HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-06-04 Board of Public Works MinutesBoard of Public Works Meeting of June 4, 1984 Page 1
A meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16,
Municipal Building at 8:00 P.M. Present were Chairman Barker, Secretary
Hampson, Board Members Polychrones and Griffin and Assistant
Superintendent Edward D. McIntire, Jr.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to accept the minutes of the
Board of Public Works meeting of May 14, 1984 as amended.
It was moved and seconded to accept the Executive Session minutes
of May 14, 1984 as written and that they remain in private privy.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to table the minutes for
consideration in Executive Session.
Under Chairman's comments:
Chairman Barker stated next week the Superintendent would like to
have some input from the Board as to their thoughts on what the
administrative office space at the new facility should look like.
Next week the Department objectives will be discussed.
He also stated that next week's agenda will be very lengthy with
a suggested 7:00 P.M. starting time.
Under the Assistant Superintendent's Report:
Ted McIntire stated we have received RFP's from 13 firms. The
Department will review them this week to discuss with the Board next
Monday night for review and selection.
On the revised timetable for the John Street facility, Mr.
McIntire stated we expect to make a couple of revisions as we go along and
the Board will be given copies of these.
Regarding the Water Treatment Plant - the lime system is down, we
have a problem with the pumps. Today representatives from Pulsafeeder and
CDM were there. We will update the Board next week on this. We also had
Board of Public Works Meeting of June 4, 1984 Page 2
a leak on the 1/4 inch air line of the lime silo. We will get another
hose to replace this.
Mr. Polychrones asked what is wrong with the pumps?
Mr. McIntire replied we are operating on caustic soda right now -
all three pumps are down.
Mr. Hampson stated I think the designer reviews should be put on
a schedule and the public invited. September 5th should be the major
public hearing. I think the public should have the opportunity to review
the designer selections. All three hearings should be scheduled for
public participation.
Mrs. Wood joined the meeting at 8:15 P.M.
It was moved and seconded to award Contract 84-7 - Adjustment of
Structures and Appurtenances to D&R General Contracting Inc., Wakefield,
Ma. in the amount not to exceed $92,550.00 subject to the procurement of
the necessary performance bonds.
Mr. Griffin asked have we had problems with this company in the
past?
Mr. McIntire replied I think because of the nature of the job it
involves a tremendous amount of inspection by the Department.
Chairman Barker stated the Chair will abstain from the approval
and that a letter be written to the contractor indicating that poor
quality work will not be tolerated this year.
Mr. Griffin stated I think the Board made a note to send the same
kind of letter last year.
Chairman Barker stated I don't feel I have sufficient grounds to
recommend the next bidder be chosen, but I am still not satisfied.
Mrs. Wood asked can't the Town forces do this job?
Board of Public Works Meeting of June 4, 1984 Page 3
Mr. McIntire replied yes, they can but we would have to increase
our forces. However, it is economically more feasible for a private
contractor to do this than Town forces.
Mr. McIntire stated the Department does not have a problem with
the quality of the work of this contractor. We have had scheduling
problems with this contractor, but he didn't feel this was any different
from any other contractor.
Chairman Barker felt a letter to the contractor would be in order
and this letter should be included as part of the minutes.
Mr. Griffin stated I think we should stay with D&k for the time
being.
Mrs. Wood amended the motion by adding that the Department write
a letter as Chairman Barker outlined, stating that the Board is very
concerned about the quality of workmanship for the past two construction
seasons and will not tolerate this in the future.
The main motion as amended was voted 5:0.
Chairman Barker recommended a copy of the same letter be sent to
whomever we award Contract 84-8.
It was moved and seconded to award Contract 84-8 "Applying
Bituminous Concrete" to Professional Paving Inc. of Lowell, Ma. in the
amount not to exceed $271,400.
Mr. Griffin amended the motion that the letter to D&k be copied
for Professional Paving.
The main motion as amended was voted 5:0.
The Board next reviewed the request for drain connection near
#315 West Street by Mr. Kevin J. McMillan.
The request was approved by vote of 5:0.
Board of Public Works Meeting of June 4, 1984 Page 4
The Board next reviewed the letter from Attorney Gary Banks
regarding the contract between Town of Reading, Ma. and Vining Disposal
Services, Inc. for Rubbish Collection and Disposal.
Mr. McIntire stated there is a problem with the first portion of
the request regarding "delays". If the Board decides to agree to any
changes in the contract, the department feels we have a problem with the
word "delay". If there is to be any such addition to the Cotnract, we
would like it to say that the reimbursement would ge given if Vining were
unable to dump at RESCO at all. He stated the Vining Co. indicated that
they would only be willing to sign the contract if these amendments are
agreed to.
Chairman Barker stated I feel at a loss without the written
recommendation of the Department. I would like to refer the entire matter
to the Superintendent and Town Counsel for a written response to the
Board.
Mrs. Wood stated I have a problem with both of these issues.
Michael Vining stated we want to work with the Town, but I don't
want to be stuck with a $2.00 fuel increase. I want to be reimbursed for
any shut downs at RESCO which I may have.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to table this until we hear
from the Superintendent and Town Counsel.
Under Old & New Business;
Chairman Barker stated there is a BFI invoice in the billroll, it
calls for the standard payment minus one car seat.
Mr. McIntire indicated that BFI should be paid in full because of
their good response.
Board of Public Works Meeting of June 4, 1984 Page 5
Chairman Barker stated however, based on a few complaints over
the weekend, I am wondering if the Board should make good on their
previous commitment not to pay BFI.
Peg Russell of the Finance Committee asked have you had to go
back and spend any town money?
Mr. McIntire replied yes, on one day we expended money. We have
in the past charged them for our time. We neglected to do so on this
bill.
Chairman Barker stated I would like to suggest that somehow we
deduct $20.00 from each home not collected. He stated he would like to
see this bill deducted from this billroll and have this matter resolved.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 that $26,231.81 be deducted
from the current billroll representing the payment to BFI pending further
consideration. (payment date of 4-1-84).
Chairman Barker stated that Precinct 8 generally becomes the
carry-over on a holiday. Because the Town Garage is not operating, there
is no place for a resident to complain to. He suggested on a holiday
weekend, in the absence of the DPW being operational, that the last
contractors truck be required to speak with the Police dispatcher to see
if there are any pick-up complaints. This situation needs a remedy.
Mr. McIntire stated I would request that you allow the Department
to come up with a solution.
Chairman Barker stated I feel we should manage this problem to
the satisfaction of the Board and the community.
Chairman Barker read a letter from the Law Committee relative to
the appointment of Town Counsel. The letter was read into the minutes and
the Board and Department had no objections and the chair was instructed to
Board of Public Works Meeting of June 4., 1984 Page b
write a letter to Chairman Russell in the affirmative that Town Counsel be
reappointed.
Chairman Barker instructed the Department to write a letter to
the Hazardous Waste Committee and Industrial Development Committee to meet
with the Board next Monday to discuss the John Street situation.
Mrs. Wood informed the Board that this past weekend we had the
sewer blow again in the Eaton and Elm Street area. This will only be
countered by the pumping station being replaced. On Saturday we also had
sewerage back up in houses in the West Street area which do not pump out
through the Brook Street station but do go through the new interceptor
sewer. A lot of that is occasioned by people hooking their sump pumps up
to the sewerage system. She stated we have to seriously think about some
sort of action involving inspection and penalizing those that hook their
sump pumps to the sewer system.
Mr. Hampson asked what about the sewer use ordinance?
Mrs. Wood replied yes, we do have one but it is not enforced. We
have to look more towards people hooking into the drainage system. We
must do something about this.
Mr. Griffin stated the Town itself is not without fault in this,
our sewer system is not as tight as it should be.
Chairman Barker stated I feel the Department should review the
matter and make a recommendation as to a fee or the administrative
process.
Mrs. Wood moved to go into Executive Session at 9:15 P.M. for the
purpose of reviewing and commenting on the tabled Executive Session
minutes of 5-14-84 and the Chairman polled the Board as follows:
y
y .
Board of Public Works Meeting of June 4, 1984 Page 7
Mr. Griffin - aye
Mr. Polychrones - aye
Mrs. Wood - aye
Mr. Hampson - aye
Mr. Barker - aye
The Board signed the Payroll and the Billroll for the period ending June
1, 1984.
The meeting adjourned at 9;15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Sec reta y