Month: June 2013

Physical Plant Spring/Summer Landscape Projects

Post author By pplant
Post date June 21, 2013
No Comments on Physical Plant Spring/Summer Landscape Projects

Kermit the Frog may have coined the phrase “It’s not easy being green,” but the Landscape Management crew at UMass proves it on a daily basis.

Maintaining the more than 400 acres of UMass Amherst is the very large task of the Landscape Management team. But within that team is a dedicated group of 5 people that oversee special projects throughout the spring and summer. Dave Pielock heads up the team and this summer they are working on beautifying areas of campus while making them more maintenance friendly.

Recently, the Studio Arts Building received some TLC from the team. The issue of water dropping off of the roof on to dirt/gardens and splashing mud onto the building making it look dirty all the time. The team removed the gardens from the east edge of the building and put in river stone to eliminate the problem. Below is the final product.

This change also allows for the beauty of the building to be realized. Why cover a building that is designed to be beautiful?

Thompson and Machmer are the focus of a multi-phase plan to remove mulch around the buildings and replace with river stone and pavers. These changes will cut down on the cleanup of debris that is blown into corners and also when it rains having to clean up the mulch that washed downhill.

The North Residential Complex is the site of another multi-phase project. The team will be cleaning existing shrub beds including consolidating and replanting some overgrown gardens. This will clean up the lines of the landscape and allow for easier maintenance of the Complex.

The Central Heating plant provides a very interesting issue. The many retaining ponds, (areas of large stones that catch and hold large amounts of water that eventually evaporates) routinely need to be cleared of overgrown brush to continue to operate correctly. The footing in these ponds isn’t very stable and using the power equipment needed to clear them (brush saws, etc) can be hazardous. Clearing a retaining pond can take more than a full day for two people to clear. They are very labor intensive and due to the nature of the ponds, chemicals are unable to be used. A growth inhibitor is being looked into to help with this problem.

If you see the special project crew while you are out and about on campus thank them for the time and effort they put in to make being green look easy!

Physical Plant Kudos

Permella Broussard and Edgar Berry cleaned carpeting in a well-used student lounge in Morrill 218. Martha Baker, Associate Dean of the College of Natural Sciences wrote to thank them for a job well done.

Steve Rule keeps the loading dock in the Goodell Building clear of snow and debris. Rob Leveille, Mail Services Supervisor, wrote to thank Steve, and to express appreciation for the pride Steve takes in his work. He is an “excellent employee.”

Dennis Bruffee, James Clevenger, and Mike Guzik responded quickly to a request in Goessmann 267. Marvin Ellin lauded them for “excellent support.”

Justin Cobb and Jan Powers received thanks from Diane Keedy of the Isenberg School of Management for their help in resolving key and coring issues at ISOM. “You are tremendous assets to your organization and to the University.”

Construction Services, Mechanical Utilities, and Dig Safe personnel, during some nasty and frigid weather, did an outstanding job coping with water main breaks. Tom Fydenkevez of PP thanks the crews for their outstanding job in very demanding conditions.

Buildings and Grounds and Pam Monn saved the day on Mt. Lincoln by laying stones and improving road conditions on short notice. Charles Dube of WFCR expressed gratitude to all.

Grounds folks received numerous kudos for clearing snow this winter, including from Linda Rotondi of UHS, and Robert Laford of EH&S, & Ann Becker of UHS, & Casey Heverling of the Mullins Center.

South College is in good hands with Jeremiah Kermensky and the custodial staff. Joanne Dolan wrote to thank them for a great job maintaining South College, and the staff’s level of efficiency was applauded.

Randy Boivin and Sondra Slezinski receive kudos from Ben Caron and Jeff Bryan for teaching an enjoyable and instructive Dig Safe class.

Tsultrim Dolma is keeping the bathrooms in LGRC sjpotless! Zack Strangman of OIT wrote to thank her.

Dennis Bruffee and his crew did a superlative job on the floors in Goessmann. “They look fantastic!” wrote Mike Barnes of the Chemistry and Physics Depts.

Custodial and Landscape Services worked cooperatively to help make the Isenberg Open House a success. Everything looked “amazing,” writes Meghan Smith.

Dan Kibe and Deby Lee each wrote from the Food Science Department to thank:

John Presto for the brilliant job painting

Sherry Braithwaite for extra diligence in cleaning

Teresa Fydenkevez, Paul Jones, Steve Socha, Vanna Kog, Dechen Dolma, Xiuhua Mu, and Jerry Pelkey for helping to make everything sparkle!

Landscape Services and Todd Cournoyer made the 2013 Class Tree Planting a success. Stephanie Flaherty from Development wrote, “thank the staff for a wonderful job in making everything go smoothly!”

Mike Townsend, Ray Samson, Juan Roberts, and Paul Santos gave “excellent customer service and quick response,” to a situation in South College. Each one did their part to correct an issue with lack of heat, and made the building comfortable once again. Joanne Dolan appreciates “a great staff.”

Landscape Services has made this campus beautiful, and Peter Gray-Mullen of Design and Construction Services wrote to thank them and Pam Monn. “Hats off to you and the crews!”

Dan McCarthy, Juan Roberts, Ray Samson, and their crews did a great job assisting the “gala” at the Recreation Center. John Blihar, Director of the Rec Center thanks “everyone who contributed to making it a great event.”

Juan Avala, Sue Snowden, & Dave McGrath took on a short-notice floor cleaning job and did a superlative job. Mark Lecki writes, “Superb clean and wax on short notice. You did a fabulous job.”

Commencement workers of all stripes: KUDOS ! The Physical Plant staff gave wonderful support during all the activities. Lorraine Robidoux of the College of Engineering thanks you, as does Physical Plant Interim Director Raymond Jackson for a job well done with good humor and efficiency!

Grounds

COMMENCEMENT THROUGH THE PHYSICAL PLANT LENS

Post author By pplant
Post date June 21, 2013
No Comments on COMMENCEMENT THROUGH THE PHYSICAL PLANT LENS

Commencement is a large event no matter how you look at it. The students’ final event of their Undergraduate (or Graduate) career is full of pomp and circumstance. But have you ever thought about how long it takes the campus to look so nice or how much hard work goes into it?

Beginning in the spring, Physical Plant employees are working tirelessly to beautify the stadium.

-10 gallons of paint were used for touch ups inside and outside the stadium

-Construction of bases for the 55+ International Flags used prior to the ceremony

-The 55+ bases used during the ceremony for the International Flags were touched up

-The gates to the field are being cleaned and oiled for ease of use

-The 1^st landing of the bleachers was repaired by a mason

-Ramps were constructed to ease the transition between the sidewalk and the field

All of this was in place by Monday, May 6^th because the flooring, stage and chairs arrived the next week.

Other detailed work that the Physical Plant was involved with for Commencement included the following:

-The Landscape Services Management staff planted flower boxes, planters and gardens to beatify the entire campus.

-The green space was cared for after the winter took its toll.

-Four Physical Plant Commencement planning meetings occurred to aid in the communication and coordination throughout the plant staff.

-The company was hired for the stage landscape; two moving trucks were rented for use during commencement week.

All staff were in high gear to make sure that the graduates and their guests had a wonderful experience at the University of Massachusetts 144th Commencement exercises.