School officials dig deep for new Durfee plans

By Brian Fraga at bfraga@heraldnews.com

Herald News Staff Reporter
Posted Jul 19, 2017 at 4:05 PM Updated Jul 19, 2017 at 4:15 PM

FALL RIVER — About 300 yards from where young kids were playing soccer on the Durfee athletic fields, an excavator dug a 25-foot hole until hitting water.

The civil engineers, school officials and project managers on site examined the pit, which showed that the B.M.C. Durfee High School campus on Elsbree Street rests on urban fill, a combination of soil, dirt from other locations, demolition debris, asphalt, wood and coal ash. 

“This is a major part of the feasibility study,” said Ken Pacheco, the chief operations officer for the Fall River Public Schools.

The long road to building a new Durfee is now in the phase where the project manager and school officials analyze the site’s soil to determine if it will support a 500,000-square-foot facility. The soil’s makeup will determine how to build the foundation and dictate the structural makeup of the new building.

On Wednesday, the excavator dug in a spot near the new school’s proposed footprint, which will run near the campus’ wooded area and take up the JV baseball field, the tennis courts and all of the current parking lot. The new school would incorporate an L-shape design, with the Durfee clock tower tucked into one corner. Pacheco said the new school would also be connected, via a large hallway, to the Luke Urban Field House.

Pacheco said the field house would be the only part of the current high school to be grafted onto the new Durfee. Most of the current school would be demolished except for one building that would be used for the Fall River School Department’s offices. 

The Durfee project’s architect, Wayland-based Ai3 Architects, has not yet gotten into actual heavy-duty design work and renderings, but Pacheco said the new Durfee would have three floors; juniors and seniors on the third floor, freshmen and sophomores on the second floor, and the first floor being reserved for purposes such as graphic design, early childcare and Fall River Educational Television.

The effort to build a new Durfee has been in the planning stages for about four years, and it will be at least another two years before a shovel hits the ground. Assuming that the project goes before voters in a special election sometime in early 2018 — and gets approved — Pacheco said construction would begin around May 2019. In that timeline, the new Durfee is expected to open in September 2022. Officials have said the facility — with a capacity of about 2,500 students — would be the largest school project ever overseen by the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

Pacheco said he and other local officials will be going before the MSBA on July 27 to present the preliminary plans and answer questions about the project’s location, design and other logistics. The project’s engineers said they considered four sites for the school; the current location on Elsbree Street, the Duro Mills site, the Fall River Industrial Park and the Anawan Mills site. The project manager and architects decided to stick with Elsbree Street since the other possible locations had serious shortcomings such as environmental contamination and insufficient buildable space.

Sometime after the MSBA meeting, Pacheco said the architects will get into the design phase and begin to create an actual vision of the new Durfee that so far has been presented more as an assortment of hoped-for design principles.

“You’ll start seeing the building develop,” Pacheco said. “It will start getting more detailed.”

Click here to view the article on the Herald News website.

Pare and its design team partners recently attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Twin River Casino Hotel in Lincoln, Rhode Island.  This $25-million, 79,000-SF, four-story “amenity” hotel will provide 136 guest rooms, a spa, pool, and fitness center attached to the Twin River Casino.

The project team consists of JCJ Architecture as the design and architectural firm, Excell Construction Corporation as the general contractor, and A/Z Corporation as the construction manager. Pare provided a feasibility study, site design, stormwater management design, a sewer extension, and a traffic assessment. Pare also delineated freshwater wetlands near the site and completed permitting with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Pare redesigned the parking layout to accommodate parking for VIP players, valet, employees, and visitors. The ceremonial groundbreaking was held near the north entrance of the Casino on May 2. The hotel is slated to open in June 2018. 

John Shevlin, Senior Vice President and Transportation Division Manager, and David Potter, Pare’s Project Manager attended the groundbreaking ceremony with the project team. While reflecting on the project Dave stated, “Pare has been working on improvements to Twin River Casino since 2005, and we are pleased to continue work on this important addition to the Casino.  We developed a site and utility design that balances Twin River’s needs with the site’s unique challenges and the concerns of the Town of Lincoln and state permitting agencies. The new hotel will be a great addition to the community and the local economy by creating approximately 30 new full-time positions.”

Victoria Howland, P.E., LEED Green Associate, was the senior engineer during design development and Jenna Ranker, CPESC, LEED Green Associate, served a similar role during preparation of construction documents.  Jenna noted that “It was great to work on a project of this nature and scope. The addition of the hotel will also bring improvements to parking, pedestrian circulation, and stormwater management at the Casino.”  Victoria expanded on this: “The project was exciting because it involved revitalizing an underutilized portion of the property. The new accommodations will provide a safe and convenient place for visitors, and the stormwater design incorporates green infrastructure into the site.”

Pare is pleased to announce that University Hall on the Boston Campus of the University of Massachusetts was awarded a Bronze Engineering Excellence Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts (ACEC/MA).

Pare Corporation completed the design and construction-phase services related to site/civil, traffic, and environmental permitting for the new $130 million, 190,000-SF University Hall.  The new academic building includes more than 25 general-use classrooms, four 150–200-seat halls, a 500-seat auditorium, a 150-seat recital hall, a black-box theater, special studios and laboratory spaces for the Art and Chemistry Departments, café, student lounges, and faculty and staff offices.  Wilson Architects designed the building and Gilbane Building Company served as the project’s construction manager.

Pare performed the traffic circulation analyses to evaluate pedestrian safety, geotechnical consultation and construction support services, site/civil design, environmental permitting through the Boston Conservation Commission, and LEED documentation services.  Site design presented several challenges which led to its unique design. Partway through schematic design the project site was moved when it was determined that the initial site conflicted with future campus work. The design team was required to evaluate the new site and accelerate design to stay on schedule.

Prior to completion of University Hall, a building connection was also proposed between University Hall and the Campus Center. The design of this connection was made more complicated by the interface of two buildings of different finished floor elevation and the potential for different building settlement.  The area also abuts a bus drop-off zone.  Pare was able to work with members of the design teams to bring all of these pieces together in a successful design.   At each stage of the University Hall project, Pare and the design team had to evaluate the interface with an ongoing campus-wide Utility Corridor and Roadway Relocation (UCRR) project and quickly respond to the dynamic nature of its evolving design.

University Hall was designed to achieve LEED Silver certification, but is currently tracking LEED Gold through innovative sustainable features in the building and site design. 

The awards ceremony was held Wednesday, March 15th at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, MA.  Accepting the award were Andrew Chagnon, Pare’s Project Manager, and Andrew Weiss, Campus Planner for UMass Boston.

Pare Corporation continues to grow, and we are pleased to introduce our newest team members!

Jeffrey Dewey, P.E., joined the Civil Division of Pare as a Senior Project Engineer. He brings more than 25 years of project experience throughout Connecticut and Southern New England to his new role at Pare. His varied project experience includes golf courses, schools, commercial developments and large-scale utility improvements. Jeff has a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Connecticut.  

Gary DeBlois joined Pare in February as a Senior Project Engineer in the Civil Division. He brings ten years of experience in designing and managing a wide variety of utility, building rehabilitation, demolition, marine facility, and site improvement projects. Gary has a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Additionally, he is a voting member of the Scituate, RI Conservation Commission.

Matthew McNally, P.E., was hired as a Project Engineer in the Transportation Division. He has 13 years of experience in the design, analysis and inspection of transportation structures throughout the Northeast United States, including a wide variety of bridges, culverts, retaining walls, and sign structures. Matt received his bachelor's and master's degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Delaware. Additionally, he is a certified Bridge Safety Inspector.  

Jenna Ranker, CPESC, LEED Green Assoc., joined Pare as a Senior Engineer in the Civil Division. She has seven years of industry experience on a variety of site development projects. Jenna earned her bachelor's in Civil Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is certified in Erosion and Sedimentation Control, OSHA Construction Safety & Health, and is a Soil Evaluator in Massachusetts; she is also a LEED Green Associate.

Westley Nuhn joined the Bridge Group of Pare's Transportation Division.  He has been involved in bridge inspections, bridge load ratings, and material quantity and cost estimates.  Wes has a bachelor's degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Western New England University.  He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and Tau Beta Pi.

Erika Klinkhammer joined the staff of Pare as an Environmental Scientist. She earned her bachelor's degree in Wildlife Conservation Biology from the University of Rhode Island. Erika has a wide range of previous experience, including as an environmental educator, forest and park supervisor, and a NOAA Fisheries At-Sea Monitor. In addition, she is a PADI-certified scuba diver. 

Harsha Prasad was recently hired as an Environmental Engineer. He has bachelor's and master's degrees in Environmental Engineering from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he completed his thesis on the Impact of Municipal Water Characteristics on Corrosion of Steel and Copper Piping. Harsha is a Young Professional Member of the New England Water Environment Association.

My Linh Pham joined Pare Corporation as an Engineer in the Geotechnical Division. She earned her bachelor's degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth; she served as a teaching assistant in the engineering department while there as a student. My Linh is bilingual in English and Vietnamese. 

Markus Silva joined Pare as a CAD Operator.   He studied architectural and mechanical drafting at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School and graduated Dean's List from the New England Institute of Technology with a certificate in Architectural and Engineering Building Sciences. Markus has a strong background in construction from working in his family's carpentry company-experience that serves him well in his new role at Pare.

Amy Gerhard brings 20 years of non-profit management experience to her role leading Pare's corporate communications. Amy has a bachelor's from Randolph-Macon Woman's College, a master's from Indiana Wesleyan, and continued her education through the Preservation Institute: Nantucket.

Pare Corporation, a is pleased to announce the recent promotions of five engineers in our Civil, Geotechnical, and Transportation divisions.   Each of these individuals exemplifies the Pare culture in their attention to detail, character and dedication to each project on behalf of our clients. 

David McCombs, P.E., has been promoted to Senior Project Engineer, having joined Pare's Civil Division as a Senior Engineer three years ago with 20 years of industry experience.  He specializes in structural design services, and has served as the Project Manager on numerous structural, site/civil and construction-related projects including residential, commercial, and manufacturing facilities.  He also has extensive experience with a variety of underground structures including vaults, tanks, and culverts. McCombs earned his bachelor's in Civil Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. He also is a licensed Home Improvement Contractor in Massachusetts. 

David Matheson, P.E., has been promoted to Senior Project Engineer in the Geotechnical Division.  Since joining Pare in 1998, Matheson earned his master's degree in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University and received his Professional Engineer license. Matheson has been instrumental to the analysis and design of many bridge projects including the Central Bridge in Barrington, RI and the Providence I-195 relocation project, as well as work for portions of the Combined Sewer Overflow Abatement Program for the Narragansett Bay Commission, and numerous dams throughout New England.

Samuel Lopes, P.E., has been promoted to Project Engineer in the Transportation Division. He has 16 years of professional experience, 14 of them at Pare where he has been involved in the design of roadway improvements, traffic and parking studies, and bike path designs throughout Rhode Island.  Lopes also provides on-site construction observation services as a resident engineer using his design and construction experience. Lopes earned his bachelor's in Civil Engineering from the University of Rhode Island. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers.

Eric Silva, P.E., has been promoted to Project Engineer in the Transportation Division.  He joined Pare Corporation in January 2011. While he was earning his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Rhode Island, he had two internships at the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. Additionally Silva completed training with the National Highway Institute in Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges.  He specializes in bridge inspections, analysis and design of superstructure & substructure components, bridge load ratings, material quantity, and cost estimates. Silva is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. 

David Magnano has been promoted to Senior Engineer in the Civil Division of Pare Corporation. Since Dave joined Pare in 2015, he has served on a wide range of projects including building analysis & design, structural load ratings, and building surveys. He is experienced in the preparation of survey reports, construction documents, construction administration services, and pre- and post-construction surveys. Magnano is a graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he received his B.S.E. in Civil Engineering.

Pare is pleased to announce the following promotions. Each of these individuals has made significant contributions to Pare's success through a combination of technical skills, character, and dedication to serving our clients.

Michael Rongione, P.E., has been promoted to the position of Vice President with Pare Corporation. His experience during the past 17 years at Pare has encompassed structural design of numerous new schools and healthcare facilities, design/build projects, and structural designs of facility improvements for clients which include a Who’s Who of major biotech and pharmaceutical companies.  Additionally, over his 27-year career Rongione has worked on a number of underground structural projects, most notably the Central Artery “Big Dig” in Boston. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, and the Construction Specifications Institute. Rongione earned his bachelor’s in Civil Engineering and master’s in Structural Engineering from Northeastern University.

Brandon Blanchard, P.E., has been promoted to Managing Engineer in the Environmental Division. He has demonstrated a strong understanding of solid waste engineering, water/wastewater treatment & disposal, systems modeling, and remedial and environmental engineering during his 14 years with Pare.  Blanchard is serving as the Deputy Program Manager for Pare’s role in the design of the Narragansett Bay Commission’s $800-million Phase III CSO program. He is a member of the Small Communities Committee of the New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA).  Blanchard earned his bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from Lehigh University and master’s in Environmental Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Kevin Champagne, P.E., has been promoted to the position of Managing Engineer in the Civil Division of Pare.  An accomplished structural engineer, his attention to detail has led to tremendous results on projects such as the Providence Water Operations Center and several design/build assignments for New England Construction. Pare is proud of his progression over the past 18 years from summer intern to Managing Engineer. He earned his bachelor's in Civil Engineering from Syracuse University, and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Institute of Steel Construction.

David Elwell, P.E., has been promoted to Managing Engineer in the Transportation Division. His major clients have included RIDOT, MassDOT, and the Providence & Worcester Railroad. He is experienced in the performance of existing condition surveys, testing and material analyses, computer modeling, load ratings, structural design for new facilities, and remedial modifications of older structures. Elwell earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and has continued his education through the National Highway Institute.  He is a member of the American Institute of Steel Construction, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA), Tau Beta Pi, and Chi Epsilon.

Gregory Berube, P.E., has been promoted to Managing Engineer in Pare’s Transportation Division, focusing on Department of Transportation projects across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He has over 24 years of experience with a multitude of structural engineering projects ranging from buildings to bridges and wastewater to marine structures.  He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Berube received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Civil & Environmental Engineering from the University of Rhode Island.

Pare is growing in numbers and knowledge!

Pare Corporation is proud to announce that five of our engineers passed the NCEES exam this past fall and became Professional Engineers.

Matt Alford, P.E. is a Senior Engineer on Pare’s site/civil design team and has five years of experience: two years in the water/wastewater industry and three years in site/civil design. He has been involved in the design of drainage, utility, grading, stormwater management, and erosion control systems for recent projects such as the new Central Operations Facility for the Providence Water Supply Board, the new Office of the Rhode Island Attorney General, and several solar farms in Rhode Island. He is currently working on site design for the Brookside Apartments, a new six-story, 500-bed upperclassmen apartment building at the University of Rhode Island. Matt earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA.

Victoria Howland, P.E. has a total of six years of experience and has been a member of Pare’s site/civil group for almost three years where she is a Senior Engineer involved in a variety of building renovation projects as well as new construction. Victoria is also a LEED Green Associate and recently earned a Masters Degree in Sustainable Building Systems from Northeastern University. Her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering was received at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Notable projects she has worked on include the new Rhode Island Veterans Home, renovations to two large academic buildings at Rhode Island College, the Providence Water Supply Board’s new Central Operations Facility, and the new Brookside Apartments project at URI.

Sam Lopes, P.E. is a Senior Engineer in Pare’s Transportation Division. Sam has 16 years of professional experience, 14 of them at Pare where he has been involved in the design of roadway improvements, traffic and parking studies, and bike path designs throughout Rhode Island. His major projects include improvements to the surrounding roadway and traffic signal network at the Twin River Casino in Lincoln, RI; traffic engineering for the expansion of the Amgen bio-manufacturing complex in West Greenwich, RI; and several highway improvement projects for the RI Department of Transportation. Sam also frequently provides on-site construction observation services as a resident engineer. Sam has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Rhode Island.

Brian Mahoney, P.E. has been a member of Pare’s Bridge Engineering Group for the past three-and-a-half years and is a Senior Engineer for Pare’s multi-bridge load rating and bridge inspection contracts with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Providence and Worcester Railroad Company. He also provides structural engineering services for non-bridge jobs such as reviews and inspections of roof framing, structural steel, and concrete foundations for commercial buildings. Brian has a total of seven years of experience beginning with internships at the RI Department of Transportation during his college years at URI where he earned his B.S. in Civil & Environmental Engineering.

Nick Romano, P.E. is a Senior Engineer in Pare’s Civil/Structural Group where he began three-and-a-half years ago. He provides structural design and reviews for a wide variety of efforts ranging from the design of new schools such as the Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy Elementary School II in Cumberland, RI and renovations to existing academic buildings such as Craig-Lee Hall at Rhode Island College, to floor and roof evaluations for equipment additions at manufacturing facilities and pre- and post-condition surveys of all structures in the vicinity of underground construction projects such as the Hultman Aqueduct built by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. An unusual job he recently worked on was the design of reinforced concrete foundations for a new pre-engineered building to house a 40-ft. diameter tuna tank dedicated to the research and breeding of tuna at URI’s Narragansett Bay Campus. Nick has a total of seven years of experience and earned both his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Civil Engineering at URI.

http://medfield.wickedlocal.com/news/20160615/medfield-high-school-turf-field-replacement-underway

Pare Corporation, a leading multi-disciplinary engineering and planning firm, is pleased to announce its most recent staff additions. Pare’s newest employees are part of our expanding Environmental and Civil Divisions within the Lincoln, RI office.

Matthew Alford is a site/civil engineer with experience in several engineering disciplines. Matt is a 2011 graduate of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He received a B.S. in Civil Engineering. His experience includes site and civil planning for many municipal projects in Pennsylvania. Matt also built a familiarity with stormwater best practices, outfall design, and erosion and sediment controls through several land development projects including industrial parks, parking garages, and student housing. Matt is one of three Eagle Scouts at Pare Corporation, the most prestigious honor achieved through Boy Scouts of America. Matt joined Pare’s Lincoln, RI Civil Division as a Senior Engineer in December 2015.

Jessica Damicis recently graduated from the University of Rhode Island’s International Engineering Program where she received a B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, and a B.A. in Spanish. Her experience ranges from field research in Kisumu, Kenya, to utilizing AutoCAD and GIS equipment in Irurtzun, Spain. She was the URI Chapter President as well as the Northeast Region Chapter Relations Coordinator for Engineers for a Sustainable World, during which time she participated in designing and implementing a sustainable and effective wastewater treatment system for a school in rural Guatemala. Jessica joined Pare’s Environmental Engineering Division in late March. In the short time since starting at Pare, Jessica has teamed with coworker Danielle Goudreau of Pare’s Foxboro Civil Division to form the brand new Providence Professional Chapter of Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW-PVD).

Established in 1970, Pare Corporation provides comprehensive planning, engineering, permitting and construction-phase services throughout the Eastern United States in such areas as site/civil, structural, geotechnical, environmental, highways, bridges, waterfront/marine, dams, water/wastewater, and municipal engineering. Pare operates from full-service offices in Foxboro, Massachusetts and Lincoln, Rhode Island.

Pare Corporation is pleased to announce that the new Marshfield High School project was a Bronze Award Winner at the American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts (ACEC/MA) Engineering Excellence Awards. The awards ceremony was held Wednesday, March 16th at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, MA.

Accepting the award was Andrew Chagnon, Pare’s Project Manager and Kenneth DeCosta, Principal-in-Charge. The Marshfield High School project was recognized for providing innovative solutions to complex site development challenges.  Successful site design involved taking into consideration and interacting with the existing Marshfield High School, which had to remain in operation throughout construction, as well as two other schools located on the same campus. Through construction phasing, planning, and coordination, all existing building uses and associated utilities remained in-use and able to operate in a safe and effective manner during construction.  Safe and efficient access to all three schools was a primary project concern. The phasing analyses included on-site and off-site traffic circulation during construction and after project completion.  Pare’s design provided for the ability to maintain full use of the existing facilities on campus during the construction of the new school, as well as 50 acres of site development. The new Marshfield High School opened in September 2014, and site worked continued through fall 2015.

The 42-year old Marshfield High School was suffering from overcrowding, outdated facilities, and worsening structural and infrastructural deficiencies. Pare was responsible for design, permitting, and construction-phase services related to site/civil, traffic, geotechnical, and environmental engineering for the $102 million facility. In addition to the new high school building, site design included two multi-use synthetic turf fields, eleven turf ballfields, one new synthetic track, and eight tennis courts.

The project obstacles ended up paving the way for one of Pare’s greatest design successes. Project Manager Andrew Chagnon said, “As a site designer this was a great project to work on. The Town was very supportive of having a well-developed site that provides opportunities for academics, athletics and the overall community. The stadium, community track, numerous additional fields, courtyard, and outdoor dining area are all components that make this a project Pare is proud to have been involved with.”

LINCOLN, RI—Pare Corporation, a leading multi-disciplinary engineering and planning firm, is pleased to announce the promotion of Timothy P. Thies, P.E. to Vice President. As a longstanding member of the firm, he has demonstrated his expertise and commitment to excellence in managing projects and client service. 

Thies’ 14 years of experience at Pare covers a diverse field of civil and environmental engineering, including water, wastewater, solid waste, and hazardous waste projects. Thies is exceptional at fostering long-term relationships with Pare clients and colleagues, which has contributed to the success of countless projects. Some of his longstanding clients include Providence Water, the Bristol County Water Authority, Tiverton Municipal Landfill, and the Town of Southborough, Massachusetts. Among Thies’ notable projects are the Providence Water Hydraulic Model (serving 600,000+ customers), the Narragansett Bay Commission Phase III CSO Project, and the recent East Providence Water System Improvement Project which involved a 6- million gallon storage facility and 7,500 feet of large diameter transmission main.

Thies holds a B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He joined Pare soon after graduating. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Thies also serves as a dedicated volunteer and mentor for students who are developing their Capstone Projects at Brown University and the University of Rhode Island.

George Palmisciano, Senior Vice President and Environmental Division Manager, said of Thies’ promotion, “Tim brings energy, technical excellence, and commitment to every project he leads. He is a great mentor to junior staff and has helped guide the growth of the Environmental Division. He is a trusted team player to both clients and colleagues. We are proud to promote Tim to Vice President, and look forward to his continuing contributions to Pare’s success.”

Pare Corporation, a leading multi-disciplinary engineering and planning firm, is pleased to announce its most recent staff additions.  Pare’s newest employees join the firm’s Civil Division in both the Lincoln, RI and Foxboro, MA offices.  The experience of our new staff ranges from recent engineering graduates to project engineers with more than a decade of international engineering experience.

Joseph L. Weed, P.E., LEED AP, has joined Pare as a Project Engineer in our Lincoln, RI office.  Joe brings 12 years of civil design and construction experience to Pare.  He has worked throughout Canada and the United States on both public and privately funded projects requiring large, multidiscipline teams.  For the past three years, Joe was a project engineer within the infrastructure division of the Canadian subsidiary of a global resources and energy firm.  In this position, Joe worked as the Lead Civil Engineer on a number of large mining and energy projects around the world including facilities in the Ukraine, Zambia, Dominican Republic, and many of the Canadian provinces.  Joe also has significant public and private experience across the United States, including projects in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Texas, Nevada, and Idaho.  He is a graduate of Texas A&M University, with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering and Technical Specialty in Water Resources.

James P. Asprinio, LEED AP, recently joined Pare’s Foxboro, MA office as a Project Engineer.  A native Rhode Islander, Jim started his engineering career in Rhode Island before moving to the west coast where he
spent 10 years working as a civil project engineer in the states of California and Washington.  Jim has been responsible for managing the civil design and construction oversight of a wide variety of public and private projects including schools, hospitals, shopping centers, parks, and infrastructure.  Immediately prior to joining Pare, Jim was president and lead designer for his own company, Asprinio Sustainable Consulting, which specialized in environmental and green buildings consulting in Issaquah, WA.  Jim received his B.S. degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Rhode Island, and is completing online studies for a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Oregon.

Sarah M. Antolick has joined Pare as a Civil Engineer in our Foxboro, MA office.  Sarah is a 2015 Civil Engineering graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI).  Sarah obtained an impressive amount of work and on-site experience during her college education.  During her senior year, Sarah spent three months working in the Safety and Quality Department of the Panama Canal Authority in Panama City, where she performed field oversight for excavation, processing, hauling and laying of materials for the construction of Borinquen Dam 1E.  During her college career she also completed challenging summer internships with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority and with a Massachusetts civil engineering firm that specializes in water system planning and distribution.  Sarah served as President and Vice President of WPI’s Society of Women Engineers.

Christopher S. Webber has joined Pare’s Foxboro, MA office as a Civil Engineer.  Chris graduated from Northeastern University in 2015 with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering, and a concentration in Environmental
Engineering.  Chris completed three engineering co-ops as an undergraduate, including a summer with the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, a summer with a large civil engineering firm, and a summer with a geotechnical/environmental firm.  Chris joins Pare with a large CAD and GIS portfolio, as well as environmental, geotechnical, and sewer design project experience.  As a student, Chris was a member of Engineers Without Borders and the New England Water Environment Association.

Established in 1970, Pare Corporation provides comprehensive planning, engineering, permitting and construction-phase services throughout the Eastern United States in such areas as site/civil, structural, geotechnical, environmental, highways, bridges, waterfront/marine, dams, water/wastewater, and municipal engineering.  PARE operates from full-service offices in Foxboro, Massachusetts and Lincoln, Rhode Island.

David Easterbrooks, FSMPS, CPSM—Vice President and Director of Marketing and Business Development for Pare Corporation—was recently named a Fellow of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (FSMPS).  Easterbrooks was one of three members of the 2015 Class of Fellows honored on August 20, 2015 at the SMPS Awards Gala in Los Angeles during Build Business, the SMPS National Conference.

Easterbrooks has been Director of Marketing and Business Development at Pare since 1998, and has worked as a marketing professional at A/E/C firms for more than 30 years.  He has been an active member of SMPS throughout his A/E/C career, engaged primarily in the Washington D.C., Maryland, Connecticut, and Boston chapters.  He has held a number of leadership roles with the SMPS Boston Chapter including President, Vice President, Treasurer, Education Director, CPSM Director, and Past President.  He has also been an educational speaker, written articles for Marketer magazine, has served on numerous A/E/C industry committees, and was the recipient of the 2012 Marketing Professional of the Year Award from SMPS Boston.  He is a Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM).  

The Fellows of SMPS represent the highest level of experience and leadership in marketing within the design and building industry.  Less than 2% of the total SMPS membership (6,500 members in 58 chapters across the United States and Canada) currently hold the Fellows designation.  The Fellows serve as a resource at the chapter, regional, and national levels, providing insight, ideas, programs, and mentoring for the benefit of the members and the Society. In addition, these individuals teach, write, and speak on marketing issues outside of SMPS, working to advance the profession of marketing professional services throughout the architectural/engineering/construction industry.  Only members who have been active in the Society for at least 10 years of the previous 15 consecutive years, have 15 years of experience as a marketer and/or business developer in the A/E/C industry, and have held a current Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) designation for a minimum of five years are qualified to apply for the Fellows Recognition Program.

At Pare, Easterbrooks has guided the firm through a complete rebranding program, instituted an ongoing strategic planning process, and directed business development activities that have resulted in strong growth for the firm in terms of revenue, staff size, and geographic reach.

“Dave is an admirable leader and innovator for both Pare and SMPS Boston,” said Larry Riggs, President at Pare Corporation. “He consistently elevates marketing standards, and is an expert at merging both A/E/C and Marketing industry practices. Beyond expertise, leaders at Pare and SMPS unanimously consider Dave to be an invaluable team member.”

Pare Corporation is pleased to announce four new full-time employees, including several Pare interns from summers past who have accepted full-time positions, and a part-time staff member who has been promoted to a full-time position.

Sarah Pierce has been promoted to the position of full-time Environmental Scientist at Pare.  Sarah joined Pare’s Civil Division as a part-time Environmental Scientist in December 2014 after graduating from Westfield State University, Westfield, MA.  Sarah has proven to be a great asset to Pare’s wetland science and natural resources group over the past seven months.   Sarah has also worked extensively providing GIS (geographic information system) services on Pare projects, and her promotion to a full-time position will allow her to expand Pare’s GIS capabilities.  Sarah’s promotion recognizes her commitment to her work and her desire to improve Pare’s efficiency and output through her contributions to our Civil Division.

Brian Dutra, who interned at Pare as an undergraduate student, was recently hired full-time as a Civil Engineer.  Brian graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.  Brian, a Rhode Island native, holds the honorable achievement and title of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America.  Pare is pleased that Brian will continue his work at Pare, now as full-time staff member.

Travis Johnson, also a previous intern at Pare, has now joined our staff as a full-time Environmental Engineer.  Travis interned within the Environmental Division throughout his senior year at the University of Rhode Island, and recently graduated during Spring 2015.  Travis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering, as well as a Minor in Business.  Before starting his full-time position at Pare, Travis backpacked throughout Europe.  Travis joins our staff with hands-on experience with many of Pare’s current Environmental projects, as he transitions from an intern to a full-time Environmental Engineer.

David Magnano recently joined Pare as an Engineer in the Civil Division.  David is a 2013 graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, MA, where he received his B.S.E. in Civil Engineering. David is an avid volunteer. At WPI, David created a campus-wide annual philanthropy event based on the 1990’s TV show, Legends of the Hidden Temple, to benefit Northeast Arc, an organization which helps disabled individuals and their families.  David is a structural engineer, and came to Pare with experience in design, permitting, AutoCad, and project management.

Pare Corporation was proud to join fellow design and construction firms, Veterans Home staff, US and state leaders, and a distinguished group of resident veterans for the official groundbreaking of the Rhode Island Veterans Home, in Bristol, RI.  The groundbreaking ceremony took place on May 22, timed to coincide with the start of Memorial Day Weekend.  The speakers—including Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, US Representatives James Langevin and David Cicilline, and members of Rhode Island’s legislature—praised the project goals and spoke of the honor of providing a shelter and care facility for those who have sacrificed so much for their country.  It was a moving ceremony for those in attendance, a majority of whom reside at or provide care at the existing facility.

The new $94-million RI Veterans Home will replace the original Veterans Home, which was built on this 110-acre site in 1880 to serve veterans of the Civil War.  The new, dramatically updated facility will provide a comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and nurturing environment for Rhode Island’s veterans.  Pare is providing site and utility design and engineering services for the new facility, which will include 208 private bedrooms subdivided into “neighborhoods,” welcoming common areas, and recreational space for residents. Each common area will include a kitchenette, tables and chairs, and a lounging area. There will also be a community center, referred to as “Commons,” which will include a main dining room, library, a barber shop, administrative offices, and healthcare offices.

Pare has been working with Brewster Thornton Group Architects and several other consulting firms to develop the site, which has been designed to provide complete accessibility for all users. Stormwater management was another component of Pare’s responsibilities for this project; stormwater generated on-site will be treated and infiltrated through the use of bioretention areas and sand filters.  Also, to accommodate the new building layout, the historic water tower, currently located on a slight incline, will be moved to the facility’s entrance, and the hill flattened.

Ken DeCosta, Senior Vice President and Civil Division Manager at Pare, attended the groundbreaking ceremony along with the project team. While reflecting on the ceremony, Ken said, “It’s extremely special that we had our groundbreaking ceremony so close to Memorial Day. Having all the veterans here for the groundbreaking was heart-warming, and it’s a project we’re proud to be a part of.” David Potter, a Senior Project Engineer at Pare, commented that “this project is very important to Rhode Island’s veterans and a major investment in the local economy, and we are happy to be here.”

Pare Corporation, a leading multi-disciplinary engineering and planning firm, is pleased to announce that the Bristol Town Beach Stormwater Outfall Retrofit project was a Bronze Award Winner at the American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts (ACEC/MA) Engineering Excellence Awards. The awards ceremony was held Wednesday, March 18th at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, MA.

Receiving the award were Walter Burke, Parks and Recreation Director for Bristol, Rhode Island, and David Potter, Pare’s Project Manager. The Bristol Town Beach Stormwater Outfall Retrofit was recognized for being an innovative, aesthetically pleasing, and sustainable solution to a chronic public health issue – beach closures due to unhealthy levels of pathogens in the water following storm events.   Following a detailed analysis of the contributing watershed, Pare designed Rhode Island’s first Gravel Wet Vegetated Treatment System (GWVTS) to reduce the pollution and harmful pathogens that previously were released at this beach on Narragansett Bay.   Prior to the design and implementation of the project, the Bristol Town Beach was closed to swimming on 85 summer days between 2000 and 2012. Since the project was completed in 2013, there have been zero beach closings.  

The design uses a vegetated permanent pool split between two cells to temporarily capture stormwater runoff from the adjacent recreational facilities and residential neighborhoods.  The cells create an ideal environment for beneficial bacteria that feed on the pathogens and suspended solids carried by the stormwater. The two cells within the GWVTS are planted with a variety of aesthetically pleasing flowers and shrubs that also function as filters.  Plantings were chosen to be sustainable with minimal maintenance.  Because of the innovative techniques employed, the town uses the facility as a public educational opportunity. Pare created a graphic illustration of the treatment process that was installed on an informational sign at the site.

When discussing the success of the project, Pare’s staff unanimously credit Bristol Parks and Recreation Director Walter Burke for embracing new technology and methods that not only solved a recurring environmental problem for one of his facilities but also provided a demonstration project for other communities.  It is hoped this project will spur similar sustainable designs in other towns on Narragansett Bay and beyond.  For his vision and persistence, Walter Burke received the 2014 Environmental Achievement Award from Rhode Island’s Save the Bay, a 45-year-old environmental advocacy organization that works to protect and improve Narragansett Bay.  The award is presented annually to those individuals, corporations or organizations that have demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to the environmental protection of Narragansett Bay and its watershed.

Pare Corporation is pleased to announce the following promotion and recent new hires.

Jason (Jay) Gaudette has been promoted to Senior CADD Technician.  Jay has been a valued member of PARE’s staff since 2004. Throughout the last 10 years, Jay has demonstrated an affinity for problem solving and learning, especially in regards to the ever-changing world of software and technology. He is an asset to all of PARE’s divisions because of his help with the preparation of contract drawings for civil, geotechnical, dam and waterfront projects, as well as project graphics. Jay’s promotion recognizes his commitment to his work and his desire to improve PARE’s efficiency and output through his contributions to firm-wide Information Technology.

Jesse Herman recently joined PARE as an Engineer in the Civil Division. Jesse is a 2014 graduate of Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA, where he received his B.S.E. in Environmental Engineering. Jesse is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers. Jesse was also Captain of the Geneva College Varsity Men’s Soccer Team. Jesse came to PARE with well-rounded experience, including water and wastewater treatment facility design, environmental consultation, and project management.

Sarah Pierce recently joined PARE as an Environmental Scientist. Sarah graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Science from Westfield State University in 2014. Sarah was the recipient of the Outstanding Environmental Science Student Award. Sarah’s undergraduate professional experience includes working alongside Conservation Commissions, Planning Boards, and Highway Departments.  PARE is pleased to welcome Sarah to our growing Civil Division.

Via Wicked Local - Wareham News

WAREHAM – Be prepared, but don’t panic.That was the general theme espoused Monday night by members of the Wareham Local Emergency Planning Committee during a public meeting in Town Hall specifically dealing with the possibility of dam collapses in the community. - See more at: http://wareham.wickedlocal.com/article/20141209/NEWS/141206818#sthash.9klqgpiP.dpuf

Pare is pleased to announce the promotion of several valued staff members!

Cari Orsi, P.E., LEED AP, has been an important contributor to Pare's Civil Division for more than 10 years. She joined Pare immediately after graduating from the University of Maine. Cari’s project experience at Pare has included site design services for numerous schools, athletic facilities, and public and commercial buildings.  Cari's continuous growth through persistence, hard work and focus on succeeding as a team has earned Cari a promotion to Senior Project Engineer.

Dave McCombs, P.E., joined Pare’s Civil/Structural Group in December 2013 after spending the majority of his 20 year career self-employed as an engineer, contractor and realtor. His project experience includes horizontal and vertical structural designs, structural condition assessments and evaluations, building demolition plans, performing pre- and post-construction inspections, and providing on-site construction supervision. Dave's transition into a professional team environment has been described as "seamless," and in less than a year, Dave has earned his promotion to Project Engineer.

Marc Weller joined Pare's Environmental Division in 2012 after completing his M.S. in Environmental Engineering and B.S. in Chemical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He has worked on many of Pare's public water supply and wastewater system projects, with responsibilities ranging from the development of plans and specifications, geotechnical investigations, hydraulic analysis, bathymetric surveying, sediment sampling, environmental assessments, report writing and preparation, and construction observation.  Marc's aptitude and enthusiasm have made notable contributions to the Environmental team, and Pare is happy to promote Marc to Senior Engineer.

Eric Silva has been an important member of Pare's Transportation Division for more than three years. Eric is a hard-working and dedicated contributor to the Bridge Group, where he has considerable experience working on highway structures for RIDOT and MassDOT, and railroad structures for Providence & Worcester Railroad. Eric has been involved in bridge inspections, analysis and design of superstructure and substructure components, bridge load ratings, and material quantity and cost estimates.   Pare congratulates Eric on his promotion to Senior Engineer.

PARE is proud to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of these dedicated staff members and congratulates Cari, Dave, Marc and Eric on their promotions!

All of PARE's operating divisions have added experienced staff over the past several months to meet strong growth in key markets including, site/civil and structural design for educational and commercial facilities, traffic and transportation engineering, water and wastewater facility improvements, and geotechnical engineering, to name a few.  

Marc J. Gabriel, P.E., recently joined PARE as a Senior Project Engineer in the Civil Division.  Marc is a 2004 graduate of Northeastern University.  He has spent his ten-year career providing project management, planning, site design and permitting services for a wide variety of land development and facility improvement projects throughout New England.  Projects have ranged from residential subdivisions to complete site design and project management of major medical and institutional facilities. Marc is an active member of the NAIOP Developing Leaders Committee and sits on the Executive Committee for the Civil Engineering Alumni Organization at Northeastern University.  He is a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC).

Amy J. Archer, P.E., a 2005 graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, recently joined PARE’s Transportation Division as a Project Engineer.  For the first seven years of her career, Amy worked in Baltimore and throughout the Mid-Atlantic States on transportation planning and engineering projects. Over the last two years Amy has worked more locally, providing roadway, traffic and transportation design and oversight on projects for MassDOT, RIDOT, municipalities and private sector organizations.

Jesse Giuliano, P.E., is a Project Engineer within PARE’s Civil Division.  Jesse has 13 years of consulting experience on infrastructure projects from Maine to California, with much of his work in the Four Corners region of the Southwest.  Projects have ranged from highway and water/wastewater improvements to site/civil design and LEED documentation for major commercial, educational, residential, industrial, and public facilities.  As a 2001 graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, and a native Cape Codder, PARE is pleased to bring Jesse back to his roots in New England.

Pare's staff continues to grow in 2014.  Several of Pare's Divisions added engineers, with experience ranging from 4 to 20 years.  In addition, a new position was created within the Marketing Department.  We are pleased to welcome the following new staff members:

David McCombs joined Pare's Civil Division as a Senior Engineer with the structural engineering group and has already been promoted to Project Engineer. Prior to working at Pare, David operated his own company, DBM Engineering & Associates, est. 2005. David is a 1994 graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. David holds a Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License.

Dino Trotta is a Senior Engineer with Pare's Environmental Division. Dino is an experienced senior level project manager with over twenty years of electrical design and project management experience. Dino can most often be found on construction sites and works closely with both our Environmental and Civil Engineering Divisions. Dino holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Rhode Island.  

Victoria Howland, a 2012 graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, joined Pare's Civil Division in February. Victoria is currently enrolled in a Masters of Science degree in the Sustainable Buildings program at Northeastern University in Boston. She recently received her LEED Green Associate certification and is now one of Pare's two LEED Green Associates.  

Kailyn Corrigan joined Pare's Marketing Team in May as the Marketing Coordinator. Kailyn is a 2011 graduate of Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT and a life-long resident of Lincoln, RI. Kailyn's professional experience includes: Membership and Communications Director at Kent Washington Association of Realtors, Assistant to the Editor/Social Media Coordinator at Harvard Review in Cambridge, MA, and Public Relations Assistant at Special Olympics Connecticut. 

Mark Georgian recently joined Pare's Foxboro, MA office as a Geotechnical Engineer. Mark graduated from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell in 2014 with a focus in Coastal and Geotechnical Engineering. Throughout his education, Mark gained ample experience as an Intern for the Amesbury Dept. of Public Works, where he worked closely with the Amesbury Conservation Commission. Mark was also a research assistant for the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA.  

For nineteen years, Pare Corporation has provided gifts to each child living with a Boys Town foster family during the holiday season.This year, Boys Town New England honored PARE with the 2014 “Spirit of Youth Award."

On May 2nd, PARE was honored at Boys Town New England’s 2014 Spirit of Youth Gala, at Roger Williams Park Casino. Boys Town New England attributed the gala's 2014 theme, "Fly Away to Neverland," to the magic in the story of what has become PARE’s annual holiday tradition. One of the evening’s most magical moments involved the gala’s Youth and Family Speaker, Adam Charron, a former Boys Town New England foster child. After PARE was presented with The Spirit of Youth Award, Adam took to the stage to share his experience as a former foster child and his gratitude for Boys Town New England. Adam was one of the first children that PARE provided gifts for—almost two decades ago! Knowing PARE would be reunited with Adam, Deb Poulos, who initiated PARE’s gift-giving effort in 1996, tracked down and purchased the items from Adam’s original wish list and presented him with one more holiday surprise on stage. Deb recalls,“there wasn’t a dry eye in the building.”

Since 1996, PARE has provided holiday gifts for 531 children. Deb Poulos best summed up PARE’s commitment to Boys Town New England:

“I am so proud that everyone at PARE still shows as much enthusiasm as they did that first year. Sometimes we have seen names on the list that were there the year before, and we knew that child had not been reunited with his or her family or had not been adopted. We all took this to heart and always kept these children in our thoughts. It’s because of them, and children like them, that we continue to help Boys Town each Christmas.  We want them to experience joy on Christmas the way the rest of us do.  I couldn't ask for a better group of co-workers.  They know how to come together and make things happen and get things done. We all
have families of our own and the holiday season is so busy that it's not always easy.  But this has become tradition for us. To us, this is our little Christmas miracle. We have bought gifts for 531 children. That’s 531 smiles and for us that will always be enough.”

Founded in 1917, Boys Town has been dedicated to providing abused, abandoned, and neglected children with a safe, supporting and caring environment where they can gain confidence and learn skills to success. The Boys Town Model of care is research-based and produced life-changing results for youth across the country.

PARE is pleased to announce the promotion of several valued staff members. Andrew Chagnon, P.E. has been promoted to Vice President. As a longstanding member of the firm he has demonstrated his expertise and commitment to excellence in design and client service. He has 18 years of experience planning, permitting, and executing site design and land development projects throughout the Northeast, including more than 15 years at PARE. Andrew specializes in the design of complex site projects and is adept at assembling PARE’s various disciplines to address various challenges. In his role of Managing Engineer, Andrew is responsible for PARE’s Civil Division projects being performed from their Foxboro, Massachusetts office. Andrew’s work includes major institutional clients such as the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, and the University of Massachusetts; multiple K-12 educational facilities; various municipal projects; healthcare and mixed-use projects; and PARE’s ever growing list of sports and recreation facilities. Andrew holds a B.S. in civil engineering from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Vermont. In addition to work, Andrew has volunteered as a member of the Northbridge Conservation Commission for the past 17 years.

Tom Perry began his full-time employment with PARE in 2008, and was recently promoted to Project Engineer, Civil Division. Tom is a civil engineering graduate of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. He has played a significant role in the development of PARE’s Massachusetts-based school design portfolio, including involvement with site design, planning and permitting for Plymouth North High School, Natick High School, and Quincy’s Central Middle School, to name a few. Tom has also provided Owner’s Project Management services for the reconstruction of athletic facilities in Hingham, MA. He has been a crucial asset to the civil engineering team on many K-12, higher education and public safety projects in Rhode Island and Massachusetts since he began at PARE.

David Caouette joined PARE shortly after graduating with a B.S. degree in civil engineering from the University of Rhode Island in 2011. He has been promoted to Senior Engineer, Civil Division. David has provided construction-phase services for major education projects, including the University of Massachusetts, 150,000-SF General Academic Building No. 1 and the University of Rhode Island’s $44 million Hillside Residence Hall. David’s experience with various foundation types was a great asset to PARE during the construction of several Massachusetts model high schools, including Natick High School, Marshfield High School, and East Bridgewater High School.

Ryan McCoy, P.E., a 2006 graduate of University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, was recently promoted to Project Engineer, Geotechnical Division. Ryan joined PARE in 2007 and has specialized in waterfront engineering. Ryan has been responsible for the design and construction oversight of many waterfront projects including improvements to the Northeastern University Marine Science Center in Nahant, the Fall River State Pier infrastructure project, and for numerous waterfront improvements for the New Bedford Harbor Development Commission, among many others.

PARE is proud to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of these dedicated staff members and congratulates Andrew Chagnon, Tom Perry, David Caouette and Ryan McCoy on their promotions.

Pare Corporation is excited to recognize a long-time client, Bristol Parks and Recreation Director Walter Burke, as the recipient of Save the Bay’s annual Environmental Achievement Award. Walter was recently honored for his efforts to eliminate stormwater pollution entering Narragansett Bay in the Town of Bristol and, in particular, for his efforts to improve water quality at the Bristol Town Beach.

Working with Pare’s civil engineering and environmental teams, Walter initiated the Bristol Town Beach project to eliminate the frequent beach closings caused in years past by stormwater pollution. Historically, Bristol was forced to close its beach an average of 15 to 20 times per summer due to a stormwater system that carried bacteria, salt, and pollutants directly into the bay. David Potter, Senior Project Engineer in Pare’s Civil Division explains, “Pare worked together with Walter, the CRMC (RI Coastal Resources Management Council) and the DEM (RI Department of Environmental Management) to obtain a joint permit for the first-ever permitted GWVTS (Gravel Wet Vegetated Treatment System) in Rhode Island.”This design uses a vegetated permanent pool split between two cells to temporarily capture stormwater runoff from the adjacent residential neighborhood and treat for pathogens, total suspended solids, and other constituents. The two cells within the GWVTS are planted with a variety of aesthetically pleasing flowers and shrubs that feed on bacteria and pollutants before releasing this “filtered” water into the bay. The GWVTS is one of the solutions incorporated by Walter Burke on the Bristol Town Beach to treat stormwater runoff and reduce the number of beach closings.

The new system worked so well in the summer of 2013 (its first full season) that beach closings went from 15+ to zero. Briscoe Lang, Pare’s Principal Environmental Scientist, stated, “This system has proven successful in removing pathogens, and it should be used in all possible settings. It also provides significant aesthetic benefits.”When discussing the dual-functionality and success of the project, Pare’s team unanimously noted Walter Burke’s “vision” and his “get it done” attitude. As Briscoe Lang said, “Talk is nothing without action.” David Potter added, “He not only has the vision, but the patience and energy to achieve it.”

Congratulations to Walter Burke, who was presented the Environmental Achievement Award on Wednesday, May 21, by Save the Bay. For press coverage of Walter Burke’s achievement and additional GWVTS details, click here.

In response to the heavy rainfall and resulting localized flooding over the weekend of March 29-30, 2014, Pare Corporation provided emergency visual inspections of several dams in Massachusetts. This is a service that has become quite familiar during our wet springs in New England, and one which we are well suited to execute given our experience with dam, soils, structures, and New England weather patterns. Our dam engineers were on-site within one hour of receiving a phone call from the state Office of Dam Safety.

Recently, engineers from Pare Corporation volunteered at the Providence Children’s Museum alongside the ASCE Rhode Island Section Younger Member Group as part of National Engineer’s Week. The event, conducted annually by the ASCE Younger Member Group, introduces children to different aspects of civil engineering through a set of activity stations. Children visit each station and are awarded stickers toward their “junior engineer certificates.” Over 120 kids participated at this year’s event, held on February 22nd.

Mark Dowdell and Shane Driscoll presented water filtration to the children, demonstrating how sponges and coffee filters can remove solids from water, much like a more sophisticated water filtration system.

Eric Silva ran the geotechnical station, demonstrating how settlement can differ in various types of soil, from sand to potting soil.

Other stations demonstrated building construction using marshmallows and toothpicks, bridge construction using cardboard, and how stormwater (or rain) runoff can create erosion problems around riverbanks.

Happy Holidays to all!  – and especially to those less fortunate than us.

Every year PARE employees generously donate gifts to the children receiving care under the auspices of Boys and Girls Town New England in Portsmouth, RI.  This will be the 17^th consecutive year that PARE has participated in this program.  Each PARE employee chooses a child and purchases gifts from his or her “wish list.”  We at PARE are so happy to be able to give back to our local community in this way, and to help make the holidays happy for children who have been removed from their families.

Each day, children in New England are victims of abuse, neglect and abandonment.  The holidays can be a difficult time for these kids and most of them never experienced a traditional Christmas before they came to Boys Town.  Since opening in 1991, Boys and Girls Town New England has brought life-changing care to tens of thousands of children and families in Rhode Island and surrounding states.  Boys Town New England has five Treatment Family Homes that serve adolescents and young children at its Bazarsky Campus in Portsmouth.  Boys Town also offers Foster Family Services, In-Home Family Services, and Community Support Services.  The ultimate goal is to reunify children with their families, whenever possible.

Everyone here at PARE is proud to assist Boys Town in their mission by sharing our prosperity with the children in their care.  To learn more about Boys Town and how you can help, visit:  www.boystown.org/new-england

If you operate or will operate an existing or future earth-disturbing project in Massachusetts you need to be aware of a new NPDES regulation beginning in 2012. 

Recent Promotions at Pare

Due to their exemplary performance and hard work, several individuals at Pare Corporation have recently received promotions!  We would like to acknowledge Keith MacDonald, Jennifer DiStefano, Shane Sousa, Jay Bowen, and Andrea Judge for their well-deserved and well-earned advancements:

Keith MacDonald, P.E., has been promoted to Senior Project Engineer.  Keith has been a valued employee to the Transportation Division for over 13 years.  Keith fills a significant role as a supervisor and/or designer in most of PARE’s roadway and bridge design projects.  Keith continues to assist in the business development activities of the Transportation Division, as well as build his relationships with several valued clients.

Jennifer DiStefano, P.E., has been promoted to Project Engineer.  Jen has taken the lead on the majority of transportation studies performed by PARE over the last several years.  She is very knowledgeable with the latest traffic software packages and continues to keep current with the latest transportation trends.  Jen has been actively involved in the ASCE Young Members Association and successfully passed her Professional Engineers exam taken last spring.

Shane Sousa, P.E., has been promoted to Senior Engineer.  Shane came to PARE in 2008 upon his graduation from UMass Dartmouth.  Over his approximate 3 ½ years of employment at PARE, Shane has proven to be a valuable member to our bridge group.  Shane completed his Master’s Degree in the spring of 2011 and he also recently passed his PE exam in the fall.

Jay Bowen has been promoted to Senior CAD Technician.  Jay has been a valued employee at PARE for almost 9 years.  His experience and knowledge in a wide range of software packages has been a valuable asset for the designs performed by all of our divisions.  In addition, he has been instrumental in his important contributions to our marketing efforts with his assistance in proposal preparation and interview/project presentations.  

Andrea Judge has been promoted to Senior Engineer in the Massachusetts Office.  Andrea has been with PARE since 2008 and has provided construction observation, drill rig monitoring, geotechnical and dam analysis, and report development since then.  Over the last several months Andrea has taken on the challenge to learn Slope/W and Seep/W to advance our analysis procedures for slopes and dams.  Andrea continues to grow professionally as an integral part of the PARE Team in Foxboro.

Congratulations to all five individuals for their individual accomplishments and for their outstanding contributions to PARE and its clients!

PARE is a multi-generational workplace; our technical staff of over 50 personnel has experience ranging from 40 years to a few months.  Career (and knowledge) advancement through hands-on field work, mentoring, continuing education, and professional certification has always been the core component of PARE’s staff development.  We are pleased to announce that several of our younger employees passed either the Professional Engineering Exam or the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam in 2011.

Adam Cabral is a Senior Engineer in PARE’s Civil/Structural Division who became a Professional Engineer in 2011.  Adam graduated from UMass Dartmouth in 2007 and began as a full-time permanent employee at PARE after interning here for two summers.  His experience in PARE’s Structural Group includes the design of superstructure and substructure components, construction documents, preparation of study reports, and construction administration.  He has recently been involved in renovations at Westerly (RI) High School; the fitness center addition at Cardinal Spellman High School in Brockton, MA; renovations to both the Art Center and the Recreation Center at Rhode Island College; and pre- and post-construction condition surveys for various large utility construction projects in Boston.

Jennifer DiStefano, a Senior Engineer in our Transportation Division, became a Professional Engineer in Rhode Island in the summer of 2011.  After interning at the RI Department of Transportation during the last couple of years of college, Jen graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2004 and began her career at PARE.  She is very active in traffic engineering projects, including multi-use trail studies and design, traffic studies, intersection and signal design, and pedestrian safety.  Current activities include Safe Routes to Schools projects in Cranston, RI and Central Falls, RI; final design of the Colt State Park Bike Path in Bristol, RI; several ongoing projects under an on-call traffic consulting contract with RIDOT; and a traffic study and offsite mitigation design for the Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical High School in Danvers, MA.

Shane Sousa, an Engineer in PARE’s Transportation Division, recently passed the P.E. exam and is awaiting the arrival of his Professional Engineer license from the State of Rhode Island.  Shane interned at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation during his undergrad days at UMass Dartmouth.  He graduated in 2008, began working at PARE shortly thereafter, and has since earned his Masters Degree in Structural Engineering, also from UMass Dartmouth.  Shane has recently been involved in inspections and load ratings of dozens of bridges for the Providence & Worcester Railroad, MassDOT, and RIDOT; bridge design calculations and construction documents for MassDOT and RIDOT; and dam inspections and design of repairs to a dam owned by MassDOT.

Devon Ward is part of PARE’s Civil Engineering Division, working out of our full-service branch office in Foxboro, MA.  Devon began at PARE shortly after earning his Bachelor Degree at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in May of 2011.  He recently passed the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam to become an Engineer-in-Training.  Devon’s work has been primarily focused on several public school designs in Massachusetts.  PARE, as part of the architectural/engineering team led by Ai3 Architects of Wayland, is providing civil, geotechnical, traffic and environmental permitting services for a number of new high schools and middle schools throughout the Commonwealth. Devon has assisted with the design of building and parking layout, athletic fields, utility connections, stormwater handling, and grading for new high schools in Marshfield, MA, Somerset, MA, and Franklin, MA and new middle schools in Quincy, MA and Hingham, MA.

Happy Holidays to all!  – and especially to those less fortunate than us.

Every year PARE employees generously donate gifts to children of all ages receiving care in the Treatment Family Homes under the auspices of Boys and Girls Town New England in Portsmouth, RI.  This will be the 16^th consecutive year that PARE has participated in this program. Each PARE employee chooses a child and purchases gifts from his or her “wish list.”  We at PARE are so happy to be able to give back to our local community in this way, and to help make the holidays happy for children who have been removed from their families.

Each day, children in New England are victims of abuse, neglect and abandonment.  They encounter dangerous living conditions at home, financial problems, and even the lingering effects of natural disasters.  The holidays can be a difficult time for these kids and most of them never experienced a traditional Christmas before they came to Boys Town.  Since opening in 1991, Boys and Girls Town New England has brought life-changing care to tens of thousands of children and families in Rhode Island and surrounding states.  Boys Town New England has five Treatment Family Homes that serve adolescents and young children at its Bazarsky Campus in Portsmouth. Boys Town also offers Foster Family Services, In-Home Family Services, and Community Support Services.  Within the Treatment Family Homes, youth form a family and learn social and independent-living skills that help them find success in school and in their community. The ultimate goal is to reunify children with their families, whenever possible.

Everyone here at PARE is proud to assist Boys Town in their mission by sharing our prosperity with the children in their care.  To learn more about Boys Town and how you can help, visit:  www.boystown.org/new-england

Pare was recently featured in the email newsletter "Real Estate Bisnow Boston."
Click here to go directly to the online version of this eNewsletter.

Ken DeCosta was recently appointed to the board of directors of the USGBC Rhode Island Chapter.

PARE was a member of the design and construction teams for the $25M Bourne Mill Apartments project which involves the adaptive reuse of an 1881 former Textile Mill in Tiverton, RI.   The historic Bourne Mill is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and was once the largest cotton manufacturing mill in the world.  It is now among the first mill conversion projects to be awarded LEED© Sliver certification in the country.

Read more about it here:  http://contractormag.com/news/mill-apartments-energy-savings-1234/

Pare was a member of the multi-firm architectural/engineering design team led by Payette Associates which provided conceptual and final design services for the construction of a $54 million, 140,000-SF Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences classroom and research building at the University of Rhode Island.  The building opened in January of 2009 and was awarded a Gold LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.  PARE assisted in preparing documentation for submission to the U.S. Green Building Council and designed the sustainable site design features, including a raingarden and stormwater stream features.

Pare Corporation recently hosted a free breakfast seminar on Hydraulic Modeling for water supply and distribution systems.  The event was held on June 1, 2010 at Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln, Rhode Island and was attended by a number of water supply officials from Rhode Island and Massachusetts.  A 45-minute lecture by Timothy Thies, P.E., a Senior Project Engineer at PARE, focused on ways that a computerized hydraulic model can be used to increase energy efficiency in a water system, to help a water supplier understand the transport and decay of chemicals in a distribution system, and to replace or supplement paper records for field cards, system maps, and maintenance logs. 

PARE has been providing engineering and design services for water utilities for 40 years and has been a leader in hydraulic modeling in Rhode Island for almost 25 years.

Pare Corporation is proud to announce that three employees recently passed the accreditation exam to attain the designation of LEED Accredited Professional. Pamela M. Sherrill, AICP, Scott D. Lindgren, P.E., and Cari L. Powers, P.E., are the first PARE employees to achieve this accreditation and advance PARE's goal of incorporating-through education, training, and cultural change-a mindset within the firm and amongst our employees that encourages sustainable design in the performance of our assignments.

PARE designed and oversaw construction of a 37,000 gallon-per-day on-site wastewater treatment system at the Wickford Village housing complex in North Kingstown, RI.  The project was recognized in the February 2009 issue of WaterWorld Magazine for its innovative design approach to help minimize site disturbance and unpredictable excavation costs.

Pare Corporation is proud to announce that Cari Powers, a Senior Civil Engineer with the firm, was elected and sworn in as President of the Providence Engineering Society at its Annual Meeting held this summer at the Wannamoisset Country Club in East Providence, RI.  The Providence Engineering Society is the oldest professional engineering society in the United States, and Powers is the first female President in the society's 114 years of existence.

Click here for PBN article: http://www.branchvillage.com/press.html

Click here for news release:  http://www.dem.ri.gov/news/2008/pr/0325081.htm

Pare Engineering has unvelied its new name.

Pare Corporation has announced the opening of a new office in Foxboro, MA.

Pare Corporation Provides Emergency Dam Safety Services.

PARE provided structural and traffic engineering services for the new passenger ferry terminal at the New Bedford State Pier.