To:                  Western Coventry Fire District Board of Directors

Subject:           NEW FIRE STATION BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT

Date:               February 17, 2009

1.      The building committee has met on four occasions since the last report of January 22.

2.      The major focus of recent attention has been given to ensuring that the impact of the unfortunate death of our highly respected architect, Roland Robert, is minimized.  Roland’s firm, Prout Robert & Elias Architects, has since introduced the committee to registered architect Joseph McPhee who is providing the necessary follow through as a consultant to PR&E and who may carry the project to completion if WCFD agrees with Mr. McPhee’s proposal.  Mr. McPhee has his own architectural firm.  A registered architect must be assigned to the project in order to acquire the necessary certification of the project.

3.      The shingled roof has been completed with the exception of the main entrance cover.  (See attached photograph.)

4.      The major challenge for the contractor at this time is the defrosting of the interior grade so that the installation of the radiant heat piping and fabrication of the slab floor can begin.  Wall openings are being closed off with plastic sheeting and portable heating units are being used.

5.      The well has been certified.  After 5 hrs. at 35 gallons per minute of constant flow, the water level in the 300 ft. well dropped only 54 ft.  This is a phenomenal well and may have greater use to WCFD than just for domestic purposes.  Arrangements will be made for water quality testing after all plumbing to the building is completed.

6.      The original location chosen for the sprinkler system cistern is problematic in that ledge is present at a shallow depth.  Ledge removal is a costly, additional proposition.  Various options to mitigate cost are being explored.

7.      Unfortunately, DOT, working with Waterman Engineering has yet to finish its review of the physical alteration permit.  Vacation taking, insufficient man power and work load are being stated as DOT’s reasons for the delay.  The Coventry Planning Dept. will not release the project to the building official’s office for issuance of a building permit until DOT grants the PAP.  The building official will not perform any inspections until the building permit has been issued. The contractor will leave all critical areas open for inspection and the building official has stated that he typically also relies on project engineering certification.  All other prerequisites for a building permit have been met.

8.      With the approval of six change orders and several other change proposals pending, the construction cost estimate is presently at $1,830,932.  The present estimated soft cost total is $228,881.  The balance of the $2.2M budget is presently $140,187.  It is hoped that most of this balance will be available for furniture, equipment and landscaping.

Respectfully,

Committee: John Humble (C), Kent Novak, Richard Holt, Chief Pomfret, Joe Tatro, Glenn Underwood