HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-04-02 Board of Public Works Minutesc '
Board of Public Works Meetinq of April. 27 1984 Page 9.
A meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room lta,
Municipal Building at 7;34 p.m. Present were Chairman Barker, Board
Members Polychrones and Griffin and Superintendent. Anthony V. Fletcher.
Superintendent Fletcher reported on the recent snow storm and the
progress at the Water Treatment Plant.
He stated the Water Treatment. Plant is going along well. All.
Punch List items; as far as the general contractor, are over with. CDM
has owned up to the fact that they will have to address the chlorine
dioxide room as their responsibility, as well as the lime system. A
report will be forthcoming. They are working on the instruments out there
now. We should be on line tomorrow, at least on an experimental basis, on
lime. One side of the plant will run on lime and one on caustic.
Board Members Wood and Hampson joined the meeting at 7,35 P.M.
Mr. Griffin stated please don't overlook the vent system in the
chlorine room on the first floor. CDK has admitted that is their
responsibility.
Chairman Barker explained that on future information packages on
the agendas no action will. taken unless a member requests action ender
Old and New Business.
Mr. Polychrones stated I want to compliment our new
Superintendent for a job well done at the Water Treatment Plant in such a
short period of time...
Mr. Hampson moved to request a transfer of $35,000 from the
Reserve Fund for Snow & Ice. The motion was seconded.
Superintendent Fletcher stated the storm just gone by cost us a
little over $40,440. We are now out of everything. We feel that we can
get along with this if there is no extraordinary event. I am sure you
t ~
Board of Public Works Meeting of April 2, 1904 Page 2
realize the prices put together were done in haste. This cost includes
Forestry Department funds.
Mrs. Wood suggested some of this money be taken from the Forestry
Department budget. We are now raising the base of the maximum
appropriation for FYOS.
Mr. Griffin stated l am concerned about the reserves for sand and
salt. If additional money is needed for these supplies, we should not
leave ourselves short.
Superintendent Fletcher stated we are comfortable with the amount
of $35,x00.
Mrs. Wood amended the motion to ask the Department to look at
breakouts to keep this at $25,000, with an additional. $10,000 Reserve Fund
Transfer from the Forestry Department. The motion was seconded.
The main motion as amended was voted <<0.
The Board next met with Attorney John Connolly Jr. and Mr. and
Mrs. Thomas McManus, owners of 128 Saab Volvo on John Street in Reading.
The McManus' presented the Board of Selectmen with a petition
signed by 20 registered voters in the Town, which was added to the Warrant
as Article 43, which would allow the Selectmen to negotiate with the
McManus' to buy a portion of Town-owned land on John Street.
Also present was Ben Nichols of the Land Bank Committee.
Attorney Connolly distributed a report outlining the background
of this dealership and the present situation. He stated they do have an
agreement with the Town of Reading so that the Town can enjoy all of the
tax benefits. The agreement with the Town presently does not allow for
the dealership to go on presently owned land. Taxes must be paid in
accordance with the agreement made with the rel.ectmen, whether or not a
building is placed on the site.
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Board of Public Works Meeting of April 1.99.4 Page
The total floor space of the new buildinn would he Ir
feet. There is a set back and side yard problem that wi.l.l have to he
taken up with the Board of Appeals.
We feel the sale of this parcel by the Town wi.l.l generate income
to the Town. There was an appraisal done of $125,000. In addition, if
this land were to be purchased, this would remove it from a non-taxpaying
status. As it stands then, the entire parcel should generate about $7,000
in taxes. We think this is a good financial impact for the Town of
Reading.
He showed plans of the proposed new building and its set-hack on
the road, including provision for substantial increases in customer
parking. He then showed two artists renderings of the new building.
With reference to the site, we considered the interest of the
Town in developing the dump site and how this building wi.l.l impact on
this.
Attorney Connolly stated there is no frontage involved with thi.s
proposed aquisition. We talked to the architect ..and asked him to give us
something to demonstrate an improvement to the Town as people get off
Route 128.
Mr. Polychrones asked if the square footage is required by the
Volvo Company.
Attorney Connolly replied yes, they need the square footage in
order to keep their new status.
Mr. Hampson asked how did they evaluate the assessment?
Attorney Connolly replied the assessment was based on the value
of the land itself. This was valued at $S.50 per square foot of land.
Hoard of Public Works Meeting of April 1.904 Page 4
Mr. Mamoson stated I understand the more profitable a business
i.s. the more taxes the Town can receive. How much taxes will this
development give to the Town?
Attorney Connolly replied the existing building which covers a
land area less than that requested is assessed for $730,000.
Mr. McManus stated I would like to point out that we built -.is
much facility as we could. We had to adhere to the configuration of the
sewer easement. We agreed to construct a building of 7,000 Square feet
back in 1970.
Mr. Ben Nichols of the Land Bank Committee stated presumably yogi
have had a meeting with the Board of Selectmen, what was their reaction?
Mr. McManus stated they suggested that there are other C'oards
that must, in some manner, be spoken with. They suggested strongly that
we go through the various hearings with the various Boards. We have been
the only prospect you have had in the dump area in 15 years..
Mfrs. Wood stated one of the selling points for the original
purchase of the land was the number of cars to he registered in Reading
and therefore the additional excise tax generated. She asked how many new
registrations are in the Town of Reading?
Mfr. McManus stated originally we wanted to give the Town of
Reading the leasing and rent-a-car business and lost the vote at Town
Meeting.
Mr. Nichols asked that Mfr. McManus review the history of the
aquisition, Mfr. McManus said he would.
Chairman Barker thanked them all for coming and the session ended at
8;40 P.M.
Mr. hampson read the Notice of Public. Hearing at r0;40 P.M.
regarding the petition of New England Telephone & Telegraph Co. and the
Board of Public Works Meeting of April 1904 Page E.
Reading Municipal. Light Dept. to install poles on Lilah Lane off M.i.l.l.
Street.
There was one abettor present, Mr. Peter Mahoney of S Mill
Street, and Mr. George Cooley of New England Telephone Co.
There was no representative present from the Reading Municipal.
Light Department.
The plan was not clear to Mr. Mahoney and therefore it was moved,
seconded and voted 5:4 to table the discussion and invite the Light
Department to come in to meet on this at a later time, and notify Mr.
Mahoney.
Mr. Hampson next read the Notice of Public Hearing at 5:45 P.M.
regarding the Petition of the New England Telephone Telegraph Co. and
the Reading Municipal Light Department to install underground conduits and
manholes on Summer Avenue.
Mr. George Cooley of New England Telephone Company was present.
Mr. Cooley explained this is additional conduit which is a syphon
off of the Main Street conduit.
He explained an above-grogâșnd telephone cabinet would be located
at Leach Park., this cabinet could also he used as a sign. He stated this
is a very low voltage transformer, and that normal telephone poles are a
constant maintenance headache.
Mr. Griffin stated last fall when you came before us, we were
going to have a finished job on South Main Street. He stated he has a
series of notes he would like to hand over to the Department because he
doesn't think this job is done and this is very unsafe. He stated he has
some reservations about crossing Summer Avenue in this are=+. lie stated
Board of Public Works Meeting of April 2, 1954 Page 6
he is concerned about the location of the telephone cabinet and whether it
is aesthetically pleasing. He therefore reserved judgement.
Mr. Hampson stated I agree with this. He stated he would like
the phone company to speak with the close abettors to the park.
Mrs. Wood stated I agree, this is a large structure to place
close to the street.
Chairman Barker stated the location and type seems to he a
concern of the Board. The Department should meet with Mr. Cooley and
bring a recommendation back to the Board.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5,0 to table discussion on this
Hearing at 4;44 P.M.
Mr. Griffin stated I feel it is absolutely imperative that the
Department do a very serious walk-through and Punch List of the conditions
of the street at South Main Street.
The Board next discussed the Long Term Solid Waste Disposal
options.
Superintendent Fletcher stated I don't make a recommendation
because there are only two options; Rescoa.nd NESWC. The only one of those
that is easily explained in terms of dollars is Resro, Resco has a fairly
constant escalating factor. In fY07 the tipping fee will be approximately
$21.42.
UOP NESWC has no way to determine a tipping fee now or in the
future. You can only determine this tipping fee when they open this
plant.
Vining Disposal has made an offer. In order to go to either of
these two locations, they are willing to adjust their contract to the
amount of $325,000 and deliver to either site with the Town picking up
Board of Public Works Meeting of April 2, 1984 Page 7
the tipping fee. Both plans can be expected to he readjusted for Calendar
'85. I feel you are trapped into what looks like an inviting proposal
from NESS which is cheaper than your present contract obligation. There
is no assurance, however, of the tipping fee when the plant is opened nor
of the credits.
Mr. Griffin stated I have some feelings about NESWC that we are
constantly buying a risk. I have not seen anything change. I am not at
all happy with that.
I recognize I am extremely attracted by the stipulation of being
able to anticipate a fee that we know constantly what it is going to he.
I think this is a great inducement for the Finance Committee. T think at
the 12th year they will level off and by the 20th year RESCO will be a
better buy for the Town.
Mr. Fletcher stated there are a great number of orations
contractually available from RFSCO in terms of contract lengths. There is
no option of contract time available with NESWC.
Chairman Barker stated one of the things I tried to explore was
ways of reducing the tonnage of rubbish. I looked at five factors:
1. Limiting the number of bags,
2. Locate bulk containers where brush clippings could he
brought,
3. Restrict all construction materials put out by the home-
owner and small businesses;
4. Reinvestigate creating a leaf compost pile,
5. Recycling.
Board of Public Works Meeting of April. 2, 1904 Page O
He stated Mr. Vining highly recommends signing with one of the
disposal sites.
Mr. Griffin stated it is not my impression that limiting tonnage
is in our hest interest when going with NCSWC. Conserving may be a
significant factor except when you are locked intoa certain amount of
tonnage.
Mrs. Wood left the meeting at 9:30 P.M. to meet with the Board of
Selectmen.
Superintendent Fletcher stated the landfill in Plainville is
secure; but I wouldn't be surprised if it closed within two or three
years.
Mr. Vining stated we are comfortable that we will fulfill our
commitment to the Town of Reading in Plainville.
Peg Russell of the Finance Committee stated I think that we would
have to keep the long range situation in mind, but I don't think the
Finance Committee would want you locked into a long term contract without
the benefit of knowing what the costs would be.
Mr. Hampson stated I have a problem with NCSWC in that they are
going to use the Peabody Landfill that I know is in the water supply.
Peg Russell stated you do have the $SO,000 sewer grant that was
not factored into the Finance Committee's guidelines and this might
balance you out.
Mr. Vining stated he has been authorized to reduce his figure to
$312,500. He also stated if we enter into a contract with RFSCO we might
certainly work out a scheduling procedure to avoid back-up times at RESCO-
Chairman Barker stated T suggest we lay this matter on th.= table
until we have heard the proposal from RESCO.
Page 9
Board of Public Works Meeting of April 19(34
Mr. Vining stated I would like to commend the Board for
appointing Superintendent Fletcher, he is very knowledgable and helpful. in
this area.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 that the Board of Public
Works sign and accept the Report of the Laying Out as a Public. Way "Morgan
Park
Mr. Griffin stated I would like to acknowledge the receipt of the
letter from the Melanson's on Criterion Road. I am concerned that the
situation up there is deteriorating.
Chairman Barker stated I am going to contact Mr. Melanson within
the next week or ten days. The bottom line, is that this is a private
way. As a practical matter, any appropriation for accepting this as a
Public Way could not occur before November, and more than likely will
occur at the next Annual Town Meeting. The problem here, I am sure, is
communications.
Mrs. Wood rejoined the meeting at 10:20 P.M.
The Board next discussed the various options regarding the
relocation of the John Street Garage.
Chairman Barker stated before we adjourn tonight I would like
this Board to take a position on any potential option that may come before
Special. Town Meeting.
Superintendent Fletcher showed the Board a plan which supplies a
20 foot easement to Boston Stove and an SO foot right of way to Trancoa.
The total area for BPW operations would be slightly less than 6 acres.
Board of Public Works Meeting of April. 1904 Wage 10
There is no provision in here to move the Department functions into this
facility.
Mr. Griffin asked is the garage also a holding repository for
operational trucks?
Superintendent Fletcher replied much less than now.
Mr. Polychrones stated he felt the Civil Defense Office should
also he incorporated into the new plan.
Mr. Griffin stated the garage maintenance area is heated, and he
would prefer that all the vehicle storage buildings he heated.
Mr. Folychrones asked what about the high pressure wash rack?
Superintendent Fletcher replied it is designed into the building.
Mr. Hampson stated I would like to see the two storage sheds and
salt sheds put in the back of the garage with Forestry Department
operations around the edges.
Marvin Cohen of TASC stated our position has not changed since
the last Town Meeting,
Mr. Griffin stated I want to see a facade that is integrated into
the area, something aesthetically pleasing. I would also like the cost of
heating of the additional two small buildings. I have never been fully
convinced that the tree nursery was absolute to this site.
Superintendent Fletcher stated I don't think that is a critical.
area.
Superintendent Fletcher stated he will get hack to the Board with
a modification of the plan with a new building at the hack of the site.
The next area discussed was across the street in the northwest.
corner of the landfill. The area is about 7 acres, we are losing 2.1
Board of Public Works Meeting of April. 2, 1904 Pace 11
acres with the drainage ditch.
Superintendent Fletcher stated we are proposing 44,000 satiare
feet of building.
Mr. Griffin asked is the building potentially expandable?
Superintendent Fletcher replied yes.
Mr. Griffin stated I would like costs for additional storage
areas factored in and I would strongly suggest both paved and covered
areas.
Superintendent. Fletcher stated I did some informal talking with
the DEQE. We will be able to build on that land unless we run into a
major problem.
Chairman Barker asked the Board if they wish to take a position
on the Articles to be taken to Town Meeting by petition.
Mr. Griffin stated I have maintained since the outset that I dial
not see that realistically there was a viable option. I personally favor
staying on the current site.
Mrs. Wood stated I agree with Bob and unless I see financial
figures that prove the contrary to me, I want to remain at this site.
It was moved, seconded and defeated 0;5 (all. opposed) not to
change anything at the present site.
It was moved, seconded and defeated 1;4 (Mr. Barker, Mr. 11ampson,
Mr. Griffin and Mr. Folychrones opposed) to stay where we are with the
original proposed capital improvements.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4;1 (Mr. Barker opposed) that
the Board support Option A which is a rehabilitation of the original
building, etc. and the 50 foot easement to the Boston Stove side of the
property.
Board of Public Works Meeting of April 1.984 Page 12
It was moved, seconded and defeated 0:0:5 (al.l abstaining) to
construct a new building in the back of the site with sufficient storage
area to take care of the present area and the addition renuired.
It was moved, seconded and defeated 0:1:4 (Mr. Polychrones
opposed, all others abstaining) that the Board vote to support the scheme
across the street in the Landfill for the sum of approximately $3,100,000.
It was moved if the vote of Town Meeting is to reevaluate the
sale of the John Street Garage land, the Board is in favor of relocating
to the Mike Site. The motion was seconded and defeated 0:4:1 (Mr. Griffin
abstained, all others opposed).
It was moved if the vote of Town Meeting is not to reevaluate the
sale of the John Street Garage land, the Board is in favor of relocating
to the triangle at the Landfill Site. The motion was seconded and voted
5110.
It was moved if the vote of Town Meeting is not to reevaluate the
sale of the John Street Garage land the Board is in favor of relocating to
the Dubitzky Property off Salem Street. The motion was seconded and
defeated O:S (all opposed).
It was moved if the vote of Town Meeting is not to reevaluate the
sale of the John Street Garage land the Board is in favor of relocating to
the Adams-Gentile property off Salem Street. The motion was seconded and
defeated 0:4:1 (Mr. Griffin abstained, all others opposed).
The Board signed the Payroll and the Billroll for the period
ending March 30, 1984.
The meeting adjourned at 12:1S A.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
C~
rec. retar