Politics & Government

Maintenance Measures Encouraged For Montville Public Safety Building

In delivering the final report of the Public Safety Building Committee on Monday, the committee chairman had a few parting recommendations on the building's future.

Jack Platt asked the Town Council to consider measures to ensure that the Public Safety Building is properly maintained. He said councilors should consider awarding specialized contracts for the upkeep of some features of the building, such as the generator and air conditioning, and hiring a full-time custodian.

"It's going to cost a little bit, but let's protect our investment," said Platt.

Lt. Leonard G. Bunnell of the Montville Police Department also recommended a full-time custodian, saying some grass and vegetation at the building has died due to lack of care.

Councilor Laura Tanner said the issue should be taken into consideration.

"That building is beautiful, and I really would not want to see it deteriorate," she said.

The Public Safety Building Committee says in its final report that its work is complete and the Council should disband it. However, the Council deferred action on this request to its August meeting to allow Platt to submit his maintenance recommendations in writing.

The committee was formed in 2008 to oversee the process of establishing the building, which opened earlier this year.

According to the committee's final report, the accepted bid for the project was $5,194,200. Costs increased by $44,866.88, or 0.0086 percent, at the completion of the project. Platt said the small deviation was "unheard of on a project this size."

Platt also said there is an anticipated surplus of $20,000 that will be returned to the town, and that this might increase following a final payment on flag light billing. He said the lighting is being revised since it is designed for 35-foot flagpoles rather than the 50-foot flagpoles at the building.

"When the flags are at half-staff, they illuminate beautifully," said Platt. "But we'd rather have them at full staff."

Vice Chair Billy Caron thanked the committee members for their work.

"In all my years on the Council, I've never seen such an experienced committee," he said.

Bunnell said the process of bringing the building from a concept to a reality has been a cooperative effort of several people including the committee members, Town Planner Marcia Vlaun, and past and current mayors and councilors.

"I can't thank you enough for all the work you did over the years," said Bunnell.


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