Westport in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Sunday, November 10, 2019
Quick Article Index . . .
Letter to the
Editor: This Veterans Day let us all remember our Pledge of Allegiance.
WLT
- Protecting the Missing Link.
|
DEP orders immediate stop on
all work within 250 feet of the Elementary School well. EverythingWestport.com Friday, November 8, 2019 Photos | EverythingWestport.com
Special to EverythingWestport.com WESTPORT - The Westport School Building
Committee was thrilled to hear at its Nov. 6 meeting that 15 final
subcontractor bids for major portions of the new Westport Middle High School
came in mostly under the construction management company’s pre-bid estimates
of $33.8 million for the work. The 15 low-bidding contractors fine-tuned
their proposals to come up with contract offers totaling $30.85 million, some
$2.97 million under Agostini Bacon’s estimates for
the bids for masonry, roofing, windows, and flooring, plus plumbing, heating,
and electrical systems, reported Agostini project
manager Bob Gilchrist. “The public bidding process for trade
contractors closed on November 1, 2019 and the sum of the low bids puts the project
at least $2.5 Million under budget. Together with the earlier bids for site,
steel and concrete work, over 70% of the total cost now includes hard bids
from subcontractors. The value management process, along with increased
competition, has yielded substantial savings to the Town of Westport which
will reduce the overall amount that the Town needs to borrow for the project.
Construction work continues on the site and the Construction Manager, Agostini Construction, is still targeting completion in
time for opening the new school in September 2021.” - Daedalus Projects, Inc., serving as the Owner’s Project
Manager
Inset: Agostini project manager Bob Gilchrist gives the good
news to the School Building Committee. Going through the list of 15 low bidders
one by one for the committee, Gilchrist said less than half way through,
“You’ll see a trend here... almost all of the (major) bids are below the
value estimates.” Among the biggest savings over projected
costs were masonry, about $270,000 under estimates at $3.48 million; a
$799,600 bid for the miscellaneous metal work estimated at almost $1.3
million; and roofing and flashing, with a low bid of $2.64 million for work
estimated at $3.26 million, the project manager noted. “Also significantly under pre-bid
estimates were the HVAC system, with the low bid of $7.65 million under the
projected $8.5 million; and the electrical systems, bid at $5.9 million
against anticipated costs of $6.5 million.” Agostini project manager Bob Gilchrist. Bid at $1.74 million, the sprinkler system
was almost $225,000 over projected estimates, and the rest of the plumbing
work off only $100,000 or so off the estimate, at a low bid of $3.24 million. Taken altogether, being nearly $3 million
over projections is “definitely good news for us today,” Gilchrist suggested,
asking for a vote to endorse the proposed contracts. He was rewarded with a
quick unanimous vote by the building committee to confirm the contracts. The project manager said he hoped the
“savings” trend continued to the end of the week, as final bids for drywall,
millwork, landscaping, and some other small contract work are due to be submitted. Gilchrist noted that a number of local
contractors are bidding on the contracts, “including some who live and work
right here in Westport.” DEP orders immediate stop on all work within 250 feet of the
Elementary School well. Unfortunately, some of the savings
generated by the initial round of subcontractor bids may be eaten up by a
shortage of available fill on site to Daedalus Consulting project manager
Frances Hughes explained that fill from the hillside on the north end of the
site was intended to be used around the foundation, but the state Dept. of
Environmental Protection (DEP) ordered an immediate stop to any work within
250 feet of the elementary school well. Gilchrist said three foundation crews
were due to start work this week, and available fill was needed immediately.
The teams cannot wait for a DEP decision on either the old well, or approval
of tests for the new well. DEP has just approved the final testing
of the new well drilled to serve the school campus, but ordered a 250 foot
no-touch radius maintained around the old well until it is decommissioned.
“We’re hoping we can overturn that decision about the (no-touch) radius on the
well,” building committee Chair Dianne Baron advised members, but it could
take time. She advocated for the fill amendment
contract funds to be used as needed; and work “keep moving forward” while
there is good weather. If the DEP decision is overturned, site crews will
resume mining the high ground for fill around the foundations, and the
committee will not have to spend all the money budgeted on imported fill, she
explained. Some committee members noted that any
extra fill produced on site could always be used to raise the level of the
athletic fields behind the school. As planned, the fields are several feet
lower than the proposed service road through the campus. Baron noted that previous plan
alterations had reduced expected site costs from $9 million to around $8.4
million. The added $543,600 in fill would bring the total site costs right
back to the original figure, she suggested. With contingency reserves added, the
extra $543,600 in site costs would be inflated to roughly $628,000, bring the
total construction budget back up to $54.8 million.
Above: CMaR’s George Agostini (second from left) admonishes the School
Building Committee to “Get the well working!” The delay in testing the
recently-drilled well may cost the project over $500,000 in construction fill
costs. DEP has just approved the final testing of the new well drilled to
serve the school campus, but ordered a 250 foot no-touch radius maintained
around the Elementary School’s old well until it is decommissioned.
Photos |
EverythingWestport.com Above: The red-lined
box in this overhead drone picture of the school work site outlines the area
DEP put a stop order for all construction activity until the Elementary
School’s well is disconnected. Click
on image to enlarge. One doesn’t have to look far for
coastal waters where that future is today’s norm. It’s our time to act. - Bob Daylor EverythingWestport.com Saturday, November 9, 2019
Over this past year there has been input from many interests in the
town. There are, of course, advocates for change, but there are also those
who point to improving nitrogen levels in some reaches of the river as
evidence for standing pat. They also offer as evidence for maintaining the
status quo perspectives of the past and that things are getting better. A past of much larger dairy farms, with larger manure piles, cows
wandering in brooks directly tributary to the river, and cottages right on
the river with cesspools. That look at the past would also show a much
smaller year-round population in those cottages. The inescapable truth is that what we do on the watershed will affect
the river. Improved septic systems, better stormwater controls, increased
wetlands protection and better farm management all help. But nitrogen put in
and on the land, no matter where in the watershed, eventually makes its way
to the river. The reality is growth in the watershed will occur and will likely
increase the load on the river. However, the river’s capacity to handle that
load will not increase. In fact, the river shows its stress in seasonal algae
blooms, shrinking sea grass beds, more contaminated shellfish grounds and
eroded salt marshes. The river’s beauty is not proof of its health. It is within the memory
of many when there were much more dense eel grass beds, shellfishery
extending to above Hixbridge, and larger salt marsh islands. Now the salt
marsh edges are bare, and the red/green harvest area shellfish signs are far
south in the estuary. The river is changing; the climate is changing, and our land uses in
the watershed have to change to help the river regain its health. Not acting
and maintaining the status quo does not save money. It only defers costs for
our children and grandchildren to pay — costs hidden in swimming restrictions
after rainfalls, no shell fishing, and responses to enforcement actions to
clean the river. One doesn’t have to look far for coastal waters where that
future is today’s norm. It’s our time to act. Come add your voice to the discussion on how to do so on the 13. Bob Daylor is Chairman of the Working Group
Water Resources Management Plan. EverythingWestport.com Saturday, November 9, 2019 On behalf of the Westport School Committee, I would like to take this
opportunity to respond to Marilyn Pease’s recent letter to the editor
regarding the future placement of the school district’s central office
administration. In her letter, Ms. Pease suggested that the exclusion of the central
administration office space was somehow overlooked during this process or
that it may have been deliberately cut during recent meetings when the school
building committee had to revisit the building plans due to the initial bids
coming in higher than had been anticipated. Neither of these scenarios accurately portrays the truth. The
Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) does
not support the costs Inset:
The news schools, elevation, façade and roof design were dramatically altered
to fit within the MSBA’s approved budget for the
project. In May 2015, the town received support from the community to engage in
a feasibility study to explore options for relocating students from the
Westport Middle School. In early 2017, after an exhaustive examination of
three potential sites, several different grade configurations, and multiple
new building options including renovations and additions to the existing high
school and remediation and abatement of the existing middle school as well as
the inclusion/exclusion of central administration office space, a decision
was made and approved by the Board of Selectmen and School Committee to build
a new, co-located grade 5-12 Middle High School on the site of the abandoned
middle school. This decision was made after discussion during the school building
committee meetings, which are open to the public and available for public
viewing on our local cable access stations. This was clearly communicated
during the process. The School Committee engaged in dialogue multiple times
during the feasibility process and was aware of the discussion and decision
from the school building committee. At no time did either committee try to
portray that the central office space was included in the building plans. While individual members of the school building committee, including
myself, did express some hesitation about not including the central
administration offices in the new building, it was eliminated as an option
during the feasibility study process. One can debate about whether or not it
should have been included and why that decision was made by the school
building committee, but the fact remains that it is not part of the new
construction and was not intended to be part of this construction project, as
the costs associated with including it in the building would have been borne
solely by the residents of Westport and no relief would have been provided
through the Massachusetts School Building Authority reimbursement program. Currently, the Westport School Committee is discussing various options
relocating the central administrative offices once the new building is
complete. These options include using space currently available in the
modular classrooms at the Macomber School (which would be a similar expense
for the district whether we purchase them or return them to the vendor),
leasing office space in Westport, continuing to be located at 17 Main Road
pending a decision by the town building reuse committee on the future plans
of the Westport High School building, or moving onto the site of the
campground space that is currently being purchased by the town. The district will incur costs with any of these options and those
costs will not, and never were intended to be, reimbursed as part of the
funding program with the MSBA. Members of the
School Committee will continue to provide oversight and support to the Westport
Community Schools and will do so in an ethical, responsible manner that
recognizes the school district’s role within a larger community organization.
We are invested in doing what is best for the children and community of
Westport and look forward to the opening of the Westport Middle-High School,
which will serve as a resource for our community young and old. Antonio Viveiros, Chairman, Westport School Committee Letter to the Editor: This Veterans
Day let us all remember our Pledge of Allegiance. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, November 10, 2019 On January 14, 1969, Comedian Red Skelton touched the hearts of
millions of American with his “Pledge of Allegiance” when he explained the His recitation was twice read into the Congressional Record of the
United States. Today, I stand before you as a humbled Veteran, and share his thoughts
with you all. Perhaps it's time to share his words once more to Congress, to
our neighbors, and to all Americans: Inset:
Photo | EverythingWestport.com I — meaning me; an
individual; a committee of one. Pledge — Dedicate all
my worldly goods to give without self-pity. Allegiance — My love and
my devotion. To the Flag—Our standard;
Old Glory; a symbol of Freedom; wherever she waves there is respect, because
your loyalty has given her dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybody’s job. Of the United — That means
that we have come together. States of
America — Individual communities that have united, with pride and dignity,
and purpose. All divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to common
purpose of love for our country. And to the
Republic — Republic, a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives
chosen by the people to govern. And, government is the people; it’s from the
people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people. For Which it
stands — Again that is government of the people, not leaders deciding for
the people. One Nation — One Nation
here means, so blessed by God — we used to say. Under God, I still do say
under God not to offend anyone but because I served our country for that
individual right. Indivisible — Incapable of
being divided. With Liberty — Which is Freedom;
the right of power to live one’s own life, without threats, fear, or some
sort of retaliation. And Justice — The
Principle, or quality, of dealing fairly with others. For All — which means
boys and girls, adults, democrats, republicans, independents and all This
Veterans Day let us all remember our Pledge of Allegiance and why All
Americans can take pride in those words, and let us also remember our
brothers and sisters who served our country, some even giving their lives, so
you and I could enjoy these freedoms. Tony Vieira Westport
WLCT - Protecting The Missing Link. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, November 10, 2019 WESTPORT – The Westport Land Conservation Trust (WLCT) is very pleased
to announce the protection of 25-acres along the upper east branch of the
Westport River north of Forge Pond; made possible by a collaborative effort
between the Town of Westport Conservation Commission, Community Preservation
Committee, and the Westport Affordable Housing Trust spanning more than a
decade. The 25-acre Noquochoke Village Open Space Parcel is held by the Town
of Westport Conservation Commission and subject to a Conservation Restriction
in perpetuity held by the WLCT. The conservation of this parcel adds to a
corridor of over 80 acres of protected land between Reed Road and Rte. 177.
“This project permanently protects 25-acres of important habitat and
expands public access to one of our most visited hiking areas: Forge Pond Conservation
Area,” said Ross Moran, WLCT Executive Director. “This is a great example of
the Town and the land trust working together strategically to improve the
quality of life for local residents.” After the acquisition of the property by the Town of Westport’s
Affordable Housing Trust with support from the Community Preservation
Committee, the land trust and the planning board worked jointly to ensure a
portion of the future development would be set aside for conservation. All
parties worked in tandem, while WLCT provided technical and on-the-ground
assistance in addressing environmental concerns onsite. This work was
completed in 2018 and the 25-acre riverfront landscape is now
indistinguishable from any other white-pine forest in Westport. “The combination of the new Noquochoke Village development and a
corridor of publicly accessible conserved land is an example of the Town
getting it right. The Conservation Commission was thrilled to be a part of the
project,” said Chairman Paul Joncas. “The
commission works hard to ensure a balance of development and preservation of
Westport’s vital natural resources.” “This project permanently protects 25-acres of important habitat and
expands public access to one of our most visited hiking areas: Forge Pond
Conservation Area,” said Ross Moran, WLCT Executive Director. “This is a
great example of the Town and the land trust working together strategically
to improve the quality of life for local residents.” Local historian and Chairwoman of the Community Preservation
Committee, Betty Slade notes the parcels historic significance - “the
property was known as the machine lot for the various mills and factories
operating along the river. Several famous historical Southcoast figures held
interest in the surrounding area including William Rotch
Jr. and the estate of Paul Cuffe.” Today, the
remnants of the old mills and river crossings can still be found on the
property. There is a great deal of work ahead to open up the area for future
use. WLCT intends to work with the various stakeholders to develop a Forge Pond
Conservation Area Master Plan that identifies funding for improved trailhead
access and parking. 33-acres owned by WLCT on the opposite bank of the
Westport River have also been identified for trail access from Forge Pond
Conservation Area—but would require an expensive pedestrian bridge. “WLCT’s partnership with the Westport
Conservation Commission has never been stronger. We share a vision for a
premier natural area serving hikers, kayakers, and sportsmen,” said Moran.
“If our public/private partnership with the Town is successful at Forge Pond
Conservation Area, we are talking about a 70+ acre natural area in a densely
populated neighborhood of Town that is underserved in terms of access to open
space. There is more work still to be done, but we are on our way. A special
thank you to the many Town officials who worked on this project.” WLCT has partnered with the Town and Commonwealth of Massachusetts to
protect natural areas since 1972. For more information about these projects
or the Westport Land Conservation Trust, please contact Ross Moran, Executive
Director at 508.636.9228 x 5021 or ross@westportlandtrust.org. About the
Westport Land Conservation Trust Since its founding in 1972, the Westport Land Conservation Trust has
assisted landowners in protecting more than 4,500 acres in Westport,
Massachusetts. WLCT is a private non-governmental organization dedicated to
local land conservation on behalf of the Westport community. The organization
accepts gifts of land and conservation restrictions on land, and assists farm
owners in preserving farmland with agricultural preservation restrictions. - - - - - End - - - - - ©
2019 Community Events of Westport
All rights reserved. EverythingWestport.com |
