NLJA News

Nathan L. Jacobson & Associates, Inc. participated in a panel of experts to discuss “Chester Dams: Treasures or Trouble” presented by the Chester Conservation Commission, Chester Land Trust, Chester Historical Society and open to the public to attend. Panel members discussed dam historical importance, dam inspection and repair, owner responsibility, natural resource concerns, emergency management, funding sources, and restoring or removing dams. In addition to the firm’s founder, Nathan L. Jacobson, P.E. and current Vice President J. Howard Pfrommer, P.E., the panel also included representatives of the Chester Emergency Management Department, a local dam owner, a retired CTDEEP Fisheries Biologist, and a representative of the State of Connecticut Historic Preservation Office.

Geoffrey L. Jacobson, P.E. was invited to present a Continuing Education program for the Connecticut Group 5 Building Officials regarding the technical review of structures located in Special Flood Hazard Areas for conformance with FEMA requirements. The presentation included an overview of technical requirements in AE, Coastal AE, and Coastal High Hazard Areas. In addition, requirements were also reviewed for accessory structures, site development, and Substantial Improvement/Substantial Damage determinations. Throughout the presentation Jacobson included some of the more unique situations encountered in his more than 40-years of experience in the Flood Plain Management field.

Pages Mill Pond Fishway Dam – North Branford, Connecticut The purpose of the fishway is to provide access to the 4.25-acre head pond and 6 miles of river above the dam for migratory fish such as sea-run brown trout, blueback herring, alewife, sea lamprey and American eel. These species, whose populations have been impacted by lack of access to critical spawning habitat above the state’s many dams, are important forage fish, including commercially important species in Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. The 170 ft. long fishway rises 10 ft. and consists of concrete entrance structure, resting pool, concrete column supports, turning pool, concrete channel and exit structure, as well as 35 ft. of aluminum steeppass fishway and an eel-pass. To address aesthetic concerns of the residential property owner, simulated stone masonry, re-used steeppass sections, and naturally durable native wood railing material was used. In 2020 the Pages Mill…

Along with local organizations, businesses and members of the Chester Community, we are pleased to be a sponsor of open-air learning coming to Chester Elementary School in time for the 2021-2022 school year. Located near a Nature Trail and Rainwater Garden, this structure is designed for outdoor classes and meetings of community and civic groups. Visit patronicity.com/ChesterElementary to read more about the project.

Since 2008, our firm has sponsored the Chester Elementary School S.T.E.A.M. event to encourage young students to explore the sciences and develop solutions to everyday problems. Each year we provide prizes to all 100+ participants with special gifts to the 20 finalists who advance to the Statewide Invention Convention Competition. Our engineers look forward to the opportunity to speak with students about their projects, assist in the judging, and to encourage creative thinking.

At NLJA we embrace the spirit and go all out with our holiday light display. Our staff looks forward every year to upping their game – culminating in 2020 with the Chester Presto Award for the Most Amazing Merchant display. We hope this adds a little holiday joy to others in our community.

The purpose of the fishway is to provide access to the 45-acre headpond above the dam for migratory fish such as blueback herring and alewife, sea lamprey and American eel. These fish, whose populations have been impacted by lack of access to critical spawning habitat above the state’s many dams, are important forage fish, including commercially important species in Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. The 160 ft. long fishway rises 14.5 ft and consists of concrete entrance structure, resting pools, turning pool, concrete column support, and exit structure, as well as 105 ft. of aluminum steeppass fishway and an eel-pass. A custom designed aluminum bend suspended in mid-air makes the final turn for fish on their journey up the ladder as they enter the exit structure at the dam crest. An underwater window was incorporated into the turning pool, with appropriate grading outside the structure, to permit visitors…

Nathan L. Jacobson & Associates provided design and construction services for the Gillette Castle repairs project. The objective was to design a historically sympathetic replacement of the existing site features that required minimal maintenance. The objective was accomplished by veneering cast-in-place concrete site features with the stone from the existing wall.

The Connecticut Association of Street & Highway Officials, Inc. recently featured Nathan L. Jacobson & Associates in their semi-annual printed publication The CASHO Magazine, Highways & Byways. Click below to read the article! Click to view larger.

Burnt Hill Park, located in Hebron Connecticut, was the subject of a presentation at the Annual CRPA conference held at the Mohegan Sun. The project, which included five athletic fields and amenities including a park operations building, pavilion, bathroom building and walking trails, was designed with Nathan L. Jacobson & Associates as the prime consultant and constructed in 2008-2009. The park is a great example of a multi-use facility which incorporates recreational athletic fields in a park like setting consistent with the rural character and nature of the Town of Hebron. The presentation, which was given by Tom Fenton, P.E., Principal Engineer at Nathan L. Jacobson & Associates and Mike Fortuna, AIA, of TLB Architects, focused on the construction process and project management. A prior presentation to CRPA by the same team, focused on the design, permitting and approval process.

Nathan L. Jacobson & Associates is honored to receive a 2018 Distinguished Service Award from the Connecticut Association of Street and Highway Officials (CASHO), “For its continuous dedication and support to the principals and ideals of CASHO.” The firm was presented with the award at CASHO’s 47th Annual Awards Banquet held at the Aqua Turf Club. In accepting the award on behalf of the firm, Geoffrey Jacobson remarked that, “Over the past 46 years Nathan L. Jacobson & Associates have had the opportunity and privilege to serve more than 60 municipal clients on a wide variety of projects. Since most of these projects included working with local public works officials to improve municipal infrastructure, it is especially meaningful to receive this recognition from CASHO.” Fifteen of the company’s staff members and their spouses, as well as the firm’s founder, were in attendance to celebrate this achievement.    

Nathan L. Jacobson & Associates. Inc. is pleased to announce that Wade M. Thomas, an Associate with the firm, has become a Certified Professional in Municipal Stormwater Management (CPMSM). Wade is one of only three individuals who have earned this certification in Connecticut. In addition, having already achieved certifications as a Certified Professional in Stormwater Quality (CPSWQ) and a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC), he is currently one of only two individuals in New England with all three of these EnviroCert International certifications. This extensive professional training, along with his Master’s Degree in Geology with a concentration in Hydrogeology and 30 years of experience, gives Wade the unique skill set to assist our clients with all of their stormwater compliance and permitting needs.