To the editor:
I am a blog reader, not a blog poster. I don’t like public speaking, especially public arguing. Unfortunately for me, this had to change when I found out by reading a blog post about the Long Lots Elementary School project’s plan to displace community gardens.
Knowing construction as I do, the questionable reasoning that was provided by the LLSBC for not being able to construct all elements on this large site was what got me involved. I’ve written and spoken about the existence of alternative solutions, but every time a solution was offered to LLSBC, it would change the reasons why coexistence wasn’t possible.
On Monday night, I sat through my second six-hour-long marathon session. This time an 8-24 hearing by P&Z. Refusal to consider opinions of others was once again on the full display that night.
As an example, I’ll cite the instance when two P&Z commissioners offered that LLSBC consider a partial three-story building alternative to their building design. LLSBC responded by saying that they considered this option and stated that it would only save 10,000 square feet in building coverage. They also added that it wouldn’t be enough to save the gardens.
The commissioners weren’t talking about the gardens! Commissioners were advocating for a more economic design and more energy-efficient building as well as reduction of non-permeable surface on a site that is challenged by drainage problems.
This type of response and many like it underscore the need to engage another professional town body to shepherd this most expensive project in our town’s history.
Luckily such a body already exists — Westport’s Public Site and Building Commission. They should be engaged immediately before it’s too late.
Also, I ask the first selectwoman to follow the state mandate as it relates to the procurement for design and construction management services for school construction. I reference the Connecticut General Statutes Section 10-287(b) (2) and (3).
These sections mandate a two-step process — Request For Qualifications (RFQ), followed by Request For Proposal (RFP). The feasibility study issued in October was the first step — RFQ. It’s been two months, and the second step — that is RFP for the remainder of design — has yet to be issued. With the urgency to build the new school I’d like to know why this hasn’t happened?
This is clearly a delay that has nothing to do with the 8-24 application process.
Yulee Aronson, PE
Westport
The committee cannot seek an RFP until town bodies approve a recommendation and allocate funds for us to proceed to design. We are actually following the required town process, while you continue to suggest that we proceed to the next step without town approval.
Wouldn’t you need to have a proposal amount first to know the amount of appropriation needed?
No. We first need to know what the town approves.
Mr. Puttagunta,
What are the reasons for the Westport Public Site and Building Commission having been not only completely bypassed in this project, but continues to be intentionally prohibited and sidelined despite repeated requests to engage them?
A separate building committee has been the process our town has used on previous schools. I cannot answer your question beyond that. I just volunteered to help the town with our schools when I was asked to assist.
I’m aware, except this time the recommendation was questioned by many, and questions were ignored. Hence, those of us that know, and care have concerns. We also volunteer our time. Thank you.
There is a difference between ignored and evaluated with a different outcome than desired by the requesting party.
Correction: “…what the town approves in terms of our recommendation for a new school and the land use.”
Mr. Puttagunta,
You are intentionally evading the question. Regardless of how this questionable process has transpired, at THIS juncture the engagement of the Westport Public Site and Building Commission would not only be useful, it is believed to be critical.
So why has the LLSBC not been committed to engage them? Certainly you have the ability to request this to occur.
Your obvious response to just iterate that the LLSBC was appointed is obfuscation of what is being requested.
It implies that there is fear to have anyone else involved – especially other experts in construction.
As a near 40 year Westport resident I request that you obtain the WPSBC’s involvement ASAP.
Assuming the town fully approves your committee’s recommendations, what funding will it seek for the “design” phase. Should not the final design be part of the state mandated RFP. If all approvals are in hand by mid-January, when do you think an RFP can be prepared and issued. I believe the RFP would be posted on the state site and interested bidders would have at least 30 days to respond.
Yuly – care to explain?
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/nyregion/31contractors.html