A project manager has been selected to help the Town of Bethel move forward on completion of the police station firing range.  The Board of Selectmen asked the Finance Board to approve nearly $50,000 to hire Geralyn Hoerauf from consulting firm STV to coordinate this final phase of the project.  She served as project manager for the town’s recent school renovations. 

The new building on Judd Avenue opened about three years ago, but the firing range was not useable because of a leak any time it rained.  The material on one of the walls was not properly treated, but Downes Construction and its subcontractor have now successfully remediated the problem.  A waterproof coating was applied and some loose flashing on the roof was repaired. 

The final phase of the project is equipping the firing range so it can be used for training purposes.  But First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker says it lacks a specialized HVAC unit and other equipment that can remove lead dust not approved in the initial design.  The quote from the vendor back then did not include the engineering work and the ventilation system. 

He says a town meeting will likely be needed to allocate capital reserve funds for the equipment.  Knickerbocker says computer-controlled targets move back and forth down long rails, so things have to be added to the ceiling and that involves engineering, architectural work and the installation.