Current Events

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