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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-03-17 Board of Public Works MinutesBoard of Public Works Meeting of March 17, 1986 Page 1 A meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16, Municipal Building at 7:30 P.M. Present were Chairman Barker, Secretary Hampson, Board Members Griffin and Boucher and Assistant Superintendent William A. Redford. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to accept the minutes of the Board of Public Works Meeting of February 24, 1986 as written. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to accept the minutes of the Board of Survey Meeting of February 24, 1986 as written. The Board next discussed Contract No. 86-1 "Street Sweeping", and Asst. Supt. McIntire`s memo regarding same. Mr. McIntire reported that the Department received only one bid which was for an amount substantially higher than the appropriation voted last April at Town Meeting. The Department mailed out notices to five companies that are in the street sweeping business, the Department is in the process of gathering information as to why the other four companies did not respond to the bid. The Department will investigate and report back to the Board as soon as possible with a further recommendation. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to reject all bids for Contract 86-1 "Street Sweeping" and instruct the Department to investigate all other alternatives and report back to the Board as soon as possible. Mr. Hampson stated he has a serious problem with the dumping of the street sweepings at the well field. Mr. Hampson moved, and it was seconded, that the Department investigate other locations in Town, including the Town Landfill, for the disposal of street sweepings. Chairman Barker amended the motion to investigate the removal of the street sweepings outside of the Town limits. The main motion as amended was voted 4:0. Board of Public Works Meeting of March 17, 1986 Page 2 Asst. Supt. Redford reported that some of the abutters on Eastway have placed an Article on the Town Warrant to accept Eastway. He has contacted Mr. Hartunian, who has requested three items: 1. Updated cost figures 2. A report of laying out 3. Public Hearing explaining the costs and the potential betterment charges to the abutting homeowners. He added that the Department has not scheduled a hearing at this time, but will most likely schedule one prior to Town Meeting. Mr. Redford reported that he has postponed the meeting with Atty. Grossack regarding Criterion Road until the next regular Monday evening meeting to be held two weeks from tonight. The Board next met with Mr. Peter DelGreco of 399 Pearl Street at 7:45 P.M. to discuss the appeal of his October 1, 1985 water and sewer bill. Mr. Griffin stated he has known Mr. DelGreco personally for quite some time and knows him to be a very honorable gentleman. Mr. DelGreco reported that he has no explanation for the large increase in usage as he had no leaks in his plumbing and no additional people living in his home during that time period. Chairman Barker stated a very small leak extended over a length of time can use a considerable number of gallons. Mr. DelGreco reported that he checked all his plumbing for leaks and could not find any. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 that based upon the average billing, deduct that amount from the large bill of 23500 cubic feet, then charge on this basis 50% of the remainder. Mr. Hampson stated I think this is a reasonable compromise. Board of Public Works Meeting of March 17, 1986 Page 3 Mr. Hampson read the Notice of Public Hearing at 8;05 P.M. regarding the petition of the Reading Municipal Light Department to locate poles, wires, cables and fixtures including the necessary sustaining and protective fixtures, for the transmission of electricity for lighting, heating and power and for general and commercial purposes, upon, along, under and across the following public way or ways: Streetlight to be located approximately 19' south of the Washington Street centerline and 48' east of the Main Street centerline. There were no abuttors and no representatives from the Municipal Light Department present. Asst. Supt. Redford explained that the Municipal Light Dept. is proposing to move a streetlight approximately four feet from its present position. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to close the hearing at 8:10 P.M. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to grant the Petition of the Reading Municipal Light Department on Plan for Pole Location No. 1605 dated January 31, 1986. The Board next discussed the Charter Reform issue. Mr. Griffin stated I have some strong opinions against the passage of Charter Reform. I feel the Town will be less well served in its direct relationship with people. My own personal view is that the Charter does not address the issues of the Towns involvement with public hearings. Mr. Boucher stated I didn't run for this office to see it terminated. There are a few things in the Charter that are commendable, the idea is commendable. The implementation leaves much to be desired. I am opposed to this particular Charter, and I would like to see some things that perhaps might well serve the Town brought up as By-Law amendments. Board of Public Works Meeting of March 17, 1986 Page 4 Mr. Hampson stated I am running for re-election. I attended the Charter debate last week and I think the Charter will not do anything for Reading. The thing that bothers me is that the Charter Committee and the Selectmen feel the Board of Public Works doesn't need to hold public hearings. I think something will be lost in the public involvement, and is something the Town should realize. I also feel we should publish something in the Suburban News this Saturday. Chairman Barker stated I have prepared a series of thoughts that I feel should be transmitted to both local papers. I feel that a great number of people in Reading do not fully understand the operation of this Board and Department. The six years that I have spent here were worthwhile and necessary. I would like to call for a vote that the sitting Board of Public Works does not favor passage of the Charter as written. Mr. Griffin moved, and it was seconded, that the Board of Public Works, through a roll call vote, go on record as against the current Charter proposal. and are in favor of the continuation of the current Board as seated, along with other facets of Town Government, and the Chairman polled the Board as follows: Mr. Boucher - aye Mr. Griffin - aye Mr. Hampson - aye Mr. Barker - aye The hoard adjourned temporarily at 8:30 P.M. to meet as the Board of Survey. The meeting reconvened at 9:45 P.M. Mr. McIntire joined the meeting at 9:45 P.M. Board of Public Works Meeting of March 17, 1986 Pane 5 It was moved, seconded and voted 4;0 that Sheet No. 2, Bill No. 2, for a 70% lateral, for Ronald E. & Marlene Smith, 132 Grove Street, Plat 121 Lot 69, dated March 17, 1986 in the amount of $246.40 be committed to the Tax Collector and betterments assessed accordingly. Asst. Supt. McIntire reported there was a hazardous spill at John Street from one of our gas tanks. The missing fuel was discovered on February 18th. DEGE was contacted immediately through our Fire Chief on March 4th. The tanks have been removed and cleaned and brought to a tank farm in Rhode Island. The hazardous material has been brought to Long Island. The cost for moving the tanks to Rhode Island is $5,100. The cost for moving the fuel to Long Island is 63 cents per gallon. DEOE has recommended that we go to an underground fuel recovery system. Mr. McIntire stated he is meeting with three fuel recovery firms this week, and reported that we will have sufficient time to get quotations for this. He has not received any written prices on this. He added that by the end of this week he will have some numbers and at that time the Board may wish to sit down with the Finance Committee and apprise them of the potential cost. Chairman Barker requested that Mr. McIntire continue to keep the Board informed of his progress. Under Members Questions and Comments; Chairman Barker reported on the John Street RFD's. He stated there appear to be five submittals. He stated the Department will do a review of the RFD's and report back to the Board. Under the FY87 Budget discussion, Chairman Barker stated he would like to urge the hoard to consider amending the budget in the New Equipment Account and revising that line item in a motion at Town Meeting for an additional $15,000 for two additional sanding units. Board of Public Works Meeting of March 17, 1986 Page 6 Mr. McIntire stated the additional sanders would certainly improve our response time. The Board signed the Payroll and the Billroll for the period ending March 14, 1986. The meeting adjourned at 10:34 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Secretary F