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Pepperwood issues now in lawyers' hands
(by Sue Reid - January 12, 2011)
Pepperwood issues now in lawyers' hands
By SUE REID
Issues regarding the incomplete phase one of the Pepperwood storm-sewer-replacement project are in the hands of the city's legal department, Dan Driscoll, Solon's construction project administrator, said last week.
He told City Council's public works committee that communications with Fetchko Excavating, of Medina, are mainly records requests. He said the city is receiving records requests from the contractor, subcontractors and materials suppliers.
The contractor has failed to complete phase-one work, which was to be done Oct. 29, according to city officials.
In addition, the contractor was put on notice officially by the city last month that the pavement on Pepper Drive is unacceptable. "The pavement will not be paid for until that is corrected," Mr. Driscoll said. The Pepper Drive pavement is worth about $260,000, and there is $43,000 associated with driveway aprons which may be a casualty of the pavement replacement, he said. "It's a considerable amount of pavement."
Mr. Driscoll showed the committee photographs of the 4-month-old pavement, which is showing signs of deterioration.
"It's 4 months old and getting torn up already," Mr. Driscoll said. "We gave it every chance to cure." Testing that the city had done on the pavement showed that within the top inch of the concrete, there are microscopic and horizontal and vertical cracking.
"We have every expectation that the deterioration will continue," Mr. Driscoll said. The other side of the pavement, on the south side, has dimension issues, he said.
Although dependent on the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co., it is looking promising that the street lights on Pepper Drive and Blackberry Circle will be installed, Mr. Driscoll said. That was also part of phase one work that should have been completed in October.
What remains are sprinkler-system and dog-fence repairs, as well as landscape items, he said.
Mr. Driscoll said any problems regarding sprinkler systems are with the contractor, and it has been put on notice.
He said residents who have issues with their dog fences should contact the city's engineering department at (440) 349-6745.
Mr. Driscoll also told the committee that the city is not using salt on the new pavement in the subdivision, but rather shale to protect the road.
"I think it is still a good idea to treat it as new pavement," Mr. Driscoll said, despite its deterioration. "It's evidence, and we need to protect it as new pavement." He said the shale is good for traction.
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