HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-02-19 Board of Public Works MinutesBoard of Public Works Meeting of February 19, 1985 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 Polychrones and Griffin, Supt. A.V. Fletcher and
Asst. Supts. E.D. McIntire Jr. and William A. Redford.
The Board reviewed the memo from John W. Agnew, Jr., Executive
Secretary, regarding summer help.
Supt. Fletcher expressed his feeling that the Department of
Public Works should hire Town of Reading people.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to return this form to
Secretary Agnew and continue the present practice of hiring summer people
from the Town of Reading.
Mrs. Wood joined the meeting at 7:35 P.M.
The Board next discussed the trash deficit and Solid Waste Status
Report from Supt. Fletcher.
Supt. Fletcher cautioned the Board that there is a lack of
history on the trash collection and it is therefore difficult to project
what is going to happen exactly.
Mrs. Wood stated I think the proper thing would be to request a
transfer from the Finance Committee. I think we have made the problem of
a deficit well-known to them.
Mr. Griffin stated I am not against any of these suggestions.
However, it strikes me that a 7 bag limit for homeowners is very generous.
He added that he has very deep concerns about opening Strout Avenue for a
leaf dump, or any purpose. He has very serious problems with opening up a
metal collection area at a dumpster, we could create a safety hazard
condition. He asked what are the cost factors involved in alternatives
such as this. He asked what about the implementation of an every other
week pick-up during the months of January to April?
Board of Public Works Meeting of February 19, 1985 Page 2
Supt. Fletcher stated I have had discussions with the four major
trash collectors in the area and they stated they would have the same
problem in that it is not the amount they pick up, but how long it takes
them to pick it up. Their labor force is paid more than $12.00 an hour.
Asst. Supt. McIntire stated Stoneham has a roll-off container at
their DPW Facility. All their white metals are brought down to that
facility between 7:30 and 4:30 Monday through Friday, and SCA supplies the
container to the Town at no cost.
Mr. Griffin asked what is going to happen in Reading in the
Winter of '86 and '87? We will be in the midst of moving and TASC will be
on site.
Mr. McIntire replied there is nothing saying that it has to be at
that site.
Supt. Fletcher stated the 7 bag limit the companies feel is worth
2-6X of your bid. Again, the weight does not burden them, it is the amount
of time.
It was moved, seconded and defeated 0:4:1 (Mr. Barker abstaining)
to consider Strout Avenue Water Treatment Plant area be used as a leaf
drop off area on Saturdays and Sundays.
Mr. Barker stated I would like a series of instructions to the
Department. I would like one of the options to be what will be the
contract price for collection of rubbish excluding leaves.
Mrs. Wood asked if the rubbish collection companies require
certain kinds of containers to be used.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 that the Department write
L the contract to reflect "7 containers" with no restriction regarding
leaves.
Board of Public Works Meeting of February 19, 1985 Page 3
Mr. Griffin asked, if possible, he would like the Department to
investigate if there is a substantial savings for "b containers". He also
asked that the Department investigate the cost of rental. of a leaf pick-up
machine.
Mr. Barker asked that the Department investigate Towns where they
have a white metal dumpster and find out if the deliveries are primarily
from contractors or residents.
Mr. Barker suggested another alternate, the successful bidder
will provide one or more dumpsters at the appropriate site at no cost to
the community.
Mr. Griffin requested the Department investigate a half-week or
three day contract pick-up.
Mrs. Wood asked that the difference in price be investigated for
a weekly vs. once a month bulk item pick up.
Mr. Polychrones insisted on the stipulation that all trucks
report to the garage every morning to be weighed.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4;1 (Mr. Barker opposed) that
any shortfall in FY85 be requested from the Reserve Fund.
Supt. A.V. Fletcher stated I don't think the Board should
consider reducing its budget.
Chairman Barker asked what about FY86?
Mr. Hampson stated I think if this is going to cost more, we
would have to reduce the trash services.
Mr. Griffin stated if we have to make any further reductions in
budget, my wish is that the cuts be made in equipment and not in other
capital projects.
Chairman Barker stated I am in favor of finding the funds within
the total budget, for the record.
Board of Public Works Meeting of February 19, 1985 Page 4
Under Old and New Business:
Mrs. Wood stated this Board has not addressed the financing of
our new facility. I think this Board should take some action as to what in
fact their proposal will be, given the fact that the money is not
available.
Chairman Barker stated there is an Ad Hoc Funding Committee
studying this. Do you want us to investigate this further?
Mrs. Wood replied yes.
Chairman Barker stated I understood this report will be mailed to
you separately as Town Meeting members. I feel the people most qualified
to compile these answers are doing so, and when they come up with these
answers, they will let us know.
Mrs. Wood stated in addition to that Committee, this Department
is also in a position where they can make reasonable recommendations and
reasonable alternatives, and I think the Chairman should get involved in
that.
Mr. Hampson stated I would like the Chairman to find out from the
Ad Hoc Committee what is going on.
Mr. Griffin stated it seems to me we have investigated all along
the funding of the project using the financial minds of the Town.
The Board signed the Payroll and the Billroll for the period
ending February 15, 1985.
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Sec re ry