WCFD Building Committee Meeting

24 February, 2009

Topics to be included for discussion:

1.     Recap of 17 February meeting

a.     Richard Holt, Kent Novak, Chief Pomfret, Joe Tatro and John Humble present. Also present was Rick Amaral of Alhambra Building Co., Arthur Mercure of Northern Site Contractors and architect Joseph McPhee.

b.    Change order #6 was signed by Kent Novak with copies provided to Rick Amaral and Joseph McPhee.

c.     With the unanimous approval of a motion made by Kent Novak and seconded by Richard Holt, the Feb. 12, ’09 Geisser Engineering invoice for $1,851.70 was approved for payment.

d.    Joseph McPhee explained to the committee some of the outstanding billing and contractual arrangements that PR&E has with engineering support firms that have yet to be organized and reconciled.

e.     Joseph McPhee submitted for the committee’s review, a draft copy of an agreement that could be established between J. McPhee Architects, Inc. and WCFD that would indemnify and hold harmless J. McPhee, Inc. for the design by PR&E but would hold J. McPhee Architects, Inc. accountable for the remaining construction administration.  

f.      Joseph McPhee agreed to verify that PR&E’s insurance policy does in fact provide for a “ten year tail design liability” policy rider. 

g.     Joseph McPhee stated that he had begun discussing with the Coventry building official the modification to the wording of the Project Certification form as required by RI Building Code 128.0 so that the form accommodates the change in certifying architect.  A draft of the form was submitted for committee review along with a blank copy of AIA G704-2000, Certification of Substantial Completion.

h.     Joseph McPhee is also obtaining guidance from his attorney and local offices of architectural agencies in order to establish the correct procedure for the reassignment of architectural services.

i.       Rick Amaral explained that, given the extreme cold weather for the past few weeks, the frozen grade inside the building will cause the substantial completion date to be pushed out to mid June.  A complete thawing and drying of the building’s interior ground must take place before the radiant heat plumbing and slab floor can be installed.  Portable gas heaters are and can be continued to be used but Alhambra has exhausted its base bid fuel allotment for winter conditions.  Rick Amaral will provide a quote for continuing the heating of the interior spaces with portable heaters for the committee’s review. The committee acknowledged the importance of following the proper procedures and conditions for installing the radiant heat and slab and that is was not willing to jeopardizing the integrity of the project by moving forward too quickly.  According to Rick Amaral, Alhambra is willing to be tolerant of reasonable construction delays.

j.       John Humble reported that he had been in e-mail contact with Richard Lipsitz of Waterman engineering regarding the status of the PAP.  Robin Walsh of DOT provided for Waterman on Jan. 11, a written response to Waterman’s Jan. 5 response to DOT’s Oct. 31 initial written comments.  Waterman has since responded in writing once again to DOT and awaits DOT’s reply.

k.     Much discussion ensued regarding the availability of cistern tank joint sealing designs.  Chief Pomfret expressed the departments experience with faulty tanks and his requirement for a reliable, leak free system.  It was Arthur Mercure’s opinion that a horizontal seal design that relies on the weight of the concrete tank’s sections is more reliable than a vertically sealed design.  However, according to Arthur Mercure, a tank that meets the 13,000 gl. water storage capacity needed for the sprinkler system is not available that utilizes horizontal seam construction.  Mr. Mercure’s recommendation is to install two 7,000 gl. tanks having horizontal seams with interconnecting plumbing.  With the unanimous approval of a motion made by Joe Taro and seconded by Richard Holt, it was agreed that the two tank system should be installed.

l.       The committee discussed the first three exploratory holes excavated by Northern Site Contractors within the proposed area of the cistern system per the current site design.  On average, ledge was exposed 7’ bellow grade.  A 13’ deep by 34’ by 12’ hole is necessary.  In an effort to avoid the additional cost for ledge removal, NSC had been requested to excavate a fourth exploratory hole mid way along the outer edge of the south side of the pervious parking area.  No ledge was found within a depth of 12’.  Arthur Mercue stated that given the addition of material for the designed elevation of the parking area, the cistern can be located in this area with the probability of ledge not being an issue albeit that the fourth exploratory hole was not to the full length and width needed for the tanks.  Some additional charges will have to be incurred by WCFD for the slight increase in the length of pipe and electrical service.  The installation of bollards to protect the pump house will also be an addition to the site design.  The committee agreed to the cistern location revision.  Arthur Mercure agreed to construct the necessary fill completely around the cistern as required for frost protection.

m.  The committee agreed that the original location for the cistern would be an appropriate location for the propane tank slab, thus allowing for the last utility pole location being reinstated to just beyond the north east corner of the building.  This pole location would eliminate the need for CP 018, +$6,096.  Bollards to protect the propane tank will be an additional requirement.  It was also agreed that the possibility of running the gas line through the building rather than burring it in a trench around the east side of the building should be investigated.

n.     The possibility of running the dedicated fire pump electrical service through the building from the last utility pole was also discussed.

o.    Joseph McPhee agreed to create a sketch that would show the revised cistern, propane tank and utility pole locations and their associated plumbing and electrical services.

p.    The importance of finalizing the utility pole layout was recognized in order that National Grid can finalize the electrical service design in a timely fashion so as not to introduce further delays to project completion.

q.    Due to time constraints, other matters to be addressed at this meeting were tabled until the next meeting.

r.      The next building committee meeting is scheduled for 4:45 p.m., 24 February, 2009 at the Summit Station.

2.     For 24 February meeting

a.     Discuss status of reassignment to and contractual agreement language with J. McPhee Architects, Inc.

b.    Update status of PR&E’s accounts payable to project engineering subcontractors.

c.     Update status of PR&E’s formal contractual release of WCFD.

d.    Update status of rewording town’s project certification form.

e.     Discuss status of interior frost and possible additional fuel costs associated with temporary building heat.  Alhambra’s proposal for anticipated need: 5 days @ $300/day = $1,500.

f.      Discuss status of DOT/PAP.

g.     Review sketch showing new cistern, propane tank and utility pole locations.

h.     Discuss status of National Grid’s design and cost. (See item 2.r bellow)

i.       What is the cost for cistern pump house and propane tank bollards?

j.       What is additional cost for revised length of fire pump pipe. 

k.     CP 003R3 pending, concrete apron, $11,060.

l.       Update door keying matrix status.

m.  Review CP 012R1, +$7,585 for service feeder to fire pump.  Creative Environment input requested.  Can this be installed partly inside the building?  Has revised cistern location been addressed?

n.     Can the gas line run partly through the building?

o.    Review CP 013, +$4,853 for additional fire alarm devices.  Creative Environment input requested.

p.    Review CP 015, +$1,806.13 for additional 3 & 4 way wall switches.  Creative Environment input requested.

q.    Review updated CP 016R1, $2,272.16 for five twist lock outlets in ceiling above apparatus rather than reels.    Creative Environment input requested.

r.      Review CP 018, +$6,096 for additional underground service feed due to pole relocation. 

s.     Chief Pomfret to obtain cost estimate for 1,000 gl. Tank.

t.       Review CP 020, overhead door style change, +$4.403.  Lead time? 

u.     Review CP 021, apparatus remote door opening devices, +$2,271.  Auto reversing and light beam included.  Door speed specification is 12”/sec.

v.     Review CP 022, +$5,484 for concrete walkways. 

w.   Verify installation of rough flooring for attic space following truss installation.

x.     Establish phone, internal radio, call alarm and PA systems requirements.  Note: copy of drawing E2.1 was mailed to PASS Systems on 2/12 to aid in establishing a proposal. 

y.     Update of station signage design, availability and cost.  Determine permitting requirements.  Alhambra has reported that the credit amount for the cast aluminum letters if WCFD provides this signage will be +$2,180.

z.     Furniture sub committee update.  Chief Pomfret to provide list.

aa. Landscaping and property line buffer needs TBD.  What landscaping features does Alhambra own, i.e., seeding, erosion control, etc.?

bb.                        Review construction progress to date.

cc.Review cost ledger.

dd.                        Discuss and possibly vote upon the above and any other project related business.

ee. Set date for next committee meeting.