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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-07-09 Board of Public Works MinutesBoard of Public Works Meetinq of July 9, 1984 Page 1 A meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16, Municipal Building at 8;00 P.M. Present were Chairman Barker, Board Members Wood and Griffin, Superintendent Anthony V. Fletcher and Assistant Superintendent William A. Redford. It was moved, seconded and voted 3:0 to accept the minutes of the Board of Public Works meeting of June 18, 1984 as amended. It was moved, seconded and voted 3;0 to accept the minutes of the Board of Public Works meeting of June 20, 1984 as written. Under the Superintendent's Report; Supt. Fletcher stated the lime system was down at the Water Treatment Plant today. He stated we are having problems with the pebble lime, but will rectify the problem. He stated the Chlorine Dioxide Room is working exceptionally well., and the transfer pumps and ferric pumps are working fine. The Board next discussed bids on benches and waste receptacles. Superintendent Fletcher stated as you know, we have installed benches and waste receptacles downtown. We have taken bids on the items and Sitecraft is the low bidder. He stated the benches are worth $860.00 unassembled each. The waste receptacles cost $333.00 each. If you want six more benches it will be $5,160.00, 14 more receptacles $4,662.00, for a total bid of $9,822.00 from Sitecraft. The other bid was $11,700.00. Mr. Griffin asked how much money do we have to deal with? Supt. Fletcher replied not much more than $12,000.00. Mr. Griffin asked how much more sidewalk do we have to finish and at what cost? Board of Public Works Meeting of July 9, 1984 Page 2 Mrs. Wood stated a request was made by the downtown merchants for bicycle racks and benches. Mr. Griffin stated I recommend the Department come back to us at the next meeting with the statement of monies available and the sidewalk work that must be and can be done and we will start with a baseline from there. Chairman Barker went on record to say he was in favor of replacing the remainder of the 55 gallon drums with the present bid waste receptacles. The Board next discussed Planning Calendar adjustments. Supt. Fletcher stated we will be spending all day Wednesday at C.E. Maguire to discuss site planning for the new John Street facility. He stated that at the next meeting the Board should decide on a definitive site plan. He stated he doesn't see any reason for a special meeting. The Board next discussed the North Reading/Drinkwater property. Supt. Fletcher stated I would suggest you need someone consulting with you as to when we have to respond to the appeal. Mr. Griffin stated if the Order of Conditions from North Reading forces the appeal. it becomes, in my estimation, an emergency appeal for a Reserve Fund transfer. Supt. Fletcher stated it is crucial that you have expert representation at the appeal. Mrs. Wood stated I would suggest talking to the Chairman of the Finance Committee about the possibility of this. We must remember that the appropriations at Town Meeting are a lump sum. Board of Public Works Meeting of July 9, 1984 Page 3 Supt. Fletcher suggested that the Board of Public Works meet with the Conservation Commission, Board of Health, Hazardous Waste Committee, Planning Board and Finance Committee on August 6th to discuss this situation. The Board next discussed the Superintendents' evaluations of functions and personnel within the Department. Mrs. Wood stated I think it is more important that the Superintendent do evaluations. I feel he is the best judge of the time f rame. Chairman Darker asked that the Superintendent mail these evaluations out in an information package prior to August 6th. Chairman Barker stated the probability is substantial for a third session in August. It was moved, seconded and voted 3;0 that the Board authorize the Chairman or the Secretary to sign Payroll and Billroll in the absence of the other Board members during July and August. Chairman Barker felt this should be a motion every year in the month of June. Mr. Griffin stated he had a problem with this in that he feels it is the Boards' responsibility to review these. Chairman Barker replied it is not the intent of anyone to push anything through, but I feel this is a good insurance policy. During vacations it can become a burden on the Department to find three Board members after working hours. Mrs. Wood stated I am more interested in making sure the payroll is signed. Board of Public Works Meeting of July 9, 1984 Page 4 Under Old and New Business; The Board discussed the Preliminary Plan of Colonial Drive Extension. It was moved, seconded and voted 3:0 to instruct the Superintendent to send a letter to the applicant of Colonial Drive Extension that the Board disapproves the preliminary filing for the three reasons listed below: 1. The proposed 150' vertical curve (Station 1+75 to Station 3+25) does not meet the AASHO recommendations (Minimum = 340'); 2. The proposed 100' vertical curve (Station 3+75 to Station 4+75) does not meet the AASHO recommendations (Minimum = 149'); and 3. Slope granite curbing is shown on the roadway cross-section detail; vertical granite curbing is required, as well as sewage, drainage and land use problems. The Board reviewed the memo from the Superintendent regarding the Water Treatment Plant. Superintendent Fletcher stated we did a test in the Chlorine Dioxide Room to see how long it would take to evacuate the room of these fumes. The time was 1 1/2 minutes, which was less than it was supposed to be. Mr. Griffin asked does this come as close as possible to any actual dangers the men could face. Superintendent Fletcher replied yes. Mr. Griffin asked are you comfortable this meets the best safety interests of the men for this room? Board of Public Works Meeting of July 9, 1984 Page 5 Superintendent. Fletcher replied ,yes, and I have also ordered an in-line pH meter be installed. Mr. Griffin requested that the Department give a full report early in the Fall on the conditions of the filters, possible remedies in-house and expectations of cost and time. The Board reviewed the memo from the James Co. regarding safety. Mr. Griffin stated I think there is a lack of coordination between the James report and the reports from Mr. Fenton as Safety Consultant for this Board. He felt the Department should seek to identify any areas of overlap between James Co. and Mr. Fenton so that we don't pay for the same thing twice. Chairman Barker asked is the Department following the wishes of the Board regarding cones and safety markings, vests, etc. Superintendent Fletcher replied this is part of the whole Union discussion still going on. The Board next discussed the Superintendents' memo on the new well. Mr. Griffin asked why is the length of test period indeterminable at this time? Supt. Fletcher replied he told DEDE we are not going to pay for these tests at $400.00 each. Mr. Griffin stated a solution is mandatory in this case. The Board next reviewed the memo from the Superintendent regarding the proposed nursing home on Main Street, Special Permit. Board of Public Works Meeting of July 9, 1984 Page b Mr. Griffin stated the sewer easement on the southerly side should have no tree areas or parking lot entrances. Also, at the separation between harshalls Department Store in lieu of a wall, granite sloping should be used to confine erosion. He stated the drainage for the entire project looks suspect. He is also concerned with the nature of the ground itself. Assistant Superintendent Redford stated most of the sloping referred to is on the Marshalls' property. We have allowed parking on sewer easements in the past as long as there is no heavy trucking. Mr. Griffin stated the fire access lanes are over drainage areas. I don't want to see fire trucks going over a roadway other than with a retaining wall. Mrs. Wood asked what impact does this drainage have on the areas behind this development? Supt. Fletcher replied the drainage calculations are not really complete. Mrs. Wood stated I think the Fire Department should be contacted regarding the turning radius options. We should send the Board of Appeals specific language regarding the rooting of the trees so that they do not get into the sewer lines, and what type of trees the Department recommends. She also requested vertical granite curbing at the entrance to this area. Also, the sewer holding system plan would have to be corrected to show there is an intake and an outake from this holding station. She stated she understands this is only a one-day tank. She stated we should recommend this be designed as a larger holding tank as an alternative to going to the septage disposal site at John Street. Board of Public Works Meeting of July 9, 1984 Page 7 The Board next discussed the progress report on the BPW John Street facility. Supt. Fletcher stated G.E. Maguire came up with three site concepts which were reviewed with the Department on July 6th. The Departments' conclusion is to develop Site C-2 with modifications. Mrs. Wood asked are you talking about connecting all buildings mandatorily? Supt. Fletcher stated we are trying to keep administration and operations together but separate. Mr. Griffin stated I would like the man-made berm taken out of there. This would trap emergency vehicles from the northeast corner. Chairman Barker stated I see no need for two parking lots, one lot should be designed to the appropriate size. Supt. Fletcher stated there will be another report at the next meeting. The Board signed the Payroll and the Billroll for the period ending July 6, 1984. The meeting adjourned at 10;00 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Secr ary