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Home My WebLink About1985-08-26 Board of Public Works Minutes Board of Public Works Meeting of August 26, 1985 Page 1 A meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16, e Municipal Building at 7:30 P.M. Present were Chairman Barker, Secretary Hampson, Board Members Polychrones, Griffin and Boucher, Superintendent A.V. Fletcher, P.E. and Assistant Superintendent William A. Redford. k It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to accept the minutes of the Board of Public Works Meeting of August 12, 1985 as amended. It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to accept the minutes of the Board of Survey Meeting of August 12, 1985 as written. Under the Superintendent's Report: Supt. Fletcher stated there has been a delay on the Willow Street f f railroad crossing project. This will be the sixth week we have lost with Bell & Flynn versus our construction schedule. When the bids come in next year, this may be an important consideration. We have also had a delay from the State regarding this project. Chairman Barker suggested that a letter be sent to the bonding company (Bell & Flynn's) notifying them that they are late in completing their work. Chairman Barker asked what is their current schedule? Asst. Supt. Redford replied Willow Street will be done first, starting September 9th, Minot Street will be done after that. Supt. Fletcher stated the crossing has been ordered by the State and they will commence work the third or fourth week of September. The Board next signed the form for reimbursement of documented expenditures under General Laws, Chapter 90, in the amount of $64,359.00. Asst. Supt. Redford stated this will be used on Haverhill Street, but will not complete the work. This will take us to Section III of the roadway and will end up somewhere between Wakefield and Charles Streets. s : i Board of Public Works Meeting of August 26, 1985 Page 2 } Mr. Polychrones asked can't we use part of these monies for traffic lights downtown? Supt. Fletcher replied this money is not eligible for engineering studies of controls. The State is holding a hearing on September 23, and this Board should authorize me to write a letter to the Selectmen to encourage the State to do that portion of roadway on Route 28 (which is all in Reading) and do a complete study of the lights in downtown Reading. Chairman Barker instructed the Superintendent to write the letter i to the Selectmen. It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 that Sheet No. 11, Bill No. 13, for a 702 lateral for Carol Almeida, 18 Criterion Road, Plat 122 Lot 19, dated August 26, 1985 in the amount of $215.60 be committed to the Tax Collector and betterments assessed accordingly. It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 that Sheet No. 11, Bill No. s 14, for a 70% lateral for Francis A. and Lucille F. Husarik, 117 Arcadia Avenue, Plat 47 Lot 69, dated August 26, 1985 in the amount of $312.62 be committed to the Tax Collector and betterments assessed accordingly. The Board next discussed the Whitman & Howard report on their inspection of our three water storage facilities, and their findings and recommendations. Supt. Fletcher suggested this be taken up in our FY87 budget discussions. Mr. Griffin asked that the Superintendent take a closer look at 8 these numbers. He stated I think part of the logic or philosophy of the Enterprise Accounting System was to return full responsibility for the water supply in this town to its Commissioners. He also felt that routine maintenance is something we need to take care of early on. j €€ f { i Board of Public Works Meeting g of August 26 1985 Page 3 : 9 The Board next discussed the memo from Dr. Wells, Supt. of Schools, regarding the DPW taking over maintenance of the varsity football field and track. The School Committee is in favor of this. Chairman Barker stated he felt that Supt. Fletcher and Dr. Wells P should sit down with their maintenance people and get a detailed feel for what is required in the way of maintenance costs, and other implications. This is an artificial track which requires some specialized maintenance, etc. Mfr. Barker commented that as far as the lining of fields is concerned, that is one of the specific exclusions. f Mr. Griffin stated one of the real concerns I have is the potential of damaging the track. Chairman Barker stated I assume the School Department is presently contracting this out. I would like the Department to get the facts on this and report back to the Board when we are discussing the FY87 Budget. t Mfr. Griffin stated I like the idea. I would like to compliment i the Department on the mowing of the lawns at the schools. Supt. Fletcher stated there is a possibility of the School Department giving up personnel and us having to absorb that loss. The Board next discussed the memo and report to the Finance Committee on the FY87 Budget and beyond. Chairman Barker stated each year the Finance Committee sends out a memo asking for our needs and requests. I am trying to anticipate what the Finance Committee will be asking for. We are trying to give the Finance Committee a reasonable projection of what our needs are. f Chairman Barker stated he felt this should be given to the 1 Finance Committee in about ten days. e Board of Public Works Meeting of August 26, 1985 Page 4 mom The Board made preliminary changes to the draft memo and the Department will revise the memo accordingly. The Board next discussed the Draft John Street Report to be submitted to Town Meeting on September 23, and made corrections. Mr. Polychrones moved that the welding bay be included in the plan. The motion was seconded and defeated 1:4 (Mr. Darker, Mr. Hampson, Mr. Griffin and Mr. Boucher opposed). Chairman Barker recommended that the entire Dubitzky Report be eliminated from the draft and that a separate report be given to Town Meeting under Article tit by Mr. Boucher. The Board next discussed the landfill disposal problems. Supt. Fletcher stated as far as I am concerned, the dump is closed. We effectively shut ourselves off from having any place to put leaves, catch basin cleanings, materials from trench excavations, old pipes, etc., and I think we are going to have a problem. Chairman Barker asked for a cost factor for this to be hauled s from Reading to New Hampshire. Supt. Fletcher stated we are also going to have a problem with the disposal of Dutch Elm trees, perhaps the Board should be thinking about the elimination of this program. He added that perhaps we should 4 also be thinking about getting a site permit to use part of the dump. Chairman Barker asked the Supt. to prepare a report before September 22. Under Old & New Business; Mr. Polychrones stated the Personnel Sub-Committee met with the i Superintendent, and we agreed with the Superintendent that we should give the following two raises; the first to Bud Dickey, in the amount of 1.1% to be in parity with the other supervisors, and secondly, to Bill Redford P Board of Public Works Meeting of August 26, 1985 Page 5 in the amount of 5% for his first annual review. Mr. Hampson stated I think Gill Redford is doing an excellent job and is a credit to this Board and Department. Chairman Barker stated the Board concurs with the Superintendent and his recommendations. Mr. Polychrones stated he felt Supt. Fletcher's pay should also ' be brought up 2% Chairman Barker stated the timing of this will have to be reviewed very carefully with the Personnel Board. x Supt. Fletcher stated I will check this out with Mrs. Fuller and will get back to the Sub-Covaittee. The Board signed the Payroll and the Billroll for the period f ending August 23, 1985. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M. Respectfully submitted, SY 5i i ec re y i i x DOUGLAS L. BARKER. Chaim n OFFICE OF BARRY E. RAWSON, SeIeWu TOWN OF READING ARTHUR POLYCHRONES ROBERT P. GRIFFIN j BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS J. R. BOUCHER A. V. FLETCHER, P.E., Supenufe den[ MUNICIPAL BUILDING READING. MASS. 01887 MASSACHUSETTS „ a