Town of Canton

50 Old River Road, PO BOX 168 Collinsville, CT 06022

(860) 693-7863 (Office) (860) 693-7864 (Fax)

Office of Department of Public Works

DPW Garage Assessment
Introduction
With the recent defeat of the referendum to relocate the Public Works Garage, I want to bring to your
attention three separate issues (Safety, Building and Operational) in the current public works building
at 50 Old River Road. Most, if not all, of these issues we have known about and have been waiting to
find out the outcome of the referendum to determine the repairs to our current building. As you will
see below I have identified the issues and have made recommendations on how to ensure that the
department provides the necessary services for the town.
Safety Issues
South and North Side of Brick Wall
Uncontrolled cracking due to differential settlement of the wall, structural engineer assessed
the wall and recommended that the wall be jacked up and fortified within one to two years.
Barn Roof
The roof is leaking extensively into the interior of the building. Water is entering/contacting
several light fixtures. Shingles are broken, roof needs replacement.
Vehicle Repair Space
The vehicle repair area is undersized with inadequate space to work on larger equipment,
causing egress issues in an emergency. There is no lift equipment making it hazardous to
work on repairs. Lack of ventilation equipment is also needed. Vehicle repair work area needs
to be modernized.
Emergency Lights
They are not operable at this time. The batteries need to be replaced. A larger generator could
also solve this safety issue (see Building Issues).
Garage Overhead Doors
The sensors are broken, which could cause injury to staff and damage to equipment when
lowering garage doors. The sensors need to be repaired.
Building Issues
Boiler
The HVAC vendor reports that the boiler will not make it another season. The current boiler is
in need of replacement. A hanging gas fired unit is recommended.

Town of Canton
50 Old River Road, PO BOX 168 Collinsville, CT 06022
(860) 693-7863 (Office) (860) 693-7864 (Fax)
Generator
The current generator is undersized and only generates enough power to keep the fuel pumps
running. The current generator should be replaced with a generator capable of supplying
power to the whole building, allowing the department to efficiently function in emergency
conditions.
Water Heater
The current unit is showing rust on the bottom and has surpassed the recommended service
life. It should be replaced with a gas heater.
HVAC Pumps
They will need to be replaced with two re-built units.
Garage Windows
The current windows are single pane, and the insulation around windows is in poor condition.
Replace with energy efficient windows.
Insulation
Numerous areas through out the building have damaged insulation that needs replacing.
The above building issues have been previously identified in the Building Maintenance Plan and the
department safety committee minutes. The issues encompass needed maintenance on the building
(see attached proposed maintenance schedule).
Operational Issues
Wash Bay
With on-site washing of vehicles prohibited, a suitable method to wash vehicles, especially in
the winter, is needed. A wash bay inside the current building hooked up to the available sewer
system or an off-site wash bay is needed.
Salt Shed
The current shed only holds 200 tons of treated road salt. This amount is below the necessary
quantity needed for winter operations. Either a larger on-site or off-site salt shed is needed.
Gas/Diesel Fuel Storage Tank
The current above ground storage vault holds 2000 gallons of product. The amount of
gas/diesel able to be stored is insufficient, resulting in running out of product needed for
emergency and winter operations.

Town of Canton
50 Old River Road, PO BOX 168 Collinsville, CT 06022
(860) 693-7863 (Office) (860) 693-7864 (Fax)
Proposed Schedule for Safety and Building Issues at the Current Public Works:

Fiscal
Year

Area of
Renewal

Type of
Renewal

Fund

Estimated
Cost of
Renewal

2015/16

Garage Wall

Needs to be repaired:
Masonry brick wall needs to be supported

TBD

Equipment
Repair Bay

Modern facility with a lift system

CIP

TBD

2015/16

Garage Roof

Needs to be repaired:
Three-tab shingles

CIP

$25,000

2014/15

Emergency
Lights

New lights

Operating $4,000

2015/16

Boiler

Needs to be replaced with:

Gas fired unit

CIP

2014/15

Garage Doors

Needs to be repaired:
New sensors

Operating $2,000

2015/16

Generator

Current undersized generator needs to

be replaced

CIP

$40,000

TBD

Wash Bay

Install Wash Bay in Current Facility

CIP

$50,000

2015/16

Garage
Windows

Needs to be replaced with:

Energy efficient windows

Operating $4,000

2015/16

HVAC Pumps

Needs to be replaced with:

Two rebuilt pumps

Operating $1,800

2015/16

Water Heater

TBD

Salt Shed

TBD

Gas/Fuel
Storage

Needs to be replaced with:

Gas fired unit
Needs to be replaced with:
larger shed

CIP

$50,000

$10,000

Operating $1,500
CIP

$225,000

CIP

$50,000

Needs larger storage capacity

Costs are estimated and would depend on the type and location of construction and/or improvement.
For example, building a stand-alone wash bay at another site may cost more than retrofitting one of
the bays at the existing facility.
One inhibiting factors in improving the facilities at their current location is the uncertainty of what can
be accomplished in the flood zone. Questions as to the extent of the grandfathering of the existing
building, whether structures can be built only above a certain flood level and/or what if anything can
be built within the existing flood level need to be determined. The Town would benefit greatly from
professional services that specialize in this area.