HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-11-04 Board of Public Works MinutesA Meeting of the Board of Public Works, November 4, 1985 Pagel
A meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16, Municipal
Building at 7:45 P.M. Present were Chairman Barker, Secretary Hampson,
Board Members Griffin and Boucher, Superintendent A.V. Fletcher, and
Assistant Superintendent William A. Redford.
Mr. Hampson read the Notice of Public Hearing at 7;45 P.M. regarding
the petition of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company to lay and
maintain underground conduit and manholes, with the wires and cables to be
placed therein, under the surface of the following public way or ways:
WEST STREET: Easterly side, southerly from existing manhole 74/150
extending to existing pole 95/15, place approximately 62 feet of
underground conduit. Easterly side, northerly from existing manhole
74/151 extending to private property, place approximately 315 of
underground conduit. Easterly side, northerly from existing manhole
74/51 extending to existing pole 98/9, place approximately 36 feet of
underground conduit.
WEST STREET & SOUTH STREET: Southerly for a distance from existing
manhole 74/51 thence extending easterly into and along the northerly
side of South Street to existing pole 309/1, place approximately 130'
of underground conduit.
Mr. George Cooley was present, representing New England Telephone and
Telegraph Company. There were no abuttors present.
Mr. Cooley stated this proposed conduit is intended to provide
additional telephone service for the West Street area towards the Woburn
line. There is also a telephone cabinet which will be placed on Lot 17.
Mr. Cormier owns the lot and has allowed us an easement to place this on
his property.
Mr. Griffin asked will. you be taking down wires?
Mr. Cooley replied yes.
A Meeting of the Board of Public Works, November 4, 1985 Paget
Mr. Griffin stated I would appreciate it if we do not have a repeat
performance of the situation we had on Main Street on the sidewalk area.
He asked that some type of reflector system be placed on this cabinet.
Chairman Barker asked when will this construction take place and how
long do you expect it to take?
Mr. Cooley replied this will begin in early Spring and will take 2-3
working days.
Chairman Barker asked Mr. Cooley for a written report on louani.s drive
pole removal..
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to close the hearing at 7:55 P.M.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to approve NET & T Petition No.
4-3884 dated October 8, 1985 as described above.
The Board next met with Jack Rivers and 0. Bradley Latham, Attorney,
to discuss the Ace Art Company Drain Easement at 24 Gould Street.
Attorney Latham stated Mr. Rivers is under contract to buy the Ace Art
Property. The Town presently has an existing drainage easement through
the building. Mr. Rivers intends to purchase the property and wishes to
be able to make alterations to the building for uses permitted under the
Zoning By-Laws.
Assistant Superintendent McIntire joined the meeting at 8:00 P.M.
Assistant Superintendent Redford stated this is not a problem area as
far as drainage is concerned.
Chairman Barker asked have you reviewed the draft as prepared by
Attorney Latham? Do we have protection from the Town's point of view?
Superintendent Fletcher replied I think the Town should be relieved of
any liability if the easement barks up into the building.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 that the Board reaffirm the vote
taken on November 24, 1933 for the approved plan to construct a building
over a portion of the easement and for the addition previously made to the
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A Meeting of the Board of Public.. Works, November 4, 1985 Page3
building, which addition is located westerly of the building constructed
pursuant to the 1933 authorization, but which addition appears also to be
located on a portion of the drainage easement. Such addition is shown on
a plan approved by the Superintendent of the Board of Public Works, which
plan is recorded at the Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds at Book
10301, Page 108.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to accept the condition of the
drain easement with the Ace Art Company with the provision the Town be
held harmless for any liability for any harm caused by the back-up of the
drain.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to accept the minutes of the
Board of Public Works Meeting of October 22, 1.985 as written.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to accept the minutes of the
Board of Survey Meeting of October 22, 1985 as amended.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to accept the minutes of the
Executive Session Meeting of October 22, 1985 written.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to accept the minutes of the
Board of Public Works Meeting of October 28, 1985 as amended.
The Board adjourned temporarily at 8:15 P.M. to meet as the Board of
Survey.
The Board reconvened at 8:30 P.M.
Under the Superintendent's Report:
Superintendent Fletcher reported the Board will be receiving very
shortly a new Organization Chart. Otherwise, the Department is winding up
with its construction projects and will be doing so by November 15 with
the possible exception of the Aberjona project.
Assistant Superintendent Redford stated they have already started
excavating and placing rip rap in the first section of Aberjona.
A Meeting of the Board of Public_ Works, November 4, 1985 Page4
In addition, Mr. Redford reported on Buckskin Drive the leveling
course is in place and the sidewalk binder has been cut out and repaired.
We still have not heard back from the curbing company, our assumption is
that we will receive it either late this year or early next Spring. The
structures will be raised this week.
Mr. Griffin reported that he went to the Regional Water Advisory Group
meeting recently. It strikes me some very serious things need to be said
at Town Meeting. Perhaps we should consider giving a report on water
related issues prior to the Aquifer Protection Plan Article presentation.
For example, the need for extension of personnel and times available at
the Water Treatment Plant, condition of new and refurbished wells, repair
of the water tanks, need for new facilities such as clear water holding
basins, extension of the hydrogeological. survey to the Nike Site, and
extension of the Aquifer Protection District to the Nike Site.
Superintendent Fletcher stated there is certainly enough documentation
to show that the Aquifer Protection District extends well beyond the
limits of Reading.
Mr. Hampson stated we should have a map depicting the area.
The Board adjourned temporarily at 5:45 P.M. to meet as the Board of
Survey.
The meeting reconvened at 9:00 P.M.
The Board next discussed the Town Meeting motions and back-up stories.
Chairman Barker stated he has diSCUSsed the motions with Town Counsel
A. Theodore Cohen, and Counsel will look into the fees for inspection and
after review will probably recommend changes. Also, Article 18 is being
indefinitely postponed.
A Meeting of the Board of Public Works, November 4, 1985 PageS
Mr. Hampson had problems with the $20.00 inspection fee for
homeowner's connections to sewer.
Under Old and New Business:
Chairman Barker stated Barry Mitchel has applied for appointment to
the Board of Public Works.
The Chairman will write a note to him stating we will schedule an
interview at a convenient time following adjournment of Subsequent Town
Meeting.
Mr. Griffin asked that the Press report that the application process
is still open for the application of potential Board Members.
Regarding the Finance Committee's All Boards Meeting, Mr. Griffin
asked that Chairman Barker clarify the Enterprise System at the meeting.
Assistant Superintendent Mc.lntire reported that we will be starting
our water main flushing program tonight at 11,00 P.M. We will be flushing
1/3 of the Town. We are starting at South Street area tonight, we
estimate this will take two weeks.
The Board signed the Payroll and the Billroll for the period ending
November 1, 1985.
The meeting adjourned at 9:35 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretyr,