Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-07-23 Board of Public Works Minutesi r - Board of Public Works Meeting of July 23, 1984 Page 1 A meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16, Municipal Building at 8:00 P.M. Present were Secretary Hampson, Board Members Polychrones and Griffin and Superintendent Anthony V. Fletcher. Secretary Hampson assumed the Chair in Mr. Barkers absence. Mr. Hampson read the Notice of Public Hearing at 8:00 P.M. regarding the petition of New England Telephone & Telegraph Company and the Town of Reading Municipal Light Department to locate poles, wires, cables and fixtures, including the necessary anchors, guys and other such sustaining and protecting fixtures to be owned and used in common by your petitioners, along and across the following public way or ways; PARK AVENUE - Southerly side, place one (1) pole, Pole 68/3. Also, southerly side, remove one (1) pole, Pole 68/3 (RM). There were seven abuttors present as well as George H. Cooley of New England Telephone Company and Mr. Hadley of the R.M.L.D. Mr. Hampson introduced himself and the members of the Board and Department. Mr. Cooley stated this request was made by the property owner at #38 Park Avenue, to widen his driveway. Mr. Coffill of 38 Park Avenue stated I am going to put an addition on my house, and if the pole is moved to my property line, both abuttors will have equal access. Superintendent Fletcher stated the Department has no problem with this. It was moved, seconded and voted 3:0 to close the hearing at 8:05 P. M. r )0 Board of Public Works Meeting of July 23, 1984 Page 2 It was moved, seconded and voted 3:0 to grant permission to the New England Telephone & Telegraph Co. and the Reading Municipal Light Department to install and remove poles on Park Avenue as outlined in Petition Plan No. 4-3723. It was moved, seconded and voted 3:0 to accept the minutes of the Board of Public Works Meeting of June 25, 1984 as amended. It was moved, seconded and voted 1;0:2 (Mr. Hampson and Mr. Polychrones abstaining) to accept the minutes of the Board of Public Works meeting of July 9, 1984 as written. Superintendent Fletcher next discussed the Chapter 732 Central Business District memo. He stated we presently have a balance of $9,452.16. Approval was not obtained at Town Meeting to spend the accumulated interest of $18,019.30. Supt. Fletcher asked the Board to delay any further expenditure of the interest until the vote of Town Meeting. Mrs. Wood joined the meeting at 8:10 P.M. Mr. Griffin stated some of the trees in the downtown area seem to be rubbing against the grates. Supt. Fletcher stated the Tree Warden, Bud Dickey, is looking into this. The grates can be made wider by putting a spacer in. He stated the Department feels there should be three more benches installed at the three bus stops downtown. Mr. Griffin stated if we get approval for release of the interest accumulated at November Town Meeting, we can not do the sidewalk work until next Spring. 3 Board of Public Works Meeting of July 23, 1984 Page 3 Superintendent Fletcher stated we are talking about $9,000.04 to be used in the completion of sidewalk work, before Town Meeting. Supt. Fletcher stated that at the Water Treatment Plant the lime system is still working. He stated we did have a control burn out one day, but that has nothing to do with the pumps. The Supt, stated we have also hired an Essex Agricultural School graduate for the Water Treatment Plant who will be on in about two weeks. Mrs. Wood asked how many weeks have we been on-line working? Supt. Fletcher replied we are in our sixth week. The plant has been running very well. The Superintendent stated we have had several fruitful weeks with C.E. Maguire regarding the new facility on John Street. Supt. Fletcher presented the proposed layout of the offices and department shops as well as the site layout. He stated the Forestry Department presently uses storage facilities at Clear Hill, and he feels we should begin storing this all in one place. Mrs. Wood and Mr. Griffin agreed. Supt. Fletcher stated as a result of this all. of our recreational and park storage will be in the same building. Mr. Griffin stated I urge that a large area for autonomous secured storage be available This area should be fire-proof as well. Supt. Fletcher stated we also added a record room that is fire-proof. Supt. Fletcher stated he received material regarding Civil Defense from John Agnew. Board of Public Works Meeting of July 23, 1984 Page 4 Mrs. Wood offered to read the material and report back to the Board. Mr. Griffin asked is the 20' width the optimum for the welding area. Supt. Fletcher replied 20' is fairly common and very comfortable. Mr. Griffin asked when will we have an introductory Public Hearing? Supt. Fletcher stated I would say that the week after next, we could have a Public Hearing. Mr. Hampson stated I feel we should notify all of the abuttors. The Board next met with Attorney Ken Latham, Marvin Cohen of TASC and Herb Moore, Engineer for TASC, to discuss the application for a curb cut permit by TASC concerning property on the Westerly side of John Street. Attorney Latham presented the proposed site plan to the Board. He explained the application made on behalf of TASC is pursuant to the Reading General By-Laws to allow the creation of a curb cut and access way on property being purchased by TASC Realty Trust from the Town of Reading. He explained the location of the proposed curb cut is substantially in the same location of the existing curb cut where the driveway to the incinerator is located. It was moved and seconded to grant permission for a permanent curb cut to TASC Realty Trust. Mrs. Wood amended the motion to include the vertical curbing at the radii and a duct for possible future traffic lights, and provide a 30 degree sight distance with no plantings over three (3) feet high. The main motion as amended was voted 4:0. Board of Public Works Meeting of July 23, 1984 Page 5 Mr. Hampson read the following letter from Police Chief Edward W. Marchand, in reference to the curb cut; "Upon reviewing the plan for the curb-cut coming out on to John Street, I do not see any appreciable affect upon the traffic flow on John Street and feel that the sight distance in both directions is certainly adequate. I believe that most of the traffic exiting the new development would be turning to the right heading towards Route 128". The Board next discussed the proposed nursing home on North Main Street. Asst. Superintendent Redford stated he met with Bob Connors of Continental Wingate and Attorney Brad Latham on Wednesday, July 18th, at their request, to reivew the Boards requirements and concerns prior to their Board of Appeals Hearing. Mr. Griffin stated at the Board of Appeals Hearing the Fire Department approved the manner of access to the proposed building, but Mr. Griffin is certainly suspicious of its rationale. He stated he would like to go on record with his concerns about the turning radii. He stated he has serious reservations about the access of fire apparatus to this proposed nursing home. Mr. Hampson directed the Department to discuss this further with the Fire Department. Assistant Superintendent William A. Redford joined the meeting at 9:1S P.M. Mrs. Wood asked what is the effect on the turning radius on the South side of the building. Asst. Supt. Redford replied if they move the access road down parallel., they will get the minimum required turning radius. Board of Public Works Meeting of July 23, 1984 Page 6 Mrs. Wood stated I would like specific language that the Town has all authority for the cutting and removing of trees and replacement at their request will be at the owners expense in the easement. Supt. Fletcher stated I think the approach the Board should take is to deny them any trees. Asst. Supt. Redford stated in your language you must state that these trees are Town property. We have the right to replace a tree, but not the obligation. Mrs. Wood suggested to direct the Department to send all of these Agreements and Conditions to the Board of Appeals and ask them to specifically include these in their Order of Conditions. Mr. Griffin asked that the Department get in contact with Town Counsel to discuss our rights regarding holding tanks for sewage. It was moved, seconded and voted 4;0 that Sheet No. 23, Bill No. 25 for a 70% Lateral, for Robert B. & Myrtle L. Murray, 79 Martin Road, Plat 153, Lot 17 in the amount of $285.67 be commited to the Tax Collector and betterments assessed accordingly. It was moved, seconded and voted 4;0 that Sheet No. 23, Bill No. 26, for a 70% Lateral for Robert G. Mallion, 304 Franklin Street, Plat 206, Lot 7 in the amount of $268.80 be commited to the Tax Collector and betterments assessed accordingly. It was moved, seconded and voted 4;0 that Sheet No. 23, Bill No. 27, for a 70% lateral for Anthony D'Antonio, 95 Border Road, Plat 7, Lot 11, in the amount of $252.00 be commited to the Tax Collector and betterments assessed accordingly. Board of Public Works Meeting of July 23, 1984 Page 7 It was moved, seconded and voted 4;0 that Sheet No. 24, Bill. No. 28, for a 100% lateral for stark K. & Linda M. Nichols, 430 Haverhill Street, Plat 166, Lot 3A in the amount of $424.00 be commited to the Tax Collector and betterments assessed accordingly. Under Old & New Business; Mrs. Wood asked the Department to get the communication given to the Planning Board regarding the construction of homes at the end of Pleasant Street. Supt. Fletcher stated the RFP`s for the Hydrogeological Studies of Reading's Groundwater Supply were extended until Friday, July 28th. The Chairman requested a joint Board Meeting for this issue on August 6th. The Board members felt this was inappropriate at this time. Asst. Supt. Redford stated North Reading has issued an Order of Conditions but the Reading Conservation Commission has not received a copy of this. The Board next discussed the letter from the Asst. Supt. of the Engineering Division to D&R Contracting Inc. informing them of his intent to recommend that no future work of this nature be awarded to them due to poor workmanship and inattention to the specified contractual requirements. Supt. Fletcher stated D&R is a difficult company to work with. We are very simply giving the Board ammunition for the next contract period. Mr. Griffin stated I request at the budget season under the appropriate line items that all correspondence be inserted at that time. Mr. Griffin asked have Vining and RESCO worked out to your satisfaction thus far? Board of Public Works Meeting of July 23, 1984 Page 8 Superintendent Fletcher replied Mr. Vining called and apologized for the remarks he made about RESCO. He has also painted his trucks with one foot letters. Everything is working well thus far. The Board signed the Payroll for the period ending July 20, 1984. The meeting adjourned at 10;45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, ecre y TOWN OF READING i MASSACHUSETTS OFFICE OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS MUNICIPAL BUILDING READING, MASS. 01867 DOUGLASS L. BARKER, Chairman BARRY E. HAMPSON, Secretary GAIL F. WOOD ARTHUR POLYCHRONES ROBERT P. GRIFFIN A. V. FLETCHER, P. E., Superintendent July 23, 1984 Middlesex, so The undersigned, Board of Public Works of the Town of Reading, in compliance with the provisions of the General Laws, Chapter 80, as amended by Chapter 63 of the Acts of 1933, hereby certify that the lifts herewith contain the names of persons against whom we have made betterment assessments together with the location of the land benefited by the improvement and the nature and amount of such betterment assessment. Sewer lateral (100%)* *..*...w..**.s...«a$424,00 Totalo*..a.*o**►*..orts.r.s$424.00 Such list is certified to you for the purpose of commiting same to the Tax Collector, as provided by law. WITNESS our hands this twenty-third day of July A„a. 1984. Chairman Secretary c TOWN OF READING k n • o ICp' MASSACHUSETTS OFFICE OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS MUNICIPAL BUILDING READING. MASS. 01867 Middlesex, ss DOUGLASS L. BARKER, Chairman BARRY E. HAMPSON, Secretary GAIL F. WOOD ARTHUR POLYCHRONES ROBERT P. GRIFFIN A. V. FLETCHER, P. E., Superintendent July 23r 1984 The undersigned, Board of Public Works of the Town of Reading, in compliance with the provisions of the General Laws, Chapter 80, as amended by Chapter 63 of the Acts of 1933, hereby certify that the lists herewith contain the names of persons against wham we have made betterment assessments together with the location of the land benefited by the improvement and the nature and amount of such betterment assessment, Sewer lateral (70%) .......................$285.67 Sewer Lateral (70%) .......................$~68.@f! Sewer lateral (70%) .......................$252.00 Total.....•.....w.....~.....$$Q6.A7 Such list is certified to you for the purpose of commiting same to the Tax Collector, as provided by law. WITNESS our hands this twenty-third day of July A.D. 1984. Chairman