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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-05-01 Board of Public Works Minutes| Board of Publir Works Meeting of May 1, 1984 Page 1 | A meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16, Municipal Building at 7: 00 P.M. Present were Chairman Barker, Board Members Polychrones and Griffin. Superintendent Anthony V. Fletcher and Assistant Superintendent William R. Bergeron. Also present was Chief Edward Marchand of the Reading Police Department. The Board discussed the Avalon Road Subdivision. Present were the developer, Aurele Cormier and the engineer, Peter Ooren. Mrs. Wood joined the meeting at 7' 0,5 P.M. Chairman Barker stated we must give some direction to the developer and his engineer. I don't think everyone had a chance to listen to what everyone else was saying at the last hearing. I feel we should start with the traffic problem first. | Superintendent Fletcher stated since the Department is on record of not being in favor of the street going directly out to West Street, I think you should hear our presentation. Mr. Hampson joined the meeting at 7: 1.0 P.M. Assistant Superintendent Bergeron stated the plan shown on the board is the original conception of the original submittal last September,. The water main is looped to West Street,, Mr, Ogren stated we might propose to cut the maximum street length down to that permissablp. Mr. Bergeron continued that the exit on to West Street was the ! original intent of the developer. He explained the recommended indicated � sight distances for various speeds on West Street. He explained with a 846 traffic counter at this exit on West Street he measured 2, cars� � 8 | � ` Board of Public Works Meeting of May 1, 1984 Page 2 | 46% were going the posted speed limit or less, 40% - 36 - 40 mph 12% - 41 - 45 mph 2% - 46 - SO mph 10 cars were going over S1 mph. The measured in the field s4ght distance is 32O feet before y come to the blind section of West Street. The minimum recommended sight distance for 3S m.p.h. is 350 feet, for 40 m.p.h. is 400 feet, for 45 m.p.h. is 450 feet/ for SO m.p.h. is SOO feet, | Over SS m.p.h. is SSO feet. i �mw Mr. Ogren stated the possibility, exists of an entrance only off West Street. It is possible you could make the street one way. Chief Marchand of the Reading Police Department stated going on past experience, I personally can not see any real problem going out to West Street. Either way it doesn't make any difference if there is a cul-de-sac. As far as the Police Department is concerned, I would like to see traffic go through rather than come out on to Whitehall Lane. He stated the majority of the accidents on West Street involved alcohol and speeding. Superintendent Fletcher stated Mr. Gillis of Pine Ridge Road . stated he is not in favor of the road going out to West Street. SUI | ! Mr. Griffin stated I have several reservations, one is that a cul-de-sac would create the same hazards. I have one single concern - � there is not a safe left turn anywhere in the Town of Reading. / K Q` Board of Public Works Meeting of May 1, 1984 Page 3 Mr. Cormier stated whenever I have visited Mr. Bancroft it is � very difficult to net out of his house because West Street is surh a busy street. Mr. Po}ychrones stated if the two trees were removed near the Bancroft house the line of sight would be greatly improved. He stated he felt the curve shown on the plan was exaggerated. He could not see why it would make any difference to come in here or at South Street. He felt if we put a stone wall on both sides of the new opening to the height of the lower part of a car door window and put reflectors on the wal], people would eventually get educated that this is a new road. Asst. Superintendent Bergeron stated children on bicycles would be obscured by a stone wall. i i | Peter Ogren stated highway design speeds are in excess of the } �&� � posted speeds. Chairman Barker asked what about the idea of planing in the area of County Road? Asst. Superintendent Bergeron replied this causes problems with the thermo-plastic lines. Mrs. Wood stated in all the time I have been on the Board, this is the first dead-end street I have ever recommended. The more streets you have to go through, everyone shares the traffic. I would rather this not go through to West Street unless you could poll the street further west to get any clear kind of sight distance. \ � ' ! � i � / / Board of Poblic Works Meeting of May 11 1984 Page 4 | Cha4rman Barker stated we have three options, 1. Out to West Street, 2. Cul-de-sac with emergency exit to West Street, 3. Out to West Street with entrance moved to the west. Mr. Griffin moved that the plan be approved with the road out to West Street moved in a southerly dirertion. The motion was seconded and voted 4: 1 (Mrs. Wood opposed). The Board next discussed the drainage questions. Assistant Superintendent Bergeron stated he spoke with the Conservation Commission and they have no problem with the installation of a dry pond. Superi.ntendent Fletcher stated the Department is perfectly willing to live with the fact that this is an artificial restriction of the water. Mr. Griffin stated we should address the answers to the legal questions of the piping that was done at Pine Ridge Road. He asked what is the advantage to the abuttors on Pine Ridge Road to havi.ng a dry pond. Mr. Ogren stated they will see drainage improvements on their properties. Mr. Bergeron stated the purpose of the larger pipe is to get the invert from the pond. The lower the pond' the less volume you have to create. Mr. Criffi.n stated the end result i.s that the surface water has been drained down completely. < Mr. Bergeron stated the Town would participate by giving catch ' �mm basins or grat'ps for the work on Pine Ridge Road. Right now there is no ( / way for us to get into this line to clean it. This line may be half � | blocked. � 8 | ` Board of Public Works Meeting of May 1, 1984 Page S � Mr. Ogren stated whether this pond is wet or dry the effects on the water table are essentially the same. Somehow I think these people envision trapping this water. There will be a lowering of the groundwater. I feel that before the decision is made the Board should consider the request of Mr. Franklin for a wet pond. Mrs. Wood asked what kind of pond are we going to get with which size pipe. Mr. Bergeron replied they would he the same no matter what sjze pipe ynu install. Mr. Hampson stated he definitely likes the dry pond approach. Mr. Griffin stated there is another easement pictured on the ' plan. ! / Mr. Bergeron stated yes, we are aware of this. Mr. Ogren replied hydraulically this represents a major improvement to the abuttors. I think this is a maior solution to a drainage problem. It was moved, seconded and voted 5!0 to recommend to the developer to pursue the dry pond approach to draining the Avalon Road project. The Superintendent next reported on the BPW Faci]ity Timetable. He stated this is the best case situation. Everything has to go perfectly smoothly for this to happen. The critical points are; DEQE approval, Conservation Commission approval, town borrowing and consultant timing. . He stated he will be interviewing with Assistant Soperintendents � Bergeron and McIntire down to two or three consultants for the Request for / ��« Propnsals. | i } | Board of Public Works Meeting of May 1. 1984 Paoe 6 Mr. Hampson stated I have a lot of serious questions about this time table. I have a prohlem with the ending date of August 1985. i Superintpndent Fletcher stated I was given a date of September ) 24 1984 that I had to meet / ' . � / Mrs Wood stated the norma] Town Meeting is in November. i . e . | i Superintendent Fletcher stated we will review the RFP's for one | } week. | ' Mrs. Wood stated I would assume these proposals will be reviewed | | by Town Counsel. | / Superintendent Fletcher replied this will be a letter of intent | | subject to Town Cnunsel approval. � / Mr. Criffin stated my first ohservatinn is that I lAke very much / " � what I am hearing. I think we would do a disservice to harness this ^ _ < energy. However/ I feel Town Counsel should be involved at a critical / | point in time. ! � Superintendent Fletcher stated I proposed with this timetable that we use the same form of contract used with CDM. Mr. Griffin stated I have reservations about the October 1 start for construction. I don't know what degree of construction would be done the first of October. T don't like the idea of pouring concrete in the winter months. Mr. Polychrones stated I agree with Bob. J think Tony has done a fantastir 4ob. I approve the tfmetahle. Mr. Hampson stated my foremost reservation is moving trash in � { July and August= I think October 1st is a better time to move the trash. � E I think it is a major consideration to be made that the first bond payment would not become due until 1986. , l � Board of Public Works Meeting of May 1, 1984 Page 7 � � � Superintendent Fletcher suggested: ! �m� � may 1 - Start i | / Oct. 1 - Trash Move | / Dec. 30 - Finish Trash | March 30 - Final Plan ! / i April 9 - Town Meeting / � He stated however, we will not be able to go before November Town Meeting i � with this schedule. � Mr. Hampson stated the trash is my maior prob]pm. He also stated two weeks to generate an RFP is very diffirult. He also felt hearings are necessary for review of this. . � Mrs Wood stated before you do any trash removal please consider , a rodent extermination program. Chairman Barker stated I like what I see on this schedule. I � would suggest that you continue on this schedole, and as a first cut tonight' this is a great Job. I know the Superintendent will take the concerns of all members of the Board into consideration. Chairman Barker asked that all, minutes regarding the John Street project should be extracted and put intn a separate file folder. Mr. Polychrones stated the Space Committee voted to recommend to Town Meeting that we move to the new facility, including the Civil Defense Department and our own storage area. Chairman Barker asked Mr. Polychrones to contact the Board of � Selectmen and ask them to advise Superintendent Fletcher in writing they � � wish the Civil Defense Department housed at the new facility. � | . � � � ` / - � ' � � Board of Public Works Meeting of May 17 1984 Page 8 | Mrs. Wood asked can we discuss this after Town Meeting on K N�N Thursday, I understand the Space Committee is gofng to discuss this issue on Thursday night. Mr. Griffin stated I suggest that the Superintendent direct a general letter to al] Boards with a specific request for any requests for space that they may have at this new facility. Chairman Barker stated I think the memo should come from this Board to the Space Committee with copies to all other Boards. Mr. Griffin stated I want every avenue investigated. Mrs. Wood stated I feel the initial contact shoold he made with the Space Committee. Mr. Hampson stated I agree with Gail . | � , Mr. Griffin stated what equipment needs to be duplicated in the | new site? I want this in writing. I want a statement on the number of | personnel thAt must he left behind and any justification you may have for keeping admi.nistrat ive and customer service people you need to leave behind. Mr. Polychrones stated the Space Committee has included 2?0 square feet of office space at the Town Hall. Superintendent Fletcher reported that New England Telephone Company has withdrawn the request to install the telephone terminal at Leach Park. 7t was moved, seconded and voted 5: 0 to accept this as a point of informat�on � ~ ! ^ i / ( i \ > | ' K A | � | � ' Board of Public Works Meeting of May 1, 1984 Page 9 The Board next reviewed the Board of Health - Water Analysis for � N�N 113 Hopkins Street. M. Jane Callahue' Health Director' indicated that the results present evidence of coliform contamination of a non-fecal origin. This analysis indicates that sewerage is not seeping into the yard or stream on the Carison property. Superintendent Fletcher stated he does not believe this to be the Town's problem. However, he will be doing smoke testing in the area and will perform another fecal coliform test in the area. Chairman Barker instructed the Department to apprise Mrs. Carison of these facts. The Board next discussed the Water Treatment Plant plaque. After a lengthy discussion, it was decided to include all members | � of the BPW from 1981 to present as well as Superintendent E. Roger | ��| | Louanis | ^ The Board next reviewed the correspondence to and from the Reading Conservation Commission regarding the North Reading - Drinkwater Development. Mrs. Wood stressed that we must make sure we protect our water supply. She stated she would like a strong push for the monitoring well system. She feels the Board should take a strong stand on this. Superintendent Fletcher stated he would certainly address these problems. Chairman Barker stated he will be delivering a very short report to Town Meeting on the status of the downtown project. ' l ^ �N� i | | | | | | ; . ! Board of Public Works Meeting of May 1� 1984 Pae 10 � 'o � � It was moved, seconded and voted 5O as a result of payment of water and sewer bills within the time allowed for discount, to abate for the Town Collectors records $79,679.85 �n Water and $3S 76S 7S in Sewer | : ^ | / / for the commitments dated 7-1-827 10-1-82, 1-1-83 and 4-1-83. | | It was moved, seconded and voted S:O that Sheet No. 217 Bill No. | ! / 23' dated April 30, 1984 for a 70% lateral, for Walter S. & Jerush P. / Paskowsky, 38 Selfridge Road, Plat 97 Lot 24 in the amount of $21S 6O be � ' ' . � � committed to the Tax Collector and betterments assessed accordingly. � � It was moved, seconded and voted YO that Sheet No. 227 Bill No. 247 dated May 17 1984 for a 70% lateral, for Robert D. Surette, 64 Dividence Road, Plat 207, Lot 8, in the amount of $182.00 be committed to � / the Tax Collector and betterments assessed accordingly. U The meeting adjourned at 11: 1O P.M. : �mr | Respectfully submittedr i Secreta | � } / � � �� i DOUGLASS L. BARKER, Chairman BARRY E. HAMPSON, Secretary TOWN OF READING OFFICE OF GAIL F. WOOD ARTHUR POLYCHRONES BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS ROBERT P. GRIFFIN i A. V. FLETCHER, P.E., Superintendent • MUNICIPAL BUILDING .It o eJ•iMce�ta'� READING. MASS. 01867 May it 1984 MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, an The undersigned,, Board of Public Works of the Town of Reading, in compliance with the provisions of the General Lars, Chapter 80, as nded by Chapter 63 of the Acta of 1933, hereby certify that the lists 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 (708) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . e . . . . • .$182.00 Tbtal. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$182*00 Such list is certified to you for the purpose of ccrosmiting same to the Tax Collector, as provided by law. WITLESS our hands this first day of May 1984 A.D. Chairman Secretary DOUGLASS L. BARKER, CWatr OFFICE OF BARRY E. HAMPSON, Searehry TOWN OF READING GAIL R WOOD ARTHUR POLYCHRONES BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS ROBERT P. GRIFFIN MUNICIPAL BUILDING A. V. FLETCHER, P.E., Super[.t..d—t ? } s � READING, MASS. 01867 n,nn� MASSACHUSETTS April 30, 1984 Middlesex, ss The undersigned, Board of Public Works of the Town of heading, in compliance with the provisions of the General Laws, Chapter 00, as amended by Chapter 63 of the Acts of 1933, hereby certify that the lists aerewith contain the names of persons against whom we have made betterment assessments toghsher with the location of the land benefited by the improvement and the nature and amount of such betterment assessment. Sewer lateral (709) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$215.60 Total. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$215.60 Such list is certified to you for the purpose of comiting same to the Tax Collector, as provided by law. WITNESS our hands this thirtieth day of 7y ri1 1904 A.D. Chairman _ _Secretary