NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP SYCAMORE STREET COMMITTEE

8:00 PM

Approval of Minutes: Mr. Merjeski made a motion to approve the minutes of December 9, 2003 with the following correction:  change “Nelva” to “Melva”.  Mr. Tyrol seconded; the motion carried, with abstention by Mr. McLean.

Members Present:  Chairman Vince Lombardi; Members Joe Merjeski, John Nejman, Shannon Wilson, Frank Tyrol; Planning Commission Chair Karen Doorley; Supervisor Scott Harp. 

Members Not Present: Members Gerald DeYoung, Guy Gindhart, Shawn Ward, and David Burns; HARB representative Terry McLean; Planning Commission representative James Ott; Rand Jaslow, Borough Liaison. 

Also present: Nelson Shaffer representing Pennoni Associates Inc.; Supervisor Raymond Goodnoe; John Paul Lautenschlager, Focus on Newtown - Courier Times; Robert Bebon, Newtown Presbyterian Church; Tom McLearnon representing Chandler Hall; George Stockburger IV. 

Call to Order:  Chairman Lombardi called the meeting to order at 8:07 PM. 

Approval of Minutes

Mr. Merjeski moved to approve the minutes of June 10, 2003 with the following addition:  third page, half way down - add “Vittoriano” after Melva.  Ms. Doorley seconded; the motion carried unanimously. 

Mr. Merjeski moved to approve the notes from the Pre-Bid Meeting on September 16, 2003.  Mr. Merjeski seconded; the motion carried unanimously. 

Special Announcement - Pre-Construction Meeting

Mr. Lombardi noted that Haines & Kibblehouse, Inc, of Lucon Road, P.O. Box 196, Skippack, PA  19474 had been selected in the bidding process.  He announced that the pre-construction meeting with the contractor and PennDOT was scheduled for December 17, 2003 at 10:30 am at PennDOT in King of Prussia, in Conference Room 203B.  Mr. Lombardi asked committee members for ideas for questions to ask and issues to discuss.  Mr. Shaffer said that the agenda for the meeting would include a review of plans and schedules, as well as required paperwork.  He said this meeting would afford the chance for the committee and the township to voice concerns over issues such as traffic, appropriate weather conditions for road marking, and items on the shop drawings, including stone veneer, streetlights, benches and other streetscape items. 

Mr. Lombardi noted that the bid specifications were quite specific; Mr. Shaffer presented a thick notebook containing the specifications.  Mr. McLearnon said he would like to attend the meeting.  Mr. Lombardi said he had invited the Supervisors to attend. 

Mr. Shaffer said he would have an idea of the project start date at the pre-construction meeting.  He said that supplies and other appropriate items would be ordered after contracts are signed and shop drawings presented.  Mr. Merjeski said that the appropriate time to inform and prepare residents for the upcoming construction was after the contractor had been given direction to proceed and the timeline/schedules had been established. 

Mr. Shaffer said that usually the rough work, such as grading, pipes and curbing, is completed first, and that typically old lights remain until new light foundations are set.  He clarified that traffic signals would remain functional throughout construction.  Mr. Shaffer said he did not think that there was a reward for early completion of construction, but that there was a dis-incentive clause, noting that the contractor would like to finish the project early.  Mr. Lombardi noted that PennDOT has set the length of the project at 15 months.  Mr. Shaffer said that the construction season is usually April through October, and that they would want to make sure that paving is not done too far into the season when the temperatures are too low, to make sure that the quality of installation is maintained.  He clarified that if construction needed to stop due to cold weather the contractor would be required to secure the site until construction could proceed.  Mr.. Lombardi said he would be sure to keep everyone informed. 

Mr. Shaffer said that at the pre-construction meeting the contractor would describe how the job would proceed, and clarified that any plan modifications would require township approval.  Mr. Shaffer said he thought that the successful bidder had viewed the site; Mr. Lombardi noted that photos and visuals would be provided.  Mr. Shaffer said that the project would begin in the spring, if not sooner, perhaps in February.  Mr. Lombardi suggested that perhaps the storm sewer could be done earlier.  Mr. Lombardi said the contractor was concerned with working with a community group.   Mr. Lombardi noted that the necessary contracts have been prepared and the monies are in place.  He said he would attempt to get notes from the pre-construction meeting to committee members before the January committee meeting.           

Reports of Committees

There were no scheduled reports. Mr. Merjeski noted that most questions should be answered at the pre-construction meeting. 

Correspondence:  None. 

Old Business

Road Condition Video

Mr. Shaffer presented the video taken by Mr. Lombardi and Mr. Shaffer of existing road conditions along the length of Sycamore Street; the committee viewed the video.  Mr. Shaffer said that a photographic log was being kept as well, with some close-ups of places along the road where construction would result in the most dramatic changes. 

New Business

Inspection Team

Mr. Shaffer said that they are required to have an inspection staff.  He said that John Hunter would be the transportation construction manager, and that there would be a part-time Transportation Construction Inspection Supervisor who would oversee all the inspectors and work and communicate daily with the contractor.  Mr. Shaffer said there would also be a full-time TCI inspector to do document work, and a technical assistant, who is required because of federal funding for the project.  Mr. Shaffer noted that John Hunter has had 30 years experience, the lead inspector 17 years, and the second inspector 31 years.  He said that Mr. Hunter would be attending the pre-construction meeting. 

Shop Drawings

Mr. Shaffer reviewed the shop drawings.  Details noted included:

• Stamped colored concrete:  brick red, herringbone pattern - sample to be approved by the BOS before ordering.
• Ornamental streetlights:  all product and installation details were included in the drawings, and are to be submitted to the township for approval before ordering.
• Single face barrier with stone veneer:  some patterns are to be submitted; native stone is stipulated; stone pattern to be picked with input by property owners.
• Sidewalk to be flagstone pattern, to be approved by the township and committee.

Mr. Shaffer said he would contact committee members when samples are available for viewing.  He noted that prompt committee input would avoid any project delays.  Mr. Lombardi said that they hope to have their own website detailing the project, and to distribute flyers/newsletters to inform the public. 

Other

Mr. Harp recognized the hard work of the committee and said he looked forward to the improvements to Sycamore Street, which would enhance the township. 

Next Meeting:  The next meeting is scheduled for the second Tuesday in January, January 13, 2004.  

Adjournment

Without objection, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

 ______________________________
Leslie P. Dunleavy, Recording Secretary