HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-08-27 Board of Public Works MinutesI.-- .
Board of Public Works Meeting of August 27, 1984 Page i
A meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16,
Municipal Building at 7:50 P.M.
Present were Chairman Barker, Secretary Hampson, Board Member
Polychrones and Superintendent A.V. Fletcher.
It was moved, seconded and voted 3:0 to accept the minutes of the
Board of Public Works Meeting of August 13, 1984 as written.
Under the Superintendents' Report:
The Superintendent discussed the C.E. Maguire Outside Services
Contract for borings and boring services only.
Supt. Fletcher stated the price is well within our estimate and
is reasonable. He stated he would like the Board to authorize him to sign
the Contract. He added that in conjunction with this he has toured the
site with his staff and with the National Guard 101st Engineering Group
who are interested in helping us move the trash. He stated he would report
back to the Board on this at a later date.
Chairman Barker stated he would like the subcontractor, Guild
Drilling, paid directly for the cost of borings and observation wells.
It was moved, seronded and voted 3:0 to authorize the
Superintendent on behalf of the Board to sign the contract with C.E.
Maguire for the exploration work detailed in their August 15, 1984 letter.
Supt. Fletcher stated we have a problem with our wells. He stated
he does not have this in writing, but received a verbal report from the
State that the well at Hallberg Park is worse. He stated he is meeting
tomorrow with D.L. Maher to set up a strategy with the State. He stated
he is asking the Board to approve an expenditure of about $2,000.00 to do
a comprehensive water analysis of our well water.
Mfrs. Wood joined the meeting at 8:10 P.M.
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Board of Public Works Meeting of August 27, 1984 Page 2
It was moved, seconded and voted 3:0:1 (Mr. Hampson abstaining)
that the Superintendent order a complete volatile organics testing as he
sees fit in the approximate amount of $2,000.00 and to plan on this as a
regular budget item.
Mr. Griffin joined the meeting at 8:20 P.M.
Under Chairman's comments:
Chairman Barker stated this Thursday the Department will take
bids on the traffic line painting contract. In order to expedite the
process the Department will be contacting each of you by phone.
The Board next discussed the Draft Agreement between Metcalf &
Eddy and the Town of Reading, Ma.
Mrs. Wood stated this should be written between the Town of
Reading, Board of Public Works and Metcalf & Eddy.
Mr. Griffin stated the payment to M&E should not exceed $15,000.
The Board next went through the Contract and made recommended
changes.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4;0:1 (Mr. Hampson abstaining)
to designate A.V. Fletcher, P.E., as the Town's representative for this
contract with Metcalf & Eddy.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0:1 (Mr. Hampson abstaining)
to accept the Draft Agreement as a point of information.
Under Old and New Business:
Chairman Barker asked that the Department draft a formal policy
for contractors and utilities dealing with repair of road openings so that
there is a standard format.
Chairman Barker asked that the Department draft a formal policy
Board of Public. Works Meeting of August 27, 1984 Page 3
for adoption by the Board of Survey dealing with the elimination of the
option not to hold preliminary subdivision hearings.
Mrs. Wood requested that a written opinion from Town Counsel be
given.
The Board next discussed the Petition and Agreement for Permanent
Type Curbing from Mary M. Hines of 99 Oak Street.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to grant the petition of
Mary Hines of 99 Oak Street
to install. permanent granite curbing subject
to the additional condition
(in addition to
the conditions included in the
petition form) that no work
will begin until
the new pavement has hardened
and cooled.
Under Old & New Bus
iness:
Mrs. Wood stated if
any future land
goes to Tax Title that the
Board of Public Works give a
brief statement
about the buildability of the
land.
She stated she also felt the Board of Selectmen should hire a
part-time helper for the Building Inspector.
She stated she would also like the Superintendent to find out if
we have the power to make the "Approval Not Required" Stamp have an
expiration date.
Mr. Griffin stated he would like the department to make every
effort possible to see that rocks or barriers be placed around any areas
in the well field used for dumping that may be illegal.
Regarding the letter from Chief Marchand on the reconstruction of
Franklin Street; Mrs. Wood asked that the Chief be advised we have had a
hearing on this before. The only way to alleviate these problems is by
widening the road, and the only way that can be accomplished is by land
takings.
Hoard of Public Works Meeting of August 27, 1984 Page 4
The Hoard next discussed the Superintendents evaluations of
functions of the various DPW Departments.
Mr. Hampson stated I feel that at Town Meeting this Spring we
were asked to look at ourselves and our space needs.
Chairman Harker stated I have sat with the Superintendent on this
subject matter and it is my intent, subject to Hoard approval, to deliver
in a report to Town meeting members an overall summary conclusion of the
results of what we find. He felt we should also inform Town meeting that
L.E.A. wanted $35,000 - $40,000 to conduct this evaluation.
Mr. Griffin stated I feel that a visual. presentation should be
made to Town meeting to demonstrate the decline and levelling of personnel
for the past ten years. He stated that perhaps graphs should be done
regarding services contracted out. He stated contracting services have at
this time reached the optimum level for cost-effectiveness. This should
also be pointed out to the Town meeting members.
The Hoard first discussed the Administration function.
Mr. Griffin stated this staff has been evaluated and found to be
extremely effective in that all parts of the puzzle fit nicely together in
that each person is trained and capable of assisting each other in office
matters and administrative matters.
The Hoard next discussed the Engineering function.
Mr. Hampsnn stated he thought each hoard member should study one
aspect of the entire operation to present to Town Meeting. He also stated
we should emphasize that for the most part for our construction projects
we are in fact General Contractors saving 15% of mark-up for the Town.
Mrs. Wood wanted to know how much personnel time is involved in
subdivision control review.
Board of Public Works Meeting of August 27, 1984 Page S
The Board next reviewed the Water Treatment Plant function.
Mr. Griffin stated I think the water study to be done will add
substantial data to this document. He stated he has problems with
scheduling and overtime at this plant. He thinks we should include in the
report the nature of the overtime at the treatment plant and the rationale
for its usage.
Mr. Hampson stated I an wondering if we should hire a chemist on
a full-time basis to control. our water.
Supt. Fletcher stated your next Supervisor will be a chemist.
The Board signed the payroll and the bill.roll for the period
ending August 24, 1984.
The meeting adjourned at 10:5S P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Sec re ry
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