06.24.09
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Dufresne Group 2009 Construction Bid Season (a busy one)
May 21, 2009 will probably go down in history as the busiest day in the history of the utility construction industry in this decade. We opened seven bids that day and some contractors were leaving our bid openings on their way to another bid opening elsewhere. Our strategy was to accelerate final design activities on projects that were funded using local funds to fix construction prices prior to the onslaught of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) projects that should flood the market beginning July 1. The strategy appears to have been effective as we have seen construction prices drop between 25% and 50% of last year’s prices on similar items. All of the seven contracts opened that day were funded locally; who knows, maybe we will pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps.
In 2008 water main was running about $250 per foot (see itemized breakdown) and in 2009 , the price per foot has dropped to $165 (see itemized breakdown). In order to view the bid results from our recent construction contracts, please click on the link below:
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05.08.09
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Brian Baker Recertifies with American Concrete Institute
Brian Baker recently recertified for the American Concrete Institute (ACI) field testing technician grade 1. Brian has been certified since 1990. The certification allows for performing concrete field testing including sampling, slump, air content, mix temperature, unit weight, yield, and test cylinders.
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02.10.09
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*Economic Stimulus Update*
On February 6, 2009, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) held an informational hearing in Concord to discuss the status of the Economic Stimulus funding package as it may apply to water and wastewater projects. Representatives of the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund (CWSRF), Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund (DWSRF), and the USDA Rural Development (RD) program were present. There will be another meeting on March 5, 2009 so save the date.
Most importantly, DES will be using a pre-application process and the pre-applications are due on February 27, 2009. DES will not accept any projects for funding under the Economic Stimulus Program that were not submitted by pre-application prior to the deadline. The pre-applications are available on line at the NHDES website. Applicants should provide an e-mail address to confirm the pre-application has been received.
Jamie Bourne from United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 1 outlined some of the differences to be resolved by conference committee between the house and senate bills. Jamie indicated that the funding bill for this program will be in place by President’s Day.
Greg McPherson from USDA Rural Development outlined the requirements under the RD program. Greg indicated that applications should be submitted as soon as possible. Greg also outlined that NHDES and RD will be working together to make sure projects will be funded using the best program available.
Steve Roberts outlined the CWSRF program requirements. Basically the money will be disbursed using the current regulations and eligibility requirements. There was discussion on design build, but Steve stressed that any design build must comply with the Federal procurement regulations.
Rick Skarinka discussed the DWSRF program. Although the money will be coming through the existing program, Rick indicated that they will probably do less interim financing than normal and make more money available as permanent financing. The specifics of working with the RD program were not identified but Rick outlined the goal of working together with RD on qualifying projects. Rick indicated that projects submitted as part of the pre-application process will not require an engineering planning report but will only need a one page narrative to qualify.
Barbara Robinson and Dan Borrow from the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Municipal Services Division stressed the need for applicants to have authority to accept grants in aid under RSA 31:95-b. Barbara indicated that applicants can check if they currently have authority by contacting her at (603) 271-3397 Fax (603) 271-1161. There are also specific time lines for bond articles, public notices and public hearings and she can assist in insuring these deadlines are met. Finally there is legislative initiative to simplify the process of a special town (or district or precinct) meeting if necessary to become eligible to establish local borrowing authority for the economic stimulus program. However, applicants should not depend on this legislation and be prepared for the funding by the normal spring meeting if possible.
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01.15.09
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Chad Whitehead Appointed as Burke’s Zoning Administrator
Chad Whitehead, has recently been appointed by the Burke Town Select Board as Burke’s Zoning Administrator. This happens just as the several large development projects have been submitted for review at the town. Five years ago a large development company purchased Burke Mountain with the intent of expanding the mountain to include several new ski lifts, trails, a golf course, and up to 1,000 residential units, which would more than double the existing housing units in the town. With these proposed developments and the increasing popularity of Kingdom Trails, a multiple use trail system developed by volunteers and managed and operated by a not-for profit organization, the town has taken strides to prepare themselves for future growth. Town of Burke has worked with Northeastern Vermont Development Association to revise the town plan and develop new planning and zoning bylaws in preparation of future growth.
Recently the Town advertised for a part time Zoning Administrator to help the Development Review Board (DRB), Town officials and applicants complete permit applications, complete preliminary sketch plan review, perform site visits and guide applicants and the DRB through the town permitting process. Chad was appointed by the Select Board, and will be available at the DG NEK office in St Johnsbury by telephone during business hours, and by phone and in person on Thursday afternoons at the Burke Town offices. If anyone has any Burke Town zoning inquiries, you can e-mail the zoning office at burkezoning@charterinternet.com.
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01.12.09
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ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE FUNDING UPDATE
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) held a meeting on January 9, 2009 in Concord to discuss what they felt would be the likely characteristics of a Federal infrastructure improvement program. RED Dufresne attended this session on behalf of Dufresne Group.
Harry Stewart, PE, Water Division Director, stressed that the Federal program was in flux at this time but there was some certainty that the program would be based on the following objectives:
- The program would require construction activity within two or three months from the financial offer –“shovel ready” projects only
- Municipalities will need local borrowing authorization for a local share to qualify for Federal matching funds. The bond vote requirement will likely be the biggest challenge for this program as bond articles will need to be posted in the next week or two for most municipalities.
- Federal matching funds may be in the form of “forgivable loans”
- It appears the forgivable loan portion will be 75% for water and sewer projects
- The money will be funneled through existing programs and there will be no changes to the eligibility framework
- Projects that facilitate growth or expansion are ineligible for water works projects
- Projects that exclusively improve fire protection are ineligible
- Projects that are in construction prior to program initiation are ineligible
- There is talk of a graduated schedule that requires states to obligate 50% of the money within 90 days and a slower schedule for the other 50% of the money. But Harry Stewart indicated their approach will be to spend it as quickly as possible. Harry indicated that if NHDES can spend 100% of the money in 90 days, they will.
There are some competing bills but the bill that appears to have legs is the Oberstar bill sponsored by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-Minn.). This bill includes funding for transportation, pollution abatement projects, non-point source pollution abatement, and energy efficiency. Missing in the bill is any funding for drinking water projects.
Rick Skarinka, DWSRF Program Manager, indicated there will likely be a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) requirement with the program. The normal priority system that is developed to disburse funds based on compliance, Public Health and affordability will include a new criteria for “readiness to proceed”. This criteria will likely trump all other criteria.
Region 1 EPA is in contact with all New England States and conducts a biweekly telephone conference call to discuss evolution of the program.
New Hampshire will be providing information via their web site at www.des.nh.gov beginning on January 19, 2009. A follow up meeting is scheduled for February 6, 2009 in Concord.
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12.12.08
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Kevin Eaton Attend Soils Workshop at VTC
 Kevin Eaton performs a soils analysis in a test pit.
Kevin attended a soils workshop held at VTC on Wednesday that was taught by Peter Fletcher, a retired soil scientist who worked 30 years with the US Department of Agriculture.
One of the most interesting aspect was his emphasis on the glacial geology from about 12,000 - 14,000 years ago that formed most of New England’s subsoil.
The class had a nice mix of power point lectures and hand’s on evaluations of about 20 soil samples.
Kevin said “Peter’s method for determining the Texture Class of a soil sample is so elegant. There are 12 different soil textures that a sample could be; such as sand loam or silty clay loam. Many of the classification methods I have learned over the past 22 years of working on this start at the “sand end or corner” of the classifications and then step through almost all 12 possible choices. Peter shared a method that “screen out” about 4 classes at each step. This allows you to quickly and accurately zero in on the texture of a sample, typically a soil horizon in a test pit. The correct texture determination of soils under a proposed wastewater disposal system has a dramatic impact on how well the system will perform and how long it will last. This was a great course.”
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12.11.08
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Bellows Falls Village Awards Water Main Design Contract to Dufresne Group
Bellows Falls Village Corporation voted unanimously to award the final design engineering contract for 1.55 miles of 12-inch water main to Dufresne Group. The project would replace 8,200 feet of 8-inch asbestos cement water main that was installed over 50 years ago. Roger A. Ward indicated that Everett Hammond, PE, Public Words Director, wants to be prepared for possible Economic Stimulus Funding that may arrive in the spring of 2009. The project has an aggressive design schedule to complete design and obtain permits and be ready to bid by March 16, 2009.
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12.04.08
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Economic Stimulus Package: Will You Be Ready?
Will you be ready to receive 100% grant funds under the Economic Stimulus Package?
The National Governors Association met with President-elect Obama on December 2, 2008 to seek at least $136 billion for infrastructure improvements. Governor Douglas and Governor Lynch indicated they had $360 million worth of infrastructure projects “ready to bid”. Governor Douglas indicated that Vermont alone has about $160 million in projects that could be awarded in 180 days.
If an economic stimulus package happens, what will your Town have for projects that are ready to bid? Sure you have a lot of needs but have you defined your needs? Have you evaluated the options to best meet the needs of the Town and have you considered both life cycle costs and other non-economic issues for alternative solutions? Even if you have already reached consensus on a solution, detailed drawings, specifications, and contract documents need to be developed to allow for public bidding for construction. As part of the design process, you will need to obtain land, easements, and rights of way to enable construction activities. All permits will need to be obtained. This final design phase of work takes time to complete. If you need topographic survey for pipeline or roadway improvements, you probably will not complete the survey work before the snow melts in the spring; without the survey work, you can’t complete design over the winter.
If an Economic Stimulus Package happens in the spring of 2009 with a 120 calendar day (MAXIMUM) clock between the grant offer and construction contract award, unless you have taken various steps at this time, you will probably not get any of the 100% grant money. Of the 120 days, about 40 days is required to advertise for construction bids and to get to contract award. Even with sincere assistance from state and federal regulators to minimize review time, the designer has only 60 to 70 calendar days (which includes weekends) to complete the topographic survey, complete the soil borings, prepare the drawings, specifications, contract documents, review the documents, obtain any necessary easements, and obtain all the permits and get to advertisement.
Clearly if you haven’t initiated design activity at this time, you will probably miss the 100% grants in aid. We are working with several communities to complete topographic survey for crucial sections of infrastructure such that if the Economic Stimulus Package becomes a reality, these communities will not miss the funding boat.
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11.11.08
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Christina Legge Attends the Plat and Subdivision Law Seminar in Burlington, Vermont
Christina Legge attended the Plat and Subdivision Law seminar in Burlington, Vermont on November 11, 2008. The seminar included four speakers who focused on several topics related to subdivisions and planned unit developments (PUDs).
The first topic involved the Vermont State permitting process, regulatory agencies, and land development laws and regulations. Permitting was discussed at the local level, the state level, and the federal level. The discussion of regulatory agencies focused on some of the divisions within the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, as well as the permits required by and laws and regulations managed by each division.
This was followed by a discussion on best practices for common open land management and natural resource protection in subdivisions and PUDs. This discussion focused on how to manage the open space and utility infrastructure (water, sewer, stormwater) in a subdivision or PUD as well as who manages these resources. A case study was used to show what happens when no one is managing these resources.
The third speaker discussed subdivision and PUD regulations relating to natural resource protection. This discussion focused on using regulations to shape developments, control rate of growth, and address sprawl. Different types of subdivisions and PUDs were addressed as well as bylaws pertaining to developments. Current open space regulations and examples were discussed as well as trends such as clustering. The usage of frontage was also addressed in this discussion.
The last speaker discussed the Act 250 process. This discussion included changes in Act 250 regulations, Prime AG changes, Stormwater, Anti-Degredation Policy, Riparian Buffers, Groundwater Withdrawal, and Environmental Enforcement. Many case studies were used to show the importance of each of these topics, as well as Act 250 regulations and benefits relating to each.
Overall, the seminar provided a large variety of information regarding the regulations behind subdivisions which will allow us to design and permit them more efficiently.
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11.07.08
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Dufresne Group Attend GMWEA Trade Show in Burlington, Vermont
 Tim Knapp (left) and Christina Legge at the trade show
For more information on GMWEA, please go to www.gmwea.org
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11.01.08
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Dufresne Group Launches New Website
 Dufresne Group logo created by Lisa Gleeson
Please take time to browse the site, and by all means, send us your thoughts and comments on what you see.
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10.25.08
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DG Northeast Kindom Office Provides Services to Many
The Northeast Kingdom office of Dufresne Group officially opened its doors on January 1, 2008. Shortly after opening the doors, office manager Chad Whitehead, was joined by returning Tech Engineer, Elizabeth Emmons, and Senior Field Engineer Randy Goodwin who transferred from the Barre office. As the summer progressed, interns Stanly Welch and Caleb Heller joined the NEK team.
The NEK office prepared contract plans and specifications for the Overcliff Tanks Replacement for the Town of Saint Johnsbury and acted as a point of contact and support for additional work associated with the Town’s Water Improvement Projects. The Overcliff Tank Replacement project is currently under construction by New England Aquastore and Twin State Sitework. The project will replace two painted steel water storage tanks constructed in 1934 with two new 0.5 MG glass fused to steel water storage tanks. Mark Walker of the Barre office is performing RPR services under the direction of Randy Goodwin. Construction Services for the cleaning and lining of 7,500 linear feet of 14” cast iron water main will commence shortly under the direction of Randy Goodwin.
A water audit was performed by Caleb Heller under the direction of Robert Dufresne and the assistance of Stanley Welch to determine the source of 52.4% (approximately 750,000 GPD) of the unaccounted for water identified from production and user meter records. Caleb worked closely with town water department staff to systematically analyze components of the water system and identify unmetered system use, inaccuracies in metering and identify areas for concentrated leakage detection. The water audit identified the source of over half of the unaccounted for water and identified a zone responsible for 93% of the remaining missing water.
Chad Whitehead and Randy Goodwin have been working with the Town of Saint Johnsbury Wastewater Treatment Facility operated by United Water to study the effects of alum residuals on the facility resulting from diverting backwash and system flush water from the Water Treatment Facility to the WWTF. The study included recording baseline data on influent and effluent prior to trucking approximately 3000 gallons per day of thickened sludge to simulate 100,000 gallons per day of backwash and flush water to the system for a period of two weeks. Influent and effluent sampling continued for two weeks after the conclusion of the trucking and effects of the system will be analyzed and an evaluation report will be prepared.
Chad Whitehead, Elizabeth Emmons and Randy Goodwin were responsible for preparing the Water Storage Tank Plans and Specifications for Foresite Engineering for a 0.36 MG water storage tank to serve the Grafton County Complex that is currently under construction in North Haverhill by Natgun Corporation and Morrill Construction. The office is currently working with Haverhill Corners Precinct to complete a Water System Evaluation and complete plans and specifications to provide adequate fire protection and water storage for the 194 connections in Haverhill Corners, NH, and a Master Plan and Water System Evaluation of the Royalton Fire District No.1.
Additionally NEK office staff has worked on permitting and site plans for Source Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) for oil storage facilities in Newport, Saint Johnsbury, Derby, Montpelier and Essex, and several wastewater and stormwater treatment systems throughout the Northeast Kingdom.
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10.18.08
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Caleb Heller Picked as a Candidate for Rhodes Scholar
Caleb Heller, EI, who worked for Dufresne Group for several summers, was selected by his professors to compete for the prestigious Rhodes scholarship. If selected, Caleb will be offered a master’s of science degree program at Cambridge, England. Caleb is completing his senior year at Norwich University. Caleb has completed his first three years at Norwich with a perfect 4.0 quality point average (QPA). He is now working on evaluation of hydroelectric generation sites in Northfield, Vermont as his senor project. Caleb hopes to complete his project as a template for use in other municipalities considering small scale hydro-electric generation projects.
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10.16.08
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Brian Baker and Kevin Eaton Attend Soils Workshop
 Kevin Eaton Brian Baker and Kevin Eaton attended a soils workshop put on by the VT Agency of Natural Resources and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
This was a hands on, get dirty, workshop designed to standardize the soil evaluations that designers of wastewater disposal systems (WWDS) perform while logging in test pits state wide.
This type of training opportunity really helps designers and State Regulators stay on the same page when it comes to soils, the basis for many of the design decisions for onsite WWDS. The State requires that Licensed Designers to complete continuing education courses to be eligible for renewing their license every two years; with a soils class such as this one being needed.
“There is always more to learn” says Kevin, “after 22 years of logging in soils data and evaluating a sites suitability for onsite WWDS, you might think you have seen it all… after any change in the Environmental Protection Rules, like we had last year, will bring about new challenges and opportunities for WWDS. These workshops are a great way to share ideas from all over the state about WWDS’s.”
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10.08.08
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RED Dufresne Elected Treasurer of American Precision Museum
 The American Precision Museum Robert E. Dufresne was elected to serve as Treasurer of the American Precision Museum (APM) in Windsor, Vermont.
The APM is a national treasure that holds the largest collection of machine tools in the nation. The museum is housed in the original Robbins & Lawrence Armory. The museum contains exhibits and artifacts that attest that the Vermont Connecticut River Valley was the silicon valley of the 1800’s. The tools and methods that now comprise the science of mass production manufacturing were pioneered at this facility. Many of the rifles used in the civil war came from the Robbins & Lawrence Armory. The first Sharps Rifles that won the west were manufactured in Windsor. Smith first met Wesson at this facility.
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10.01.08
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RED Dufresne Elected Treasurer of the Windsor Mt. Ascutney Region Chamber of Commerce.
Robert E. Dufresne was elected to serve as treasurer of the Windsor Mt. Ascutney Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber serves the Mt. Ascutney region including Cornish, New Hampshire. RED has served on the Chamber Board of Directors for the past three years. Nate Larson, local area businessman and entrepreneur serves as the president of the Chamber.
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09.30.08
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RED Returns from fishing trip in Craig, Montana
 Robert J. Dufresne nails a 21 inch rainbow using a brown body caddis on Missouri River, Wolf Creek, Montana.
RED Dufresne returned from a trip in Montana with his dad Robert J. Dufresne, PE and brother, Dave Dufresne from Barre Vermont. The three spent a week drifting sections of the Missouri River in Montana from Holter Dam to Cascade.
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08.30.08
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Chad Whitehead become the Secretary of the Board of Directors of NEKVA
 Killer Spike by Chad Whitehead Chad Whitehead, office manager of the Northeast Kingdom DG office has been involved with the newly formed Northeast Kingdom Volleyball Association (NEKVA), and is currently the Secretary of the Board of Directors. NEKVA is a not for profit organization with the goal to facilitate the playing and expanding of volleyball in the northeastern region of Vermont . 2008 was the first season of the organization, and the primary goal was to facilitate a weekly double elimination, 4 person (co-ed) tournament at The Pub Outback in East Burke , VT , called the XPL tournaments. The organization also worked with Burke Mountain Resort to promote and organize a weekend tournament on the newly formed courts built at the base lodge area at the mountain in September. NEKVA is thankful to all their sponsors that helped get the organization off their feet this summer, including Dufresne Group, and look forward to expanding next season. Additional information can be found at www.nekvolleyball.com.
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