HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-05-14 Infrastructure Committee Minutes
Infrastructure Committee
Minutes
May 14, 2013
ATTENDEES
Councilors:
Benjamin Sprague Pauline Civiello James Gallant
James Gallant Patricia Blanchette Nelson Durgin
Staff:
Rhonda Fraser, for Brad Moore Cathy Conlow Art Morgan
Dana Wardwell
Guests:
Kathy Moriarty, Bangor Water District Josh Soucier, Bangor Andrew Barrowman, Bangor
Natural Gas Natural Gas
Consent Agenda
1. Sewer Abatement Request – 125-127 Essex Street, Account #1733901
Councilor Sprague moved, Councilor During seconded with no discussion.
Vote: Unanimous
Agenda
2. Update: Bangor Water District
Kathy Moriarty explained there was a rate increase in 2011. Due to the reduction in Bangor Water
District’s debt payments, the Board of Trustees decided to postpone an increase this coming fiscal year.
The following contributing factors allowed for that postponement of an increase:
The ozone treatment plant load has been paid.
Lower than anticipated bids of 4 million for the UV facility, bids actually came in at 2.7 million.
Secured very optimal project financing for the following projects with SRF funds:
o Painting the wood shroud on the Thomas Hill Standpipe; which hadn’t been painted since
2006 and expecting bids in the amount of $160,000.
o Crown lighting repair. Addition of security lights. They received the approval from
Historic Preservation Committee last week.
Change in employee health insurance by moving to a low premium, high deductable plan.
Realizing an $80,000 savings.
Kathy spoke about the UV facility being substantially complete by July 13, 2013 with the facility being
operational by October. Kathy also reported that the Water District had lines in the City over 100 years
old and they anticipated performing work:
625’ of main on Broad Street and
925’ on Silver Road, from Graham Street to dead end.
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Replacement of a 20” valve on Highland @ Ohio Street that was installed with the Thomas Hill
Pipe Standpipe.
Work would be done to pipes that were installed in the 1930’s on Essex and Lancaster, requiring
specialty contractors.
1200’ of pipe replacement on Sixth and Savage Streets would be performed. There had been
three leaks on Sixth Street.
Bangor International Airport’s pipes were from the 1940’s and were of poor quality.
1500’ of 10’ on Maine Avenue from Venture Way to Corporate Drive.
Councilor Civiello thanked the Water District for keeping rates down and appreciated the savings.
The Water District would provide an update in the next quarter.
No action necessary.
3. FY2014 Paving Plan
A paving plan was presented on the monitor. Dana explained in December he would send out a foreman
to review locations for paving. The list would then be trimmed down, eliminating those areas that were
expected to have utility projects. The focus primarily was on neighborhoods, sidewalks, and requests
from residents, but the budget would determine what paving could be done. The paving budget was 2.4
million with $225,000 for sidewalks just in pavement cost. He noted in addition there were two BACTS
projects for sidewalks: One was on Odlin Road from 395 to Ammo Park and the other on Stillwater
Avenue from Home Depot to the Parkade. There was discussion regarding project grants that didn’t
require City funds: Sidewalk on Griffin Road to Maine Avenue and projected sidewalk projects on
Union Street from Griffin Road to Telcom Drive and from Godfrey to Vermont Avenue. Hogan Road
from Bangor Mall Boulevard to Stillwater Avenue, Downeast Circle from Finson to Blue Hill East, and
Trail Five.
Councilor Durgin inquired about work to be done on Webster Avenue and Dana responded it was in the
2013 projects.
Councilor Civiello asked about Fifteenth Street receiving work. Dana and Cathy explained gas would
be installed then they would start in FY14 in July.
No action necessary.
4. Update: Bangor Natural Gas Company
Josh and Andrew explained the growth in this region with Bangor Gas had adding 3,785 customers this
last year and 2,100 of those were in Bangor. In 2012 1,182 customers were added and 665 of those were
Bangor customers. From 1999-2009 there was a total of 1,181 new customers. 56% of their growth was
in Bangor. A map was provided for Committee review of the approved project locations:
High to North High Street
Broadway from Garland to Somerset
Longrale Parke Apartment Complex
Fifteenth Street from Union to Wood Street
Madison/Kenduskeag.
Councilor Durgin inquired about Webster Avenue and Councilor Gallant asked about the turnaround
time the City has with permitting and was the map on the website. Cathy stated they could link Bangor
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Natural Gas site with the City’s website. Josh responded that all the utilities had a weekly meeting and
was very helpful. The system was more streamlined and expressed Bangor was the most efficient in
processing permits and thanked Art, Jeff, and Cheri in Engineering for expediting permits.
Expected installs this year that were budgeted projects, but required customer commitment and
signatures:
Lincoln Street from Main Street to Third Street
Bolling Drive Apartments
Silver Road from Webster to Crestmont
Art stated there was a proposed plan to take over the trench repairs, more work would need to be done
and that would come back before the Committee.
No action necessary.
5. Review: Neighborhood Revitalization Area Infrastructure
Art explained the mapping provided in the packet regarding sidewalk conditions, street lighting, natural
gas availability, and the age of the sewer systems in the neighborhood revitalization area of Main
Street, Third Street, Union Street, and Buck Street. Meetings have taken place with those citizens with
concerns and feedback provided. Lighting was of big concern with suggestions to prune trees and
provide better illumination. Councilor Durgin’s preference was to not prune trees but place attractive
fixtures. Councilor Civiello suggested they prune trees, fixtures later when the City could afford it.
Councilor Blanchette expressed safety issue for citizens and suggested talking to Senator Collins and
pursue federal funding. Councilor Durgin concurred with the safety issue. Councilor Gallant asked
about grant money for pruning and suggested next meeting to look at pruning efforts. Dana stated
they had applied and was uncertain if it had been granted. Councilor Blanchette suggested the same
type of lighting fixture be used as waterfront.
Art then explained the need for repairs/replacement to sewers in the area that have been there from
1860-1900. It would cost 18 million in the area from Sanford Street to Second Street. Councilor
Gallant asked if the repair/replacement of sewers was in line with paving to be done. Art explained
that they try to TV the line before laying pavement.
Bangor Water District would be doing a lot of work in this area with the replacement of a water main
on Main Street and then the street would be paved from curb to curb. A conceptual plan for
revitalizing Main Street was provided. In addition, they would expand the sidewalk on the waterfront
side and provide a loop trail on Main Street, Railroad Street, and continue down the trail to Dutton
Street. Cathy and Art spoke about some unused grant money that was left over would be used on
Main Street. Councilor Durgin suggested the City provide public awareness. Art stated the public was
being informed and involved.
No action necessary.
Vote: Unanimous
Motion made to adjourn, moved and seconded at approximately 7:05 p.m.
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