30, 000 after a quick look-see Committee members noted that
the KLQ assessment for eight schools in 1986 cost $16,000 Edson
commented that $8, 000 to $10, 000 should be an adequate price to get a
good survey of needs The PBC could help prepare the Request for
Proposal and evaluate the bids it produces Chief Bergeron offered to
obtain the documents from Needham who recently had their new facility
constructed by Seaman Bratko (as did Burlington) Also he recommended
the committee inspect the present facilities, accompanied by a town
Engineer
The decision on whether to house the Fire Department at one or two sites
will involve many town departments such as police and schools Cost to
renovate and upgrade the present fire facility may impel the decision
In the early ' 60s the town even bought land near the Old Reservoir for a
third fire station!
PBC Minutes 11/21/91 - Page 2
Minutes of October 24 1991 Committee meeting were approved as amended
Field House Roof depositions have been given by Town Manager White,
Brian Rowlands and Chairman Kennedy The case hopefully will go to
court by early 1992 Ryan is Morello's insurance company attorney
Committee members wondered out loud if Morello has adequate insurance,
why room leaked originally (sky lights?) Cohen is Briggs ' attorney
Craig Stuart of Palmer & Dodge is working with Brian Rowlands on
preparation of the case Moynihan reported that the roof now leaks only
on the track area
Noted that the PVC done by Morello stopped short and should have gone
under the next layer Apparently Morello used a subcontractor on the
shingled part of the roof
Contentions with J P are mounting to $509,000 in claims against the Town
by the construction company Committee expressed concern that the town
receive expert advice from someone who knows the ins and outs of
construction, and that this person be aboard early enough to help on
strategy and estimate of the town' s exposure for various strategies
Legal fees are likely to cost $50, 000 to $100,000 Brian Rowlands is
now pinning down details of change-orders, payments and discrepancies
Committee is concerned because J P has a history of winning The total
J P contract was for $1 6 million, which could have escalated to about
$1 9 million in extras and change orders
Valves installed backward at Diamond are still a concern, about which
Moynihan has sent a letter to Chartwell What can be cone to correct
the situation Amtech will look at it The installer, Soloco was out
two times ESS Marlboro controls person complained about the problem
but somehow it was not included in the punch list Rowlands said he
will get the engineer our to inspect Estimated that four hours ' work
would be required to fix Three of the six heating units are now in
use
Rowlands reported that the School Building Assistance Board has
requested full documentation again on the entire renovation project
Meeting adjourned at 9 35 p m until Thursday December 26th for fire
facilities inspection at 7 30 a m and Thursday evening January 16, 1992
for a formal meeting of the committee
Respectfully submitted,
Erna S Greene, Secretary
to the Committee