Darien Selectmen To Consider Approval Of $125K For Firehouse Retaining Wall Project

DARIEN, CT — The Board of Selectmen is scheduled to consider transferring another $125,000 to the Noroton Heights Fire Department retaining wall project, which would bring its total appropriation to nearly $2.75 million.

The board will meet virtually at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19.

The requested transfer would cover additional pedestrian and vehicular bridge work, lower parking lot paving, remaining project expenses and a contingency. The board is scheduled to discuss and take action on the request before referring it to the Board of Finance.

According to explanatory comments in the meeting packet, the project was originally approved at $2,006,100. The Representative Town Meeting approved an additional $618,800 in June after crews encountered unexpected conditions during excavation.

Those conditions included differences between the existing wall and design assumptions, unsuitable soil and groundwater conditions that differed from an earlier boring report.

The latest $125,000 request would increase the total project budget to $2,749,900, or $743,800 above the original budget, according to the explanatory comments.

The new request includes $66,648 for pedestrian and vehicular bridge repairs and $65,570 for additional work and lower parking lot paving. It also includes $15,000 in additional project costs and a $15,840 contingency, offset by $38,058 in previously available funds.

The explanatory comments state that the requested transfer is expected to fund the project through completion. The Board of Finance is scheduled to consider the request Oct. 20.

The selectmen are also expected to continue discussing a proposed guidelines for a Great Island usage policy. The draft addresses public access, group events, large events, weddings, parking, noise, fees, insurance and the permit process.

The board is scheduled to discuss and take action on three other transfer requests.

A proposed $15,800 transfer would fund materials and a specialized coating for replacement decking on the scale at the town transfer station. According to the explanatory comments, portions of the decking have deteriorated and begun to deform.

A separate $6,000 transfer would pay for an independent engineering review of stormwater materials and site plans for the Great Island early-access parking design project as part of the Planning and Zoning Commission’s approval process.

The board may also transfer $598 for the reclassification of a wetland identified during the design of the Great Island parking project.

The agenda also includes a Sidewalk Committee presentation, updates on the town’s parking strategy and review of the town charter and ordinances, and a future update on drainage projects. The board may also discuss an agreement with Darien EMS-Post 53.

The selectmen are scheduled to consider reappointing a member of the Town Pension Committee and appointing Gregory Stackpole as town assessor for a three-year term beginning Nov. 9.

Public comment is listed on the agenda. Residents may also submit written comments before the meeting.

View the full agenda here.