Moeller Home Building Committee Meeting Minutes - Thursday, July 8, 2004

Members present were Chairperson Perry Cornwall, Melvin McOmber, Peter Kalousdian, Jr., Brian O'Connor, Building Official and Kathleen Bagley, Director, Recreation and Parks Department. Staff member present was Salvatore Cucia, Assistant Director, Recreation and Parks Department. Member of the public present was Pat Yagman, President, Wethersfield Friends of the Nature Center.

  1. Public Comments.
    Pat Yagmin talked to committee members regarding information she had on CLP's incentive program for renovations and additions. Ms. Yagmin asked the committee to look into this program to determine if it would apply to the renovation of the Moeller Home. Ms. Bagley reported that she has been talking with the engineer for the project, Anthony Maisona, and he has also brought up information concerning incentive programs from the electric company. Ms. Bagley will contact Mr. Maisano to determine if these are the same programs or different programs. Ms. Yagmin also mentioned that she has submitted grant applications for the renovation of the Moeller Home program. Six corporations were sent applications of intent from the Friends of the Nature Center. Ms. Yagmin also submitted a grant application to the Kresge Foundation looking for funding help with the Moeller Home renovation.
  2. Minutes - June 15, 2004.
    Melvin McOmber moved to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded by Peter Kalousdian and passed unanimously.
  3. Timetable for Bid Process.
    Ms. Bagley distributed a report identifying a timetable for the bid process for the Moeller Home renovation and second bid process for the hazardous material removal. Committee members reviewed the timetable dates for the construction of the Moeller Home. The Moeller Home construction project will be advertised on July 22 with a fifteen-day period for firms to submit a bid on the project. A mandatory walk through is scheduled for July 28 at 10:00 a.m. at the Moeller Home. The bid will be open on August 12 at 2:00 p.m. in the Town Hall. The architect will review the bids after that point and meet with the Building Committee on Tuesday, August 24 at 1:30 p.m. at the Town Hall to determine the recommendation to Town Council of the appropriate bidder.

    Committee members then discussed the timetable for the hazardous material removal bid. The bid will be advertised on July 21. There will be a ten-day period for bidders to submit a proposal from July 22 to August 4. The bid will be opened on August 4 at 2:00 p.m. in the Town Hall. The consultant will review the bids and will meet with the Building Committee on Tuesday, August 10 at 1:30 p.m. at the Community Center.

    Ms. Bagley reported, once again, that she asked the Town Manager about the feasibility of going out to bid for the Moeller Home renovation without all the funds in place. The Town Manager told Ms. Bagley to go ahead and go out to bid so that a good number will be determined to see how much additional funding will be needed for the project.
  4. New Business.
    1. Modifications Needed from State.
      Mr. O'Connor asked Ms. Bagley to check with the architect if he had prepared the modifications applications to go to the state. Mr. O'Connor reported that he thought modifications will be submitted for the step at the front door, for the storage door opening into the stairwell and for the availability for keeping the French doors because of the corridor rating. Ms. Bagley will contact the architect.
    2. Committee members decided not to have a meeting August 5 because they will be meeting twice in August to go over the bid proposals for the asbestos work on August 10 and the bids for the renovations of the home on August 24.
    3. Mr. O'Connor asked Ms. Bagley to check with District Health Director, Paul Hutcheon, to verify if he needed to review the Moeller Home plans. Ms. Bagley will attend to this item.
    4. Pat Yagmin will be added to the mailing list for the meetings of the Moeller Home Building Committee.
    5. Architect Request for Payment - Invoice #0013680.
      Melvin McOmber moved to approve the architect's reimbursement for reproductions at Oliveri in the amount of $199.93 for invoice #0013680, dated June 30, 2004. The motion was seconded by Peter Kalousdian and voted unanimously.
    6. Consultant's Request for Payment for Hazardous Materials Abatement Survey and Design Services.
      Peter Kalousdian moved to approve Envrio Science Consultants, Inc. payment in the amount of $1,825 for invoice #0000001, dated July 1, 2004, for services rendered in the survey of the hazardous materials in the Moeller Home. The motion was seconded by Melvin McOmber and voted unanimously.
    7. Chairperson Perry Cornwall reported that he removed the sign in front of the Moeller Home stating the "Future Home of the Eleanor Wolf Nature Center." He explained that vandalism was done to the ropes attaching the sign to the poles. After consulting with Ms. Bagley, the decision was made to remove the sign for a period of time. The banner will go back up again in the future, but for the present time, will remain down to prohibit future vandalism.
    8. Ms. Bagley reported that she met with the Tree Warden regarding the two trees that will need to be removed for the renovation. The Tree Warden will be discussing this at the Tree Commission Meeting and will give Ms. Bagley the official authorization to remove the trees after the Tree Commission votes on this item.
    9. Peter Kalousdian suggested looking at ways to have members of the public buy a brick to help with fundraising efforts of the Friends of the Nature Center. He thought there might be a way of using the new brickwork for the ramp and porch. Committee members will discuss this idea at a future meeting.
  5. Adjournment.
    Peter Kalousdian moved to adjourn the meeting at 2:45 p.m. The motion was seconded by Melvin McOmber and voted unanimously.