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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-02-24 Board of Public Works MinutesBoard of Public Works Meeting of February 24, 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, Superintendent A.V. Fletcher, P.E.., and Assistant Superintendent William A. Redford. It was moved, seconded and voted 3.4,1 (Mr. Barker abstaining) to accept the minutes of the Board of Public Works Meeting of February 10, 1986 as amended. It was moved, seconded and voted 3,0;1 (Mr, Barker abstaining) to accept the minutes of the Board of Survey Meeting of February _10, 1986 as__ amended, Under the Superintendent's Report; Supt. Fletcher reported that we were informed this afternoon that the grade crossing was approved over the railroad tracks, but we have no details. We don't know what the next step is going to be. He reported that the hearing for Riverpark 93 will not be held until April. Mr. Griffin stated if at all possible our Senators and Representatives should be requested to be in attendance-at these hearings. A significant number of people at these hearings has a substantial impact. Supt. Fletcher stated I-will get a letter out to all our representatives and Senators asking them to be present at the hearing, The Board adjourned temporarily at 7:42 P.M. to meet as the Board of Survey, The Board reconvened at 7:56 P.M. Under Chairman's Comments' Chairman Barker asked what is the status of the Annual Town Report? t - Board of Public Works Meeting of February 24, 1986 Page Supt. Fletcher replied Wednesday evening you will all get the report in draft form. We will need your comments back by Friday. Chairman Barker asked what is the status of the Franklin Street Reconstruction? Asst. Supt. Redford replied the Survey Crew has been doing survey work for possible takings. Chairman Barker asked what is the timetable? Mr. Redford replied there will be a hearing early in May with construction starting sometime in Tune. The contract is already let for the number of square yards. Chairman Barker asked what is the status of the potholes on Route 28? He added that he felt the Department should write a letter to the Chief of Police outlining our procedure for handling pothole complaints. Mr. Hampson stated perhaps we should write a letter to the State protesting their method of repairing main Street. Chairman Barker requested the Chief of Police be notified that he can not call out our call men and that his calls should be made to the State. The Board next met with Mr. Richard Dempster of the Reading Housing Authority. Mr. Dempster stated the Housing Authority has a trash collection problem at Tannervil.le. Two or three years ago the collector we had went out of business. We have a_very unreliable person collecting our trash at present. Most recently we have had a rodent problem, but the long term problem is an unreliable collector. We would like to be put on your regular schedule and we'would be willing to pay`for:this service. Supt. Fletcher stated I'have no problem with doing this. i Board of Public Works Meeting of February 24y 1986 Page 3 Mr. Griffin stated I have a problem with the potential for setting a precedent. Mr. Boucher stated it is my understanding that this would be done on the day the trucks are in that neighborhood. It was moved, seconded and voted 4;0 that the Department pursue as expeditiously as possible a resolution for the Housing Authority for the collection of trash on a fee basis. It was moved, seconded and voted 4;0 that the Town take an Easement for Drainage and Sewerage purposes substantially-in a -location of a channel known as the "Aberjona River" and consisting of, A permanent easement southeasterly off Willow Street running south and southwesterly toward West Street and running northeasterly toward Lowell Street; A permanent easement southwesterly off Lowell Street running southwesterly and northwesterly toward Willow Street; and A temporary construction easement southeasterly off Willow Street running southeasterly toward Hancock Street. As being more fully described on a plan entitled "Easement through Private Property for Drainage and Sewerage purposes, Willow Street - Aberjona River, February 1966, A.V. Fletcher, Superintendent, Board of Public Works", consisting of two (2) sheets. Under Old and New Business', Mr. Griffin thanked William Redford for representing the Department at the last Regional Water Advisory Group Meeting. He stated that the Department did an excellent job in their-presentation. Chairman Barker stated for our black book it might be of use "if we had the phone number for mike DeBrigard, Acting Supervisor of the Highway Division, while Bill. macBri.en is out. Board of'Public Works Meeting of February 24, 1986 Page 4 Chairman Barker asked are there any bids required for Aberjona Phase II? Mr. Redford replied yes, there will be a separate bid. Chairman Barker asked what is the date for opening of the RFP's? Supt. Fletcher replied as far as I know, the opening will be Monday, March 17. The Task Force will be meeting to go over those RFP's for short listing. Sometime in April the list will be reduced to four or five. At the Special Town Meeting in June, a decision will be made. Regarding the R_vised Budget and Finance-Committee-discussion; Chairman Barker asked that the Water and Sewer draft budgets be on two separate sheets. He added that his feeling is that we need to go into the Finance Committee Meeting and let them know that the Department has indicated we need an amplified budget. Mr. Boucher stated my comment is that I get the impression we are the only Department that made the effort to submit a level-funded budget. Chairman Barker stated I intend to make that point very clear to the Finance Committee. Mr. Griffin stated I feel we should go forward with the December 31, 1986 budget submittal. Chairman Barker, reported on the sanding units. He stated he)would like to give the Board the benefit of his conversation with the Department. The Department has concluded that we need to increase the number of sanding units. We presently have six units, one of which is held back in reserve. He added that the number of road miles have gradually increased, but the number of routes has stayed the same. He asked if the funds could come out of the Snow & Ice Account legally. Supt. Fletcher replied yes, but T don't think we have the money. Cioard •of Public Works meeting of February-24, 1986 Page 5 Chairman Barker stated I would also like to increase next year's capital expenditures to cover two of these units. Chairman Barker then requested a letter be written to the Finance Committee regarding our budget submittals. Mr. Griffin requested in the presentation of the zero budget, I think we should let them know we had to absorb substantial increases in two areas: 1. Salaries i. A. $377000 Rubbish Collection and Disposal 8. $30,000 - Sidewalk Maintenance He added that we have had to make significant cuts in drains, parks and capital items, we have also had to absorb 3 1/2% inflation. The Board requested the following items be included in the "Wish List" to Fin Comm: 1. Two Sanders L $7,500 each 2, Drain Construction - $38,900 3. Street Acceptance - $69,000 4. Road Reconstruction - $60,000 The Board signed the Payroll and the Billroll for the period ending February 21, 1986. The meeting adjourned at 9:26 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Secretary