By Sarah Opdahl

On Tuesday, June 10, New Fairfield’s Permanent Building Committee (PBC) had a lengthy discussion about how best to proceed with the bus lot design for the former Consolidated site at 302 Ball Pond Road. At the heart of the conversation was an alternate design that was drafted by consultant Mr. Ben Doto, who completed an in-depth study of the potential options over the last year. His plan deviates from the original plan created by Langan Engineering. Ultimately, the PBC agreed to work with Doto in hopes to move the matter forward in the most economical way, with an engineer who is extremely familiar with the site.

Doto’s plan alters the traffic pattern a bit to help address some neighbor concerns regarding the site, which would have exited and entered only on Ball Pond Road. His design pushes the lot a little further back and adds a new drive which would be accessible from Gillotti Road. PBC members agreed to ask Doto to finish the construction documents and take the proposed revised design through Zoning, though they hope to give input on where the new driveway would fall as, in current drawings, it would limit the future use of the property.

Colliers International’s Mr. Mark Schweitzer will work on the project’s scope, which will include completing the schematic and final designs, zoning approval, and construction oversight. PBC members will review the scope and then engage with Doto. Schweitzer will propose an overarching schedule for the bus lot project.

There was some discussion about recent bus driver requests and it was agreed that a second restroom in the lot building is something they will look into.

O&G’s Mr. Joe Vetro explained that the irrigation work is now complete at the former Consolidated site. He shared, “the site lighting is complete…but they had an issue. They have to come back and do a final test, and then that will be complete.” Storm drainage was fixed and is now complete again, all topsoil was  installed, and they have hydro-seeded the site.

He went on to explain that the asphalt paving work has progressed and Town Engineer Mr. Tony Iadarola is asking the Town’s Public Works Department to replace a couple of catch basins.

PBC members voted down a proposal for additional design work by JCJ Architecture for striping on the former Consolidated parking lot. At issue is accessible parking, which exists in the lot now but is oddly configured with two spots at the far end of the lot. PBC members were split on whether to formally design the striping, with those who were in favor of saving the money winning the vote, especially when this lot may be impacted by future development on the site. Vetro is going to ask the stripers to draw the lines without a detailed dimensioned line striping drawing, following a template.

The AmTech report on the propane failure at the high school was not yet in hand at the time of this meeting, and another test for the science classroom propane lines to confirm whether or not there is water in the lines is planned. Schweitzer explained that they are waiting on subbase information for the elementary playground. When asked, he did confirm that the crosswalk project is set to proceed in early July.

The next regular Permanent Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24, 7:30 p.m.