BOROUGH OF STONINGTON
Infrastructure Modernization
Master Plan
February 2005
PREPARED FOR:
The Borough of Stonington
Borough Hall, 26 Church St.
Stonington, CT 06378
PREPARED BY:
Pare Engineering Corporation
8 Blackstone Valley Place
Lincoln, RI 02865
SECTION
Section I:
Section II:
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
DESCRIPTION
Executive Summary
Existing Utility Considerations
A. Utility Location and Condition
B. Public Right of Way
C. Street Lighting
D. Zoning
Underground Utility Issues
A. Benefits
Aesthetics
Service
Emergency Response
Safety and Community Health
B. Considerations and Concerns
C. Options to Undergrounding
D. Potential Funding Sources
Federal Transportation Funding
State Funding Sources
State Statutes
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Aerial Utilities: Electric, Telephone, Cable
Underground: Storm Drains, Sanitary Sewer, Water, Gas
Federal Emergency Management Administration
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17 Local Funding Sources
-i- SECTION
Section III:
Section IV:
Sources
List of Exhibits:
Exhibit 1: Decorative Street Lighting
Exhibit 2: Typical Roadway Section
List of Figures:
Figure 1: Upper Borough
Figure 2: South of Cannons
Figure 3: North of Cannons
Figure 4: Upper East Side
Figure 5: Water Street
Figure 6: Wadawanuck Square
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
DESCRIPTION
Master Plan
A. Utility Coordination
Street Lighting
B. Property Owner Considerations
C. Construction Methodology
D. Construction Phasing
E. Project Costs
F. Permitting
Federal
State
G. Zoning Revisions
H. Action Items by Borough
Public Participation
A. October 2, 2004 Public Meeting
B. January 29, 2005 Public Meeting
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Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
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45 Appendix
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
Correspondence:
Borough Fire Chief, September 23, 2002
Yankee Gas Services Co., December 20, 2004
FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map
General Laws of Massachusetts Chapter 166: Section 22E:
Cooperative Agreements
to remove overhead wires
Underground District Index Sheet
Preliminary Opinion of Probable Costs
Roadway Reconstruction Costs
Undergrounding Infrastructure and Utility Costs
Utility Engineering and Construction Costs
-iii- Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Borough of Stonington (Borough) has recognized an
opportunity to improve the public safety and
quality of life of its residents through the modernization
of its utility infrastructure. To initiate the
improvement process, the Borough has hired Pare Engineering
Corporation (PARE) to develop this
Master Plan. The Master Plan provides the Warden and
Burgesses of the Borough with a tool to prioritize
reconstruction of Borough streets and sidewalks with the
potential to relocate aerial utilities to
underground. The goal of this plan is to enhance the public
safety of the community, improve views of
and from local homes and businesses, and increase the
reliability of electrical and communications utility
services during hurricanes and other storms.
The Borough is a densely developed, historic, and
increasingly affluent community, situated along the
southern coastline of Connecticut. Its location on a
peninsula in Long Island Sound subjects it to
significant risks of flooding, storm surge, and high winds
during hurricanes and other major coastal
storms. Aged aerial wiring and poles also increases the risk
of fires. Electric, telephone, and cable utility
service disruptions have caused inconvenience, safety
hazards, and potential medical emergencies for
local residents and businesses. Emergency equipment response
may be constrained by low hanging
wires, downed live wires and pole fires. Undergrounding
aerial utilities will significantly mitigate this
hazard. Data collected from other communities with
underground power and communications links
indicate that outages are less frequent. When outages do
occur, however, they may be of longer duration.
Positive vocal support from community groups prompted the
Borough to investigate undergrounding of
utilities in conjunction with future reconstruction of its
5.5 miles of public rights of way (streets and
sidewalks). This public support has resulted in the
requirement that developers of the former Monsanto
facility provide underground utilities within their
residential and office complex.
This Master Plan includes the following information:
· Existing Utilities
and Underground Considerations
· Underground
Utility Issues
Pare Engineering Corporation
- 1 - February 28, 2005 Infrastructure Modernization Master
Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
· Master Plan
Public Participation
Preliminary Opinion of Probable Cost
Roadway Reconstruction and Underground Utility, Borough of
Stonington CT
Total
Cost
Undergrounding
Cost
Roadway
Reconstruction Cost
$6,385,000
$4,560,000
$3,421,000
$5,701,000
$4,674,000
$5,112,000
$3,651,000
$2,739,000
$4,565,000
$3,742,000
$1,273,000
$909,000
$682,000
$1,136,000
$932,000
$8,437,000 $6,755,000 $1,682,000
$33,200,000 $26,600,000 $6,600,000
·
Master Plan recommendations are based on extensive field
investigation conducted in July and August
2004, coordination with utilities, research with other
municipalities and their consultants, contacts with
state funding and permitting agencies, review of the
literature regarding underground utility issues, and
public feedback from workshops held in October 2004 and
January 2005.
The cost of relocating aerial utilities to underground can
be significant. However, if construction of new
utility conduits is combined with street and sidewalk
reconstruction or streetscape projects, there is value
added to the overall project. Costs for undergrounding of
utilities may be in the vicinity of $4.8 million
per mile, exclusive of road and sidewalk reconstruction.
Building density and specific site conditions at
various locations throughout the Borough will impact costs
in each phase of construction. Cost
projections can be further refined at the completion of
preliminary design. The table below presents a
breakdown for phased implementation in six districts: Upper
Borough, South of Cannons, North of
Cannons, Upper East Side, Water Street, and Wadawanuck
Square.
District
Location
Upper Borough
South of Cannons
North of Cannons
Upper East Side
Water Street
Wadawanuck Square
TOTAL
The Opinion of Probable Cost summarized above represents a “conservative”
approach. It is
comprehensive in that it includes undergrounding of
utilities for every street in the Borough, complete
road and sidewalk reconstruction, high-end Borough-owned
decorative street lighting throughout,
individual service installations/connections for all
customers, engineering, permitting costs and
Pare Engineering Corporation
- 2 - February 28, 2005 construction contingency. The
estimate is considered reasonably safe in that it has a low probability of
being exceeded, barring inflation or new circumstances.
An “optimistic” approach may be considered whereby 7700
combined linear feet of Main Street, Water
Street and lower Elm Street is repaired instead of
reconstructed (reflecting recent reconstruction); low
cost Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) street lights
are utilized; and a reduced telephone installation
cost and a lower construction contingency are applied. This
would result in the following approximate
breakdown:
“Optimistic” Preliminary Opinion of Probable Cost
Roadway Reconstruction and Underground Utility, Borough of Stonington
CT
District
Location
Upper Borough
South of Cannons
North of Cannons
Upper East Side
Water Street
Wadawanuck Square
TOTAL
Conclusions/Recommendations
·
·
·
·
A phased approach to utility and roadway upgrades should be
implemented for six districts within
the Borough. These areas have been designated based upon the
current CL&P distribution
network, land use, and relative balance between the number
of properties served and lane miles in
each area.
The priority for an implementation sequence is to start
underground utility work in areas located
furthest from the CL&P substation on Cutler Street,
north of the railroad. Utilities in the Upper
Borough, however, may be undergrounded at any time since a
separate feed provides electric
service from the CL&P substation.
Undergrounding utilities and full depth roadway
reconstruction in the areas designated as South
of the Cannons and North of the Cannons, at the southern end
of the Borough, would improve the
current poor road and sidewalk conditions in these areas.
Potential federal funding sources include the Federal
Highway Administration and the Federal
Emergency Management Administration. State funding through
LoCIP may be used to provide a
local match for some of these sources.
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
Total
Cost
$4,870,000
$3,390,000
$2,400,000
$4,310,000
$3,560,000
$6,270,000
Undergrounding
Cost
$3,810,000
$2,720,000
$2,040,000
$3,400,000
$2,790,000
$5,030,000
Roadway
Reconstruction Cost
$1,060,000
$670,000
$360,000
$910,000
$770,000
$1,240,000
$24,800,000 $19,790,000 $5,010,000
- 3 - Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
·
·
The Borough may be designated as a System Improvement
District to raise funds through
taxation for project implementation.
It will be important at the earliest stages of project
design to initiate discussions with property
owners regarding easements.
Some areas of the Borough may be found to be impractical for
implementation of underground
utility relocation due to engineering and environmental
constraints. Examples may include areas
with shallow ledge, wetlands, and physical space
restrictions within the right of way, among
others. These areas of constraint, if any, would be
determined during preliminary design.
·
The development of a Master Plan for infrastructure
modernization, including undergrounding, is the first
step towards implementing the public improvement goals of
the Borough. Once the Master Plan is
approved, the Borough may proceed into procurement of
funding, design, permitting, and construction.
The Borough of Stonington acknowledges the efforts of the
Stonington Undergrounding Initiative Inc.
and feedback from their June 8, 2002 public meeting. The
continuing interest of their members is making
the Borough a safer community.
Acknowledged also are funding sources for this study,
including the Borough of Stonington, Dodson
Boatyard, Inc., and the Mohegan Tribal Nation.
Pare Engineering Corporation
- 4 - February 28, 2005 Infrastructure Modernization Master
Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
SECTION I
EXISTING UTILITIES AND
UNDERGROUND CONSIDERATIONS
Pare Engineering Corporation (PARE) has conducted an
inventory of existing utilities in the Borough of
Stonington. This information was obtained from utility
providers including the Borough of Stonington
for information on sewer locations and depths, CL&P for
electrical aerial and underground lines and
surface facilities, and Aquarion Water Company for
information on water lines. This information was
supplemented with a detailed field inventory that noted the
location of water gates, sewer manholes, and
existing electrical poles/streetlights. The condition of
street and sidewalk pavement was noted and photos
were taken of most adjacent properties.
A. Utility Location and Condition
Aerial Utilities
Existing electric, telephone, cable television, and fire
alarm systems are predominantly overhead
throughout the Borough. Connecticut Light and Power
(CL&P) provides electrical service
throughout the area. An electrical sub-station exists north
of the Amtrak train tracks off Cutler Street.
The primary feed from the sub-station into the southern
portion of the Borough is via an overhead line
above the Amtrak train tracks along Elm Street. A main
transmission line runs down High and Water
Streets feeding the side streets within the Borough south of
the railroad tracks. The Upper Borough is
fed from a separate circuit from the sub-station.
SBC SNET provides telephone service throughout the area.
Comcast Cablevision of Groton, Inc.
provides cable television service to the Borough. An
existing municipal fire alarm system exists
throughout the Borough. It is our understanding that the
majority of the fire alarm system is on
overhead wires.
Underground Utilities
Underground electric service exists in some locations within
the Borough. The new fire station on
Main Street was developed with underground electric service
and a pad mounted transformer. The
eastern end of Broad Street adjacent to the new fire station
has also been undergrounded. Several
locations along the waterfront on the west side of the
Borough have underground utilities including
the northern portion of Front Street, west of High Street,
west of Northwest Street, west of Cross
Pare Engineering Corporation
- 5 - February 28, 2005 Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
Street, and west of Water Street just north of Cannon
Square. Many of these services extend out to
adjacent docks and piers. Several residences and businesses
have undergrounded their services from
nearby utility poles.
View of scupper drain at end of
Church Street
Storm Drains
Existing storm drainage within the Borough is
primarily closed drainage systems consisting of catch
basins, manholes and piping to outfalls along the
coastal plain. At the down gradient end of some
streets on the east side of the Borough, there are
existing seawalls with openings that convey sheet
flowing runoff to the coastal feature.
Sanitary Sewer
Sanitary sewer systems were installed under the streets of
the Borough in the 1970s. As-built plans
and profiles of the sanitary sewer systems were obtained by
PARE from the Town of Stonington
Water Pollution Control Authority. The profiles indicate
limited areas of shallow ledge within the
Borough. Shallow ledge exists along parts of the following
streets: Elihue Street, South Street,
Bradley Street, Bayview Avenue, Northwest Street, Gold
Street, High Street, Broad Street, Main
Street Orchard Street and Church Street. An underground
sanitary sewer pump station exists on the
east end of Diving Street.
Water
Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut owns, maintains and
provides water to the entire Borough.
The underground water main system runs beneath most streets.
Water mains were replaced on Ash
Street, Union Street, Grand Street, Gold Street, Front
Street and Water Street south of Diving Street
in 2004.
Gas
No natural gas systems are present within the Borough. The
closest gas main is located within a halfmile
south of the police station on Route 1 near Extrusion Avenue
(approximately three miles from
the Borough via Route 1 and Route 1A). Yankee Gas Services
Co., a division of Northeast Utilities
System, has indicated that there are no immediate plans to
enter the Borough of Stonington.
However, they are always looking for the opportunity to
expand their service territory (see Appendix
- 6 - Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
A, December 20, 2004 correspondence). Coordination with
Yankee Gas should be maintained during
the design of any utility underground project to determine
if there are any opportunities for combined
installation.
B. Public Right of Way
The bituminous roadway pavement within the streets of the
Borough are in generally fair to poor
condition. Numerous streets, particularly in the south end
of the Borough, have had water system
upgrades and have trench pavement patches throughout.
Replacement of Aquarion water mains and
utility work at the former Monsanto plant has deteriorated
street conditions. The public rights of way
within the streets of the Borough range from approximately
22 to 51 feet wide. Throughout most
streets, the right of way limit is at or just beyond the
back edge of the sidewalk.
Church Street pole-mounted “cobra”
streetlight. Note poor pavement condition
Note slate sidewalk at 141 Water Street
The existing roadside curbing and sidewalks are generally in
fair to poor condition. In front of some
properties various curb types such as granite, concrete,
slate, etc. exist in a short section of roadway.
In southern sections of the Borough and in commercial areas
sidewalks generally abut the curb. In
other areas a grass strip may provide a limited setback
between the curb and the sidewalk.
C. Street Lighting
Street lighting throughout the Borough is predominantly from
utility pole mounted lighting. Older
(several decades old) utility pole mounted lighting exists
mainly in the southern section of the
Borough.
Pare Engineering Corporation
- 7 - February 28, 2005 D. Zoning
Article 9.6.3 Walkways indicates: Walkways along public
streets are required and should be
constructed of slate, brick or concrete and at a minimum
width of five feet.
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
- 8 - The Stonington Utility Master Plan has been proposed
to improve electrical service, safety, and aesthetics
in the Borough. The following discussion outlines key
benefits and issues, or challenges associated with
undergrounding utilities, and outlines potential funding
sources.
A. Benefits
SECTION II
UNDERGROUND UTILITY ISSUES
Benefits frequently cited in communities where utilities are
relocated underground are aesthetics, reduced maintenance,
safety, improved utility service, and increased potential
for
economic development.
crosswalks.
Aesthetics
Aesthetics are especially important in a densely developed
coastal community such as the Borough of Stonington where
homes of distinctive character have been constructed over a
period of time on small lots located close
to the street. Frequently, utility lines and poles dominate
both the view of the home and the view
from upper story rooms. The clutter of various wires,
transformers, wooden poles and cobra-headed
streetlights diminishes scenic waterfront vistas and
streetscape views. Poor pole condition, pole
location, and sidewalk disturbance caused by pole
replacement also adversely affect aesthetics and
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
By burying the electrical, telephone
and cable wires beneath ground, both on the street and for
the connection from the street to each
building, this clutter is removed and late 1800s views are
restored, before utility wires and poles
dominated the streetscape in the 1900s.
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
Pole location at 149 Water
Street limits ADA-accessibility at
Removal of aerial utility wires improves the aesthetics of
the Borough.
- 9 - Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
Undergrounding utilities presents additional opportunities to
preserve and improve the aesthetics of
the Borough, including the distinctive features of
buildings, structures and places significant in local
history. To avoid conflict with sewer and water lines in the
street, many of the cables may be
installed beneath sidewalks. Abutters may wish to take this
opportunity to upgrade sidewalks from
asphalt to concrete, brick, or slate. Installation of
underground utilities also represents an opportunity
for the Borough to reconstruct streets or to upgrade
existing underground utilities such as storm
drains, sewer and water lines.
Many trees lining the Borough streets have not been allowed
to achieve their natural form due to the
routine tree pruning required to assure that branches do not
conflict with aerial wires. This pruning
may create poorly shaped and distorted trees with shortened
life expectancies.
Service
By undergrounding utilities, residents of the Borough may be
assured of more reliable electrical
service, especially during hurricanes, ice storms, and
inclement weather when the likelihood of
service outages from car accidents and downed wires
increases. Service has been disrupted in recent
years from conditions associated with aging aerial
infrastructure including electrical equipment fires
and fires on poles. The risk of house fires from unattended
candles is also a serious concern in the
Borough. The power failure on
Thanksgiving evening, 2004 reinforced the
importance of maintaining a safe and
reliable electrical service. Many residents
have installed backup generators to assure
continued service. Fuel for generators must
be carefully stored to assure the safety of
residents.
Downed wires during the July 2003 Monsanto fire
hampered emergency response.
Emergency Response
Burying wires/cables reduces the risk of
electrocution from power lines downed by
storms or accidents. Live downed wires would hinder
emergency response. This was a critical factor
in controlling the fire at the Monsanto plant on July 3,
2003. Low level aerial lines may hinder the
ability of fire fighting equipment to access buildings and
fight fires efficiently. The density of
- 10 - B. Considerations and Concerns
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
residences and businesses in the Borough make it vulnerable
to the spreading of fire. Fast, efficient
response by the fire department is critical.
The fire chief of the Borough of Stonington indicated his
support for undergrounding or burying all
power, telephone, cable and fire alarm wires as promptly as
can be accomplished in his September 23,
2002 correspondence (see Appendix A):
“As chief of the Borough of Stonington Fire Department I
should like to stress the
importance of safety to the fire fighters and residents and
commercial property owners in
this community. With buildings so close together or even
touching each other, the hazards
of overhead power lines are significantly increased and the
very narrow streets, often
limiting passage of vehicles in only one direction, increase
these hazards even more. The
usefulness of our fifty foot ladder trucks for reach as well
as for height to access roofs and
chimneys is severely impaired by the overhead power lines.”
Safety and Community Health
Power surges in above-ground electrical lines have the
potential to damage electrical equipment or
cause shorts which may cause fires in adjacent structures.
By undergrounding electrical, telephone
and cable wires, this danger is minimized.
Relocation also reduces possible health risks from
electromagnetic radiation. It is recognized,
however, that pad mounted electrical equipment may also have
the potential to emit electromagnetic
radiation.
Undergrounding utilities is not without challenges. The most
apparent challenge is cost. See Section
III.D for more details on projected costs in the Borough.
Information on potential funding sources is
presented in Section II.D.
Although wires, poles and pole-mounted transformers will be
removed through undergrounding,
access for maintenance of relocated facilities must be
assured. These facilities will be located on both
public and private property. Manholes or handholes will be
located above the underground utilities,
for access within streets. Although it is preferable to
locate pad-mounted transformers on public
property, due to narrow public rights of way along many of
the Borough streets, it is likely that some
of this equipment will need to be located in adjacent
private yards. One pad-mounted unit serves
approximately four to eight residential buildings. Access by
the CP&L must be assured through an
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February 28, 2005
easement. A 10-foot by 10-foot area is required for a
typical residential pad-mounted unit. Fencing
and landscaping must not block access to these units, and
units may not be painted.
In neighborhoods with small and intensively
landscaped lots, the location of pad mounted units
may be a challenge. The difficulty of siting of
these units on private property should not be
underestimated. Although most properties may
increase in value with underground utilities, it is
likely that properties with these units on site may
not appreciate at the same rate. The impact of
burying wires beneath ornamental iron fencing and
granite walls, and through flowerbeds and other
landscaping must be considered through the design
process.
Currently, street lighting is mounted on utility poles in
the Borough. The style of lighting varies but it
is important to note that the lights themselves are mounted
near the top of the pole and that the cone
of light extends up to 100 feet. With removal of the wooden
utility poles, separate streetlights must
be installed. Luminaries on individual streetlights are
typically lower, with a smaller area of
influence beneath. As such, more lights are required per
street. In accordance with current Borough
zoning regulations, light sources should be shielded to
prevent glare (Section 9.6). Downward casting
fixtures should be considered to prevent light pollution.
According to a 2004 Edison Electrical Institute report,
underground utilities cost four times more to
maintain in urban areas than overhead lines. Underground
lines require special equipment and crews
to locate the source of an outage and dig it up. Water and
moisture infiltration during rainy periods
also has caused significant failures. Underground wires have
more complex switch and control
needs. Buried transformers need to have air circulation,
making them vulnerable to rusting and
potentially cutting their service lives in half.
The duration of an outage with underground utilities may be
longer than for an outage with
aboveground service. The North Carolina Utilities Commission
has documented that between 1998
and 2002 the average time to restore service with above
ground utilities was 1½ hours while
- 12 -
Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
Pad mounted transformer located at end of
Front Street
C. Options to Undergrounding
·
Although CL&P does not anticipate that flooding would
adversely affect electrical service, it is
important to realize that routine exposure of conduits and
underground facilities to salt water could
reduce the effective life of any installation.
The visual impact of aerial utilities and wooden poles may
be reduced through several options. The
cost of pole relocation would be significantly lower than
undergrounding utilities but the overall
benefit would be reduced as well. Under these options some
or all wires would remain above ground
and therefore service would continue to be subject to storm
outages.
To reduce the visibility of poles and wires in Mystic, the
Town of Groton relocated several utility
lines to the rear of properties. This was a more cost
effective option than the relocation of all utilities
underground. This would not be a suitable option in many
areas of the Borough. Access to the rear of
Borough properties would be especially difficult in densely
developed areas. The need for easements
for routine access could also disrupt landscaping and use of
very small but intensively used lots.
Extensive tree trimming or tree removal to the rear of
properties would probably be required.
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
underground utilities took an average of just less than 2½
hours to repair. Although many repair
activities may be accessed via manholes and handholes, some
repair may require street excavation.
Although most underground systems will function during
floods, if the system does go down, it may
take longer to repair.
Detours, dust and other inconveniences will be experienced
during construction. In densely built
areas, with houses close to the streets, dust and noise will
pose a greater inconvenience than in other
areas of Stonington where there is a greater setback from
the street to homes.
Much of the lower Borough is located below the elevation of
the 100-year coastal flood (see
Appendix B). With the exception of the following three
areas, all land in the lower Borough is
subject to flooding:
· North of the
cannons to Harmony Street, including upland area along Water and Main Streets
· Upland at the east
end of Church Street, extending north and west of Orchard Street
Upland in the vicinity of Wadawanuck Square
- 13 - D. Potential Funding Sources
The cost of utility undergrounding is
substantial. By utilizing available state and
federal sources the burden on local
taxpayers will be mitigated. The following
outlines currently available funding
sources, including those that have recently
completed funding rounds. It is important
to recognize that with multi-phased
implementation of undergrounding in the
Borough, new funding sources may become
available in the future.
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Although relocation to the rear of properties would assure
that all antiquated facilities are upgraded,
the potential for future fires in the wires would not be
eliminated as this infrastructure ages.
Other towns have consolidated utilities along one side of
the street to improve the overall streetscape
image. By wrapping lines together it would be possible to
create the appearance of fewer cables. Use
of heavier cables and stronger poles could also reduce the
number of poles required. Raising wires
above sight lines along buildings could make them less
visible. Another option would be to
consolidate high voltage lines and burying only low voltage
wires. Although this could be applicable
to other communities, it is not a relevant solution for the
Borough. Some towns have only
undergrounded the feeder lines from the street while keeping
all other above ground wires in place.
With small lots, this would neither provide an overall
improvement in aesthetics nor provide
improved service during storms.
Federal Transportation Funding
Federal Highway Administration: The following outlines
funding sources which have been available
in the recent past. It may be anticipated that similar
funding will be available when Congress passes
the US Department of Transportation reauthorization bill
(SAFE-TEA, an update of TEA-21 and
ISTEA). Funding for these programs is administered on the
state level by the Connecticut
Department of Transportation and the local Metropolitan
Planning Organization (Southeast
Connecticut Council of Governments).
(STEAP)
Local Funding
§ Tax Increment
Financing
§ Borough System
Improvement District
- 14 -
Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
Underground Utility Funding Sources
Federal Funding Sources
§ Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA)
o Transportation and Community System
Preservation (TCSP)
o Transportation Enhancements
§ Federal Emergency
Management Administration
(FEMA) - Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program
State Funding Sources
§ Local Capital
Improvement Program (LoCIP)
§ Small Town
Economic Assistance Program Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
Transportation and Community and System Preservation: The
Federal Highway Administration’s
Transportation and Community and System Preservation (TCSP)
Pilot Program is a comprehensive
initiative of research and grants to investigate the
relationships between transportation and
community and system preservation and private sector-based
initiatives. Local governments are
eligible for discretionary grants to plan and implement
strategies that improve the efficiency of the
transportation system; reduce environmental impacts of
transportation; reduce the need for costly
future public infrastructure investments; ensure efficient
access to jobs, services, and centers of trade;
and examine private sector development patterns and
investments that support these goals. A total of
$120 million is authorized for this program in FY's
1999-2003. Groton’s Mystic streetscape project
utility improvements (including undergrounding) were funded
with TCSP funding ($991,307). No
local match is required for this funding program.
Transportation Enhancements: Transportation Enhancements
(TE) activities are federally funded,
community-based projects that expand travel choices and
enhance the transportation experience by
improving the cultural, historic, aesthetic and
environmental aspects of our transportation
infrastructure. TE projects must be one of 12 eligible
activities (including “landscaping and scenic
beautification” related to lighting improvements and the
protection and enhancement of scenic vistas
and relate to surface transportation improvements. Funds are
administered by the CT Department of
Transportation. Use of TE funds for undergrounding utilities
has been controversial in Connecticut.
Although this funding source was used by the Groton/Mystic
streetscape project, utility
undergrounding was not eligible for TE funding. Groton used
Connecticut Local Capital
Improvement Program (LoCIP) funding for the requisite 20
percent local match for the Mystic
streetscape project.
Federal Emergency Management Administration
A significant portion of the lower borough is located within
the 100-year coastal flood zone as
designated by the Federal Emergency Management
Administration (FEMA). FEMA’s Flood
Insurance Rate Map for the Borough is presented in Appendix
B.
Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Program: FEMA provides
Pre-Disaster Mitigation funds to assist
States and communities to reach a higher level of risk
management and risk reduction through hazard
mitigation planning and the implementation of mitigation
projects and activities prior to a disaster
event. Application for this funding must be made through the
Connecticut Department of
Environmental Protection Inland Waters office. Utility
undergrounding must be proposed in response
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February 28, 2005
Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
to state and Town of Stonington multi-hazard mitigation
plans to maintain eligibility for PDM
funding (these plans have been conducted on the state and
local level). Eligible mitigation projects
include “Structural and non-structural retrofitting of
existing buildings and facilities (including
designs and feasibility studies when included as part of the
construction project) for wildfire, seismic,
wind or flood hazards (e.g., elevation, flood proofing,
storm shutters, hurricane clips).”
State Funding Sources
Local Capital Improvement Program (LoCIP): LoCIP distributes
funds to municipalities for
reimbursement of eligible local capital improvement projects
such as road, bridge or public building
construction activities. On March 1 of each year the State
Office of Policy and Management provides
a formula based entitlement to each municipality’s available
LoCIP balance. These funds can
accumulate from year to year. Utility undergrounding could
be incorporated within two categories:
road construction, renovation, repair, and resurfacing; and
sidewalk and pavement improvement.
Projects must be included in the Borough’s approved Capital
Improvement Program. The grant can
be used toward the balance on projects receiving other
assistance, but cannot be used to satisfy a local
matching requirement for any state assistance program.
Further information is available at:
http://www.opm.state.ct.us/igp/grants / LOCIP.HTM.
Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP): STEAP funds
economic development,
community conservation and quality of life projects for
localities that are ineligible to receive Urban
Action (CGS Section 4-66c) bonds. The Office of Policy and
Management administers the program.
Economic development projects such as reconstructing or
repairing roads, access ways, and other site
improvements would be eligible. Although this program would
appear to apply to the Borough of
Stonington, with competition for funding, programs in
communities where economic development
objectives are more pronounced would be favored for funding.
State Statutes
No Connecticut General Statutes have been identified which
enable local communities to require
placement of utilities underground, require the removal of
overhead wires, or establish a funding
mechanism.
Several Massachusetts communities including Nantucket and
Brookline have been successful in
planning for and removing overhead wires and poles through
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter
166, Section 22. This law enables municipalities and
utilities to pass ordinances and by-laws which
- 16 - Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
facilitate relocation of utilities underground. The MGL
166§22A through F include the following key
provisions:
·
·
Enables the municipality to prohibit new installation or
construction of overhead wires and
requires progressive removal of poles and overhead wires and
associated overhead structures
within all or any part or parts of the municipality.
Enables the municipality to identify areas for phased
implementation of undergrounding.
Establishes a funding mechanism by enabling the municipality
to enter into an agreement with
utilities to which “the utility shall pay to the
municipality in each calendar year for a period of
years specified in such agreement an amount which shall be
not less than two per cent of such
utility’s gross revenue derived during the next preceding
calendar year from its customers in said
municipality and the municipality shall expend during such
term as such agreement may specify
an amount not exceeding the sums paid to it by the utility
pursuant to such agreement to remove
(or cause to be removed) any poles and overhead wires and
associated overhead structure of such
utility and, if needed for the continuation of such utility’s
service, to replace the same (or cause
them to be replaced) with underground facilities.”
·
Local Funding Sources
Several opportunities are available to raise capital for
undergrounding utilities in the Borough.
Tax Increment Financing (TIF): Tax Increment Financing
provides an opportunity to create a fund
for utility improvements in the Borough of Stonington. A
portion of any increase in property value
resulting from undergrounding utilities would be dedicated
to a fund which would be used to meet a
portion of project costs for implementation of subsequent
project phases. TIF works best in an
undeveloped area because TIF would freeze the amount of tax
money that goes to the
Borough at the base value. After the development is
completed, the Borough assesses the
newly improved property and the owner has to pay his full
share of taxes under the same tax
rates as everything else in its category. With already
developed properties the revenue
generated would be minor. TIFs are enabled by the State of
Connecticut for a variety of
proposes including brownfield redevelopment. TIFs would have
the benefit of taxing those
who benefit from property improvements with undergrounding
utilities while avoiding taxing
residents of the Borough as a whole.
Pare Engineering Corporation
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February 28, 2005
Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
System Improvement District: Some communities establish
Special Assessment or System
Improvement Districts to collect revenue for undergrounding.
Either the community or the electric
utility may raise funds. The Borough of Stonington could
increase the mill on Real Estate and Land
with the revenue raised to be dedicated to a fund for
utility undergrounding. In order to fund
improvements to the entire Borough, the district must
encompass Borough boundaries.
Under Chapter 105, sections 7-324 to 7-329 of the General
Statutes of Connecticut, voters may
establish a district for any or all of the following
purposes: To extinguish fires, to light streets, to
plant and care for shade and ornamental trees, to construct
and maintain roads, sidewalks, crosswalks,
drains and sewers, to appoint and employ watchmen or police
officers, to acquire, construct, maintain
and regulate the use of recreational facilities, to plan,
lay out, acquire, construct, reconstruct, repair,
maintain, supervise and manage a flood or erosion control
system, to plan, lay out, acquire, construct,
maintain, operate and regulate the use of a community water
system, to collect garbage, ashes and all
other refuse matter in any portion of such district and
provide for the disposal of such matter. This
statute would enable the Borough of Stonington to establish
an underground utility district within the
Borough limits which would have the power to make
appropriations or to levy taxes. See
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2003/pub/Chap105.htm#Sec7-326.htm.
State Legislation Required: State legislation would be
required to enable either the Borough of
Stonington or CL&P to raise funds through a surcharge on
either the property tax bill or on the
electric bill see MGL 166§22, above). The Town of Brookline,
Massachusetts (population 57,000)
estimates that surcharges on electric, telephone and cable
bills will yield between $600,000 and $1
million per year. The Brookline Board of Selectmen estimate
that the average household would pay
$36 to $70 per year (the cost would be lower for those
without cable service and higher for those with
electric heat). Using the Massachusetts model, everyone in
town is subject to the surcharge (there is
an exemption for low income households). Utilities would be
required to provide the connection to
the building, at no additional cost to the property owner.
Massachusetts enabling legislation is
presented in Appendix B.
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Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
A. Utility Coordination
PARE has begun initial coordination with the various utility
companies that have facilities within the streets of the
Borough.
Coordination letters were sent to each of the utility
companies
requesting available information on the existing utility
systems
and information on any planned upgrades to the system for
future
implementation.
Typical congestion of aerial wires
with “cobra” pole-mounted light
fixture. Note condition of pole.
SECTION III
MASTER PLAN
The Master Plan outlined below discusses utility
coordination, street lighting, property owner
considerations, construction methodology, construction
phasing, projected costs, permitting and zoning.
PARE and representatives of the Borough met with Connecticut
Light and Power (CL&P) on November 19, 2004 in Borough
Hall. CL&P does all of the engineering in-house to
underground
the electric utilities and no subconsultants are used.
CL&P’s
design process takes approximately six months. The
communication utilities usually follow CL&P’s lead, but
must
complete their design with proper coordination with CL&P
during the design phase. Typically, a meeting with all
utility companies involved is set up prior to the
start of preliminary design. After master planning is
complete and the Borough has funding in place,
CL&P can be contacted to propose a not-to-exceed cost
for preliminary engineering. The engineering
design is 100% reimbursable to CL&P. CL&P will issue
one bill to the Borough at the end of the
design. John Doane of CL&P is the contact person for
this project.
The Borough is responsible for the civil design,
specifications, easements, permits and construction
cost including layout of conduits and structures in
coordination with CL&P, backfill, drainage,
pavement, traffic control and construction supervision. A
project coordinator may be hired by the
Borough for the civil design and to coordinate with
CL&P, communication companies, landowners
and the contractors regarding various design and
construction aspects of the project.
With some undergrounding projects the property owner is
responsible for the cost of the service from
the street to the building. The cost for individual
connections to a utility pole is approximately
Pare Engineering Corporation
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February 28, 2005
Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
$2,000.00. The cost for services from an underground system
would be slightly less than $2,000.00.
There would be no rate difference to customers with
underground electric. To facilitate completion
of each roadway segment as expeditiously as possible (with
the goal being the removal of wires and
poles), PARE recommends that the costs for connections be
included within the entire project cost
and not be borne by property owners.
Above ground pad mounted transformers will be required to
service approximately 6 to 8 dwellings.
The transformers cannot be placed in underground vaults. An
approximate 10-foot by 10-foot
easement is needed by CL&P around each transformer.
CL&P owns the transformers and painting of
the transformer boxes is not allowed by property owners.
There are restrictions for landscaping in
close proximity to the transformers for proper airflow,
functioning, maintenance and accessibility
particularly to transformer box doors. Some transformers
hum, therefore, attempts are made to locate
transformers away from windows and bedrooms. Transformers
can be placed within a floodplain.
Infrequent short periods of flooding around transformers is
not a major problem. Transformer
locations must be selected early in the design process. The
Borough and CL&P must coordinate this
process.
CL&P has plans to potentially replace the electric
substation off Cutler Street in 2006. A second
circuit into the Borough is desired in case one circuit experiences
an outage. CL&P plans to maintain
the existing overhead crossing of the Amtrak train tracks.
This undergrounding project would involve
boosting the voltage from 4.16 KV to 13.8 KV.
Street Lighting
With the undergrounding of utilities and the removal of
poles, separate street lighting will be
required. CL&P offers a range of decorative street
lighting (see http://www.clp.
com/clpcommon/pdfs/community /outdoor/lightchoices.pdf)
choices that would reflect positively
on the residential and business sections of the Borough. A
print out of this website is provided in the
following two pages.
The Connecticut Dark Sky Act requires that streetlights be
downward casting with less than 2.5%
uplight. A waiver may be requested through the Connecticut
Department of Transportation for semicutoff
versions (i.e., “acorn” style) on aesthetic grounds. Four of
the decorative fixtures presented in
CL&P’s Light Choices TM meet this requirement and are
indicated with an asterisk in Exhibit 1 on the
following page.
- 20 - Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
CL&P offers a range of decorative poles with cast
aluminum bases and 5” diameter extruded aluminum
poles. Pole heights are 12 to 14 feet to the top of fixture.
Poles are generally spaced 100 feet apart but
can be closer. Decorative lighting should be considered as
an architectural element within the streetscape
and, therefore, placement can be less than 100 feet apart.
All CL&P street lighting must be polemounted;
CL&P does not provide street lighting with
building-mounted fixtures. Brackets for hanging
baskets or banners, if desired, may be mounted on poles.
CL&P would consider other suppliers not listed in the
LightChoices TM program. Any pole and fixture
requested by the Borough must meet CL&P’s wind loading
and maintenance requirements as they are
the owner of the fixture and are responsible for all
maintenance, repair and replacement. Few
suppliers meet CL&P’s high specification levels.
CL&P has a price/rental program for street lighting. The
Borough has the option of renting fixtures
with no upfront costs or of paying the capital costs with a
lower rental fee. Capital cost per fixture is
approximately $2,000 for the fixtures meeting the Dark Sky
Act requirements. With upfront payment
for fixtures, the monthly operation (including electricity)
is between $10 and $16 per month,
depending on the lighting source. With no upfront costs the
monthly rental and operation fee is
between $30 and $40 per month. Electric supply is directly
from the pad mounted transformer and is
not metered.
In addition to existing cobra-style pole mounted fixtures,
CL&P also provides a standard decorative
light fixture that meets the Dark Sky requirements. This
subdivision-style streetlight has a straight
square brown fiberglass pole with a lantern top on a 14-foot
pole. Capital cost for each is $250 with a
monthly operation fee of $10 to $16, depending on the light
source.
B. Property Owner Considerations
It is critical that electrical utility undergrounding be
conducted as a seamless contract that includes
both installation beneath streets and connections to each
building. Aerial service cannot be
terminated prior to making connections to EACH electrical
service. Poles and aerial wiring cannot be
removed until ALL connections have been made. To facilitate
project implementation, it is
recommended that the cost to connect services from the
street to and including replacement of the
electrical meter on each building be included in overall
project construction costs. For cost
estimating purposes, the length of installation for each
service connection should be limited to a
reasonable distance such as 35 feet to meet the requirement
for most properties. This would avoid
Pare Engineering Corporation
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Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
situations where individual property owners might delay a
connection but will also limit the
Borough’s responsibility for circuitous routing or for
connections to buildings on large properties
where the building may be set back a significant length from
the public right of way.
It is recommended that project designers work closely with
the Town of Stonington Building
Inspector regarding wiring permitting issues. Current
building codes require 100 amp service with
circuit breakers. It may be up to the inspector to approve
or reject a connection if the integrity of a
substandard service is competent. Property owners would be
responsible for upgrade of any electrical
service required on the interior of the building.
CL&P will require an easement for any trench connecting
the service in the street to the building.
Residential trench easements are typically 10 to 15 feet in
width but may be up to 25 feet in width
beneath a driveway. The easement is generally well defined
and may include restrictions on plantings
within five feet of any utility structures (pad mounted
transformers). The utility company would not
be responsible for replacing any plantings within restricted
areas if the area were disturbed for
operations or maintenance procedures. Generally no
structures can be built on the easement or within
five feet of the easement. It is recommended that the
Borough initiate preparation of easements at the
earliest project stages to assure that this does not delay
project implementation. Easements must be
recorded in the Town’s land records.
C. Construction Methodology
Relocation of underground utilities requires the participation
of CL&P / communications utilities and
the Borough’s contractor. Construction of the trench,
conduits, and undergrounding infrastructure
such as hand holes, manholes, pads for transformers, and
replacement street lighting would be
conducted by the contractor prior to installation of the
cables and transformers by the utility
companies. If full roadway reconstruction is incorporated as
part of the project, removal of the
existing pavement and curb would be conducted upon
completion of the undergrounding
infrastructure and utility installation. Temporary pavement
and sidewalk repairs will be made until
all lines are installed underground and utility poles are
removed. Replacement of the gravel subbase,
curbing, pavement, and sidewalk treatment would complete the
roadway reconstruction project within
the public right of way. If the roadway and sidewalk are not
reconstructed, roadways should be
temporarily patched or repaved, and sidewalks restored to
the original (or better) condition.
Pare Engineering Corporation
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Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
To minimize construction disruption during the popular peak
summer months, many construction
activities may be conducted during the spring, fall, and
parts of the winter. Trenching and paving
should be avoided during the winter, but service connection
infrastructure and street light installation
may be conducted. Streets will be closed on a block by block
basis to allow for trenching and conduit
installation. Traffic and pedestrian detours will be
required during construction.
The Borough (and its contractor) is responsible for the
installation of underground utility
infrastructure including excavation, backfill conduits,
manholes and handholes and in some locations,
encasement of conduits in concrete. All infrastructure must
be installed per CL&P specifications.
Communication utilities conduits (including telephone,
cable, and fire alarm) will be installed side by
side with the electric conduits in a cable bank so that each
utility may have access without affecting
the other utilities. Exhibit 2 presents a typical roadway
section with installation of utilities
underground. The main conduit trench would be located under
the roadway on a street-by-street basis,
with alignment based on avoidance of existing utility
locations. Worker safety must be assured when
water or sewer trenches are located either parallel to or
crossing electrical lines. PVC conduit for
primary distribution lines must have a minimum cover of 30
inches and must be encased in concrete.
PVC conduit for secondary or service lines requires a
minimum cover of 24 inches and does not need
to be encased in concrete. Shallow (less than an approximate
4-foot depth) ledge encountered during
the installation of the infrastructure will need to be
removed and disposed by mechanical methods.
New underground conduits will be installed in trenches in
virtually all streets in the Borough.
Trenches will typically be excavated by use of a trench box
which braces the sides of the excavation
and allows for a narrower trench to be dug than would
otherwise be needed. The trench box is pulled
along as excavation proceeds in front of it, and backfilling
takes place behind it. Open cuts with side
slopes may be necessary in some locations where a trench box
is not practical.
Where groundwater is high, excavations may need to be
dewatered. This is typically done by
utilizing stone material in the bottom of the excavation to
create a sump from which to pump out the
water. Pumped water will be silty and will probably require
a silt trap on the surface to prevent
sediment from entering waterways. Refer to Section F.,
Permits, for additional information regarding
discharge and treatment of water from excavations.
Typically service connections run along the property side of
the sidewalk, to the hand hole and then
through the yard to the meter. By running the line to the
rear of the sidewalk, future settling, if any,
should not create a trip hazard. Hand holes are required for
each service connection. Hand holes are
- 24 - R. O. W. WIDTH VARIES
LIGHT POLE
SIDEWALK ROADWAY WIDTH VARIES
WIDTH VARIES
(TYP.) S
B
C
30" MIN.
F
WATER 4'-6"
COVER VARIES
(TYP. MIN. COVER)
VARIABLE DEPTH
VARIABLE DEPTH
S T B B T C
4"
SAND
6"
TYP.
12"
TYP.
GRANULAR FILL
4" PVC
CONDUIT TYP.
5' TO 6' ±
PROP. UNDERGROUND UTILITY CONDUITS
18"
MIN. IN ALL
DIRECTIONS FOR
ALL OTHER UTILITIES
SEWER DRAINAGE
G:\04159.00 Stonington Utilities Undergrounding\Dwgs\Typical
Section_Overall Site .dwg, 1/26/2005 2:32:07 PM
NOT TO SCALE
Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
approximately 1-foot by 2-foot and may be painted the color
of the sidewalk. Service connections
may be bored under granite walls and ornamental fences, if
necessary. This is not a problem for well
graded sandy soil, but may be more costly or problematic for
other soil conditions in sections of the
Borough where ledge and outcrop are present.
Connections from the public right of way to buildings will
be installed within easements on private
property. The installation is below underground sprinkler
systems. Conduit trench routes through
private property must be selected to avoid mature
landscaping, major tree roots, and other physical
features. Preferable locations would be beneath lawns.
Construction specifications would require
that the property be restored to existing (or better)
condition by reseeding lawns.
Most electric meters will require replacement unless the
building’s service was recently
undergrounded. Individual electric meters must be located
outside of the building in a meter box.
CL&P does not currently allow inside or basement
electric meters. CL&P’s service book specifies
service requirements. A CL&P technician informs the
building owner where to place the electric
meter, bring in service, and grounding requirements. All
individual houses and buildings on a street
must be connected before the utility poles can be removed.
D. Construction Phasing
Six distinct undergrounding districts or areas have been
identified within the Borough to provide a
logical framework for phased implementation of
undergrounding projects. Area boundaries have
been established based on the following:
·
·
·
A Borough map with districts identified is presented in
Appendix D. Table 1 identifies project areas
and boundaries, number of parcels served within each area,
the combined length of streets, and
zoning. Figures 1 through 6 identify the areas to be served
within each district.
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
Existing electrical infrastructure (including substations,
transformers, etc.)
Comparable service areas. To maintain equity in
installation, districts have been identified to
generally serve a comparable number of parcels and street
lengths.
Neighborhoods. Wadawanuck Square and the library have been
included in one district to
facilitate implementation of potential streetscape projects.
It is not recommended to
underground utilities along a single lengthy street since
risers to poles would be required at
each intersecting street.
- 26 - Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
R
RR Rural Residence District
Table 1
Phasing Districts
District Location
Upper Borough - North of RR
South of Cannons - Ash Street and south
North of Cannons - Union and south, north
of Ash
Upper East Side - South of High and Elm,
Main and east, north of Union
Water Street - South of High, west of Main,
north of Union
Wadawanuck Square - Southwest of RR,
Elm and north, High and north
TOTAL
* Zoning Categories (bold denotes primary zone)
R-1 Residential District 1
R-2 Residential District 2
RP Residence Preservation District
Residence District
As indicated above, the main electrical feed for the Borough
is located north of the rail line at the
CL&P substation, near Cutler Street. For cost efficient
phasing, areas furthest north and south of the
tracks should be undergrounded as a first priority.
Undergrounding in the Upper Borough may be
conducted independently of undergrounding efforts to the
south. Based on its closer location to
existing Yankeegas service, it may be logical for the gas
company to extend service to the Upper
Borough concurrently with undergrounding utility service.
South of the rail line phased implementation of
undergrounding should start at the south end of the
system and work north toward the line crossing over of the
Amtrak train tracks from the CL&P
substation. Phases would also begin at the outer branches of
the electrical circuit and work toward
the main primary feeds along Elm Street, High Street and
Water Street. It is recommended to
underground utilities in the most densely developed section
of Water Street and vicinity in one phase.
Number of
Parcels
Combined Length of
Streets
(Approximate)
106
109
64
89
89
102
559
PW Planned Waterfront District
PC Planned Commercial District
Planned Industrial District LI
RL Reserved Land
PAD Planned Area Development
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
Zoning *
R, PI 5,600 linear feet
4,000 linear feet PAD, R-2, R-1,
RL
RP, RL, R-2 3,000 linear feet
RP, RL 5,000 linear feet
4,100 linear feet PC, RP, RL,
PW
RP, RL, PI 7,400 linear feet
PW
29,100 linear feet
- 27 - FIGURE 1
UPPER BOROUGH PARE
8
ENGINEERING CORPORATION
BLACKSTONE VALLEY PLACE
RI 02865 LINCOLN,
401 - 334 - 4100 UTILITY MASTER PLAN
STONINGTON, CONNECTICUT
SCALE: 1'' = 500'
FIGURE 2
SOUTH OF CANNONS PARE ENGINEERING CORPORATION
8 BLACKSTONE VALLEY PLACE
LINCOLN, RI 02865
401 - 334 - 4100 UTILITY MASTER PLAN
STONINGTON, CONNECTICUT
SCALE: 1'' = 250'
FIGURE 3
NORTH OF CANNONS PARE
8
ENGINEERING CORPORATION
BLACKSTONE VALLEY PLACE
RI 02865 LINCOLN,
401 - 334 - 4100 UTILITY MASTER PLAN
STONINGTON, CONNECTICUT
SCALE: 1'' = 250'
FIGURE 4
UPPER EAST SIDE PARE
8
ENGINEERING CORPORATION
BLACKSTONE VALLEY PLACE
RI 02865 LINCOLN,
401 - 334 - 4100 UTILITY MASTER PLAN
STONINGTON, CONNECTICUT
SCALE: 1'' = 250'
PARE
8
ENGINEERING CORPORATION
BLACKSTONE VALLEY PLACE
RI 02865 LINCOLN,
401 - 334 - 4100
FIGURE 5
WATER STREET
UTILITY MASTER PLAN
STONINGTON, CONNECTICUT
SCALE: 1'' = 250'
FIGURE 6
WADAWANUCK SQUARE PARE
8
ENGINEERING CORPORATION
BLACKSTONE VALLEY PLACE
RI 02865 LINCOLN,
401 - 334 - 4100
UTILITY MASTER PLAN
STONINGTON, CONNECTICUT
SCALE: 1'' = 350'
Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
E. Project Costs
Preliminary opinions of probable costs have been developed
for roadway reconstruction and for
relocation of electrical, telephone, cable and fire alarm
cables underground. These cost opinions are
considered conservative in that they include undergrounding
of utilities for every street in the
Borough, complete road and sidewalk reconstruction for every
street, high cost street lighting at 75
foot spacing on both sides of every street, all individual
service installations/connections, and a
contingency factor as described below. This estimate is
considered reasonably safe in that it has a
low probability of being exceeded, barring inflation or new
circumstances.
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
By starting at the most southern point of the Borough and
working northward a consistent and logical
progression of underground service would be implemented.
CL&P recommends phasing entire
neighborhood blocks at a time. CL&P does not recommend
planning to underground single lengthy
streets. This would eliminate the need to retain underground
risers on poles at locations where service
converts from aerial to underground. CL&P has indicated
that it will retain the power lines crossing
above the rail line from the substation north of the tracks
to the Lower Borough.
Some areas of the Borough may be precluded from
implementation of underground utility relocation
due to engineering and environmental constraints. Examples
may include areas with ledge, wetlands
and physical space restrictions within the right of way,
among others. Areas of constraint, if any,
would be determined during preliminary design.
Roadway reconstruction includes removal and replacement of
the existing roadway and sidewalk.
Costs include removal of roadway pavement, adjustments in
manholes, hydrants, catch basins, and
replacement of water gates, curb stop boxes, as necessary.
Granite, bluestone, or other special curb
material will be removed and stockpiled for replacement (if
of suitable condition). Concrete curb will
be installed in other areas. Cement concrete sidewalks will
replace substandard sidewalks. Special
considerations must be taken to determine if brick or stone
sidewalks must be replaced. For
construction estimate purposes, sidewalks are replaced with
cement concrete, in accordance with the
zoning ordinance. Gravel borrow subbase and bituminous
pavement will be constructed for the
roadway surface. The preliminary opinion of probable costs
for roadway construction, including an
estimated additional 30 percent for engineering, permitting
and construction contingencies, is
approximately $233 per linear foot or $1.2 million per mile.
- 34 - Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
District
Location
Upper
Borough
South of
Cannons
North of
Cannons
Upper East
Side
Water Street
Wadawanuck
Square
TOTAL
Notes:
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Costs for placing aerial utilities underground include civil
work, electrical work, cable and
communication work, street lighting, and individual service
connections. Preliminary opinions of
probable costs for conduit, handholes, street lights,
service pedestals for street lights, and service to
buildings, including an additional 30 percent for
engineering, permitting and construction
contingencies, is approximately $463 per linear foot.
Preliminary opinions of probable cost for the
relocation work by CL&P, SBC SNET, and Comcast,
including removal of poles and old
infrastructure, and a 20 percent contingency, is approximately
$450 per linear foot.
Table 2 presents a preliminary opinion of probable costs for
roadway reconstruction and relocation of
aerial utilities underground. A breakdown of preliminary
opinions of probable costs is presented in
Appendix E.
1. The cost to remove and dispose shallow (within
approximately 4 feet of the surface) ledge will be
determined during the design phase. Contingencies are
included in the above cost estimate to cover the
unknowns including the ledge removal quantity.
2. Engineering design costs are typically approximately 10%
of the construction costs and are included in the
above cost estimate table.
3. These costs are based upon the 2005 value of the dollar
and do not include an estimate for inflation in the
construction market.
Table 2
Preliminary Opinion of Probable Roadway Reconstruction
and Underground Utility Engineering and Construction Cost
Roadway
Roadway Length Reconstruction Infrastructure
(Approximate)
5,600 linear feet
4,000 linear feet
3,000 linear feet
5,000 linear feet
4,100 linear feet
7,400 linear feet
29,100 linear feet
Total
Undergrounding
Cost Cost
Underground Utility Costs
Utility
Company
Cost Cost
$5,112,000 $2,522,000 $2,590,000 $1,273,000
$3,651,000 $1,801,000 $1,850,000 $909,000
$2,739,000 $1,351,000 $1,388,000 $682,000
$4,565,000
$3,742,000
$2,252,000
$1,846,000
$2,313,000
$1,896,000
$1,136,000
$932,000
$6,755,000 $3,332,000 $3,423,000 $1,682,000
$26,600,000 $13,500,000 $13,100,000 $6,600,000
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
Total Cost
$6,385,000
$4,560,000
$3,421,000
$5,701,000
$4,674,000
$8,437,000
$33,200,000
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Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
An “optimistic” approach may be considered whereby 7700
combined linear feet of Main Street, Water
Street and lower Elm Street is repaired instead of
reconstructed (reflecting recent reconstruction); low
cost Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) street lights
are utilized; and a reduced telephone installation
cost and a lower construction contingency are applied. This
would result in the following approximate
breakdown:
“Optimistic” Preliminary Opinion of Probable Cost
Roadway Reconstruction and Underground Utility, Borough of
Stonington CT
District
Location
Upper Borough
South of Cannons
North of Cannons
Total
Cost
$4,870,000
$3,390,000
$2,400,000
$4,310,000
$3,560,000
$6,270,000
Undergrounding
Cost
$3,810,000
$2,720,000
$2,040,000
$3,400,000
$2,790,000
$5,030,000
Roadway
Reconstruction Cost
$1,060,000
$670,000
$360,000
$910,000
$770,000
$1,240,000
Upper East Side
Water Street
Wadawanuck Square
TOTAL $24,800,000 $19,790,000 $5,010,000
A reasonable range of costs therefore, to modernize
infrastructure throughout the entire Borough is
$24,800,000 to $33,200,000; or $852.00 to $1,140.00 per
linear foot on average. Per foot costs will vary
district to district.
F. Permitting
Federal and state permits would likely be required for
relocating utilities underground.
Federal
National Environmental Policy Act: Federal funding sources
stipulate that the requirements of the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) be met. If funding
is awarded through the Federal
Highway Administration or the Federal Emergency Management
Administration, it is likely that a
Categorical Exclusion must be prepared. This evaluation is
less rigorous than an Environmental
Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement but still
addresses potential impact for a range of
NEPA categories including wetlands, floodplain, soil, and
archaeological/historical issues. Because
of proposed subsurface disturbance, FHWA required that
archaeological investigations and
construction monitoring be conducted for the Groton
streetscape project in Mystic. That site is near
the Pequot fort where the Mashantucket/Mohegan massacre
occurred in 1637. Investigation and
monitoring may add $40,000 to $60,000 to the Mystic
construction cost.
Pare Engineering Corporation
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Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
G. Zoning Revisions
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
State
Coastal and Freshwater Wetlands Permits: Jurisdictional
areas of the Office of Long Island Sound
Program are limited to areas waterward of the high tide line
(or one-year annual flood). It is not
anticipated that a permit would be required although this
should be confirmed during the design stage.
For utilities installed under streets and sidewalks, there
would likely be no wetland impacts. Some
individual services, however, may require wetland permits.
Stormwater and Dewatering Wastewaters from Construction
Activities: A general permit is required
from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) Water Management Bureau for
all discharges of stormwater and dewatering wastewater from
construction activities that result in the
disturbance of one or more total acres of land area on a
site regardless of project phasing. The
permittee shall agree to adhere to the erosion and sediment
control land use regulations of the Town
of Stonington and shall adhere to the 2002 Connecticut
Guidelines for Soil Erosion and Sediment
Control, DEP Bulletin #34. No registration is required for a
general permit as long as it receives town
review and written approval of its erosion and sediment
control measures and follows the Guidelines.
If no review is conducted by the town, the permittee must
register and comply with Section 6 of this
general permit.
For construction projects with a total disturbed area
(regardless of phasing) of greater than five acres,
registration must be submitted to the DEP Water Management
Bureau for authorization of discharges
under the general permit. Information on this permit is
found at
http://www.dep.state.ct.us/pao/download.htm#WaterGP. The DEP
Water Management Bureau
should be contacted during design to assure that any
required registration is conducted and that
construction practices are in accordance with state
requirements.
No revisions are recommended to the zoning ordinance at this
time.
If the Borough decides in the future to prioritize
implementation within designated districts to the
exclusion of other areas, it may be prudent to consider
designation of Utility Conversion Overlay
Districts. Zoning regulations should then be amended to
require that within each Utility Conversion
Overlay District, 1) utility companies shall be required to
relocate utilities underground as part of any
routinely scheduled upgrade of service, to the greatest extend
practicable; and 2) private property
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H. Action Items by Borough
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
owners shall modify their property as necessary to receive
utility services from underground,
relocated or redesigned distribution systems upon
implementation of property improvements
exceeding 50 percent of the assessed value of the property.
The following action items have been identified for the Board
of Warden and Burgesses to continue
the process of upgrading utilities in the Borough:
· Identify district
for undergrounding, street lighting, and roadway reconstruction/resurfacing.
· Public Meetings -
Maintain project momentum by keeping project before the public through
public meetings, information sessions, and website updates.
· Obtain Funding
Utilize Probable Estimates of Construction Costs to Obtain
Project Funding -
Estimates of probable costs presented, as part of this
master plan must be updated to
account for inflation, market changes, and new information.
Consumer Price
Indexing or other methodology for updating construction
costs should be used for
construction after 2005. Estimates of probable construction
costs will be refined
during later project stages.
·
Submit Grant Applications for Available Federal and State
Funding - Coordinate
with state and federal agencies and seek support of state
and federal congressional
delegations.
·
· Establish
Underground Utility District or Special Improvement District in
accordance with Connecticut General Statute Chapter 105 -
This will enable the
Borough to levy a tax to raise funds for undergrounding
utilities, replacing street
lighting, and reconstructing roads and sidewalks, as
required.
· Obtain Balance of
Construction Funding from Local Sources - Including Borough
bonding capabilities and assessment of any betterments.
Conduct public hearing and
/ or referendum as required by Borough ordinance.
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·
·
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
Solicit Architectural and Engineering Services for Civil
Construction Related Work -
Establish project scope of services, project area, budget
and schedule for design and
construction. Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for
Engineering Services for preparation of
contract documents. Make RFP available to civil and
electrical design engineering firms
(advertise, distribute). Conduct pre-proposal meeting as
warranted addressing scope of work
and site-specific issues. Select firm and enter into
contract.
· Coordinate with
CL&P and any other utilities - to be relocated underground to assure
all are aware of the proposed project. Establish role of
CL&P in the design process.
Coordinate with Town of Stonington Building and Electrical
Inspector.
· Develop Base Map -
Conduct boundary survey for Row and Easements. Locate
utilities and physical features. Topographic survey required
for roadway
reconstruction.
· Initiate
Coordination with Property Owners - regarding easements, location of
transformer pads, preferred route through yards, etc.
· Initiate
Permitting - required through the Connecticut Department of Environmental
Protection. Comply with National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) requirements
for preparation of a Categorical Exclusion, Environmental
Assessment, or
Environmental Impact Statement for federal funding. Conduct
archaeological
investigations, as required.
Conduct Design Hearing - upon completion of 75% plans to
assure that the
community is aware of the project and its positive impacts
as well as potential
construction disruption.
·
Construction
· Review
Construction Documents - prepared by consultant(s), including Form of
Agreement for construction, bid forms, design plans and
specifications for all civil
and streetscape work to be administered by the Borough.
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Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
· Conduct bid process,
select contractor.
· Post public
notices and service announcements to advice residents and businesses of
construction schedules and locations.
· Coordinate with
Borough and Town departments.
· Obtain the
services of a design consultant or other professional engineer to
observe/monitor construction and act as the Borough’s
liaison or clerk-of-the works
during the construction process.
Pare Engineering Corporation
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Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
1. Will there be underground lines to each house?
Connecticut Light and Power Specifications).
to do it this time.
SECTION IV
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Two public meetings were scheduled to update the public on
Master Plan progress and to integrate public
comment into the planning process.
October 2, 2004 Public Meeting
The first public workshop was held at the Borough Hall, 26
Church Street, Stonington from 10:00
AM to noon on Saturday, October 2, 2004. The workshop was
attended by approximately 40
residents.
Brief remarks were made by Andrew Maynard, Warden, followed
by an introduction by Jeffrey
Callahan, Burgess, and presentations by Ernie Rabideau, Pam
Sherrill, and Jim Hoyle from PARE.
Handouts included an agenda, scope of work, and
self-addressed comment sheet. The purpose of this
first meeting was to provide an update on data collection
and to receive comments and answer
questions. The work of the ad hoc citizens undergrounding
committee over the past five years was
recognized in bringing this project to this point. Funding
from Dodson Boatyard and Mohegan Sun
was recognized. The second public workshop was held on
January 29, 2005 with presentation of a
draft master plan. Final recommendations will be presented
to the Warden and Burgesses in
February.
The following summarizes comments/questions raised at the
October meeting, and responses:
Response: Yes, underground lines will include conduits in
the street, as presented in the typical
section graphic, and connections for electrical, telephone
and cable to each home (see 2004
2. Why weren’t utilities undergrounded when sewers were
installed in the 1970s? We need the will
Response: Although it would seem appropriate to put all
utilizes underground at one time, an
extensive design effort is required which would be separate
from the sewer installation issues.
This would have affected the schedule and budget for the
sewer project.
Pare Engineering Corporation
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Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
3. The Town needs the will to do this project, and needs to
know the costs. Where else has PARE
done similar work?
Response: PARE has done similar large scale utility projects
in Rhode Island and eastern
Connecticut and has a sizeable staff of engineers for
utility and roadway projects.
4. What will be the tax implications, the impact on property
values, and is funding available?
Litchfield and Mystic have underground utilities. What are
the issues there?
Response: These issues will be investigated during the
master plan phase.
Warden and / or Burgess response: Nantucket has enabling
legislation to levy a surcharge on the
entire island to pay for phased undergrounding as part of a
twenty-year plan. To date five blocks
in the downtown area have been undergrounded. Mystic
undergrounded utilities as a streetscape
project funded by a congressional earmark. Their project was
not part of a comprehensive
program. Our options may include phasing in undergrounding
as part of street reconstruction
projects. The master plan is the first step to begin to look
for funding. This project will be up to
the taxpayers to review.
5. Does location in a floodplain affect underground
installation? We were told 20 years ago that we
could not put our utilities underground.
Response: We believe features can be designed to allow
installation in a flood zone. Potential
flooding wouldn’t prohibit undergrounding utilities but it
may make it more expensive.
6. There was a Streets Plan twenty years ago that has never
been implemented. We need a real
schedule.
Response: We will identify priority areas and recommend a
sequence for implementation.
Warden and/or Burgess: Streets in the Point area are in poor
condition and are scheduled for
upgrade in the next sequence of street repair projects.
7. I thought this was the detailed study required for
construction. How much did this study cost?
What happens if the electrical and other utility companies
say they will not participate in
undergrounding utilities?
Response: $38,000 to prepare a master plan. This study is
not prepared to the level of detail for
construction. PARE contacted Mr. Arthur Marcelynas,
Connecticut Department of Utility
Control, to ask if Connecticut Light and Power could refuse
to participate. Mr. Marcelynas said
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Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
that CL&P, per its policy, will provide the customer what
it wants, but the customer must pay for
it.
8. Will the master plan include costs for construction? How
do we know the costs for later phases
of construction?
Response: Current costs will be included in the master plan.
The rate of inflation must be
considered in projecting costs of future phases.
9. Comments about electrical service:
·
·
·
·
It is critical to continue grounding the electrical system.
One benefit of the project it to
reduce the chance of salt water corrosion, including corrosion
of the aluminum pipe conduit
down the side of the house (corrosion affects the neutral
ground position of the wires).
Undergrounding utilities will enable the Borough to have
continuous electrical service during
power outages. Generators are loud and require fuel storage
(potentially dangerous). This is
a quality of life issue that should be taken into
consideration in deciding to underground
utilities.
All utilities may be wireless in the future. Why spend the
money now?
Until costs for alternative power sources are comparable to
traditional power service, lines
will continue to be necessary.
Our power connection to the grid comes along Amtrak tracks
where sailboats have been
washed up during hurricanes. Masts short out the service.
This location is not within the
Borough so undergrounding utilities would not necessarily
protect service.
·
10. Is undergrounding a done deal?
Response: No, we are preparing a master plan that will
present costs and schedules for
consideration by the Warden and Burgesses and discussion by
the public.
11. Please talk about the appearance of the transformer
boxes and how many would there be?
Response: See circulated photos from a suburban subdivision
and plans in the 2004 Connecticut
Light and Power Specifications. Electrical cabinets are
required every 4 or 5 homes, depending
on the load of the line, and are generally located on
property lines. Separate structures are needed
for telephone service. Cabinets can be seen at the new fire
station but those are larger than what
would be required along residential streets.
Pare Engineering Corporation
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Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
12. Can transformers go in underground vaults?
Response: We will investigate that for the master plan.
13. There must be some rule of thumb for order of magnitude
costs. We heard $12,000 per house in
other communities.
Response: Costs are part of the master plan effort and will
be available at the next public
workshop.
Warden and/or Burgess: We have heard $350 / linear foot or
$10 to 15 million for 6 miles of
Borough roadway.
14. What about street lighting? With the removal of poles we
will need new fixtures. The ad hoc
committee and the Planning and Zoning Commission have
investigated lighting options. What
are the code requirements for street lighting?
Response: We will include the ad hoc committee / Planning
and Zoning Commission’s street
lighting options in the master plan and also include
information on code requirements.
Warden and/or Burgess: More street lights will be required
because fixtures will be lower.
15. We have recently heard that the cost of undergrounding,
including design and installation of
street lights is $1.25 million per mile. Utilities are only
required to be undergrounded on 4 to 5
miles of roadway so the cost should be less than mentioned
above.
16. Safety should be considered a major marketing tool for
this project.
17. Will there be a provision for continued service during
hurricanes and flooding?
Response: Conduits will be pitched to drain. Structures will
be as water tight as possible but may
require pumping if the site floods, especially for a long
duration.
18. Charlestown NC and New York City do not lose power
during hurricanes where lines are
underground. Flooding is not an issue.
19. Large boulders and ledge were encountered during recent
water line replacements. Do you have
information on underground conditions? How deep are the
conduits? Borough maps indicate
that there is ledge on High Street, Church Street, and Front
Street.
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Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
Response: We have information from the sewer profiles.
Electrical conduits are generally
installed at a more shallow depth than sewers.
20. How much clearance is required between sewer or water
lines and electrical conduits?
Response: (referring to an exhibit showing a typical
underground trench): 18 inch vertical and
horizontal clearance is required. Electrical conduits cannot
be placed directly above a sewer or
water trench since access to those lines must be maintained.
21. How far along is the project?
Response: We are finishing the first task, data collection.
That task included fieldwork, putting
the information on our plans, and contacting the utilities.
We are starting the second task,
researching underground utility issues.
22. Why are some streets on the plan shaded?
Response: Streets are not shaded. The number of utility
lines along a narrow street causes the
effect.
Jeffrey Callahan thanked all for their attendance and
indicated that the next meeting will be held after
the first of the year.
January 29, 2005 Public Meeting
The second public workshop was held at the Borough Hall, 26
Church Street, Stonington from 10:00
to 11:30 AM on Saturday, January 29, 2005. The workshop was
attended by approximately 25
residents.
Brief introductions were made by Jeffrey Callahan, Burgess.
Ernie Rabideau, Pam Sherrill, and Jim
Hoyle from Pare Engineering (PARE) made a PowerPoint
presentation with key findings of the draft
master plan. Handouts included an agenda; draft executive
summary, district summary, a packet of
district maps, and self-addressed comment sheet. The purpose
of the second meeting was to provide
an update since the first meeting on October 2, to present
findings of the draft master plan, and to
receive comments and answer questions prior to issuing the
final report in February. Final
recommendations will be presented to the Warden and
Burgesses on February 28, 2005.
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Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
The following summarizes comments/questions raised and
responses:
1. Will easements be required with each property owner? Will
there be any compensation for
property owners if transformers are located on private
property?
Response: Easements will be required for each property.
Easements are generally 10 to 15 feet in
width and may be up to 25 feet in width for an easement
along a driveway. However, easements
along a driveway would be more typical for a new subdivision
and not for developed property.
Warden and / or Burgess response: Compensation would have to
be addressed as part of the
easement negotiation.
2. Will pad mounted transformers be required for every two
houses? How will the location of
transformers be determined? Can transformers be located to
the rear of properties?
Response: Transformers generally serve five to eight
properties. Preferable locations would be
along the public right of way, along the sidewalk. Although
transformers could be located to the
rear of properties, access would be required for utility
companies. A location along the street
would probably be preferable. Transformer locations to the
rear of publicly owned property such
as the fire station could be considered.
3. Homes and businesses are built immediately adjacent to
the sidewalk in many sections of the
Borough. Where would the transformer be located?
Response: These are details that will have to be looked at
during design. This will be a challenge.
It may be possible to use larger transformers which could
service more than eight properties.
CL&P has indicated that it will not locate transformers
underground as is done in many other
locations.
4. The draft executive summary indicates that the developers
of Stonington Commons at the former
Monsanto plant have indicated a willingness to underground
utilities if a master plan is
completed. Please note that the developers were required to
provide underground utilities,
regardless of the findings of the master plan.
Response: Text will be revised to indicate this.
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Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
5. Why does CL&P have the dominant role in utility
relocation?
Response: Both the telephone and cable companies defer to
CL&P for utility relocation
underground. Public safety with respect to live power lines
is the primary concern.
6. Why would sidewalks be reconstructed? Sidewalks are the
responsibility of adjacent property
owners.
Response: Tree roots have heaved sidewalks and others are
cracked. Borough zoning indicates
that asphalt sidewalks are not acceptable. The cost of
sidewalk reconstruction was one of the
assumptions made in the cost estimate. These sidewalks would
be reconstructed with concrete.
7. What are the street lighting costs? That is one of the
most expensive items. Street light costs are
cheaper in California.
Response: CL&P has indicated that decorative street
lighting is approximately $2,000 per unit.
Less expensive subdivision-style lighting could be provided
for approximately $250 per unit.
Although as a general rule of thumb the number of street
lights would increase as the unit is
lowered from the current telephone pole mounting, CL&P
has indicated that street lighting is
generally installed approximately 100 feet apart and at a
height of 14 to 16 feet. This
configuration could be revised during final design. Spacing
of 75 feet has been used for
preliminary cost estimate purposes.
8. You have indicated that the cost is $4.8 million per
mile. Can you give us a more specific cost
breakdown by linear foot?
Response: The preliminary opinion of probable costs is $233
per linear foot for roadway
reconstruction, $463 per linear foot for undergrounding
infrastructure costs, and $450 per linear
foot for utility costs (CL&P and communications
companies).
9. Does the cost for roadway reconstruction assume that all
roads and sidewalks are reconstructed?
Response: Yes.
10. How many streetlights would be replaced?
Response: 780
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Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
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11. Can you do a linear installation along Water or Main
Streets?
Response: It would be less cost effective to underground
utilities along a street than to
underground the adjoining neighborhood because of the
existing power distribution network.
Service would be routed through conduits along poles at the
transition points between
underground and aerial service.
12. How much federal funding would be available?
Response: Federal funding could be available through the
Federal Highway Administration as an
earmark through the Transportation Community System
Preservation (TCSP) program or through
FEMA’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program. The Town of
Groton received a $1 million
grant through TCSP. It is important to work closely with
your congressional delegation regarding
these programs. It is highly unlikely that a federal program
would provide a grant for $33 million
for this project. The southern Borough might be more
suitable for PDM funding while TCSP
funding might be more appropriate along commercial streets.
13. How much would property values increase with underground
utilities? How would this affect
taxes? How would a transformer pad affect property values?
Please provide information from
Charlestown RI referenced at the first meeting.
Response: We will investigate this for the master plan:
Charlestown does not have underground
utilities. The Town of Brookline Massachusetts is currently
conducting studies to continue
undergrounding utilities. According to Brookline's
information, a home's value without wires
and poles is approximately 2 percent higher than comparable
homes in the community. This 2%
valuation on a $500,000 dwelling would be $10,000.
14. Would utility bills increase with underground utilities?
Warden and/or Burgess: CL&P rates would not increase.
15. Sometimes we loose power for a few seconds or for
several hours. Sometimes CL&P shuts down
service during a storm as a safety measure so even if there
is no pole or wire down, we loose
service.
16. Is a 30 percent contingency too high or too low? Does
the cost include engineering design
services?
Pare Engineering Corporation
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Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
Response: 30 percent is an industry standard for projects at
the planning stage. As design
advances, many of the unknown factors will be quantified.
The contingency includes design and
permitting costs as well as potential cost increases.
17. Are demolition costs included in the cost estimate?
Response: Yes, removal of poles and existing lighting, and
removal of asphalt and curb are
included.
18. Do transformers buzz or hum?
Response: CL&P has indicated that some transformers do
hum, even when maintained. Others in
the audience reported that transformers installed on college
campuses or at other residential
applications do not make a noise. No one in the audience
reported hearing a pad mounted
transformer buzz.
19. Will natural gas service be available in the Borough in
the future?
Response: Yankee Gas lines are approximately three miles
from the Borough, near the police
Station on Route 1. Yankee Gas might be interested in extending
service, especially if it can be
combined with either roadway reconstruction or underground
utility service installation. The
Borough should maintain coordination with Yankee Gas as this
project proceeds.
20. Are federal grants competitive?
Response: Grants are competitive. It is important to work
with your congressional delegation to
demonstrate support.
21. Do telephone and cable companies have transformer boxes
as well?
Response: Yes, but they are much smaller.
22. It is important to realize that undergrounding utilities
will improve safety and aesthetics.
23. Warden: We recently received a voluminous grant
application and CD for the 2005 FEMA PDM
program. Our FEMA emergency management plan indicates that
utilities should be put
underground.
Response: PARE would recommend that the Borough submit this
application for the current
funding cycle for several reasons: You have a completed FEMA
plan (one of the criteria)
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February 28, 2005
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
recommending undergrounding utilities, you will have a
completed master plan to document the
interest of the Borough and the issues to be addressed, and
it may take more than one grant cycle
for an award.
24. Warden: Competition for enhancement and transportation
grants is very competitive through the
Council of Governments.
25. Are the costs mentioned in today’s dollar values?
Response: Yes.
26. Would it be possible to legally establish a loan program
so that property owners can pay for
required improvements?
Response: Because the goal is the removal of poles, PARE
recommends that there be no direct
costs to the property owners. Connection costs should be
included in the cost of installation.
This may provide an incentive for easement negotiation.
Groton did not require property owners
to participate financially in utility relocation or
undergrounding.
27. Have Groton property values increased?
Response: This project has not yet been constructed.
28. The cost for service connections is approximately 5
percent of the project cost.
29. Warden: The Borough is limited to 2½ times the tax
burden for bonding. With fire station
construction, the Borough has reached its bonding limit
through 2007. At that time the Borough
could consider a $1.5 million bond for undergrounding.
Borough approval will be required.
30. People who are not here today should be provided
information. We will post meetings and make
the final report available on the Borough website.
Jeffrey Callahan thanked all for their attendance and
indicated that the final report will be available at
the end of February. PARE will present findings to the
Warden and Burgesses on February 28, 2005.
- 50 - Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
SOURCES
Aquarion Water: Judy Simpanen, August 19, 2004
Antonio P. Franco & Associates Electrical Engineers:
Tony Franco, January 10, 2005
State of Connecticut
Connecticut Power & Light
Joe Carnevale, January 12, 2005
Chris Menard, August 17, 2004
Groton, Town of: Michael Murphy, Planner, November 4, 2004
Martin Associates: Jeff Martin, December 2, 2004
SBC SNET
Dave St. Martin, September 3, 2004
Mark Miner, August 17, 2004
Phil Cote, January 11, 2005
Stonington, Town of
Town of Stonington Engineering Department, January 5, 2005
Harold Storrs, Director, WPCA (Sanitary Sewer), September 1,
2004
Yankee Gas Company:
Luanne Dinihanian, December 20, 2004
VanZelm Engineering: Brian West, January 6, 2005
Edison Electric Institute, Out of Sight, Out of Mind? A
study on the costs and benefits of
undergrounding overhead power lines, by Brad Johnson,
Independent Energy Advisor, January 2004
Connecticut Light & Power, 2004 Specifications and
Installation Guide for Underground Service to
Residential Developments
Connecticut Light & Power, Information and Requirements
for Electric Supply Below 600 Volts, 2003
Edition (“Yellow Book”)
Telephone logs:
CT Office of Emergency Management: Dana Conover, Chief of
Operations, November 2,
2004
CT Dept. of Economic & Community Development: Peter
Simons, Asst. Dir. Of
Infrastructure & Real Estate, November 1, 2004
CT DEP Office of Long Island Sound Program: Rick Huntley,
January 4, 2005
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005 Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
APPENDIX
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005 A. Correspondence:
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Borough Fire Chief, September 23, 2002
Yankee Gas Services Co., December 20, 2004
Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
B. FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005 Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
C. Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 166: Section 22E: Cooperative agreements to remove
overhead wires
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
D. Underground District Index Sheet
Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
DISTRICT INDEX
UTILITY MASTER PLAN
STONINGTON, CONNECTICUT
UPPER BOROUGH
UPPER EAST SIDE
NORTH OF CANNONS
SOUTH OF CANNONS
WATER STREET
WADAWANUCK
SQUARE
Pare Engineering Corporation
February 28, 2005
Infrastructure Modernization Master Plan
Borough of Stonington, Connecticut
E. Preliminary Opinion of Probable Costs:
Roadway Reconstruction Costs
Undergrounding Infrastructure and Utility Costs
Utility Engineering and Construction Costs
Preliminary Opinion of Probable Roadway Reconstruction Costs
Borough of Stonington
ITEM QTY. UNIT
LS
710 SY
1564 SY
7 EA
24 EA
3 EA
2 EA
2 EA
6 EA
7 EA
24 EA
1220 LF
79 CY
450 TONS
679 CY
2274 SY
1
AMOUNT
$4,260
$7,820
$525
$1,800
$675
$350
$800
$5,400
$1,225
$3,600
$24,400
$17,775
$22,500
$10,185
$7,959
$5,350
$114,624
$34,387
$149,011 TOTAL
$233 1.
$1,229,342
$1.2 MILLION
Based on Sample Roadway Segment on Water Street from Wall
Street to Church Street (640 LF)
Remove and Dispose Sidewalks
Remove and Dispose Flexible Pavement
Remove and Dispose Water Gate Box
Remove and Dispose Curb Stop Box
Adjust Sewer Manhole
Adjust Drainage Manhole
Adjust Hydrant
Reconstruct Catch Basin
Water Gate Box
Curb Stop Box
Concrete Curb
Cement Concrete Sidewalk
Bituminous Pavement
Gravel Borrow Subbase
Trimming and Fine Grading
Mobilization (approximately 5%)
1. Based upon full roadway and sidewalk reconstruction after
utilities are placed underground. If only
repairs to the roadway are performed, an average cost of
approximately $100.00 per linear foot may
apply. The "Optimistic" Preliminary Opinion of
Probable Cost as presented in the Master Plan
assumes that 7700 linear feet of Main Street, Water Street
and Elm Street will be repaired, not
reconstructed. It also assumes a reduced contingency rate of
25%.
Stonington, Connecticut
February 28, 2005
SUBTOTAL
30% Engineering, Permitting & Contingency
COST PER LINEAR FEET
COST PER MILE
SAY
UNIT PRICE
$6.00
$5.00
$75.00
$75.00
$225.00
$175.00
$400.00
$900.00
$175.00
$150.00
$20.00
$225.00
$50.00
$15.00
$3.50
$5,350.00
QTY.
15,000
6,700
2,600
360
780
10
540
225,200 LF
CY
CY
TONS Temporary Bituminous Pavement Patching
Heavy Duty Handhole including Frame and Cover
Street Lights
Service Pedestal for Street Lights
Services to Building
Stonington, Connecticut
February 28, 2005
SUBTOTAL
30% Engineering, Permitting & Contingency
COST PER LINEAR FEET
1. Based upon high cost decorative street lights at 75 feet
on centers, both sides of the street
throughout the Borough. The "Optimistic"
Preliminary Opinion of Probable Cost presented in the
Master Plan assumes that low cost CL&P lights are
purchased at $250.00 each. It also assumes
a reduced contingency rate of 25%.
UNIT PRICE
$18.00
$15.00
$16.00
$50.00
$2,000.00
$5,000.00
$15,000.00
$2,000.00
UNIT
EA
EA
EA
EA
Preliminary Opinion of Probable Undergrounding
Infrastructure
and Utility Construction Costs
Borough of Stonington
ITEM
3 or 4" PVC Conduit
Trench Excavation
Gravel Borrow Fill
AMOUNT
$4,053,600
$225,000
$107,200
$130,000
$720,000
$3,900,000
$150,000
$1,080,000
$10,365,800
$3,109,740
$13,475,540 TOTAL
$463 1.
1
1
1
Preliminary Opinion of Probable Utility Engineering and
Construction Costs
Borough of Stonington
Stonington, Connecticut
February 28, 2005
AMOUNT UNIT PRICE ITEM UNIT QTY.
$4,940,000
$5,600,000
$380,025
$4,940,000.00
$5,600,000.00
$380,025.00
CL&P Cost ($4 million south of tracks)
SBC SNET Cost ($1 million per mile)
Comcast Cost ($ 13.50/ LF from Mystic)
LS
LS
LS
$10,920,025 SUBTOTAL
$2,184,005 20% Contingency
$13,104,030 TOTAL
$450 1. COST PER LINEAR FEET
1. The SBC SNET cost opinion of $1 million per mile was
provided by SBC SNET in a telephone conference. This
is an all inclusive cost. The "Optimistic Preliminary
Opinion of Probable Cost presented in the Master Plan
assumes that SBC SNET Costs will be approximately $750,000
per mile due to their following CL&P, with
construction planning in place.