Report of the Department of Public Works

PROJECTS:
 

The Department of Public Works (DPW), in conjunction with the Conservation Commission and Lake Management Committee applied for and received a grant for $257,700 from the DEP towards a 319 stormwater project with a total value of $505,100. Seven outfalls and associated catch basins were addressed on North Lake Avenue/Summer Drive, North Pond Road, Veteran Street, Castle Street, Eagle Street, Berkshire Avenue and Oak Street. Five BaySeparators, 2 infiltration systems, 17 deep-sump catch basins, several manhole structures, hundreds of feet of drainage pipe and two grassed swales were installed thus far and two other sites may be added depending on costs versus funds remaining.
 

As part of the Board of Selectmen’s gravel road upgrade program, Nicholson Hill Road (Scenic Road) was next to be addressed using Chapter 90 Funds. The roadway layout and basic drainage design was completed, along with securing all necessary permits for tree-removal. Work is now focused on filing a Notice of Intent for stormwater management work.
 

Chapter 90 funds were also used to pave the remaining 1.1 miles of Klaus Anderson Road. In addition, all roads were line-striped and several roads were crack-sealed.
 

The DPW’s contracted engineering firm is working with MassHighway on finalizing the 25% design drawings for the Phase 2 reconstruction of Congamond Road. The Phase 2 plan currently includes the installation of a dry sanitary sewer line from Miller Road to College Highway. The dry line would be used for future sewer expansion along Congamond Road and College Highway near Gillette Corner.
 

The DPW worked with MassDOT engineers who completed the design and permitting for replacement of Johnson Brook Bridge and for reconstructing the center section of College Highway (Town Hall to Tannery Road). MassDOT has awarded the Johnson Brook Bridge contract with construction expected to begin in the spring. The College Highway center section project, which includes a center turning lane, sidewalks on both sides, all new drainage, new traffic controls, signalized left-turns and decorative lighting, has been advertised and bids are scheduled to be opened 2/15/11 by MassDOT with a late spring construction startup.
 

The Board of Selectmen and MassDOT approved the expenditure of Chapter 90 funds to design and permit the Phase 1 Feeding Hills Road Project that includes the widening for left turns and signals along the section from Powder Mill Road to Hudson Drive and widening for left turns and new signals at the North Longyard Road/Foster Road intersection.

  

HIGHWAY DIVISION:
 

The Highway Division currently consists of 4 employees who service the 85+ miles of town roadways. Services include plowing and sanding for winter storms, replacing, rebuilding, clearing & cleaning catch basins to help prevent flooding, patching potholes, grading dirt roads, removing trees, roadside mowing, cleaning up roadside litter and illegally dumped materials, assisting in street sweeping and replacing damaged or vandalized signs. The DPW replaced over 100 signs this past year due to vandalism, theft and winter conditions damage. The DPW asks that any theft or vandalism of street signs be reported to the Southwick Police or DPW, as it represents an unnecessary annual expense of at least $10,000. The highway division also provides services to many other town departments, like answering emergency calls for vehicle accidents, oil spills, downed trees, washouts and flooding.
 

The DPW worked with the Planning Board towards acceptance of the North Pond Views subdivision which was subsequently approved by voters.
 

WATER DIVISION:
 

The Water Division consists of 3 employees who service and maintain 51 miles of water lines, two wells, four pumping stations and 2332 services that serve 5500 customers. They also perform daily inspections of the Town wells and pump stations, install new water services and meters, repair water breaks and assist with winter snow plowing. DPW workers also installed a new Chapman Street to Woodside Circle water main.
 

The goal of the Water Division is to provide our users with excellent service and an ample quantity of clean, pure, safe drinking water. The water is regularly tested for numerous contaminants and bacteria. The test results are summarized in our Water Quality Report that is published annually in the Westfield Evening News. Southwick also purchases water from the Springfield Water System to supplement water from the town well, during periods of high usage or when repairs are being made to the pump. Monies collected from water revenue are also used to fund system maintenance and improvements. The contract was awarded for construction of a second 1 million gallon water storage tank and construction is expected to begin in the spring. Designs are nearly complete for replacing the booster pump stations located on Granville Road and Coes Hill Road.
 

SOLID WASTE DIVISION:
 

Southwick Solid Waste Division continues to promote recycling in order to reduce costs, and achieve the Massachusetts DEP goal of recycling at least 46% of our total waste stream. Those communities not meeting the DEP guidelines of 46% being recycled could ultimately be penalized to the extent that the DEP feels appropriate when trying to qualify for grants. To that end, the DPW has continued a program of education and increased enforcement of mandatory recycling during 2010, resulting in another ~2% increase in recycling, while the total trash to ECO decreased by 116 tons. The DPW made some improvements to the facility to improve accessibility to improve organic recycling access. Pending funding, long term plans include reconfiguring the transfer station to improve traffic flow and accessibility to various drop-off stations and organic recycling areas.

 

 

Trash to ECO/Springfield	2337
Ferrous Metals Recycled at ECO	25
Electronics & Appliances	19
Lamps/Batteries	2
Bottles & Cans to MRF	153
Paper & Cardboard to MRF	302
Tires	3
Waste Oil & Antifreeze (800 gal)	3
Metals & White Goods	133
Finished Compost	1100
Wood Chips	500
Total Tonnage	4577
Recyclable Tonnage*	2240

*% Recyclables to total waste stream = 48.94%
(4577 - 2337) / 4577 x 100 = 48.94%

SEWER DIVISION:

Phase 1 of the sewer project is essentially complete, with only a very few commercial and residential properties remaining to be connected in the current service area. The total flow to the Westfield Treatment Plant is now averaging 160,000 gallons per day. The design and permitting has been completed and application filed for USDA funding to construct the parallel interceptor extension to the Westfield Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is a pre-requisite for any further sewer system expansion. The funding request to USDA was denied for federal fiscal year 2010.

 

• Addition of 2nd 1 million gallon water storage tank
• MassDOT replacement of Johnson Brook Bridge College Highway by Industrial Road
• MassDOT reconstruction of College Highway center section from Town Hall to Tannery Road
• Conversion of former Suburban Chevrolet to DPW facility
• Replacing Granville Road water booster pump
• Replacing Coes Hill Road water booster pump
• Nicholson Hill Road reconstruction

• Feeding Hills Road left turn lanes, traffic signals and drainage improvements in the area of the schools and at the North Longyard Road and the Foster Road intersection.
• Reconditioning of original 1 million gallon water storage tank
• Reconstruction & widening of Congamond Road from College Highway to Connecticut Line