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“It was an accident. It could happen to anyone at home and people should check to ensure their water pipes don’t freeze. It’s nobody’s fault,” declared Town of Lancaster Supervisor Robert Giza at the beginning of the Town Board work session. It was an accident that happened where no one would want such accident to happen and there was no intent to have it happen.”
The water came from a sprinkler head. The sprinkler system is a dry system, activating when conditions warrant. It was most likely tested and water remained in the line. The water in the pipe froze and the resulting expansion caused the sprinkler head to let go.
The water damage is extensive; wall board will have to be replaced and some computers were impacted. According to Supervisor Giza it will take three to four weeks to get back to normal.
The Assessor’s office is operational, the attorney’s office never got touched, the Financial and Budget Directors office did sustain heavy damage. “I can assure you that it will not cost the taxpayers any money, declared Supervisor Giza.” I am told our insurance company will pay all cost repairs including manpower, overtime and whatever it takes and then it will be up to our insurance company to recover from whoever is responsible for the event.”
It was stated that it is too early in the investigation to say who is responsible. However, when a resident later on asked who was responsible for testing the system and whether it was someone from the town, it was answered by a sprinkler system contractor rep attending the work session meeting that the responsibility lay with the design engineer and that their goal was to support the town and they’re people to get things secured. Once that happened they would go in and investigate what took place and to make sure there is no other part of the building that has the same potential.
Supervisor Giza declared it was his office that took the brunt of the water and damage and that he would have to find a temporary location. He spoke on the extent of the wallboard damage that gave a good indication often how much water there was on the floor.
It was then that resident Mike Fronczak asked whether it was the sprinkler system that was the cause of the flooding as was reported on the Internet. Supervisor Giza declared he has been reticent on making any statement on the matter in the event there would be litigation. He reiterated that the town would not be liable for the costs involved to put things together again, but that it was unfortunate that this occurred after the staff recently moved into the new building. He commended Parks/ Recreation and Buildings Director Terry McCracken and his staff for the time and effort they put in to get the water removed.
Regular meeting public comment session
Mike Fronczak questioned that if indeed the water event was not a domestic event but a sprinkler service related issue, “who was the contractor that performed the installation?” He was informed it was Allied. He then asked whether a sprinkler head popped or whether it was a main.
McCracken answered that it was a 1-1/2” line to 1” line that had a tee on it to the sprinkler head. “The tee broke, the head flew and the water came.”
Fronczak voiced that is was obviously a freeze problem, “but you can’t commit to anything now.”
Fronczak spoke again on the damage repair costs. “You said earlier that town insurance carrier was going to pick up the expenses and then they are going to recoup money from the contractor, or is that contract between us the town people and Allied (sprinkler system contractor)for one year.”
Supervisor Giza answered that the town had contacted the town’s insurance carrier and they replied that they had sent agents out to investigate. “As far as I know, they are going to pay the bills and settle up after. Our insurance will cover costs and submit the bills to them. They are pretty sure they will get money from the other insurance company. They (town insurer) will pay our bills temporarily so we don’t have to wait to begin the repairs and determine whose fault it is.”
Fronczak then asked who would be spearheading the repair project to ensure the necessary repairs were done to eliminate the potential for down the road problems that were due to the recent water event. He was assured by McCracken that outside help plus the engineering firm the town contracts and Building Department staff would cover all issues and needs. McCracken added he also spoke to the gentleman who built the building, Transit Construction Services, and that the firm would be assisting as well.
Fronczak interjected that he hoped everything would be covered and that something didn’t come up later.
Supervisor Giza declared that he wouldn’t lie to Fronczak and say that nothing could slip through the cracks, some hidden puddle somewhere, but that every effort would be made to eliminate that potential event from happening.
Fronczak closed by declaring that it was a dry sprinkler system and had to be tested but that someone had to sign off on the test. “Was that done through us (town) or project management?” It was answered that it was done by ESP Engineering, a mechanical/electrical engineering firm.
“So our Building Department did not sign off on it (test inspection),” asked Fronczak? “It was the construction management firm.” The answer given was, “That’s correct.”
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