ESSEX, CT — Essex officials are considering alternative approaches to bridge repairs and prioritizing a roughly $500,000 paving project on Pond Meadow as the town begins planning capital improvements approved in a recent bond referendum.
The Capital Committee reviewed project schedules, engineering requirements and construction priorities during its Oct. 19 meeting, including work on bridges, the Public Works campus, a regional animal control facility and the Centerbrook Meetinghouse.
Committee Chairman Bruce Glowac said the meeting was intended to establish a timeline for the projects following the referendum and determine which improvements should proceed first.
Public Works Director Ryan Welch reported that he and Town Engineer Bob Doane had met with representatives of Cardinal Engineering and BL Companies to discuss bridge repair options.
The town is seeking engineering recommendations to determine whether rehabilitation, restoration or replacement would be the most appropriate approach.
Doane said a hydraulic study is needed to assess an existing bridge's capacity. Officials also discussed the need to examine the bridge's structure and determine the condition of its abutments.
Committee members raised concerns about the time and expense associated with engineering studies required under the bridge grant program.
The grant requires a 20 percent local match, but members questioned whether the cost of meeting its requirements could make the project substantially more expensive.
The committee discussed whether Essex should proceed under the grant program and seek reimbursement or finance repairs independently.
Welch said he had contacted two bridge rehabilitation contractors and was aware of other municipalities undertaking similar projects.
Doane said he could obtain a price for an underwater inspection, while Welch said he would seek at least three bids for the work.
Officials noted that proceeding independently would still require applicable permits, including a wetlands permit.
Glowac said the committee would continue exploring bridge repair alternatives.
He also said the Deep River Road bridge project could wait a couple of years and would be funded entirely by the town, similar to the Ivory Street bridge project.
No contract award or final bridge repair method was approved at the meeting.
Welch reported that he has developed a five-year road paving plan, which he intends to present at the committee's next meeting.
Although the schedule has some flexibility, Welch recommended that Pond Meadow be paved first.
He estimated the project would cost approximately $500,000.
The committee did not vote on the paving schedule.
Welch said construction of the new Public Works garage is not expected until 2029.
Glowac suggested preparing a request for proposals for the garage portion of the project.
Members also discussed improvements that could proceed sooner, including moving a fence and replacing the roof over the Public Works director's office.
Welch said he had received a $60,000 quote for a new metal roof.
Committee members raised concerns about the existing roof's ability to support snow loads and discussed the possibility of installing additional trusses.
Glowac said a structural specialist should evaluate the roof before decisions are made.
Two projects at 72 Plains Road are expected to be completed in 2027.
The proposed regional animal control building remains in the design stage. Officials said BMP is preparing plans that are expected to be finished by the end of 2026.
Doane said he is preparing to return to the Planning and Zoning Commission in November.
The animal control project will require a rain garden to manage stormwater runoff on the property.
Plans for the new Police Auxiliary garage are complete, according to the committee's discussion.
Welch said he received a $4,200 quote for a foundation plan for that building.
No construction contracts were awarded for either project.
The committee reviewed planned improvements to the Centerbrook Meetinghouse.
Doane is working on exterior plans and an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramp.
Gary Riggio is developing interior plans and preparing a quote for a large-capacity boiler.
Officials also discussed replacement options for the building's entrance doors, which are rotted along the bottom.
Glowac said he would work with Welch and the fire marshal to evaluate the options.
The committee acknowledged that the Board of Education will determine the schedule for the Essex Elementary School project.
Similarly, the Essex Fire Department will establish the timeline for its capital improvements.
Finance Director Tracey Celentano said she would contact Fire Chief Going to obtain the department's plans and anticipated schedule.
The committee unanimously approved its Aug. 24 regular meeting minutes and Sept. 15 special meeting minutes.
Members also approved the Oct. 19 agenda with an addition allowing consideration of the previous meeting minutes.
Discussion of the committee's 2027 meeting schedule was postponed until its next meeting.
Glowac called the meeting to order at 2:04 p.m. It adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
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