HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-03-25 Board of Public Works Minutes`+
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Board of Public Works Meeting of March 25, 198S Page 1
A meeting of the Board of Public Works cnnvened in Room 16,
Municipal Building at 7:30 P.M. Present were Secretary Hampsnn, Board
Members Polychrones, Griffin and Boucher, Superintendent A.V. Fletcher,
P.E. and Assistant Superintendents McTntire and Redford.
absence.
Secretary Hampsnn acted as Chairman of the Board in Mr. Barker's
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to accept the minutes of the
Board of Public Works meeting of March 19, 1985 as written.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to accept the minutes of the
Executive Session of March 19, 1985 as written and that they remain in
private privy.
Under the Superintendent's Report -
Supt. Fletcher stated the Mass. Water Resources Authority has
voted to increase their overall budget 28%. Sewer expenditures increased
approximately 36% and water expenditures 19%.
He added that Reading's cost per million gallons of sewerage will
increase 36% causing an increase doe to flow of $93,930 (42.36%) for FY86.
First payment at the new rates will be due November 1, 1985. He stated it
is without doubt that the next 5-10 years will see annual increases. This
overall 130% increase over the next 5 years will he spread out. The
Department staff has just started evaluating our sewer costs.
Supt. Fletcher has sent copies of his correspondence to the Board
of Selectmen regarding this issue and will keep all informed.
Secondly, he reported the Board of Health did approve fly ash for
the John Strpet Landfill. Our cnmmittment with DEQF is to begin covering
immediately after the weather breaks. The Soperintpndpnt hopes we can
start next wepk.
Board of Public Works Meeting of March 257 1985 Page ?
Mr. Po]ychrones asked for a ballpark figure to the average
homeowner.
Supt. Fletcher replied I can't say exactly because I can not use
the "average" family of four as a basis.
Mr. Griffin asked who is responsible for the metering services?
Supt. Fletcher replied the M.W.R.A. is responsible.
Mr. Griffin stated T think we are in a better position now to
begin the process of the monitoring device. We also have a way of
identifying the J/I, based on our new 2/1 policy.
Supt. Fletcher stated the bids are doe next month on the sewer
pumping station. There is an awful lot of research to he done and a lot
will be generated out of this. He will keep the Board posted.
The Board next reviewed the Annual Town Meeting suggested
assignments for presenting motions at Annual Town Meeting.
Supt. Fletcher stressed that if there is any additional
information the Board needs, they should inform the Department.
The Board next discussed requests for abatements - January 1,
1985 water bills from the residents at 94 Gleason Road and 14 Riverside
Drive.
Mr. Brangiforte of 14 Riverside Drive was present and questioned
the fact that the inside meter was running and recording correctly.
Asst. Supt. McIntire outlined the history of this water account.
He stated that Riverside Drive was completed in the ]ate 70's. Mr.
Bnangifnrte moved in in 1978. The original meter was installed with an
outside reader. In 1984 it was discovered the outside reader had stopped.
There was a work order made out on November ?, 1984. The meter crew
installed a new meter at this location with an outside reader. The old
meter was pulled and tested for accuracy twice. One test measured 101%
accuracy and the other 100% accuracy. He stated the problem with Mr.
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Board of Public Works Meeting of March 2S7 1985 Page 3
Brangifnrte's high hill is the fact that the inside meter was recording
and the outside reader was not recording. If we had a previous history,
we could have discovered this a lot sooner. The outside reader was
recording consistently over a S 1/2 year period, and then suddenly
stopped.
Mr. Griffin asked what about the potential for error in the
inside meter? Do we have any basis to calculate that the meter during any
period of time was inaccurate.
Supt. Fletcher replied the water meter is a pretty simple thing.
It seems to me that if the meter was malfunctioning from 1978 to 19847 it
would have been malfunctioning in November of 1984.
Mr. Griffin stated I find it difficult to make a determination
based on the accuracy of the meter, he certainly was not privy to this
malfunction.
After further discussion, it was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to
take this bill under consideration until further information is gathered.
The Board next discussed the 1-1-8S water bill for Mr. Breen of
94 Gleason Road.
Mr. Breen also disputed his hi]], based on the fact that he felt
his normal consumption was much lower.
Mr. McIntire stated we tested this meter three different times,
with the following results, 100%, 100% and 99.5%.
Mr. Griffin stated T recommend the Department investigate holding
the bill in abeyance until an accurate history can he determined, upon
which we can make Judgements. We should develop a year's history on both
of these accounts.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to take this hi]] under
advisement.
Board of Public Works Meeting of March ?S, 198S Page 4
The Board adjourned temporarily at 8:50 P.M. to meet as th
of Sorvey.
The meeting reconvened at 8:55 P.M.
Mr. Polychrones moved, and it was seconded, to go into Executive
Session at OSS P.M. to discuss legal matters regarding the trash
contract, not to reconvene in open session, and Mr. Hampsnn polled the
Board as follows:
Mr. Boucher - aye
Mr. Griffin - aye
Mr. Pnlychrnnes - aye
Mr. Hampsnn - aye
Frank Cnrgnne of the Finance Committee informed the Board he was
leaving the Finance Committee and would be serving on the Charter
Commission.
Mr. Griffin thanked Mr. Corgnne for his service to the Board, on
behalf of the Board.
The meeting reconvened at 9:25 P.M.
The Board signed the Payroll and the Bil]ro]] for the period
ending March ??, 1985.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
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