GUILFORD – Despite inclement weather and tension at the construction site of Guilford’s new Town Hall and Highway Garage, the project’s progress is still on track.
“It’s coming,” said Jim Wakeman of Richard W. Wakeman of Sidney, the contractor awarded the general construction contract for the project in August of 2008. Wakeman attended the Town of Guilford end of the year meeting on Monday to give an update to the board.
The local contractor reported he has recently butted heads with the town’s Clerk of the Works, Brian Treffeisen, on several issues at the site. Treffeisen was out of town and unable to attend the meeting.
“It all started with the roof system,” Wakeman explained. Treffeisen had raised concerns that the ZIP System roof, manufactured by Huber Engineered Woods, was not installed per the manufacturers recommendations.
“I told him they are non-issues, and he doesn’t believe me,” said Wakeman, who expressed concerns that the negative relationship would have an impact on his reputation. “There’s no reason for it; we really haven’t done anything wrong.”
According to Building Committee Chairperson Sue McIntyre, Treffeisen said the contractor did not use two tools recommended by Huber to ensure the proper pressure was applied during installation of the self-adhesive roof system, and that the work was done on a day when the temperature was “colder than considered optimal.”
“Our clerk of the works has, justifiably, taken a strong stance,” McIntyre said, but her concerns had been laid to rest by an e-mail received earlier that day.
“The general contractor has provided, through the supplier, this guarantee of performance,” she explained. The communication, which originated with the manufacturer, stated the company was prepared to stand behind its 30-year warrantee of the roof system.
“I think the roof issue is settled,” said Doyle. The board members present agreed the manufacturer’s assurance was sufficient, but questioned whether there had been any problems with the roof leaking since Treffeisen had raised his concerns.
“To the best of my knowledge, it is not presently leaking,” McIntyre said, with the exception of areas not “buttoned up.” Wakeman confirmed her assessment.
In addition to questioning the roof installation, Treffeisen has also raised concerns about the flashing around windows installed in the new town hall, which Wakeman said was not included in the project specifications.
Councilman Bruce Winsor said that Treffeisen was doing the job he was hired to do in looking out for the town’s interest. He attributed the conflict to a lack of communication between the clerk of the works and the contractor.
“I think it would help if you could explain things to him,” Winsor said, addressing Wakeman.
“I think it have been valuable that you came here tonight,” said McIntyre, who said she was pleased with the quality of the work completed thus far at the site. “A lot of this is just coming down to communication and clarification.”
Supervisor Al Doyle thanked Wakeman for taking the time to attend the meeting and informing the board on what was happening at the job site.
“You’ve been a valued contractor for this job and others in our town,” Doyle said. “It’s always a good thing to get it out in the open.”Guil