| TOWN
OF AVON POLICE STATION PROJECT
|
|
Construction on
the New Avon Police Station began in 2006.
Soon thereafter, the Town of Avon recognized
the need for independent representation
and began seeking out services that would
protect their best interest. In February
of 2007 Kramer was hired to assist the
Town of Avon in regaining control of their
project. The following is a brief history
of significant issues, exposed by Kramer,
surrounding the New Avon Police Station
Project:
- Kramer was hired
to provide Consulting Services for the
Town of Avon in February of 2007 (several
months after construction had already
started).
- The Consulting
Services included but were not limited
to answering questions, attending
meetings, reviewing documents, inspecting
the project site, monitoring progress
and work done on the project, analyzing
pay applications and invoices, make
recommendations, and other related services
that assisted the Town of Avon in general
oversight of the project.
- In March of
2007 (less than 30 days from hire),
Kramer submitted a detailed accounting
of potential issues (including structural
concerns, backfill concerns, testing
agency concerns, etc., etc.)
- In March of
2007 (less than 30 days from hire),
Kramer recommended that the project
be suspended until said issues were
adequately addressed.
- Kramer continued
to report unresolved issues (monthly).
- In August of
2007, and upon failure to receive adequate
response to the issues identified, Kramer
recommended that an independent structural
engineer consultant be engaged to do
a review.
- The Town of
Avon engaged an independent structural
engineer and the subsequent report submitted
in September of 2007 verified many of
the issues identified by Kramer (March
of 2007).
- Kramer has identified
the structural report as being incomplete
and has made a recommendation to the
Town of Avon to have a comprehensive
study/review completed. This is currently
under consideration with the town.
- Kramer estimates
that the issues identified are of a
nature that future problems with the
structure may be eminent (stress and/or
settling cracks have already been observed
in the building).
- Kramer also
reported, soon after hire, anticipated
project completion delays. The project
delays were later confirmed and the
building was completed (2) months late
(September 2007).\
** Update
**
- August 2008
- Early on during construction of the
new Avon Police Station, town leaders
were quick to react to signs that taxpayer
dollars needed a higher level of scrutiny.
This proactive approach has netted the
Town of Avon and it’s taxpayers
very high ACCOUNTABILITY dividends.
The issues identified by Kramer, very
soon after hire, have been verified
and town officials have taken action
to ensure that they are corrected. The
process of assessing accountability
is painfully slow and frustrating. Town
officials are leaving nothing to chance
in obtaining swift resolution as quickly
as the system will allow. Plans have
been developed to correct what has been
uncovered and it is expected that the
Town of Avon and it’s taxpayer
will SOON receive, dollar for dollar,
what they paid for.
Daniel
M. Sulkoske, Agent to the Client |