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REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETING
TOWN OF GREENWICH
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS FOR
JUNE 2006 MEETING
DEPARTMENT: Property Owner
CONTACT: Rick Kral - 661-4033 ; 661-1570
REFERRED TO: Land Use, Public Works, Town Services Committees
VOTES: N/A
The reason for referring the Glenville fire station project to the RTM is to afford the proper RTM sub-committees an opportunity to review the final plans before construction begins. The weakness that has been identified with the current capital process lies in the fact that once the RTM approves the financing during the budget process there is no further review of major projects unless a building committee is formed (typically BOE). The only opportunity that the public has to comment on a project is when the municipal improvement (MI) is on the Planning and Zoning meeting agenda or when the project may require an additional appropriation. Changes to the plans or other restrictions and requirements may be added to the plans at the planning and zoning stage. Members of the RTM that may have voted
to fund the project based on preliminary plans may not be aware of these changes or were unable to fully review the plans during the busy budget cycle. The added review will enable RTM members with knowledge and experience in different disciplines the ability to fully understand the project prior to construction which may identify potential cost increases, design flaws, or added amenities required for a quality project.
Specific attention should be given to reviewing the project budget, contingency plans, and potential “extras”. Review of the bidding process as well as the RFP and RFQ for the project to understand how costs were calculated should be anticipated. A summary of contractor’s bids and construction schedule should also be considered and understood. Concerns have been raised with similar projects after construction was completed in regard to equal facilities for full time, part time, and volunteer staff; proper facilities for male and female employees; landscaping and building architecture and design for future growth. This is the final step before construction begins. Members of the RTM should be comfortable that $2.25 million of tax payers money is being spent
efficiently.
DEPARTMENT: Board of Selectmen
REFERRED TO: Land Use, Public Works, Town Services Committees
VOTES: Board of Selectmen, April 25 (3-0)
Planning and Zoning Commission, May 8
RESOLVED, the Representative Town Meeting of the Town of Greenwich hereby approves the Planning and Zoning Commission action of May 8, 2006 requested by the Board of Selectmen, MI-549 for internal renovations in the Glenville Fire Station and the construction of two new single story additions totaling 3,630 square feet, per section 6-13 of the Building Zone Regulations and Section 6-99 of the Town Charter on a 32,495 square foot property located at 266 Glenville Road in the LB Zone.
EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Building Construction & Maintenance Division
Project Description
As part of the Town Building Master Plan, the four individual fire stations, Cos Cob, Glenville, Sound Beach and Byram are scheduled for rehabilitation. With the completion of the rehabilitation at the Cos Cob Station Fire Station in 2004, the next project scheduled is the Glenville Fire Station.
The DPW Building Index lists this facility as 10th in the Level 1 Buildings of Importance, with a total condition score of 22 points. The Building Condition Score is based on a range of 9 points for excellent conditions to a maximum poor condition of 27 with a Town standard condition score of 15 points or less.
The Greenwich Fire Department has concurred with the DPW assessment and this rehabilitation has been identified the 10-year capital plan.
Statement of Need
The Glenville Fire Station was constructed in 1950 and has operated in the same configuration with the original building systems while the technology of those systems and fire fighting operations has greatly advanced. The building houses both a full time contingent of firefighters as well as the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company. The full time fire fighters are housed in a single second floor dormitory and share the use of the public restrooms. The stations kitchen for the preparation of meals is located in the open garage on the apparatus floor directly adjacent to the fire engines. The apparatus garage cannot maintain its full current inventory of assigned vehicles do to a structural floor loading issue in the rear portion of the existing bays.
The building systems consist of a natural gas fired steam boiler with no internal modulating controls and have independent window air conditioning units for cooling. The building is not properly insulated and is equipped only with has single pane glass windows with storms. The building is also not fully handicap accessible nor is the proper facilities available. Since FY2000, DPW has expended $91,322 in maintenance of this building.
Project Plan
DPW is planning to rehabilitate the entire existing structure totaling 8,526 square feet by replacing the building systems; plumbing, electrical and installing a new central hot water heating and air conditioning system and provide proper building insulation and new thermal pane windows. Due to the Volunteers Meeting Room on the second floor, the rehabilitated building will be outfitted with an elevator. This item along with the interior reconfiguration of space and new restrooms will make the fire station fully A.D.A. accessible.
Two new separate single story additions are also proposed that will increase the square footage of the building by 3,630 square feet. The first addition will be 1,487 square feet and allow for the relocation of the full time dormitories to the first floor, which provides quick and unobstructed access to the fire apparatus. This addition improves the general living conditions for the full time fire fighters by creating separate dormitory space for male and female staff, new enclosed dayroom and kitchen areas and adjacent and dedicated shower and toilet facilities.
The second addition will be 2,143 square feet and will create two new full apparatus garage bays to accommodate the stations full inventory of vehicles.
Floor plan available from DPW , Selectman’s office or Town Clerk’s office
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