Report of the Department of Public Works 2009

PROJECTS
 

The 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. The design and permitting for this project that will address numerous non-point source stormwater discharges, erosion and silt build-up issues in three sub-watersheds along the northwestern shore of North Pond and one in Middle Pond have been completed. Construction is expected to begin early in 2010.
 

In December 2008 South Longyard Road was closed to through traffic at the Great Brook culvert following the collapse of part of the Great Brook culvert, adjacent retaining wall and roadway. The Town’s engineering consultant designed and permitted the replacement of the wall and culvert sections. The DPW oversaw the design, permitting, bidding and construction of this project that began in August 2009 and the road was re-opened to traffic on December 4, 2009.
 

As part of the Board of Selectmen’s gravel road upgrade program, Honey Pot Road was next to be addressed using Chapter 90 Funds. Trees were removed in order to widen the road and accommodate new drainage and structures. The one mile roadway was paved during 2009. The Board of Selectmen requested that the DPW next focus its efforts on similarly upgrading Nicholson Hill Road.
 

Lakemont Street was upgraded with new drainage, a new water line and was paved using funding from a Community Development Block Grant.
 

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.
 

Chapter 90 funds were also used to pave one mile of Klaus Anderson Road and one-half mile of Sheep Pasture Road and Point Grove Road. In addition, several roads were crack-sealed.
 

The DPW has been working with MassDOT engineers who are completing the design and permitting for reconstructing the center section of College Highway (Town Hall to Tannery Road). MassDOT plans to have it ready for bid by September 2009. The project will include a center turning lane, sidewalks, new drainage and new signals with signalized left-turn lanes at Feeding Hills Road and at the Depot Street/Granville Road intersections. The DPW is also working with MassDOT engineers on their Johnson Brook bridge replacement that is part of their Accelerated Bridge Replacement Program. MassDOT plans to have this project out for bid by August 2009.
 

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 about 80 signs this past year due to vandalism, theft and winter conditions damage. The DPW asks that any vandalism of street signs be reported to the Southwick Police or Highway Department. Sign vandalism and theft 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 continues to work with the Planning Board towards acceptance of numerous developments in town, including the Lexington Circle, Pine Knoll III and North Pond Views subdivisions.
 

WATER DIVISION
 

The Water Division consists of 3 employees who service and maintain 51 miles of water lines, three pumping stations and 2884 customers. They also perform daily inspections of the Town well and pump stations, install new water services and meters, repair water breaks and assist with winter snow plowing.
 

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 tested monthly in 10 locations in town, and the Water Quality Report is published annually in the Westfield Evening News. Southwick 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 new redundant well construction was completed and the well was brought on-line in October 2009. Design and permitting work was completed for a second 1 million gallon water storage tank and construction is expected to begin in 2010. Designs are nearly complete for replacing the booster pump stations located on Granville Road and Coes Hill Road. The DPW and Water Commissioners are currently working on plans to replace and increase the size of the water main on College Highway from Tannery Road to the Westfield line. This is in anticipation of MHD’s plans to rebuild, widen and pave College Highway. Mid- and long-range plans include upgrading of many older water mains within the town. The DPW is also working towards establishing a computerized control system to provide continuous water system information.
 

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 in 2009, resulting in another ~2.6% increase in recycling, while the total trash to ECO decreased by 144 tons. The DPW made some improvements to the facility to improve accessibility to recycling containers. The DPW also has a preliminary design from the engineering company that will reconfigure the transfer station to improve traffic flow and accessibility to various drop-off stations and organic recycling areas. A used motor oil and antifreeze collection shed was added and the oil recycling facility began in the spring of 2009.
 

 

Trash to ECO/Springfield	2453
Lamps/Batteries	2
Bottles & Cans to MRF	155
Paper to MRF	312
Waste Oil & Antifreeze (480 gal)	2
Metals & White Goods	152
Finished Compost	1000
Wood Chips	500
Electronics	25
Total Tonnage	4601
Recyclable Tonnage	2148

% Recyclables to total waste stream = 46.69%
(4601-2453)/4601 x 100 = 46.69%