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09/23/2022 01:21 PMNORTH BRANFORD - Two federal requirement issues which came to light earlier this month need to be resolved, before construction can start on the town’s new Police Facility and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 305 Forest Road.
In order for the $13 million project to receive the $4.5 million state funding award announced in July, and $1 million EOC federal funding announced in March, a first-phase archaeological review first needs to be conducted on a portion of the property. In addition, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also needs to approve a FEMA storm water discharge permit in order to receive the federal funds.
“It was determined by FEMA that the planned site may have archaeological sensitivity, and it's recommending a Phase 1 archaeological survey,” said Town Manager Michael Downes, speaking with the Town Council during his first Town Manager’s report at the Sept. 20 regular council meeting.
Downes began his role as Town Manager September 13. He thanked Town Clerk Lisa Valenti for her excellent work as interim Town Manager from Aug. 6 through Sept. 12.
As previously discussed with the council at its Sept. 6 meeting, the two items being required of the Town were somehow overlooked during past Town Manager Michael Paulhus’ tenure. Paulhus completed 9 years of service to North Branford on Aug. 5 and is now Plainville Town Manager.
Speaking to the council on Sept. 6, Valenti said she became aware of the FEMA issues after receiving a communication to the Town on Friday Sept. 2. After the award is made, funds are put on hold until an environmental and historic preservation review is completed by FEMA.
“It’s a piece we were unaware of,” said Valenti, speaking with the council on Sept. 6.
On Sept. 20, Downes noted that meetings with town officials including himself, Valenti, Mayor Jeffrey Macmillen, Police Chief Kevin Halloran, Deputy Chief James Lovelace, police commission co-chair and Permanent Project Building Committee (PPBC) member David Palumbo, as well as State Representative Vincent Candelora (R-86), a member of Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro’s (D-3) office, a grant administration representative and officials with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHIPO), had taken place in recent days.
Regarding take-aways from the meetings, Downes said, “...a Phase One Archaeological Review, including reconnaissance and identification, should actually take only 2 weeks to be completed by a selected contractor. SHIPO has indicated that they will ride herd on FEMA with this. So if there is no discovery of archaeological significance, the delay on this project should only be between 30 and 60 days.”
Downes also noted that it was learned that an archaeological review would have also been required in order to secure the required FEMA storm water discharge permit for the site.
The town’s cost for the archaeological review is expected to range between $10,000 to $40,000. Available approved vendors have been asked to respond to the Town with prospective costs by Tuesday, Sept. 27. As the work comes under the realm of professional services that are unique in nature, it’s not required to be put out for bid.
What’s Under Review
The phase one archaeological review will take into consideration only the areas where construction and grade work will be conducted, and not the entire 13-plus acre site, Downes said.
Regulations are different for municipalities and private property owners. Downes said that, among several criteria FEMA uses to determine if an archaeological review is required of a municipal site, are whether a known archaeological site is currently under evaluation within one mile of the location; and whether the sub-level land at the proposed construction site has not yet been disturbed.
Downes told the council that it was related to him that another site is currently under evaluation within a mile of the 305 Forest Road project site; however, no other details were provided due to the sensitivity of such a survey.
The 305 Forest Road site also fits the criteria of only the first level of land having been disturbed (in this case, farmed) while the sub-level had not been disturbed.
Due to that configuration, there is a “... greater likelihood of pre-Colonial settlement evidence underneath it, if it was ever there,” Downes explained.
If it’s determined that such evidence has been located, there could be further FEMA requirements facing the project site.
“If we find something viable there, then maybe we discuss our options. But right now, we just have to wait it out,” said Downes.
The Sept. 20 Town Council Meeting was live streamed and recorded and can be viewed on Totoket TV/Facebook.