Darien Selectmen Approve $785K For DPW Floor Repair Work

DARIEN, CT — The Darien Board of Selectmen on Monday night unanimously approved a special appropriation of $785,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds so the town's Department of Public Works can replace its concrete garage floor.

DPW Director Ed Gentile told the board the work was not originally part of the DPW facility upgrades six years ago, as the floor was repaired and epoxied with the goal of expanding its useful life just prior to that construction in 2017.

However, the floor, which is located along the east side of the DPW garage within the five truck bays, has fallen into disrepair and there are now structural integrity concerns. Gentile noted he can't even use the truck bays to house any equipment. The addition where the flooring is was built in 1993.

DPW went out to bid in February and only received one response, but it's the contractor who constructed the floors during the previous rehab work. Gentile noted those floors have shown no deficiencies, and the work on them was "meticulous."

"I have a good contract and I have a good bid right now," Gentile noted.

First Selectman Monica McNally asked if Gentile had embarked on other projects where he accepted a single bid. Gentile said he had.

In a special appropriation request to the board, Gentile said the funds will cover the low bid, basement-level infrastructure relocations during construction, regrading of the asphalt driveway/doorway areas just outside the bays, a special vehicle lift and a 15 percent contingency.

Gentile said "there are some novelties to this demolition and reconstruction," notably the fact that Parks & Recreation stores equipment underneath the existing floor.

Additionally, power needs to run to the Board of Education portion of the facility since their main feed runs through that section of flooring, Gentile said.

DPW will handle some of these specialty items, and HVAC and lighting work.

Gentile shared that the work would begin as early as Tuesday.

"I don't think we want to wait too long," Gentile told the board. He said it will take four to five weeks to dismantle the floor, demolish it, form it and wrap the steel.

Work is anticipated to stretch into November since the floor has to cure for 28 days.

"This isn't weather dependant, but I'd like to get it done before Thanksgiving to have use of that facility back up in working condition, not only for us, but for Parks & Rec. below us," Gentile said.

The Darien Board of Finance previously granted approval for the special appropriation.