Hello and welcome to the Town Administrator's webpage. Following is some information on the larger ongoing projects in Town. Please check the "Reports and Updates" link above to review my regular written updates to the Board of Selectmen and community-at-large. This page also provides quick access to: bylaws and schedules to reduce the number of trips residents have to make into Town Hall.
Anyone should feel free to call me directly at 508-347-2500 or submit questions via the email link on this page. I look forward to hearing from you!
Best regards,
Shaun Suhoski
GENERAL PROJECT UPDATES (Updated 9/2/11)
Town Hall/Center Office Building Renovation - This ambitious and historically-sensitive restoration was substantially completed in August 2010. There remain a couple of "punch-list" items and warranty issues to be resolved, however, the buildings are terrific assets to the community. The town is currently seeking a variance from the Mass. Architectural Access Board to allow the historic front entrances for both buildings to be open to the general public.
Burgess Elementary School - The addition and renovation to the school has been a work-in-progress since the 2005 Town Meeting authorized funds to study and plan the renovation under the direction of a School Building Committee. The Building Committee has worked diligently alongside the owner's project manager and the architect to complete all design and engineering and to eventually award the construction contract to Fontaine Brothers, a very reputable firm. The first phase of construction is near completion and the building will be ready to open on September 6. Additional phases include renovation and demolition as well as construction of new fields. The project is slated for completion just prior to the 2012-2013 school year.
Wastewater Treatment Plant - Substantial upgrades to the capacity of the WWTP are well underway by R.H.White, the general contractor, under the direction of Tighe & Bond engineers with assistance through the DPW Director and Veolia Water. The project is being funded through a $20 million debt authorization from the 2008 Annual Town Meeting and an offsetting grant of ARRA funds that will reduce the impact on water and sewer rates. The plan will utilize a new technology referred to as "Bio-Mag" which uses magnetite in the biological treatment process to increases the effectiveness of the treatment process. It is hoped that the plant construction will be completed by early 2012 and that MassDEP will be able to increase the treatment rating of the plant from its current 750,000 gpd up to
potentially 1.5 million gpd. Work on the upgrades remains on schedule and on budget.
Well #4 - In 2001 the Town Meeting authorized debt in the amount of $3.8 million to construct a new well due to the potential contamination issues involving Well #1 (MTBE). The Town settled its lawsuit against Mobil, Shell and ARCO for the potential contamination for $1.5 million and set this money aside in the water fund. It took several years to obtain the permit from the Massachusetts DEP to develop the new well. During this period the Town purchased the land off Shattuck Road for the well and decided to approach this project as a well and second water treatment plant (as a back-up to the existing water treatment plant). MassDEP approved the testing of the water system and Waterline Industries is completing final touches in September 2011 for project close-out. The project came in right on
budget.
Water Treatment Plant Upgrades - Due to potential groundwater influence detected in Well #1, the MassDEP issued a consent order for treatment plant improvements. The Town was able to negotiate collaboratively with DEP to remove stringent penalties and to advance the project timeline. A Special Town Meeting in September 2010 authorized funding for the design and engineering of improvements to the treatment facility by Wright-Pierce. The project bids were received and the work awarded to R.H. White (same company doing WWTP upgrade). Construction will occur during the fall of 2011 and spring of 2012. The Town Administrator and DPW Director are closely collaborating on this project.
Route 131 (sewer force main and resurfacing) - The MassDOT project includes full-width resurfacing of Route 131 from Route 20 into Southbridge. New sidewalks, guard rails and drainage are also part of the work. Final paving is occuring during the last week in August and first week of September 2011. As part of the project, state Ch. 90 funds were utilized to install the attractive brick sidewalks along the historic Town Common.
I hope you find the information on the Website useful and that it fosters more convenient communication with the various town departments. Please do not hesitate to send any comments or suggestions for improvement to my email address.
The Town of Sturbridge is an Equal Opportunity Organization. To file a complaint of discrimination write
USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Washington, DC 20250-9410
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