Watts Online Newsletter
  Spring 2001 Volume 3, Issue 1 Home Page  


NEW EMPLOYEES

Watts is pleased to announce that Debra A. Ressler has joined the Environmental Department as an Environmental Scientist. Debbie holds a Master of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Geography from the State University of New York at Buffalo. 

Paul Wisniewski is also new to the firm's Environmental Department as an Environmental Technician. Paul holds a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry from SUNY College at Buffalo. 

Another new employee in our Environmental Department is Matthew Holquist. Matt is an Environmental Scientist who holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geoscience and Earthscience from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. 

The latest addition to the Environmental Department is Kirk Winters. Kirk is an Environmental Scientist with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies. He was previously employed by R.T. Environmental Services in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Russ Galbo joined our Civil Engineering Department as Senior Engineer. Russ has extensive experience in structural and industrial engineering which includes heavy civil/structural, building structures, architectural renovations, environmental and general construction projects. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

EMPLOYEE UPDATES

 Congratulations go out to John C. Honan, P.E. for completing all requirements to become a licensed registered Professional Engineer in New York State. John has over four years experience and specializes in civil and transportation engineering.

TJ Pierce recently completed the new EPA lead certification requirements. Great job TJ!

Hats off to Environmental Department Manager, Andy Klimek. Andy is now a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) - Masters Level. The CHMM is a certification offered through the Institute of Hazardous Materials Managers and accredited by the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards. Certification at the Masters level requires a baccalaureate degree, 7 years experience in the field of Hazardous Materials Management or Engineering, and successful completion of a four hour examination. The certification is recognized by, and requires in many cases supervision by a CHMM for projects under the US National Park Service, US Air Force, the US EPA, Army Corps of Engineers, the FDIC, and many other Federal and State agencies.

Congratulations to Kevin O'Connor who recently celebrated his 10th Anniversary as an employee of Watts! Kevin has been an integral member of the Watts family and we look forward to the next 10 years!

NEWEST MEMBERS OF
THE FAMILY

Babies, babies, and even more babies!! Congratulations and best wishes go out to the parents of our latest Watts extended family members. 

Congratulations to:

Environmental Engineer Justin Kellogg and his wife Leslie on the birth of their son, Jack. 

Environmental Department Manager Andy Klimek and his wife Karen on the birth of twin sons, Brandon & Lucas.

Marketing Coordinator Becky Mingoia and her husband David on the birth of their daughter, Hallie.

Civil Engineer John Honan and his wife Lisa on the birth of their daughter, Cecilia.

Bookkeeper Tina Muschaweck and her husband Jeff on the birth of their son, Joseph.

RECENT COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Ed Watts has been busy working in the community and with local technical and professional societies. Ed has participated in many activities including a three-person panel to administer the oral exam for Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) certification . The QEP is an international certification that falls under the auspices of the Institute of Professional Environmental Practice IPEP.

Ed also was a judge in the 2001 Buffalo Region Future Cities Competition. Future City is a competition between 7th and 8th grade students which allows them to design and build a model of a city using "Simcity" computer software under the auspices of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). 

At the Technical Societies Council (TSC) President's Brunch , Ed's talk to the group provided an ...     (continue next column)


update on the current status of the proposal to merge the Engineering Society of Buffalo (ESB) with TSC.

Ed also spoke to the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) chapter at University of Buffalo on the topic of "Entrepreneuralship". NSBE coordinates resources needed to help minorities become more successful in their engineering studies.

Recently, Ed spoke to the AWMA Student Chapter at Buffalo State College on the Environmental Professional Intern (EPI) certification. The EPI is a pathway for students to gain experience needed for the QEP certification by focusing on mentor relationships after successful completion of the environmental fundamentals examination.

NEW PROJECT DESIGNATIONS
Watts is pleased to announce that we have been by the New York State Thruway Authority to provide design services for the replacement of the mainline bridge over the Genesee Valley Greenway in the Town of Chili, Monroe County. The existing structure consists of three spans and will be replaced with a single-span concrete-arch structure under fill. Watts will prepare the plans and specifications. The bridge is scheduled to be reconstructed in 2002 at a cost of approximately $2?3 million. This is our first prime designation with the NYSTA.

The New York State Department of Transportation has retained Watts to provide final highway design services for 14 major drainage structures in various locations in Monroe, Wayne, Livingston, and Wyoming Counties. The estimated construction cost for this project is $1.4 million. Watts will begin design work in June, 2001 and the project will be constructed next year.

Our Environmental Department has been selected as an environmental consultant for the new Erie County Youth Detention Facility . Watts involvement with the design of the new Youth Detention Facility involves environmental design services. The work includes an environmental site assessment and remediation cost estimate for the existing and adjoining properties, the completion of asbestos and environmental surveys, intrusive field investigations for characterization of possible contamination, and the development of asbestos and environmental design specifications. 

Watts has been selected to assist Wendel-Duchscherer in providing environmental consulting services for the proposed Niagara Falls International Train and Intermodal Center . Watts will assist with site selection and NEPA/SEQR processing for the project. As part of the environmental studies Watts will be completing an Environmental Site Assessment, and Asbestos and Environmental Surveys.

Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BNIA) Runway 14/32 Safety Area Improvements project and the Ready Overnight (RON)/Deicing Facility project are two of four large projects awarded this year by the BNIA. They are part of approximately $100 million in capital construction improvements scheduled to occur at the airport over the next few years. Watts role is that of the environmental design consultant. Our involvement includes the preparation of cost estimates, plans, and specifications for the demolition of the existing remote aircraft fueling station and piping, removal of an oil/water separator, and development of soils management, groundwater management, chemical testing, pipeline cleaning and abandonment, equipment decontamination plans and drawings. 
Watts will be part of a multi-national team selected to prepare the Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Peace Bridge . Other members of the team include Ecology & Environment and Acres and Associates Limited.

Watts has also been selected to perform environmental inspection services for BNIAs Dual Taxilane Improvement project . The dual taxilane project is a construction project that includes the construction of two new taxilanes that are to be used by planes at the eastern end of the concourse to access the runway. As part of the project, Watts' personnel are monitoring the excavation of soils, removal of a large 20-year old oil/water separator and its replacement with a new oil/water separator. The oil/water separator has an important role in that it collects overfills that are collected form the remote aircraft fueling station which is where the vast majority of the planes currently fuel. 

Watts has been selected to perform environmental monitoring at the Franczyk Park remediation project. This is an environmental remediation project being conducted for the City of Buffalo. The site is an old industrial property formerly occupied by several former manufacturing and industrial owners. It was developed into a park by the city in the late 1980's. The project involves the construction of several hundred feet of groundwater collection drains to prevent the release of seeps onto the adjacent properties and adjoining public areas (i.e., sidewalks).