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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-09-10 Board of Public Works Minutes Board of Public Works Meeting of Sepiamher 10, 1984 Pane 1 A meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room Sb, Municipal Building at 7:30 P.M. Present were Chairman Barker, Secretary Hampson, Board Members Wood and Griffin, Superintendent A.V. Fletcher and Assistant Superintendent William A. Redford. It was moved, seconded and voted 3:0:1 (Mrs. Wood abstaining) to accept the minutes of the Board of Public Works Meeting of August. 20, 1984 as amended. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to accept the minutes of the Board of Survey meeting of August 20, 1984 as amended. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to accept the minutes of the Board of Public Works meeting of August 27, 1984 as amended. Under the Superintendent's Report: Supt. Fletcher stated the borings an John Street are well underway. We are planning a presentation on September 24th on the final layout of the whole complex. He has made arrangements to start moving fill on or about October 1st, with or without the help of the National Guard. He stated he is meeting with D.E.O.E. at the site tomorrow. (September 11). He stated he has found methane waste in the peat below the trash, but of a very low level. He stated they will, however, have monitors on the job when they do the moving. He stated the Engineering Department is preparing specifications for relocating drainage and sewer lines to go out to bid. He stated he proposes to do the trench and drain relocation in the winter. He stated we are slightly ahead of our design schedule. Supt. Fletcher explained about the Civil Defense areas and stated it may be possible to apply to the E.O.C. for a grant of up to 50% for certain expenditures. Soard of Public Works Meeting of September 10, 1954 Fags 2 Regarding the Water Treatment Plant; Supt. Fletcher stated the quality of the water gets better every weak. We have, however, determined the new ferric pumps are not working properly. Wallace & Tiernan will install new pumps with digital readouts. They are also going to install a new chlorine dioxide transfer system. Mr. Griffin stated in the past we have used D.L. Maher as experts in this field and I have some difficulty knowing there is some significant tie between the Maher interest and the Drink water property. He urged the Department to look at any possible conflicts. Supt. Fletcher stated I haven't been able to come up with a relationship between D.L. Maher and the Drinkwater property. Mr. Griffin stated perhaps the proposal sent out should have some sort of statement regarding conflict of interest. Supt. Fletcher stated I feel we have a barrier to that with the M&E report. Regarding the Hydrogeologic Study, Supt. Fletcher stated the comprehensive test of our combined well water samples were taken last week and we are checking for all the major pollutants as well as heavy metals. I can honestly say that I have no suspicion of V.D. 's in our water. Spaulding & Slye is proposing to file an E.N.F. on September 13. Mr. Griffin stated part of the project under the M&E study is to delineate the cone of influence. Supt. Fletcher replied yes, but we are not positive about where this cone of influence extends. Mr. Griffin stated I feel this should be defined as the Ipswich River + 50 feet north for the purpose of identifying a baseline to be used to determine the 1000 foot buffer. Board of Public Works Meeting of September 10, 7.484 Page 3 Mrs. Wood asked if anyone had heard from the I.R.W.A. Supt. Fletcher replied yes. Mr. Griffin stated I asked that a specific library be established and all of this information be immediately available Supt. Fletcher replied yes, there will be a notebook of this information available to you at all times. Supt. Fletcher stated the plague for the water treatment plant is due around the 20th, and he will keep the Board posted. Mr. Hampson stated if we had extra water to pipe into North Reading, who is having problems with their water, they would have more of a vested interest in our water supply. Supt. Fletcher stated we have agreed to share all information ' with the North Reading Conservation Commission. I feel they should show that they are better managers of their own well system. Mrs. Wood stated I understand if you can identify the source of pollution, there is some funding available from the State to go after that source for clean-up funds. Mr. Griffin asked that a copy of this Bill, if available, be procured from Charlie Costello of the Conservation Commission and a copy be on file with Town Counsel so that we have some way of planning a strategy. Mr. Hampson felt that someone in Reading should he dealing directly with the firms in North Reading. Under Chairman's Comments: Chairman Barker stated a Water and Sewer Newsletter will be sent out with the October water bills. ' Board of Public Works Meeting of September 10, 1984 Page 4 ' Chairman Barker stated the following will be on the next few meeting agendas: Sept. 17th - Quick review of operations Sept. 24th - John St. presentation by C.E. Maguire Sept. 27th - Board of Survey Hearings and Review of B. of S. Rules & Regulations Mr. Griffin asked that the memo regarding security at the well fields be sent to the Conservation Commission. The Board next discussed the Proposed Driveway Widening and Curb Cut applications. Asst. Supt. Redford stated the department has received three requests for curb cuts/driveway widenings. Mr. Redford did not recommend ' the Board grant permission for any of these requests. The first request was from the Reading Diner for a widening of an existing two (2) car width entry (on Ash Street) to a six (b) car width area. Currently this area is posted as "no parking" wither side (due to the narrow road width). Mr. Griffin felt this was undesirable and a hazardous condition for access from Ash Street. Mrs. Wood stated I agree with Bob and felt this is not reasonable. Mr. Hampson stated I looked at all of these and have found many violations of this nature. It was moved, seconded and defeated 0:4 to accept the request by ' the Reading Diner for an additional 72 foot curb cut on Ash Street for entrance to a parking area. Hoard of Puhlic Works MPetinn of September 10; 1984 Page S II E The second request was from the owners of 34 Green Street to widen a shared two (2) car width entry to allow parallel parking on the existing concrete sidewalk area. Mrs. Wood stated both 34 and 90 Green Street were similar requests. Green Street is a very narrow street. I think there would be problems with snow plowing. Perhaps these people should he notified that the Middle Street parking lot is open for overnight parking in the winter. It was moved, seconded and defeated 0:4 to accept the request by the petitioner of 34 Green Street. It was moved, seconded and defeated 0:4 to accept the request by the petitioner of 90 Green Street. The Board next. discussed Asst. Supt. Redford's recommendations ' for policy concerning access to public ways. After much discussion and amendments to his recommendations, Chairman Barker asked that Mr. Redford redraft his proposal and have Mr. Polychrones consider the subject matter and discuss it on next weeks agenda for a final vote. The Board next discussed the Licensed Drain Layer Request. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to grant M.J.W. Contracting approval as a Licensed Drain Layer subject to the following: A. Submission of acceptable street bond. B. Submission of acceptable Certificate of Insurance. C. Payment of $25 license fee; and D. Subject to a 12 month review on their construction methods ' and compliance with the Department's specifications. Chairman Barker went on record to say he is dissatisfied with the condition of Lilah Lane as it now exists. i Board of Public Works Meeting of Septemher 1.0, 1984 Page 6 i ' Regarding the delegation of the approval of contractors to the Department in the future, Chairman Barker stated that the automatic appeal process to the Board should be added to this policy as well. After discussion, the Board felt this policy discussion should be brought up on next weeks agenda. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to award Contract 84-15 - Traffic Lines and Markings to Markings, Inc. of Pembroke, Ma. in accordance with their bid in the amount of $4,928.00 subject to their procurement of the required payment bond, performance bond and certificate of insurance. The Board next discussed articles for November Town Meeting. The warrant will close on September 24th. The following articles will be ' drafted by the department at the Boards' request: 1. John Street sewerage 2. John Street drainage 3. Cemetery War Memorial 4. State Highway (rant Reimbursement Chapter 236 S. Chapter 732 6. Abandonment of roadway at Pearl & Audubon Rd. Chairman Barker stated the following reports should he presented to Town Meeting: 1. Water/Water Treatment Plant 2. John St. Facility Progress Report 3. Summarization of Evaluation Process (tied possibly to ' John Street facility) Board cf Public Wnrks McPtinn of Sept Pmber 7.0, 1984 Page 7 ' Chairman Barker stated the Recreation Committee should be scheduled to meet with the Board on October 15th. The Board next discussed the memo from Supt. Fletcher regarding Sewer Permits policy. After much discussion, Mr. Griffin stated this policy has to protect the whole Town and we should start with the recognition of the greatest impact (the commercial area). Chairman Barker stated I would like to adopt a Town-wide policy as soon as possible. Supt. Fletcher stated I will write this up with a recommended 2-1 ratio and give it to Town Counsel for review and report back to the Board. The Board next discussed the petitions from Criterion Road, ' Eastway, F Street and Pine Avenue for acceptance as public ways. After such discussion, it was decided the Criterion Road hearing would be held in January 1985. The other three will be scheduled for October 1984. The Board next discussed the petition for a house moving to Forest Street which would involve moving the house across the Coolidge Jr. High back lawn. Mrs. Wood was concerned about the protection of this field. Supt. Fletcher stated he would write a letter to the Ryans as well as speak with Ron Winslow of the School Department. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 that Sheet No. 25, Bill No. 29, for Frank and Edna Kudaroski, 5 Timberneck Drive, Plat 146 Lot 56 ' dated 9-10-84 in the amount of $323.40 be comeited to the Tax Collector and betterments assessed accordingly. 1 Board of Public Works Meeting of September 10, 1984 Page 8 Under Old and New Business; Mrs. Wood asked that the letter from Glenn H. Matthews, stating that Vining Disposal Co. is doing a good job of trash collection, be attached to these minutes. Chairman Barker asked that the Department contact Vining Disposal Co. and ask them to be more specific with their bills in the future. The Board discussed the letter from William H. Diamond regarding his complaints on water quality. Mr. Griffin suggested this be handled very diplomatically and advise him the Water quality has, in fact, gotten better. The Board decided to have the function evaluation discussion on September 17th. ' The Board signed the Payroll and the Billroll for the period ending September 7, 1984. The meeting adjourned at 11:00 P.N. Respectfully submitted, Secret y Glenn H.Matthews,94 Prospect Street,Reading,Massachusetts 01867 tW :OF DAugust 16, 1984 /��ADING Board of Public Works 181 John Street Reading, MA 01867 Gentlemen: I wanted to congratulate you and say thanks for selecting the disposal company now servinq the town. The people working for it have a much better attitude than the employees of the previous firm. For example, this past Tuesday when I heard the truck coming up the street at 8:30, I grabbed a couple of trash bags and started running down the driveway with them, just as the truck arrived at the house across the street. The driver spotted me and immediately leapt down from the cab and relieved me of my burden. He didn't have to do that, but I sure appreciated it. When a similar situation occurred with the company you used previously, the employees swore at me and muttered something about "getting the stuff out on time." Many thanks, Glenn H. Matthews President GHM:jft DOUGLASS L. BARKER, Chairman OFFICE OF BARRY E. HAMPSON, Secretary TOWN OF READING GAIL F. WOOD ' ARTHUR POLYCHRONES BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS ROBERT P. GRIFFIN r + A. V. FLETCHER, P.E., Superintendent k ee MUNICIPAL BUILDING READING, MASS. 01867 MASSACHUSETTS September 10j, 1984 middlesex, sal The undersigned,, card of Public ldorks of the Town oi ?teadingf in compliance with the previsions of the General Laws, Cxaa;:iter 80, as amendad by Chapter 063 of the :acts of 1933, hereby cartif,j tl—i tt t. e lists herewith contain do nam 'a of persons against *171om :,ra havfa made betterment assessments together with t,,I-: location ref t ".:: lan," o^. afitf-" by in2rovement and the nature and amount oz sucA >t.terment assessment. Sewer lateral (70%) . . 00 • 0 . 00000000 , 4r0r • • . • . . 323.49 Such list is certified to you for the purpose of comia.iting same to the Tax Collactor, ,as Provided by caw. N'?sIN';aS ott".' ':>an-1s t li:, tenth . y of Snptcwnber 1934 A.D. C ecretary