A street sweeper clears debris as it crosses the now open Valley Forge
bridge just south of the Saugatuck Reservoir. —Kimberly Donnelly photo
Valley Forge bridge is now open in
Weston
Weston FORUM
Written by Kimberly Donnelly
Wednesday, 16 March 2011 10:15
After almost a year of having to detour around it, drivers may once
again cross the Saugatuck River using Weston’s Valley Forge bridge.
Just south of the Saugatuck Reservoir, the bridge reopened to traffic
on Friday morning, March 11.
Construction work to replace the bridge closed it to all traffic in
April 2010.
The bridge opening had been put off because of delays in the
manufacturing of bridge rails and the installation of guardrails along
the sides of Valley Forge Road near the bridge. Guardrails had been
removed when the bridge and portions of the road were reconfigured.
The first person allowed to drive over the bridge after the last
guardrail had been installed was Phyllis Gary, who documented the
bridge replacement from practically day one.
“The crew said I had been such a part of the project by being here
pretty much every day,” they said she could be the first to drive over
it, Ms. Gary said. “They were such nice people and they treated me so
well,” she said of the workers from Guerrera Construction and the DOT
supervisor who oversaw the project.
Over the course of the past year, Ms. Gary took literally thousands of
pictures of every step of the project. “It’s my fervent hope I can get
them into the historical records of the town,” she said. “It was truly
an amazing engineering feat.”
She plans to put together a historical retrospective including pictures
and information on how the original bridge was dismantled and the new
one put up. She said she wants people to remember how much work went
into it, all the equipment that had to be brought in, and how much
concrete and rebar was used to create the bridge.
“It was an extraordinary thing to be able to document it. I learned so
much about bridge building,” Ms. Gary said. “But the whole point is to
be able to share this with the community.”
Long time in the making
The Valley Forge bridge replacement is the second such project for the
town in the last three years.
The town had been looking to replace the Valley Forge bridge since 1999.
Permits finally were in place and construction was set to begin in the
summer of 2007, but plans were halted after a nor’easter struck New
England in April of that year.
The storm destroyed the Cartbridge Road bridge, so the town put the
Valley Forge bridge replacement project on hold until Cartbridge bridge
could be replaced. That project was completed in October 2008.
Once the Cartbridge project was finished, things started moving ahead
with the Valley Forge bridge.
But the project hit another snag in 2009 when the Planning and Zoning
Commission initially denied an 8-24 planning approval for the bridge
because the town did not submit an A-2 survey.
However, after a Town Meeting vote required the submission of an A-2
survey, P&Z quickly approved the project.
Work begins
Work began on the Valley Forge bridge in April 2010. Including
architect and design fees, the total estimated cost of the bridge
replacement project is about $2.4 million, with 80% of the costs being
reimbursed through state grants.
The original bridge was built in 1938 and consisted of a single 48-foot
clear span concrete arch supported by a concrete foundation.
In addition to rebuilding all the foundations and abutments and
replacing the bridge with precast concrete spans, the project also
included creating better street alignments and sight lines by
straightening an S-curve in Valley Forge Road.
Construction was virtually complete in December, but the bridge could
not open to traffic because of delays in the manufacturing of bridge
rails and guardrails.
Guardrails
will delay opening
Weston Forum
Written by Kimberly Donnelly
Wednesday, 10 November
2010 11:51
After putting arched concrete spans into place across the
Saugatuck River to create the Valley Forge bridge, construction workers
last week back-filled and “flattened” the bridge by covering it with a
layer of sand (to protect the concrete) then compacting 1.25-inches of
gravel. —Phyllis Gary photo
“Things were looking good and going quite smooth and
uneventful until late last Thursday [Nov. 4],” said Tom Landry, town
administrator, earlier this week.
It was Nov. 4 that Mr. Landry learned that the bridge on
Valley Forge Road across the Saugatuck River just south of the Samuel
Senior Dam will not open to traffic on — or even close to — Dec. 6 as
originally scheduled.
Mr. Landry said Guerrera Construction, the contractor in
charge of the bridge replacement project, found out last week from its
supplier of bridge rails that it will be much longer than anticipated
before the needed materials arrive in Weston.
The guardrails on the bridge are significant because of the
way the bridge was designed, Mr. Landry said. “The walls are really low
so you can look through the opening and see the river below — that was
done on purpose,” he said. Because of that, however, the guardrails
“have to be pretty substantial to protect motorists from going over the
edge,” Mr. Landry added.
The guardrails are manufactured to the precise specifications
of the bridge, and so the company that makes them does not begin
manufacturing them until the bridge span is finished and in place.
“That just happened about 10 days ago [on Oct. 29],” Mr. Landry said.
Guerrera was aware of that before construction began. What
came as a surprise was the length of time it will take to manufacture
those guardrails. “It’s going to be a couple months longer than they
first thought,” Mr. Landry said.
In fact, Guerrera told the town their supplier said it would
be about 10 weeks before the guardrails are completed and ready to be
installed on the bridge. That means instead of opening the first week
of December as originally planned, traffic will most likely not be
allowed to cross the bridge for another six weeks, putting the opening
sometime in mid- to late January.
Good news
Most of the work on the Valley Forge bridge has gone
according to schedule, but guardrails scheduled to be installed are
going to take about 10 weeks longer than expected to manufacture.
—Phyllis Gary photo
“They can still do just about everything else to get it done
and make it ready to take traffic... You could walk across it now, it’s
level ... but we wouldn’t dare let anyone across it without guardrails.”
The Valley Forge bridge replacement is the second such
project for the town in recent years.
The town had been looking to replace the Valley Forge bridge
for nearly seven years. Permits finally were in place and construction
was set to begin in the summer of 2007, but plans were halted after a
nor’easter struck New England in April of that year.
The storm destroyed the Cartbridge Road bridge, so the town
put the Valley Forge bridge replacement project on hold until
Cartbridge bridge could be replaced. That project was completed in
October 2008.
Once the Cartbridge project was completed, things started
moving ahead with the Valley Forge bridge.
But the project hit another snag last year when the Planning
and Zoning Commission initially denied an 8-24 planning approval for
the bridge because the town did not submit an A-2 survey.
However, after a Town Meeting vote required the submission of
an A-2 survey, P&Z quickly approved the project.
Work began on the Valley Forge bridge in April of this year.
Including architect and design fees, the total estimated cost of the
bridge replacement project is estimated at about $2.4 million, with 80%
of the costs being reimbursed through state grants.
Pleasant surprise
Despite some frustrations, Mr. Landry said there is one thing
about which he is pleasantly surprised. “Between Cartbridge and Valley
Forge, that’s about $3.5-million worth of bridges, and we’ve been able
to cover that without going to a bond issue,” he said.
Instead, the town applied for and received state and federal
grants to cover much of the cost — grants are paying for about 80% of
the costs for Valley Forge, and about 70% of the Cartbridge project.
In addition, over the years leading up to construction, the
town — after a Town Meeting vote approved it — had put money aside in a
bridge account. “So when it came time to replace [Cartbridge and Valley
Forge], we already had the money sitting there to do it.
Despite some set backs, overall, Mr. Landry said the Valley
Forge project has gone smoothly. “We’ve had some issues for sure on
that bridge, but we were able to work them all out,” he said.
He said he has been “pretty happy” with the construction
company. “The state engineers have their own way of doing things, and
they do it that way, but they will, on occasion, listen to my
suggestions, and I appreciate their cooperation. There have been
frustrations with the process, to say the least, but not so much with
the people.”
That said, Mr. Landry said he looks forward to the Valley
Forge bridge reopening to traffic. Its closure has affected neighbors,
school buses, delivery trucks, and fire and emergency services.
“Bridges, when they’re down — it’s a pretty big
inconvenience,” he said.
Valley Forge bridge: P&Z grants 8-24
approval
Weston FORUM
Written by Patricia Gay
Wednesday, 05 August 2009 11:59
In a case of the Board of Selectmen v. The Planning and Zoning
Commission, both sides have won.
Following a long and sometimes adversarial process, on Monday, Aug. 3,
P&Z granted a positive 8-24 review of the Valley Forge bridge
replacement project. The approval allows the selectmen to send in
a grant application to the state for 80% reimbursement of the project,
before an Aug. 26 deadline. A positive 8-24 planning review was one of
the state’s requirements. P&Z’s positive review also
satisifies a motion approved by voters at a Town Meeting on July 9,
directing the selectmen get an A-2 survey and 8-24 review for the
project.
To attain a positive review, P&Z hammered out a compromise with the
selectmen on Monday night.
P&Z agreed to issue a positive review provided the town conducts
title searches on affected properties, and the commission directed the
town attorney to resolve any discrepancies revealed by the title
searches. The selectmen do not need any further reviews or
approvals from P&Z.
“We do need to get those title searches, it’s not really an option,”
said Selectman Glenn Major.
Poor condition
The town has been looking to replace the Valley Forge bridge over the
Saugatuck River near the Samuel Senior dam for nearly six years. On
Monday, Town Engineer John Conte said the bridge was in poor
condition. The bridge was built in 1938 and consists of a single
48-foot clear span concrete arch supported by a concrete
foundation. Plans call for replacing the bridge and creating
better street alignments and sight lines.
Construction was set to begin in the summer of 2007, but plans were
halted after a nor’easter struck New England in April. The storm
destroyed the Cartbridge Road bridge so the town put the Valley Forge
bridge replacement project on hold. Construction on the new
bridge is scheduled to begin in May 2010.
At the review Monday, several concerns and issues were addressed.
The A-2 survey submitted for review was an “A-2 right of way” survey,
rather than an “A-2 property” survey. The right of way survey did not
depict adjacent properties.
“An A-2 right of way survey only certifies as to the accuracy of the
roadbed, whereas an A-2 property survey shows easements, restrictions,
and property boundaries,” said Stephan Grozinger, P&Z chairman.
Peter Iffland, the surveyor hired by the town, said a right of way
survey was more appropriate for a roadway because roadways are
open-ended, whereas a property survey was more appropriate for a parcel
of land with definitive boundaries. To alleviate concerns about
adjacent properties not delineated on the right of way survey, the
selectmen agreed to do title searches on neighboring properties.
Because the bridge is being moved and the roadway reconfigured in
various areas, it could possibly be encroaching on property not owned
by the town of Weston. A discussion ensued about restrictions that
could be imposed by Bridgeport Hydraulic Company, a predecessor in
title of property adjacent to the bridge. First Selectman Woody
Bliss said he addressed this concern with the president of the Aquarion
Water Company, Bridgeport Hydraulic’s successor in title, and the
president assured him the company would release any restrictions it may
have to the property, to allow for the bridge reconstruction.
Another issue involved a driveway leading from the bridge to property
owned by the Miller family. The town plans to adjust and repave a
portion of the driveway as part of the project.
Mr. Bliss said the town initially believed Aquarion owned the portion
of Mr. Miller’s driveway that was being repaved, however, upon further
research, he said Aquarion had no interest in the property and that Mr.
Miller’s property directly abutted town property.
“That’s good,” Mr. Miller said. “I knew there were no easements
involved.”
The final issue, raised by resident Ran McNeil, was whether a portion
of the property south of the bridge was restricted for “passive
recreation” uses only. To remedy this question, the selectmen
agreed to do a title search of the property, and if there is an issue
about passive recreation, they will address it with the adjacent
landowner. After public comment and back and forth discussion,
the commission ultimately voted to give the project a positive review.
Mr. Miller thanked P&Z for holding the public hearing and
clarifying issues that concerned him. “This is why these reviews are
important,” he said.
After the meeting, Mr. Miller said he took exception to statements made
by Mr. Major at a previous selectmen’s meeting about notification to
the Millers. At the July 9 Town Meeting, Mr. Miller said he had
not been notified that the town was planning to do something to his
property. Town officials countered that a legal notice had been sent
and the town engineer spoke to Ms. Miller before the town meeting.
“We were not notified that the town was doing anything to our property
before the first P&Z meeting. We were only notified by the town
engineer two days before the [July 9] Town Meeting that this project
would effect our driveway. There needs to be better communication
by the town in these matters when they are doing something to someone’s
property. If any good has come out of this, I hope it is that there
will be better communication in the future,” he said.
IT WAS STANDING ROOM
ONLY AT THE TOWN HALL MEETING ROOM THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2009 FOR SPECIAL
TOWN MEETING...
Previously...
Town Engineer, shown above, pointing at
bridge
location illustration, is to get confirmation that the structural
elements are already accurately drawn to A-2 quality (by the bridge
engineer). P&Z gave a unanimous positive vote on the Flood Zone permission,
however...at the Special Town Meeting, such testimony not given by the
Town Engineer. FORUM photo of existing Valley Forge Bridge site
above,
right.
ENTIRELY NEW VALLEY FORGE BRIDGE: THE CALL of
Special
Town Meeting Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 7pm in the Town Hall Meeting
Room.
SIMPLE
MAJORITY OF THOSE PRESENT AND VOTING needed for
override of P&Z negative 8-24. Very, very few present
supported override -
no vote was taken on the wording of the original call.
OPINION: it was the sense of the
meeting that an A-2 survey was needed before the project went any
further, and the reworded motion reflected
that. New motion passed by voice vote.
Special
Town Meeting suppported the Planning and Zoning
Commission's position: 8-24 of
Valley
Forge Bridge.
Those present and voting supported and amended motion re: the need for
an
"A-2" survey map/new 8-24 to P&Z. DISCUSSION: Selectmen
Bliss and
Weinstein noted funding for this year would be in peril, as the time it
takes for an A-2 survey to be done, P&Z to advertise and hold
another 8-24 public hearing and if a negative 8-24 results, the time
for another Special Town Meeting will most likely run out the clock on
this year's deadline for State of Connecticut special "stimulus"
package funding or $$ from other sources as well.
Close to the edge of this section of town...
Firefighters
battling blaze near Forest
Road
Written by Patricia
Gay
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
FIRE UPDATE, 4:35 p.m.:
Weston police have arrested Liberato Freitas, 45, of Danbury, a
construction worker, in connection with a fire that burned down a house
that was being built on Smith Ridge Road.
Mr. Freitas was charged with arson in the third degree, a class c
felony, and reckless burning, a class d felony. He is being held
at the Weston Police Department on $100,000 bond. Police believe
Mr. Freitas was burning boxes in the yard near the house when gusting
winds spread the fire to the garage. Both the house and garage were
destroyed. The smoldering fire spread to Forest Road, causing
three homes to be evacuated. Police said a house at 15 Forest Road
suffered damage to the deck and a beam in the rear. Firefighters
remain on the scene at this time in an effort to prevent the fire from
spreading.
The state's Fire Marshal is also on the scene.
ARREST MADE IN FIRE, 3:15 p.m.:
An arrest was made this afternoon in connection with this morning's
fire. A worker at a home under construction on Smith Ridge Road,
where the fire originated, was arrested and charged with reckless
burning, according to Weston Police Chief John Troxell. Police
believe the worker was burning boxes containing roofing materials and
the fire spread to the home's garage, eventually burning down the home
and spreading as a brush fire. The worker's name was not yet
released. The matter is still under investigation.
FIRE UPDATE, 2:55 p.m.: A
fire which started this morning on Smith Ridge Road appears to be under
control, said Weston Police Chief John Troxell shortly before 2:30
p.m. The chief said a massive effort by firefighters has
contained the fire and prevented it from spreading beyond the Forest
Road/Ordway Preserve area.
“At this time, we are re-routing school buses that are scheduled to
stop on Tannery Road South to a stop on Tannery Road North,” Chief
Troxell said.
Otherwise no other bus routes are being changed. Parts of Tannery
Road South, as well as Smith Ridge Road and Forest Road are still
closed to through traffic. Steep Hill Road, a major thoroughfare, is
open.
Firefighters from Weston and several surrounding towns are expected to
stay on the scene for at least three more hours to make sure the fire
does not spread.
Three houses on Forest Road, numbers 13, 15, and 17, were evacuated
during the fire as a precaution. The fire was smoky and
smoldering, rather than a blaze, and due to gusty winds it spread
quickly.
“The deck of the house at 15 Forest Road caught on fire, but
firefighters put it right out,” Chief Troxell said.
Two Weston fire volunteers were transported from the scene. One
firefighter hurt his back in the woods, while Walter Dadik, an EMT, was
overcome by smoke inhalation. “The injuries were not serious,”
Chief Troxell said. Chief Troxell said it appeared the fire
spread over at least 20 acres of land, including a part of the Ordway
Nature Preserve. “It’s hard to tell where the boundaries are
between private and public property because it is heavily forested,” he
said.
The fire is currently being deemed suspicious/accidental. The state
Fire Marshal’s office and Weston Police Detective Carl Filsinger are
conducting an investigation.
BREAKING NEWS: Firefighters
have been called from several area towns to help the Weston Volunteer
Fire Department battle a blaze that has destroyed a house under
construction on Smith Ridge, and forced the evacuation of at least two
houses on Forest Road.
Crews from Weston, Redding, Georgetown, Wilton, Westport, Ridgefield,
and Easton are still trying to control smoke and flames that are
spreading quickly throughout the wooded area due to heavy and gusty
winds. It is considered to be a "red flag day," meaning fire conditions
are extremely hazardous.
Two houses, 15 Forest Road, owned by David Kane, and 17 Forest, owned
by Robert Winslow, have been evacuated. Police escorted occupants from
those houses just after noon. The Kane house was completely surrounded
with smoke. There were no apparent injuries.
Flames and smoke are appearing in the woods, along the ground and in
trees and bushes, throughout the surrounding area, which borders on the
Katherine Ordway Nature Preserve. Police are blocking off roads and
detouring traffic until the brushfires can be brought under control.
The original fire has been deemed "suspicious" and the state fire
marshal has been called in to investigate.
This story will be updated as details emerge.
DEMO OF OLD FIRE HOUSE ON LYONS PLAINS ROAD
An artist’s rendering
of the proposed Lyons Plain Firehouse shows new garage bays facing away
from the street, which, we understand informally, received the go-ahead
and variances from ZBA.
NOTICE:
Board
of Selectmen set Monday, October 6, 2008 at 7:30pm in the Town Hall
Meeting Room for a Public Hearing prior to the Thursday, October 16,
2008 at 8pm Special Town Meeting to be held, tentatively, at the Weston
Middle School Cafeteria...OK BY VOTERS!
Weston OKs up to $900,000 to
build a new firehouse
Weston FORUM
Written by Brian Gioiele
Thursday, September 11, 2008
The Weston Fire Department’s dream of replacing the aging, structurally
unsound firehouse at its Lyons Plain Road location has moved one step
closer to reality.
With a room full of firefighters and emergency medical technicians
looking on, the Board of Selectmen voted Thursday to provide a $900,000
“donation” to the fire department, covering half of the $1.8-million
estimated cost for constructing a new facility.
The approval — which calls for the town to cover 50% of the project’s
price tag, with a maximum expenditure of $900,000 — now goes before the
Board of Finance, then, if approved, to a special Town Meeting.
The selectmen’s donation calls for spending $300,000 in each of the
next three fiscal year budgets to total the $900,000.
“I look at this as a gift or a donation to the fire department for them
to build a new facility,” said Selectman Gayle Weinstein.
Selectman Glenn Major stated he was “100%” behind the new firehouse,
but questioned whether the approval could be given Thursday since there
were no final cost estimates for the proposed development.
“I’m concerned with the $1.8-million number,” said Mr. Major. “There
are no actual bids. We’re looking at the third project in a row without
any hard numbers. And for the last two, the final numbers were off
significantly.”
First Selectman Woody Bliss said this project differs from work such as
the high school auditorium renovation because this is not a town
project. Since the auditorium was a town project, the town was required
to cover all the cost, but the firehouse is a fire department project
that is receiving only a “donation” from the town.
After acknowledging his concerns about the accuracy of the cost
estimates presented, Mr. Major joined his fellow selectmen in approving
the expenditure. And the vote was met with vocal approval from the
crowd.
Timetable
The Lyons Plain firehouse, which serves homes in Weston east of the
Saugatuck River, sits on property owned by the fire department. Curtis
Gunn, department president, said the hope is for groundbreaking in
March, which means any further delays in approvals could hinder the
timetable.
With cracks in the floors and walls, leaks, poor heating and
ventilation systems, a separating chimney, and decaying cinder block
walls to contend with, Mr. Gunn said he is unsure how long the
structure will remain safe for occupancy.
“To continue to serve the residents of Weston, the fire department must
plan for the future,” Mr. Gunn said. “Ever increasing training
requirements and call volume will continue to tax this all-volunteer
department. Facilities to accommodate our needs are based on the
demands of providing quality public safety service to our community.”
The department has already received approvals from the Planning and
Zoning Commission and necessary variances from the Zoning Board of
Appeals. But without assured financial assistance from the town, Mr.
Gunn said, the department’s plans would be stalled.
“The problem is we’re starting to spend real dollars,” said Fire Capt.
Larry Roberts. “We just want an assurance that the town will back us
up.”
Mr. Roberts then assured the selectmen that if the project came in at
more than the $1.8-million figure, the department would cover the
additional cost. And if the project came in at less than the $1.8
million, the town would still be asked to cover only 50% of the total
cost.
“The basic fact is the building needs to be replaced due to the fact
that the foundation is failing,” said Mr. Gunn.
Built in 1947
The fire department first appeared before the selectmen in October
2007, asking for $900,000 to replace the current fire house, which was
originally built in 1947.
The original building uses cinder blocks, a building material now
banned from use. And those cinder blocks, in various locations within
the building, are crumbling, Mr. Gunn said.
Inside, the main floor of the building’s meeting room has a long, deep
crack that runs down the center. Outside, the chimney is separating
from the building by more than four inches.
If the building is not replaced and is forced to shut down because of
structural problems, Mr. Gunn said, a portion of the town would be left
without emergency services close at hand.
“Fire trucks would be dispatched from the Norfield firehouse, meaning a
longer response time to get to Lyons Plain, especially with Cartbridge
Road out of service,” he said.
While the new plan calls for considerable changes to be made to build a
structure that is compliant with building and safety codes, the
building footprint would remain the same.
The proposal
The proposed building would be approximately 6,000 square feet, with
two stories and garage bays for three vehicles, an increase of one bay.
The bays would take up some 2,800 square feet of garage space.
The building would be taller than a residential structure because the
fire trucks are nearly 10 feet tall.
In another change, the bays, which currently face Lyons Plain Road and
are only several feet from the street, would face the side of the
building that opens onto a parking lot. This would allow more room for
the trucks to maneuver without going onto the street.
On the second floor of the new building, space would be created above
the garage for a training room that would be used for the department’s
meetings and social events. On the ground level, there would be room
for an office and bathroom as well as the garage bays. And in the
basement, there would be space for a gym and workroom. The building
would also have an elevator to make it handicapped-accessible.
The new building would also get an exterior facelift and would be
remodeled so it resembled a country barn, fitting in with the rural
character of the neighborhood. The existing building is gray and
nondescript.
Lyons Plain firehouse gets 18
variances from Weston ZBA
NOTE:
Weston Fire Trucks are WHITE and YELLOW
Although fire trucks might be red, right now members of
the Weston Volunteer Fire Department are seeing green.
The department was given the green light by the Zoning Board of Appeals
on Tuesday, July 8, when the board granted it 18 variances. The
variances allow for the demolition of a pre-existing, non-conforming
firehouse on Lyons Plain Road and construction of a new one.
Curtis Gunn, president of the fire department, said he was happy with
ZBA’s decision. “This allows us to move forward with our plan to build
a new firehouse. Now we need to focus on the funding,” Mr. Gunn said.
The department would like to break ground for the new firehouse in
March 2009.
The town has two firehouses. One is in the center of town on Norfield
Road, and the second is located on Lyons Plain Road and serves homes
east of the Saugatuck River. The estimated cost for a new
firehouse on Lyons Plain Road is approximately $1.8 million. The fire
department has $900,000, half the total cost, available for the
project, and has asked the town through the Board of Selectmen to
allocate the remaining $900,000 in installments of $300,000 over the
next three years.
First Selectman Woody Bliss has said in the past that he supports the
Lyons Plain project. “I agree, the firehouse needs to be redone. It
needs to be done right,” he has said.
Mr. Gunn said the department will present its plans to the selectmen,
as well as to the Board of Finance, in September, hoping the funding
will be authorized.
“There is an urgent need to replace the Lyons Plain firehouse before it
falls apart or sinks into the ground,” Fire Chief John Pokorny said
before the variances were issued.
The building on Lyons Plain Road dates to the 1940s and has had several
renovations over the years. While the existing firehouse has
3,200 square feet, including the garage bays, the new building will
measure approximately 6,000 square feet. It will keep within the
existing footprint of the current building, but will be taller.
The firehouse is on an undersized lot, and thus needed numerous
variances in order to accommodate the new building and parking area.
Variances granted
The 18 variances granted by the ZBA are summarized below and will allow:
1. Construction of a new firehouse on 0.660 acre, being less than three
acres.
2. A minimum rectanglular area of coverage on the lot of less than 170’
x 200’.
3. Building coverage in excess of 10% of the site area and combined
building and parking coverage in excess of 30% of the site area.
4. Setback of less than 100 feet from the front line, sidelines and
back lot line for principal facilities and structure.
5. Setback of less than 50 feet from the front line, sidelines and back
lot line for land use.
6. Setback from structure, land uses and facilities of less than 100
feet from the front line and less than 50 feet from the sidelines back
parking lot for parking setback.
7. Parking spaces shown on applicant’s site plan to be the total
required number of parking spaces.
8. Buffer area to be less than 50 feet in depth or to be not required
and to allow the existing natural growth of plants to continue to be
the only screening required.
9. Applicant to dispense with the necessity of having to erect a wall
or fence providing screening equivalent to an evergreen buffer.
10. Membership in the fire department to be unlimited.
11. Use of the property to be as is, consistent with its obligation to
provide fire, emergency, medical, and paramedic services to the people
in the town of Weston, as well as the training of firefighters,
emergency medical technicians and paramedics.
12. Maximum structure height of 41 feet, six inches, together with a
cupola.
13-18. Variances to each and every one of sections 370, 371, 372, 373,
374, and 375 so that they operate to allow the demolition of the
existing firehouse and the construction of a new firehouse, new parking
plan and new accessways as shown on the applicant’s site plan, without
the effect that the resulting new firehouse, its new parking and access
plan, size of its lot, and all uses of the same be made conforming to
the zoning regulations.
Hot new plan in the works for Lyons Plain
firehouse
Weston FORUM
Written by Patricia Gay
Wednesday, 11 June 2008 12:10
An artist’s rendering of the proposed Lyons Plain Firehouse shows new
garage bays facing away from the street.
Members of the Weston Volunteer Fire Department are often called on to
save buildings from being destroyed.
But there is one building in town they would like to see come down —
their own firehouse on Lyons Plain Road. “The building is in really
poor shape,” said Weston Fire Chief John Pokorny.
With cracks in the floors and walls, leaks, poor heating and
ventilation systems, a separating chimney, and decaying cinder block
walls to contend with, the department is proposing to tear the existing
firehouse down and put a new one up in its place.
Curtis Gunn, president of the department, said he would like to break
ground for a new firehouse in March 2009.
But first there are two obstacles the department has to overcome —
funding, and land use approvals.
The Lyons Plain firehouse serves homes in Weston east of the Saugatuck
River. The town has a second firehouse in the center of town on
Norfield Road
The Norfield firehouse is owned by the town of Weston. But the Lyons
Plain firehouse is the fire department’s responsibility because the
department is the property owner.
According to attorney George Guidera, who represents the fire
department, the Lyons Plain Road property was deeded to the fire
department for the express purpose of constructing and operating a
firehouse. In the event the property ceases to be operated as a
firehouse, title would revert to the heirs of the previous owner. “As
long as there is a firehouse on the property, it belongs to the fire
department. There’s been a firehouse there for 61 years and there will
be a firehouse there for 61 more years,” Mr. Guidera said.
While the town of Weston provides equipment and trucks to Lyons Plain,
and some benefits to its firefighters, it does not pay for the
maintenance and repair of the Lyons Plain firehouse building. Those
costs are borne by the department.
The town also does not pay salaries to the firefighters, as they are an
all volunteer service.
Cost
The estimated cost for a new firehouse on Lyons Plain Road is
approximately $1.8 million, according to Mr. Gunn.
The fire department has $900,000, half the total cost, available for
the project.
“The department knew this expense was coming and has been putting money
aside for it for several years,” said Mr. Pokorny. The department’s
funding sources have come from donations as well as the proceeds from
the sale of property the department used to own on Dillon Pass, he said.
But the department still needs $900,000 more for the project so it is
asking the town to help. Mr. Gunn and other members of the department
have asked the selectmen to consider allocating $300,000 for the next
three years so they can make their goal.
First Selectman Woody Bliss said he supports the project. “I agree, the
firehouse needs to be redone. It needs to be done right,” he said.
The fire department’s plan needs to be presented to the selectmen as
well as the Board of Finance before funding can be authorized, Mr.
Bliss said.
Urgent need
Chief Pokorny said there is an urgent need to replace the Lyons Plain
firehouse before it falls apart or sinks into the ground. The building
dates back to the 1940s and has had several renovations done to it over
the years.
“What’s now the existing garage is made of cinder blocks and they are
in bad shape and starting to crumble in places. I’m not sure if the
building will last two or five years. It’s becoming unusable,” he said.
Inside, the main floor of the building’s meeting room has a long, deep
crack that runs down the center. Outside, the chimney is separating
from the building.
The department first considered making repairs to the building, but
when the costs were added up, it was just about the same to build a new
structure, Chief Pokorny said.
If the building is not replaced and is forced to shut down because of
structural problems, a portion of the town would be left without
emergency services close at hand. “The response from Norfield to that
side of town is pretty long,” said Chief Pokorny.
Mr. Gunn agreed. “Fire trucks would be dispatched from the Norfield
firehouse, meaning a longer response time to get to Lyons Plain,
especially with Cartbridge Road out of service,” he said.
Mr. Gunn recalled several emergencies in which the Lyons Plain
firehouse was the first to respond, including the rescue of a family by
boat when a storm flooded the Saugatuck River, and a fire at a home on
High Noon Road that was contained to the garage and did not spread to
the house. “We saved that home,” Mr. Gunn said.
Same footprint
While the new plan calls for considerable changes to be made to build a
structure that is compliant with building and safety codes, one thing
would remain the same.
“The new firehouse would have the exact same footprint as the existing
one,” said Mr. Gunn.
That means the firehouse, which is only several feet from Lyons Plain
road, would not move any closer, nor would it expand in the back or
sides. The new firehouse would however, go upwards a bit.
“The existing firehouse is 3,200 square feet. That includes the garage
bays and everything,” said Fire Captain Larry Roberts. He said the
existing garage bay for the fire trucks takes up about 2,000 square
feet.
The proposed building would measure approximately 6,000 square feet.
“The new firehouse will have two stories and will include garage bays
for three vehicles. The bays will take up about 2,800 square feet of
garage space,” Mr. Roberts said.
The height of the building will be taller than a residential structure
because the fire trucks are nearly 10 feet tall. “In order to get a
truck parked, the first floor needs to be about 13 feet tall just for
the vehicles. It’s a necessity to have a taller structure because we
can’t make the trucks any shorter,” Mr. Roberts said.
Another change with the garage bays should result in a major
improvement with safety. The bays currently face Lyons Plain Road and
are only several feet from the street. This means the fire trucks have
to back into the bays by pulling onto Lyons Plain Road.
With the new design, the bays will face the side of the building which
opens onto a parking lot. This will allow more room for the trucks to
maneuver, without going onto the street. “It is a much safer design,”
Mr. Gunn said.
Adding a bay
The design also calls for adding one more garage bay, raising the
number from two to three. “This will allow room for an ambulance if
needed at the firehouse. The present bays are tight, and one of our
trucks barely fits into it,” Mr. Gunn said.
On the second floor of the new building, there would be space created
above the garage for a training room that would be used for the
department’s meetings and social events.
On the ground level there would be room for an office and bathroom as
well as the garage bays.
In the basement there would be space for a gym and workroom. The
building would also have an elevator to make it handicapped accessible.
The new building would also get an exterior facelift and would be
re-modeled so it resembles a country barn, fitting in with the rural
character of the neighborhood. The existing building is gray and
non-descript.
Mr. Gunn said he understands the department’s plan needs to be approved
by various town boards and he hopes the public will come to those
meetings so they can learn more about the project.
“The volunteer fire department saves the town a lot of money. It is one
of the best bargains the town has. I hope the town will support this
project because time is of the essence for this building,” Mr. Gunn
said.
Weston
Volunteer Fire Department; New
firehouse will take a lot of land use approvals
Weston FORUM
by Patricia Gay
May
30, 2008
The Weston Volunteer Fire Department
is going to have to jump over several hurdles before it can replace its
existing firehouse on Lyons Plain Road with a new building. Those hurdles were outlined at a meeting
of the Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday, May 19.
George Guidera, the attorney
representing the fire department, said there are several steps the
department has to go through before the project passes muster with the
town’s land use requirements. The first step involves resolving a
problem with the town’s zoning regulations, he said.
Mr. Guidera said that in 1947, his
grandfather donated land on Lyons Plain Road to the fire department for
the construction of a firehouse. The property is owned by the fire
department, a private entity, and not the town of Weston. The town
does, however, provide the department with vehicles and
equipment. The town’s
current zoning regulations say firehouses are permitted in residential
districts, but special permit approval is necessary, which must comply
with the section of the regulations that apply to firehouses.
The problem, Mr. Guidera said, is
that in January, P&Z changed its zoning regulations and the section
applying to firehouses was removed and incorporated into a new
regulation governing municipal-owned buildings. However, since the Lyons Plain firehouse
is not owned by a municipality, the new regulation does not apply to
it, and there is no other regulation that pertains to privately owned
firehouses.
“When the commission made the change
to its regulations, it completely overlooked the fact that the
firehouse was not owned by the town,” Mr. Guidera said. To that end, Mr. Guidera requested that
P&Z amend its zoning regulations so privately owned firehouses are
included in them.
The commission voted unanimously to
set a public hearing date of Monday, June 2, to consider the amendment
to the zoning regulations. Stephan Grozinger, a volunteer firefighter,
recused himself from all discussion and voting.
Next step
Assuming the commission approves the
amendment, Mr. Guidera said the next step is to apply to the Zoning
Board of Appeals for a number of variances, because the existing
firehouse does not conform to setbacks, height and other requirements.
Then, assuming approval from ZBA on
the variances, the next step will be to go back to P&Z for special
permit approval, while simultaneously seeking approval from the
Conservation Commission, because the firehouse sits within 100 feet of
the east branch of the Saugatuck River and falls under that
commission’s jurisdiction.
If the hearings on all the
applications are held quickly, Mr. Guidera said approvals for the new
firehouse could be in place by July. Otherwise, the approval process
will be bumped to September because the commissions do not meet in
August. Mr. Guidera
said the existing firehouse, built in 1947, is in poor condition and is
sinking into the ground.
“The building is built of
cinderblock and is long in the tooth,” Mr. Guidera said. He said the
department needs a new building badly, and the firehouse is very
important to the community because it is the only emergency service
facility in that area of town.
The town’s one other firehouse is on
Norfield Road in the town center.
Emmanuel ultimately received the go ahead!
EMMANUEL SPECIAL PERMIT PUBLIC
HEARING BEGINS...
Planning and Zoning holds special meeting (Tuesday at 8pm in the Town
Hall Meeting Room) to consider Special Permit application for Emmanuel
Church new parish hall. Size of parking lot and coverage as well as
safe exit and entry and respect for neighbor the issues. Also,
Emmanuel intends to have a generator and be an emergency shelter
opportunity for the East Side of Town.
"About Town" attended in order to see what the application is all
about. New parish hall is to be second in importance to Greek Revival church itself.
But
similar in proportion and design. Public Hearing on
this Special Permit application continues on December 3. Maps
must be stamped as "official" and not just for planning purposes, a
recommendation of the Town Engineer.
Emmanuel
plans for new parish hall
Weston FORUM
by PATRICIA GAY
Nov 20, 2007
A model of Emmanuel Church’s proposed new parish hall, left, shows what
it will look like after its expansion. —Patricia Gay photo
After successfully lobbying for an easing of the zoning setback
requirements for churches and houses of worship, Emmanuel Episcopal
Church is now before the commission with a proposal to build a new
parish hall.
In July, P&Z approved a new regulation giving churches and houses
of worship wider front and side lot setbacks than they previously had.
The regulation also gives the commission discretion in implementing the
location and sizes of buffers within those setbacks.
A public hearing on the plan was scheduled to be held by the Planning
and Zoning Commission on Tuesday, Nov. 20. Because the hearing is being
held after The Forum’s deadline this week, it will be reported in next
week’s Forum.
Intention
The church intends to demolish its existing 7,200-square-foot parish
hall, located at 285 Lyons Plain Road, and replace it with a new
structure measuring approximately 10,500 square feet.
The new parish hall will have three levels, including a main level
where the main greeting room and kitchen are located, a lower level for
the nursery school, and a second level for church and nursery school
offices.
The hall will be located in the same area where the existing hall is,
except it will cover more space. “The existing hall is very much out of
date. The new hall will be more handicap accessible and will have an
elevator. The nursery school will be brought up to code,” said the Rev.
David Feyrer, the church’s pastor.
He said the church has raised close to $1.5 million for the project to
date. However, since it has not gone out to bid yet there are no hard
fast numbers. “The church is considering both stick built and modular
structures and will compare the costs and the benefits of both types,”
Mr. Feyrer said.
The hall is used on Sundays for the church’s coffee hour after the
service, and is a major facility for the church’s annual fair. In
addition, the church operates a nursery school in the hall during the
school year.
Impact
One of the concerns raised during the regulation change hearing was the
impact the plan will have on its neighbors.
In addition to increasing the hall’s size, the plan also calls for
adding five spaces to an existing parking lot, and moving an existing
playground closer to the church’s lot lines on Emmanuel Lane, a private
road.
At one of the previous regulation hearings, Bill Lomas, who lives on
Emmanuel Lane and is also a parishioner of the church, objected to the
plan. He said he was concerned that since the new hall would be bigger
in size, it would be able to accommodate more people and the buffer
zone between the church and his house might not be adequate.
He also expressed concern that reducing the setback requirements could
decrease property values.
Mr. Feyrer said the church plans to provide sufficient plantings to
effectively buffer the church from Emmanuel Lane. “Our intention is to
put in a nice, natural barrier with trees and shrubs, but no fencing,”
he said.
He said the parishioners are committed to the project and would like to
resolve any issues the neighbors have.
NOT
SO NEW
NEWS: Read stories about FEMA
declaring Fairfield County a disaster
for things like Cartbridge
("government" only considered eligible)!
Weston's
Cartbridge Road bridge is once again open to
traffic
Weston FORUM
Written by Kimberly Donnelly
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Of the 20 or so people gathered at the official opening of the
Cartbridge Road bridge, probably none was happier than Betty Kaye.
“It’s finally done! I’m just thrilled,” she said.
Ms. Kaye and her husband, Seth, live at 1 Cartbridge Road, the property
that overlooks the Saugatuck River and the bridge that crossed it —
until that bridge was wiped out by a nor’easter nearly two years ago.
Ever since, the Kayes, and their neighbors across the river, have had
to drive about five miles out of their way to get from the Lyons Plain
Road side of the bridge to the Goodhill Road side.
Not anymore.
Last Friday, Oct. 24, contractors handed over the Cartbridge bridge to
the town.
“I came out to look at it, and the only thing not done was the
striping,” said Weston First Selectman Woody Bliss. He was assured
striping would be done “in the middle of the night,” and sure enough,
by Saturday morning, yellow double lines ran across the black asphalt.
On Monday, the town held an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to open
the bridge to through traffic. On hand were Mr. Bliss and Selectman
Gayle Weinstein; Congressman Christopher Shays, who helped push the
bridge project through federal channels; fire and EMS personnel, who
led the parade of traffic across the bridge after the ribbon was cut;
contractors, engineers, and town employees; and, of course, several
residents like Ms. Kaye, who were happy to finally have their road back.
“I’m excited — the bus can actually come to our house now; I don’t have
to drive my daughter anymore,” said Lydia Cohen.
Her daughter, Celeste, was invited to cut the ribbon when the time
came, an act that was accompanied by the clicking of cameras, the roll
of a video camera from Channel 12, and lots of applause.
Afterward, a police car, fire engine, and ambulance led the way across
the bridge.
Mr. Bliss said he was pleased with the bridge replacement project. It
was just about 18 months from the time the bridge was damaged in April
2007 to its re-opening this week.
Because President George W. Bush declared Connecticut a disaster after
the nor’easter that damaged the bridge, the town was able to procure
partial funding for the bridge work from the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) and get the project fast-tracked.
FEMA is paying for 75% of the estimated $1.269-million cost of
replacing the bridge. The town will pay the remaining $325,000.
There were some delays along the way, caused by utility poles that had
be moved, and ledge rock found shallower than expected when drilling.
But overall, Mr. Bliss said, the project was completed more quickly
than most, and the timeline was about what he and other town officials
expected.
“Next up, Valley Forge bridge,” the first selectman said right after
the Cartbridge ribbon cutting.
The town had been about to start construction work on the deteriorating
Valley Forge bridge when the Cartbridge bridge was damaged. Not wanting
to have two bridges out at the same time, the town delayed work on the
Valley Forge one until the Cartbridge one was repaired.
Cartbridge
bridge in Weston is a bridge again
Weston FORUM
Written by Kimberly Donnelly
Friday, October 10, 2008
Once again, the Cartbridge Road bridge crosses the Saugatuck River.
Traffic, however, will have to wait a few more weeks.
After months under construction, and nearly 18 months after the bridge
was damaged in a storm, the east and west banks of the river are again
connected. Precast concrete bridge span sections were lowered into
place by crane about two weeks ago. Last week, the arches were
waterproofed, backfilling began, and a bridge rail was installed.
Tom Landry, Weston town administrator, said backfilling was scheduled
to be completed by the end of this week. In addition, removal of the
cofferdam was set to begin Wednesday, Oct. 8.
Once drainage work is completed, paving is due to start late next week,
followed by striping an installation of a permanent guardrail.
A dry hydrant will also be installed in the river at the bridge site.
Only construction equipment is allowed to cross the bridge at this
time. It should be open to traffic by the end of the month, if not
sooner, Mr. Landry said.
The bridge has been closed to traffic since it was damaged during a
storm in April 2007. Cartbridge Road, when the bridge is operational,
connects Goodhill Road with Lyons Plain Road.
Because President George W. Bush declared Connecticut a disaster after
the nor’easter that damaged the bridge, the town was able to procure
partial funding for the bridge work from the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) and get the project fast-tracked. FEMA is
paying for 75% of the estimated $1.269-million cost of replacing the
bridge. The town will pay the remaining $325,000.
Once the bridge work is completed, FEMA will come to inspect it, Mr.
Landry said.
THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE, SO
FAR...THAT'S WHY WE CALL THESE THINGS "DISASTERS"
Weston's
Cartbridge update: Bridge span to be laid next
week
Weston FORUM
Written by Kimberly Donnelly
Friday, September 19, 2008
After almost two and one-half months of delays early on, and a few
weeks later than predicted at the end of July, work on the Cartbridge
Road bridge replacement is expected to be done in just about a month
from now.
Tom Landry, town administrator, said everything seems to be
“progressing quite nicely” on the project, which is scheduled to be
completed by Oct. 24. There is a possibility the bridge will be open to
limited traffic about a week earlier than that, Mr. Landry said.
According to the latest revised schedule, four precast concrete bridge
span sections are supposed to be delivered and installed sometime
before Sept. 25, Mr. Landry said. Finishing touches then include
installing several layers of asphalt and striping the pavement.
Damaged
The bridge has been closed to traffic since it was damaged during a
storm in April 2007. Cartbridge Road, when the bridge is operational,
connects Goodhill Road with Lyons Plain Road.
Because President George W. Bush declared Connecticut a disaster after
the noreaster that damaged the bridge, the town was able to procure
partial funding for the bridge work from the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) and get the project fast-tracked. FEMA is
paying for 75% of the estimated $1.269-million cost of replacing the
bridge. The town will pay the remaining $325,000.
Revised
schedule: Contractor says
Cartbridge Road bridge will likely open in
October
Weston FORUM
Written by Kimberly Donnelly
Thursday, August 07, 2008
A utility pole that stood in the way of progress on the Cartbridge Road
bridge replacement project has finally been removed.
The project, originally due to be completed July 2, now has an end date
of Oct. 27. But, it will likely be open to at least limited traffic
about a month before that.
Complete Construction Company, the contractor replacing the bridge over
the Saugatuck River, said in a letter to the town dated July 24 that
the replacement schedule has been “negatively impacted 80 working days.”
Reasons for the delay stated in the letter include “unrelocated utility
poles,” “higher than anticipated water levels,” and a “stop work order
for additional borings.”
Now that some of those obstacles have been overcome (including a
utility pole that had to be moved by Connecticut Light and Power after
electrical, telephone, and cable TV wires were moved), the contractor
has revised its construction schedule “to expedite completion of the
project,” the letter states.
The revised schedule calls for the four pre-cast concrete bridge span
sections to be delivered and installed between Sept. 3 and Sept. 5; it
will open Cartbridge Road to one-way traffic on Sept. 23; and the
project will be completed, except for the punchlist, on Oct. 2.
Tom Landry, town administrator, said he is glad to see some progress,
but he continues to monitor the project closely. “We’re pushing them
pretty hard” to get the bridge opened even earlier — “ASAP” — he said.
Damaged
The bridge has been closed to traffic since it was damaged during a
storm in April 2007. Cartbridge Road, when the bridge is operational,
connects Goodhill Road with Lyons Plain Road.
Because President George W. Bush declared Connecticut a disaster after
the nor’easter that damaged the bridge, the town was able to procure
partial funding for the bridge work from the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) and get the project fast-tracked. FEMA is
paying for 75% of the estimated $1.269-million cost of replacing the
bridge. The town will pay the remaining $325,000.
First Selectman Woody Bliss said even with the delays, he is pleased
with the speed at which the bridge is being put back into service.
“We’ll be done in 18 months,” he said. “...That’s about half the time
[the Department of Transportation] told us it would take originally.”
Mr. Bliss credits Congressman Christopher Shays (R-4th) with expediting
the project. “He brought in FEMA and has been very supportive,” Mr.
Bliss said.
Because the town opted to go with the FEMA reimbursement, rather than
the slightly higher (80%) state reimbursement, it was able to avoid
many permitting and procedural holdups.
“We gave up 5%, but we got the bridge a year and half sooner. I think
that’s good economics,” Mr. Bliss said.
He compared the progress to that of the Wells Hill bridge, which is in
Easton, but connects to Wells Hill Road in Weston. “My guess is [Wells
Hill] will take twice as long as it took us to do Cartbridge ...
roughly as long as the state DOT tells you it will take,” Mr. Bliss
said.
Next up
As soon as the Cartbridge project is completed, the town still faces
yet another bridge replacement project.
The Valley Forge Road bridge has been listed in “poor” condition. It
was due to be replaced beginning the summer of 2007.
The town had to put that project on hold when the Cartbridge bridge was
damaged. “We couldn’t have two bridges out of service at the same time.
That would have been crazy,” Mr. Bliss said.
Unfortunately, he added, the Valley Forge bridge can’t go out to bid
until the Cartbridge bridge is finished, Under state law, bids are only
good for 30 days, “so we have to wait until we can be in a position to
award a contract,” Mr. Bliss said.
The town likely will accept state aid for the Valley Forge bridge, Mr.
Bliss said. It means that the total time to replace the bridge, from
engineering work (that has already been done) through construction, is
expected to be about three years, not including the delay while
Cartbridge has been under construction.
“That’s how long it takes to build a bridge. It just takes time,” Mr.
Bliss said.
Building
a bridge: CL&P relocates
pole at Cartbridge
Weston FORUM
Written by Kimberly Donnelly
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P) has moved electrical wires from
a utility pole that is standing in the way of construction work on the
out-of-commission Cartbridge Road bridge. But, as of earlier this week,
the pole remains. The reason is that cable television and
telephone wires are still attached to the old pole.
Tom Landry, Weston town administrator, said CL&P began moving its
wires on Monday, July 7. Mitch Gross, spokesman for CL&P,
confirmed on Thursday, July 10, that the power company had completed
its portion of the work — sort of.
“Our poles and wires have been relocated,” Mr. Gross said. “As soon as
we finished our portion of the work, AT&T and Cablevision were
notified right away.”
Electrical wires are always located at the top of utility poles. Mr.
Landry said once the cable lines (always closest to the ground) and the
telephone lines (in between power and cable) are transferred to the new
utility pole, CL&P will need to return to remove the old pole.
First Selectman Woody Bliss said this week he was relieved the power
lines had finally been moved, but he is still anxious for the project
to move along. He met with the project engineer, Arthur DiCesare,
and representatives from the contractor, Complete Construction, at the
site last Friday, July 11. “Their estimate was a Sept. 15 completion
date,” Mr. Bliss said.
With all the delays the project has experienced in the past year,
however, Mr. Bliss is not quite ready to write that date on his
calendar in permanent marker. “We’ll see what happens. I’m pressing the
hell out of them to just fix it and get it going again,” Mr. Bliss said.
The bridge, which crosses the Saugatuck River, has been closed to
traffic since it was damaged during a storm in April 2007. Cartbridge
Road, when the bridge is operational, connects Goodhill Road with Lyons
Plain Road.
Because President Bush declared Connecticut a disaster in the wake of
the nor’easter that damaged the bridge, the town was able to procure
partial funding for the bridge work from the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) and get the project fast-tracked. FEMA is
paying for 75% of the estimated $1.269-million cost of replacing the
bridge. The town will pay the remaining $325,000.
Plagued by delays
Construction on the replacement bridge began at the beginning of March
of this year, and was scheduled to be completed by the end of June, but
delays ensued almost immediately.
Work on the east side of the river could proceed only so far because of
the utility pole that was in the middle of what is to be the new
bridge. The wires on that pole could not be moved until a new one was
installed; the new pole could not be installed until easements with
neighboring properties were worked out. That included the town signing
an indemnification agreement on behalf of one of the neighbors.
Once it looked like the easements were in place, Mr. Landry said,
CL&P then claimed it needed to receive “aerial rights” across the
Saugatuck because its power lines would be in a new location.
A date was set at the end of June to finally relocate the wires, but it
was further delayed when CL&P said it needed more time because it
had to get approval from Call Before You Dig, a clearinghouse that
provides a communications link between anyone excavating and public
utilities that may have underground lines.
Other reasons
The delays have not all been because of the errant utility pole,
however.
When the contractor was drilling for footings, it stopped about five
feet short of what had been specified in the bridge plans, claiming it
had reached bedrock. The engineer disagreed.
As is, the footings that were in place were able to hold nearly three
times the weight that is specified for the bridge. The problem lay in a
question of adequate “scour protection.”
All drilling stopped around Memorial Day. About a month later, a
compromise was reached when the engineer and Complete Construction
agreed to put in four additional pilings instead of going to the
original depth. Construction workers were at the site last week
and this week, installing the pilings.
Cartbridge:
Bridge work hits more
roadblocks
Weston FORUM
Written by Kimberly Donnelly
Wednesday, 11 June 2008 12:14
As they often say in New England, you can’t get there from
here.
The old maxim is certainly true for those who were used to
traveling on Cartbridge Road, normally a common cut-through between
Goodhill and Lyons Plain roads. And it looks as if it’s going to
continue to be true until at least the end of the summer.
“At this point, we’ll be lucky if we make it in time for the
school buses to start using it again in September,” said Tom Landry,
town administrator.
The Cartbridge bridge over the Saugatuck was permanently
damaged in a storm more than a year ago — in April 2007 — and has been
closed to traffic ever since.
Construction on the replacement bridge began at the beginning
of March, and was scheduled to be completed by the end of this month.
“Not going to happen,” Mr. Landry said last week.
There are two main issues holding up the work, Mr. Landry
said.
The first is a disagreement between the contractor, Complete
Construction, and the project engineer, Arthur DiCesare, about where
bedrock begins.
Mr. Landry said when the contractors were drilling for footings,
they stopped when they believed they reached bedrock — about five feet
short of where they had to be to comply with weight and scour
protection requirements.
The engineer said it was just rock, not bedrock, and that drilling
should continue. Complete Construction disagreed.
The town hired another firm, Dewberry, to do some test borings.
Dewberry recovered core samples at the site and determined the bedrock
indeed begins about five feet below where Complete Construction stopped
drilling.
However, the contractor still does not believe it is necessary to
continue drilling, Mr. Landry said. The footings are required to hold a
maximum of 85 tons; at the depth they are now, they would be able to
hold about 220 tons, nearly three times what is specified for the
bridge.
The problem, Mr. Landry explained, is that for proper “scour
protection” — to ensure that the movement of the river bottom doesn’t
chip away at the bridge footings — they must drill the additional five
feet.
“They’re going to have to figure out how to drill a different way, or
they might have to leave the coffer dams at the bottom of the river,”
Mr. Landry said. That, however, is a much more expensive proposition
for the contractor.
Drilling stopped around Memorial Day, and as of this week, had yet to
resume. “We will get this resolved. Eventually,” Mr. Landry said.
Power company
The second major impediment to the bridge work is that Connecticut
Light and Power (CL&P) has refused to move a utility pole that is
in the middle of what is supposed to be the new bridge. Until it is
moved, work on that side of the bridge (the Lyons Plain side) is at a
standstill.
“CL&P feels there are potential easement issues,” Mr. Landry said.
The good news is that CL&P does have easements for the property
onto which it needs to move the pole on the Lyons Plain side of the
river, as well as for the property on which a connected pole sits on
the opposite bank.
The problem is that in moving the one pole, the angle of the power
lines that cross the river and connect to the pole on the opposite bank
will change. CL&P claims it needs “aerial rights” once those lines
move, and those rights are not specifically stated in the current
easement agreements.
CL&P has asked the town to indemnify it against any potential
future problems. Mr. Landry said he does not feel it is necessary for
the town to do so.
“They’re already there,” he said of the power lines across the river.
CL&P says it does not want to be responsible for problems with the
lines, but if they are already there, Mr. Landry asked, what’s the
difference?
The issue is getting closer to a resolution, Mr. Landry said. Town
officials and CL&P representatives had a conference call on June 5,
and CL&P agreed to temporarily move the pole. But the company still
has to decide whether to run the lines up Riverbank Road and along
Cartbridge Road (on the Goodhill side of the river) or to keep them
going across the river. So the pole won’t be moved until June 27.
“We don’t really understand what the problem is, and we don’t really
care,” Mr. Landry said. “For goodness sake, move the darn pole. I’ve
got a bridge to build.”
The contract with Complete Construction said the bridge work had to be
done within 150 days of signing, which would be the end of this month.
“We’re definitely not going to hit that date,” Mr. Landry said, but
some of that is the power company’s doing, he added. “I think there’s
clearly some need for accommodation here,” he said.
Mr. Landry said it is likely the bridge will not be open until the end
of the summer. The contractor cannot submit plans for the bridge span,
which is built off site, until the current issues are resolved. From
the time the plans are submitted, it takes at least five weeks to build
the span, he said.
JOINT
PUBLIC HEARING
At
Selectmen's special meeting on October 4, 2007 at 6pm, Cartbridge two
versions shown - new bridge design (see virtual bridge design above) to
receive joint meeting review by Conservation and Planning and Zoning
later in the month. See notice below.
Cartbridge
Road bridge goes to public hearing
Weston FORUM
by PATRICIA GAY
Oct 19, 2007
The plan to replace the Cartbridge Road bridge will be reviewed at a
public hearing on Monday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. in the Meeting Room at
town hall.
The hearing will be conducted jointly by the Planning and Zoning
Commission and Conservation Commission.
P&Z will decide whether the bridge meets the standards of
Connecticut General Statute 8-24, and the Conservation Commission will
discuss floodplain management and the bridge’s impact on wetlands.
Under an 8-24 review, P&Z must decide if the replacement of the
bridge is a suitable and appropriate use of town property.
The bridge was heavily damage by flood rains in April and has been
closed to vehicular traffic since then.
The proposed replacement bridge will be 9 feet longer than the existing
bridge but would remain the same height, said Tom Landry, town
administrator. He said it would be made from pre-cast concrete.
CARTBRIDGE BRIDGE - TOWN TO SEEK F.E.M.A.
MONEY
by BRIAN GIOIELE
June 13,
2007
With a disaster declaration in hand, town officials are pushing for
federal funds to aid in the replacement of the Cartbridge Road bridge,
damaged during the April nor’easter that doused the state.
The Board of Selectmen last Thursday, June 7, voted to authorize First
Selectman Woody Bliss to make a grant application to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) seeking 75% of the cost to replace
the Cartbridge Road bridge, repairs of Godfrey Road West at Pent Road,
and other related expenses resulting from the mid-April rainstorm.
Town officials have had four separate meetings with FEMA officials in
recent weeks regarding the damage, after President Bush declared
Connecticut a disaster area because of the destruction caused by the
April 15 storm.
Mr. Bliss said he was pleased with the declaration, since it meant
Weston would get a share of emergency funds to replace the bridge,
which could cost between $600,000 and $800,000, according to estimates.
Officials say that FEMA will reimburse the town for police and public
works overtime expenses, the cost of the Jersey barriers they had to
place on the bridge, vehicle mileage for trucks and police cruisers
during the storm, debris removal costs, and even expenses for meals
workers ate while on the job.
Some seek quicker fix
But even this reimbursement opportunity has not stopped some
residents from seeking a quicker resolution to the bridge closure.
However, town officials say bypassing the FEMA route still poses
potential scheduling roadblocks.
“We could do it ourselves with FEMA aid,” said Mr. Bliss. “It would
reduce the time schedule, it would reduce the number of permits
required, but it doesn’t get a bridge built this summer.”
Mr. Bliss said that even without the additional permits required with
FEMA aid, the town would still need to have hydraulic tests performed
before there could be any bridge designs completed. The plans must then
go to the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for review
and approval, a process that could take up to two years.
“I’ve talked to people at DEP, told them about our situation, and was
told the process could be done in two to three months, possibly,” said
the first selectman. “In the end, there would be a few less permits,
but it won’t save us much time.”
The main concern is the traffic troubles on secondary roads in the area
of the Cartbridge Road bridge closure. Nearby River Road is being used
as a cut-through, and there is also more traffic on Goodhill and Lyons
Plain roads, which authorities say are not used to this type of traffic
volume.
Police Chief John Troxell said that the Police Commission last week
approved a plan to place stop signs at Goodhill Road at River Road,
making that intersection a four-way stop. Chief Troxell added that the
department will increase its presence on River Road as well in an
attempt to slow the increasing traffic on the roadway.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN HOLD REQUIRED
INFORMATION SESSION FOR PUBLIC, MAY 17, 2007:
This was planned way in advance for the the Valley Forge Bridge only -
20-30% done with design now, plan is to reroute traffic during
construction, (beginning optimistically, April 2008). A
Selectman, we think, asked if under the State Bridge program there was
anything like an "emergency" to speed up Valley Forge project,
considering that Cartbridge was no longer usable. The answer from
Department of Transportation engineer in charge - "No."
Questions about Cartbridge Bridge kept popping up - it is to be
repaired under the umbrella of FEMA (Federal Government), according to
First Selectman and folks from Maguire (engineers) and confirmed by CT
DOT...however, the DOT individual pointed out that there is an
"emergency" factor in FEMA regs - this is a good thing. (Now that CT
received disaster declaration, at least for infrastructure like
Cartbridge.)
IMPACT:
What is the
traffic impact on the Davis Hill Bridge, as well as the Valley
Forge/Lyons
Plan/Kellogg Hill intersection going to be like? Has anyone run
the numbers (i.e. traffic consultanr or SWRPA, which studied this
intersection and made recommendations in the past)? Can't be
good...we'll check the accident history on
roads and at interestions near these two operating bridges from time to
time...RIVER ROAD is fourth bridge in Weston - First Selectman reminds
us that there is one at this spot!
First Selectmen Peppered With
Questions
Westport News (part of story relating to Weston)
Don Casciato
May 16, 2007
"...A query about a bridge in Weston, which will be out of commission
for between six and 12 months, produced some angst. The person
asking the question claimed that Bliss' earlier answer to the man's
wife seemed 'specious' and he wanted to know why a temporary bridge
couldn't be installed...
"Another topic included flooding problems and how to cope when 'we
don't have the manpower. That's what keeps me awake at night'
said Bliss."
"On the...issue of affordable workforce housing,
Bliss said Weston lacks the sewers needed for such a project. 'The fact
of the matter is the bridge is in a federal flood plain'" said
Bliss. 'We are moving rapidly on our end...'"
Earlier report:
Cartbridge bridge replacement:
A long road lies ahead
FORUM
by PATRICIA GAY
May 9, 2007
The bridge on Cartbridge Road, which was severely damaged in the
recent nor’easter, is not going to be reopened anytime soon. “It may be
out of service for a year or more,” said First Selectman Woody
Bliss. According to Mr. Bliss, a report from a
team of engineers —
including a diver who explored the bridge’s underpinnings — states the
bridge cannot be repaired and must be replaced...full story here...
