Oswegatchie Fire Station Building Committee - Minutes - 10/22/2024

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                 Oswegatchie Fire Station Building Committee

                               Special Meeting

                              October 22, 2024



Meeting called to order at 6:30pm



Pledge of Allegiance



Members Present:  Robert Tuneski, Ted Olynciw, Rocco Bracciale, Wayne
Gilpin, Paul Rafuse, Richard Muckle, Jennifer Bracciale, Matthew
Blankenship



Guests:  Atty. Nick Kepple, Jeffrey Robillard (IT Manager), Steve Smith
(Downes Construction), David Stein (SPA), Robert Banning (SPA), Eric Cantar
(SPA), Brian Phillips (Langan Engineering)

Public Comment:
J. Robillard gave comments regarding the size of the data room.  He does
not believe the current size on the schematic drawings is large enough for
the following reasons:
    • Should accommodate two 4-post racks
        a. Rack size is 2’x3’
        b. Racks should have 4’ of space in front and 3’ of space in the
           back.
        c. Space between the racks for cable management
        d. Ladder racks are also needed to keep cables off the floor.
    • Equipment will not be able to be organized properly
    • Some equipment will need to be mounted on the wall where the phone
      lines enter the room
    • Air conditioning is required to be facing the front of the data racks.

D. Stein stated the need for a listing of equipment to which a data room
can then be designed accordingly.  He also stated the data room could be
relocat3ed to the mezzanine.

J. Bracciale stated, based on comments from an RTM member, she would like
to bump the day room wall out in line with the back wall of the bays to add
space to the day room.

Opening Remarks:
B. Tuneski reported on the RTM Meeting:
     A question was raised as to whether there were plans in place for the
     other four fire stations.  The previous director had put in place CIP’s
     for each of the four fire houses as well as the apparatus.

R. Bracciale explained the Tim Condon (RTM) stated we are sizing the
building for 2 full size apparatus but sizing the day room for two
personnel.  This size does not encourage volunteers to come and stay at the
station and respond to calls from there.

D. Stein stated the current size of the day room is sized for 2 or 3
persons.

Approval of meeting minutes:

      MOTION by R Muckle, second by T. Olynciw to accept the 9/3/24 meeting
minutes.
      DISCUSSION:  P. Rafuse requested his vote on the motion for 3 drive
      through bays be amended to against.
      FOR:  R. Tuneski, T. Olynciw, R. Bracciale, W. Gilpin, P. Rafuse, J.
Bracciale
      ABSTAIN:  R. Muckle, M. Blankenship

      MOTION by R. Muckle, second by M. Blankenship to approve the 9/24/24
      meeting minutes.
      FOR:  Unanimous

Review and Approve Invoices:


      MOTION by R. Bracciale, second by J. Bracciale to approve payment of
      the Barton & Loguidice invoice and The Day invoice.
      DISCUSSION:  Question was raised whether this was the final invoice
      from Barton & Loguidice.  B. Tuneski will find out on 10/23/24 and
      report back.
      T. Olynciw asked about the environmental study to identify hazardous
      materials in the existing building.  B. Tuneski indicated this has
      been done and will send a hard copy of the findings to the committee
      members
      FOR:  Unanimous

Atty. Kepple indicated if the committee was in agreement, Public Comment
could be revisited since a member of the public had arrived after it had
been closed.  Committee agreed.

Tim Condon (RTM) spoke regarding his concerns:
    • Gear room is too small – It only has space for 12-15 lockers.  With
      two paid staff, half the lockers will be used which leaves very little
      for volunteers.
    • Day room is too small – should be larger to facilitate volunteerism.
    • With two Class A Pumpers, NFPA states each should be manned by four
      personnel.  A fully staffed firehouse would mean 8 firefighters.
      Sleeping quarters and day room cannot accommodate this number of
      individuals.
    • Stated he is for the building but feels there is an imbalance between
      living space and the number of bays.

Site Plan Approval:

B. Phillips presented details regarding the site plan:
    • Curb cuts will be right-sized to accommodate the bays.
    • There is a 24’ drive aisle
    • Turning movement with a 46’ truck
    • 26 parking spaces
    • Impervious surface is being reduced
    • Rain gardens in the rear for storm drainage
    • Power pole will need to be relocated
    • New apron includes 2 underground structures
        a. Oil/water separator
        b. Decontamination tank
    • CT DOT prefers to not have a traffic signal
    • Geo tech borings need to be done soon for footing, foundation design,
      and profile.

Site plan will be reviewed by Conservation Commission, Planning & Zoning,
Utilities, and Public Works

      MOTION by R. Bracciale, second by J. Bracciale to approve the release
      of the site plan by B. Tuneski to Planning & Zoning, Utilities and
      Public Works.
      DISCUSSION:  A friendly amendment by R. Bracciale, second by R. Muckle
      that SPA will contact the Town departments to arrange a meeting to
      present the approved site plan.
      FOR:  Unanimous

Floor Plan Approval:

      MOTION by R. Bracciale, second by J. Bracciale to approve the
      conceptual plan with the modifications of:  adjusting the day room to
      accommodate for up to 6 staff, design a location for a data room that
      would be sized for the two 4-post racks, enlarge the gear locker room
      and adjust the walls accordingly and work within the constraints
      already in the general square footage.  Authorize SPA to go to the
      Building Department as necessary.
      DISCUSSION:  D. Stein addressed the concern of wasted space with the
      layout of corridors.  Fire and Building Codes and the limitations of
      the site restricts layouts.
      FOR:  Unanimous

Architectural Design Approval:

Three different designs were presented with different roof lines.

      MOTION by R. Bracciale, second by J. Bracciale to approve the pitch
      entrance of Option 3 and the roof line of Option 2, bi-fold garage
      doors in the front with standard doors in the rear and three square
      windows on the east side of the building.
      FOR:  Unanimous

R. Muckle requested a plan be formed for test borings.  D. Stein, S. Smith
and B. Tuneski will develop the next meeting’s agenda.

      MOTION by R. Muckle, second by T. Olynciw to move the regular
      scheduled meeting for Tuesday 11/5/24 to Wednesday, 11/6/24 at
      6:30pm.
      FOR:  Unanimous


      MOTION by R. Bracciale to adjourn
      FOR:  Unanimous

Meeting adjourned at 8:46pm


Respectfully submitted by:

Linda Finnegan, Recording Secretary