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EASTON, Conn. Is the end in sight for the Easton animal shelter construction project? That is a question that even the architect and building committee chairman are pondering because the completion date never gets finalized.
The project began in June 2010. Work was originally scheduled to be completed by Dec. 21, 2010. The project is moving, but its just moving so painfully slow, said architect Mark Halstead.
Since it began, the project has moved at a snails pace, according to Halstead, I think big problem is that the Carlson workers were not here every day. He is referring to Bob Carlson, the construction manager on the project.
We have had that problem since Day 1, said Animal Shelter Building Committee Chairman Peg Macaluso.
The project has picked up since fall, and electricity and water are now running throughout the building, heat has been installed except for radiant heating in the kennel portion of the building and countertops and interior windows have been installed in the front office. A majority of the exterior dog cages and fences have also been installed, although the town did it, and several additional cages are still on order, Halstead said.
So whats left? The official punch list should be ready after the weekend. But Halstead said installation of linoleum flooring, toilets, fixtures and ceiling tile as well as painting are still on the to-do list. In a perfect world, Halstead said everything should be completed in about three-and-a-half weeks.
Will it be done by then? Well, if someone was here every day, of course. Will that happen? Probably not, Halstead said. It really has been one frustration after another."
Despite construction setbacks, Halstead said it was important to remember that the project is happening and is staying on budget as a much-needed animal shelter comes to Easton. The new 12-run dog shelter carries an estimated price tag of $529,000. According to Macaluso, the town has paid only $129,000, thanks to $400,000 in grants.
Yes, it has taking us three times as much as we all originally planned, but the upside to that is that we are getting a really, great quality building that saved the town a lot of money, Halstead said.
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