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Granite-stairs study stalls; restored fire truck nears completion, committee hears

March 14, 2025 | Holyoke City, Hampden County, Massachusetts


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Granite-stairs study stalls; restored fire truck nears completion, committee hears
Committee members received staff updates about two long-running projects: a granite-stairs study for City Hall and a restoration of a historic fire truck.

Jay summarized conversations with Victoria, the interim city engineer, and the new city engineer, Matt Sokop, saying the architect hired for the granite-stairs work told staff the award likely would not produce construction-ready documents for the budgeted amount. The committee discussed that the study might be returned to the CPC for reconsideration or re-scoping rather than paying for successive studies. Jay said no consultant work had been completed for the awarded $30,000 study and the architect had flagged a likely cost gap between the awarded amount and the specialist's estimate.

Nut graf: The committee expressed a preference for avoiding a study that only recommends another study; staff and the city engineering team will determine next steps and report back. Members noted the broader city-hall rehabilitation may be a better avenue for a full design study.

Separately, Tom Shea provided a written update on the fire-truck restoration project, read into the record by staff: floorboards and interior components of the cab have been installed, diamond-plate inserts are being fabricated, the hose bed has been sandblasted and primed, and interior hose-bed components received a heavy-duty liner finish. Tom indicated he would arrange a viewing for committee members once diamond plating is installed. Committee members said the truck is unlikely to be ready for this years parade but hoped it could appear in a future event.

Other administrative items noted during the meeting included staff compiling a committee contact list for internal use and a brief discussion about Zoom participant controls after an unauthorized intrusion into the meeting's teleconference. Naomi circulated a proposed membership/contact list and asked members whether they would share a phone number for committee communications; members agreed to provide numbers privately if they wished.

Ending: Staff will follow up with Victoria and the city engineering team on the granite-stairs scope and with Tom Shea about a viewing date for the fire truck; the committee asked to be updated on next steps at a future meeting.

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