City continues with next phases of the Sewer Extension Project
Date: 2/2/2010
Feb. 3, 2010.By Katelyn Gendron
Reminder Assistant Editor
AGAWAM -- City Councilors Robert Rossi and Dennis Perry are keeping their promise to stay on track to bring the six-phase sewer extension project to completion.
Construction on Phase One commenced in the fall of 2009 and city officials are already hammering out the details for Phases II and III. At a joint meeting of the City Council's Ad Hoc Sewer and Finance committees last week, recommendations were unanimously passed to the council in favor of appropriating leftover funds from Phase I to Phases II and III.
"The community always wanted to move forward on additional phases [as quickly as possible]," Rossi, chair of the Ad Hoc Sewer Committee, said. He added the costs of the subsequent phases would continue to come in under budget because of the lack of work for construction crews in this economy.
The City Council initially authorized $3.73 million for Phase I; however, the project will only cost $1.8 million. Rossi explained the $1.93 million difference would be applied to the approximately $7 million cost of Phases II and III if approved by the City Council.
Department of Public Works Superintendent Anthony Sylvia said the majority of Phase I has been completed, which includes 1.5 miles of gravity sewers running west from Shoemaker Lane, on the southerly side of Route 57 to South Westfield Street to the former police academy.
Sylvia added Phase I should be completed by the end of this year.
He noted preliminary engineering and design for Phases II and III have been finished but contract documents, surveying, permits and land acquisition have yet to be completed.
Sylvia noted roads would be repaved after sewer work is completed on each phase.
Todd Brown, vice president of Tighe & Bond, explained the remaining design for Phases II and III would take eight to 12 months. He said he anticipates the two phases to go out to bid in the first few months of 2011, with construction beginning that same year.
Phases II and III will bring sewers to Bradford, South Westfield, Barry and Pine streets and Spruce Circle as well as build two pump stations.
Additional phases include extending the town's sewer system to Barbara Lane, Gina Drive, Joanne Circle, Kathy Terrace, Partridge Court, Pheasant Run Circle, Pheasant Run Court, Red Fox Drive, White Fox Drive, Woodcock Court and Karen Lynn Circle.
