HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-05-21 Board of Public Works MinutesBoard of Public Works Meeting of May 21, 1984 Page 1
A meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16,
Municipal Building at 7:30 P.M. Present were Chairman Barker, Secretary
Hampson, Board Member Griffin and Superintendent Anthony V. Fletcher.
It was moved, seconded and voted 3:0 to accept the minutes of the
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 1, 1984 as amended.
It was moved, seconded and voted 3:0 to accept the minutes of the
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 7, 1984 as written.
It was moved, seconded and voted 3:0 to accept the minutes of the
Executive Session Meeting of May 7, 1984 as written and that they remain
in private privy.
It was moved, seconded and voted 3:0 to accept the minutes of the
Board of Survey Meeting of May 8, 1984 as amended.
Mrs. Wood joined the meeting at 7:40 P.M.
Secretary Hampson read the Notice of Public Hearing at 7:45 P.M.
regarding the petition of the Reading Municipal Light Department
(R.M.L.D.) to install underground conduits, conductors and such fixtures
as are necessary to install underground conduits, conductors and such
fixtures as are necessary to sustain and protect a line for the
transmission of electricity, including permission to excavate for the
aforementioned purposes, upon, along, under and across the following
public ways;
Lowell Street.
Jim Blomley of R.M.L.D. explained this petition is to tie their
underground facilities together. At present, underground construction
ends at Parkman Road and at grove and Willow Streets.
This petition is requesting underground construction between
these two points.
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 21, 1984 Page 2
This work will include no new poles on Lowell Street.
Mr. Griffin asked where on the roadway this construction would be
taking place.
Mr. Blomley replied most of the work would be performed in the
tree lawn area and all portions of the work would be restored to its
present state.
Chairman Barker stated that any place there is a paved surface it
should be replaced full-width overlay.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to close the Hearing.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to grant this petition of
the R. M. L. D.
Under Item 3 of the Agenda, the Chairman stated he had no
comments and the Board moved on to the Superintendent's Report.
Superintendent Fletcher stated he and the two Assistant
Superintendents visited several new Public Works Facilities in the State.
The facility in Fairhaven, Ma. was an excellent building and a superb
public works garage. All functions of the DPW were under one roof and
worked out well, with a superb set up. However, the cost of this building
was well over what we should expect to pay for. The design was very well
done.
The Superintendent reported we started the digging of the test
pits today - all to a depth of 25 feet. These pits certainly prove the
landfill has been well managed and maintained. The odor was suprisingly
"clean" if there is such an expression. There was some gas, but not as
much as was expected, probably due to the presence of so much earth
material. He did find the floor of the landfill to be in the range of 75.
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 21, 1984 Page 3
Everything at the landfill has proceeded well.
DEGE has informed us that the moving of the trash will not be
subjected to a full environmental hearing, however, we will have a hearing
with them on modification of the closing plan.
Secretary Hampson read the Notice of Public Hearing at 8:00 P.M.
regarding the petition of the R.M.L.D. to install underground conduits,
conductors and such fixtures as are necessary to sustain and protect a
line for the transmission of electricity, including permission to excavate
for the aforementioned purposes, upon, along, under and across the
following public ways;
Lowell Street.
Mr. Blomley of the Light Department was present and explained
this is an extension of the underground facilities installed last summer.
We finished halfway up on the cemetery property - this will be an
extension up to Middlesex Avenue. This gives us access to our two
overhead systems on Lowell Street and on Middlesex Avenue.
All members of the Board expressed a concern about the
restoration of the sidewalks to their original condition.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to close the hearing.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to approve this petition of
the R.M.L.D. dated January 9.
Superintendent Fletcher next reported the lime system at the
water treatment plant is again not operating. He stated he is not sure if
the problem is a start-up procedure or something drastically wrong with
the pumps.
Today two or possibly three people stopped us and commented on
the good quality of the water, since the completion of the flushing
program.
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 21, 1984 Page 4
Mr. Griffin expressed concern over the condition of the lime
slaker.
Chairman Barker read a communication from the Industrial
Development Committee dated May 16, 1984 regarding the impact of the DPW
being relocated to the landfill site to future development of the rest of
the site. The IDC requested a meeting with the Board.
Chairman Barker instructed the Superintendent to write to the IDC
and request theymeet with the Board in two to three weeks and secondly
that the IDC request in writing their specific questions so the Department
can prepare a response.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to approve the Weather
Services Contract for FY85 - July 1, 1984 to June 30, 1985 in the amount
of $1,045.00, and that the Superintendent be authorized to sign for the
Board.
Secretary Hampson read the Notice of Public Hearing at 8:15 P.M.
regarding the petition of the R.L.M.D. to install underground conduits,
conductors and such fixtures as are necessary to sustain and protect a
line for the transmission of electricity including permission to excavate
for the aforementioned purposes, upon, along, under and across the
following public ways:
Salem Street
James Blomley of the R.M.L.D. informed the Board this work is an
extension of the existing system we installed last summer. This takes us
from Harnden and Salem down to Harrison Street. This gives us a complete
system right through the center of Town.
Mr. Griffin asked how long the trench areas for the two conduits
would be left open.
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 21, 1984 Page 5
Mr. Blomley stated at least one day, but with problems it could
take three days, however, at all times the area would be steel plated.
Chairman Barker went on record to say Salem Street should be
returned to the same condition with centerline and thermoplastic striping.
Mrs. Wood stated she had problems with rush hour traffic on these
busy streets.
Mr. Blomley stated generally speaking, we would attempt to open
this on a weekend, traffic is just as difficult for us.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to close the hearing.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to grant this petition to
the R. M. L. D.
The Board reviewed the memo from the Superintendent regarding the
suggested RESCO contract dates of July 1, 1984 to June 30, 1995.
Chairman Barker stated he has been in contact with Russell Graham
of the Finance Committee - he will call Doug to arrange a date for the
Board to meet with the full Finance Committee to discuss this matter. Peg
Russell of Finance Committee stated she would support the 11 year time
frame for the reasons that the BPW discussed.
He stated we should plan on meeting with the Finance Committee
next week.
Mr. Griffin suggested the Board bring a handout of a couple of
paragraphs summarizing the steps from Town Meeting to the acceptance of
the RESCO contract, including the Boards' rationale for accepting the 11
year plan, to be given to Nancy Graham, Clerk of the Finance Committee.
Mrs. Wood moved, and it was seconded, that the Board approve the
RESCO contract dates of July 1, 1984 to June 30, 1995 to be concurrent
with other participating communities. The motion was voted 4:0.
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 21, 1984 Page b
William Redford of the Engineering Division gave the Board an
update on the Conservation Commission meeting. He stated the DPW
presented the plan to relocate the ditch around the corner of the landfill
on John Street. They didn't appear to have any problems with that, since
all we are really doing is re-routing an existing ditch. They cautioned,
however, that any building in that area may be a concern. Mr. Redford
reminded them of DEGE's regulations and that we would comply with them.
Regarding the test pits in the landfill, Mr. Redford explained
they were very homogeneous and the clay washing covers appear to be
working very satisfactorily. The test pit located on the old Tree & Moth
building location was about six feet of peat and then hit gravel.
Superintendent Fletcher stated that because the material in the
landfill is so well compacted, he is now less concerned about bridging the
structure.
Mr. Griffin moved to accept the Vining Contract in the amount of
$312,511.00 and sign it when properly executed. The motion was seconded.
It was moved, seconded and voted 3:0 to table the motion.
It was moved, seconded and voted 3:0 to rescind the contract in
the amount of $492,000 to Vining Disposal for collection and transport to
the landfill.
It was moved, seconded and voted 3:0 to take the previous motion
off the table.
Mr. Griffin amended the main motion to include the collection of
Reading's trash with disposal at RESCO, pending funding.
The main motion as amended was voted 4:0.
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 21, 1984 Page 7
Under Old & New Business:
Superintendent Fletcher asked the Board to approve the Sanborn
Village Subdivision Plan Phase II.
Mr. Hampson moved that the Board of Survey approve the
subdivision plans for Sanborn Village Phase II subject to the following
conditions:
1. That a Covenant Agreement satisfactory to the Board of Survey
be executed by the applicant.
2. That a Conveyance of Easements and Utilities be granted.
3. That the end of the new roadway will have an acceptable
temporary pavement to prevent erosion and ease plowing
operations.
The motion was seconded and voted 3;0:1 (Mrs. Wood abstaining).
Chairman Barker felt the naming of the new street should be
addressed as soon as possible.
Mr. Hampson stated the Citizens Advisory Committee approved the
new MDC Pumping Station.
Chairman Barker read a letter from Carl Amon of the Cemetery
Department requesting that the area of the War Memorial on Lowell Street
to be under the jurisdiction of the Cemetery Department, in view of its
location and the fact that it is dedicated to those who served and died in
the armed services.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 that the Superintendent
write a letter to Mr. Amon stating that his request has the approval of
the BPW and will be presented to Town Meeting upon completion of
arrangements between the two Boards. Also, money for restoration is
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 21, 1984 Page 8
available from the Chapter 732 Downtown Grant and upon submittal of a
planting plan prepared by the Cemetery Department the work can be
completed quickly. The only restriction required is that planting be
planned in a manner that pedestrian and vehicular sight distance is not
obscured.
Chairman Barker next asked for Board Members vacation plans.
After discussion, it was decided the summer meeting schedule would be as
follows; June 4, June 11, June 14, June 18, June 25, July 9, July 12, July
23, August b, August 9, August 20 and September 10.
Chairman Barker then gave the Board a rough agenda for the summer
months' meetings.
It was also decided that for the summer months, all board
meetings would begin at 8;00 P.M.
Chairman Barker next stated he could not find anywhere in
Roberts' Rules of Order a statement that the Chairman could not make
motions. However, under miscellaneous, it states motions could be made by
the Chairman if no one objects and if this could expedite time and is
routine.
Chairman Barker stated he would refrain from making motions in
the future except in unusual circumstances.
The Board signed the Payroll and Billroll for the period ending
May 18, 1984.
Mr. Hampson moved, and it was seconded that the Board go into
Executive Session to discuss personnel matters, not to reconvene in open
session and the Chairman polled the Board as follows;
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 21, 1984 Page 9
Mr. Griffin - aye
Mrs. Wood - aye
Mr. Hampson -aye
Mr. Barker - aye
The meeting adjourned at 9;30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
ec ret y