HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-05-09 Board of Public Works MinutesC ti
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 9, 1983 Page 1
A meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16,
Municipal Building at 7:30 P.M. Present were Chairman Wood, Board Members
Barker and Polychrones and Asst. Superintendent's William R. Bergeron and
Edward D. MicIntire, Jr.
It was moved, seconded and voted 3:0 to accept the minutes of the
Board of Public Works meeting of May 5, 1983 as written.
The Board reviewed the letters and the memorandum from the
Superintendent regarding the drainage problems expressed by Mars. Doris
Grandfield of 651 Pearl Street. Her property is located Easterly of the
Gavin Circle Subdivision. The Board of Survey approved Gavin Circle with
a drainage system that runs Easterly from Gavin Circle across Pearl Street
and along the Southerly border of Mfrs. Grandfield's property to an open
ditch in which the developer was to construct a new channel.
The Conservation Commission's Order of Conditions regarding the
Subdivision require that the developer not construct a new channel on the
property East of Mars. Grandfield's but to hand clean the existing ditch
which was done by the developer.
District.
Mfr. Bergeron stated her entire back yard is in the Flood Plain
It was moved, seconded and voted 3:0 to instruct the Department
to negotiate a settlement of this problem and communicate in writing
accordingly in an effort to avoid a costly lawsuit for all parties
involved.
The Board reviewed the letter sent to the Health Department and
the memo from the Superintendent regarding the drainage system located
Southerly of Hopkins Street and Easterly of the Wayside Bazaar.
x ,
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 4, 1983 Page 2
Mr. John Garison of 113 Hopkins Streets stated in his letter that
the backyards in his neighborhood flood repeatedly and are, in his
opinion, insect infested swamps. He also stated that his child contracted
"giardia" which, according to his physician, is a parasite which lives in
standing water.
Mr. Bergeron presented the Board with a drainage plan of the
area.
He stated the drainage system in question is inadequate to take
peak flows and does back up on the private property as outlined in the
attached letter. The Master Drainage Plan outlines a substantial
reconstruction of that drainge system which could cost in the vicinity of
$150,000 - $200,000.
Not only is the proposed replacement of the drainage system
costly, but complicated because of the State Highway System drain being a
substantial part requiring the replacement. There is a possibility,
however, that a detention basin could be designed on the private
properties in question to hold the peak flows and discharge them into the
existing drainage system after the storm has diminished.
The cost of this approach has not been estimated because the
Department does not know whether the Board wishes to become involved in
this problem or whether the people would be interested in this type of
solution.
Mr. Fallon joined the meeting at 7;50 P.M.
Mr. Barker questioned if we could ask the Department to hold a
meeting with the abuttors and explain the various options and get the
Board of Health involved.
Mrs. Wood stated she is very concerned with starting a precedence
bb
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 9, 1983 Page 3
of doing this work on private property.
Mr. Griffin joined the meeting at 7:55 P.M.
Mr. Griffin urged that someone from the Department be in direct
contact with the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia. He
stated this parasite can reach severe local epidemic proportions. He also
urged that current research data on the transmission of the disease be
determined.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 that a letter be written to
the Board of Health and suggest they get more information on the
transmission of the disease, and that the abuttors are informed of what
the Board is doing.
The Board reviewed the letter from Thomas J. Tamburrino of 54
Parkview Road requesting a sidewalk be installed on at least one side of
Parkview Road because of erosion problems and,the danger of children in
the area not having a safe place to walk.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5 :0 that the Clerk of the Board
write a letter to Mr. Tamburrino instructing him that he could petition
the Board to install sidewalks or berm at his own expense.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 that the Board authorize
Edward D. McIntire, Jr. to sign the Payroll and the Billroll for the
Department of Public Works for the period from May 7 to May 27, 1983 in
the absence of the Superintendent.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to accept the letter from
Utica Mutual regarding "Safety Services" as a point of information.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 that Sheet No. 6, Bill No.
7, for a 70% lateral for Anthony & Anne M. Perella, 4 Bartlett Circle,
Plat 133, Lot 47, in the amount of $285.67 be committed to the Tax
Collector and betterments assessed accordingly.
E � �
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 9, 1983 Page 4
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 that the Chairman of the
Board write a letter to Representative Garrett to rescind Chapter 332 of
the Acts of 1982 regarding the requirement of a signature for the
procurement of a Street List.
The Board reviewed the memo from Asst. Superintendent Bergeron
regarding Chppter 732 and the $450,000.00 Grant from the State for
downtown improvements.
Mr. Bergeron stated any State funds have to be spent within the
public right -of -way.
Superintendent Louanis and Asst. Superintendent Bergeron decided
on the following order of priority for the expenditure of the funds
available as follows:
1. Main Street area from near church to Washington Street
2. Haven Street area
3. High Street area
4. If additional funds are available, then we could request
that the section of Main Street from the tracks to
Washington Street be included in the work.
Chairman Wood stated she felt the Department should put in underground
conduit for signalization to be installed in the future.
Mr. Fallon stated he would like to see the feasibility of doing
more paving than sidewalk work.
Mr. Griffin stated when the figures are finalized, he personally
would like to see the largest concentration being from the tracks into the
middle of the square. He would like to see this area upgraded to the
highest standards possible.
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 9, 1983 Page 5
Mr. Barker and Mr. Fallon expressed the opinion that bituminous
sidewalks would be satisfactory, thus allowing for maximum repaving of
roadways. In view of the apparent differences in opinion over sidewalk
construction material, the Department was asked to prepare the estimates
with the various alternatives.
The Department expects to be ready for the Board to hold a public
hearing in early /mid June.
Under Old and New Business,
Mr. Barker moved to instruct the Department to withhold all
activities on the area of Pearl Street from Lucy Drive to Wakefield Street
until the Spring of 1984 to allow the Planning Board to hold hearings
regarding "Scenic Ways ". The motion was seconded.
Mr. Fallon amended the motion to read with the exception of any
lateral work requested by residents.
The amendment was seconded and voted 4:1 (Mr. Griffin opposed).
The main motion as amended was voted 4:1 (Mrs. Wood opposed).
Mr. Barker requested the Chairman write letters to the Planning
Board and the Pearl Street Committee regarding the two motions previously
passed.
Mr. Griffin asked that the Board be informed of any hearings held
by the Planning Board so that the BPW could have a representative present.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 that the Board grant the
petition of N.E.T. &T. and the k.M.L.D. to relocate a telephone pole as
follows:
Franklin Street - relocate existing pole 27/37 approximately
twenty -eight (28') feet Westerly of present location. New
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 9, 1983 Page 6
location to be on Southerly side of street approximately three
hundred twenty -five (325') feet East of East entrance to
Blueberry Lane.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5 :0 that the Board reconsider
the vote of September 27, 1983 wherein the Board grant the locations for
said conduits and manhole as shown on plan marked N.E.T. &T. #4 -3633.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to grant permission to
N.E.T. &T. to abandon in place underground conduits and remove manholes,
manhole castings and covers, with the wires and cables therein under the
surface of the following public ways:
Main Street: Easterly side, northerly from existing Manhole
74/98 to Manhole 74/98A, abandon one hundred eighty five (185) feet of
underground conduit. Also, easterly side northerly from Manhole 74/98A to
existing Pole 153, abandon approximately thirty (30) feet of underground
conduit. Also, remove one (1) manhole, Manhole 74/98A.
The Board reviewed the letter from Boston Stove Company dated
April 6, 1983 requesting that the Boards' decision not to sell the 20'
strip of land adjacent to the Boston Stove property be reconsidered.
After some discussion it was moved to table the reconsideration
until our Superintendent can enter into this discussion to allay the
disagreements the Board has regarding the fuel storage depot. The motion
was seconded and voted 3:0:2 (Mr. Fallon and Mr. Barker abstained).
The Board adjourned temporarily at 10:20 P.M. to meet as the
Board of Survey.
The meeting reconvened at 10:25 P.M.
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 9, 1983 Page 7
Mr. John Price joined the meeting and inquired about the Board's
policy on sewer abatements for the filling of swimming pools.
After the Board explained the policy for the initial filling of a
swimming pool, Asst. Supt. McIntire explained that Mr. Price could make an
appointment with him to discuss Meadowbrook Golf Club.
The Board reviewed the memo from Asst. Supt. McIntire regarding
Sewer Frontage and Lateral Assessments for Map 168 Lots 23 and 29 -
Barbara Lane.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5;0 to table this item until the
next Board Meeting or until the Board receives a letter from Mr. and Mrs.
Joseph Prew requesting an abatement.
The Board next discussed the rusty water situation in Heading.
Several Board members have received calls regarding dirty water.
Chairman Wood stated she would like the Department to keep a log
of all the poor water calls. She also stated that next week CDM will be
at the Board meeting and perhaps we should invite citizens to the meeting.
Mr. Barker requested that CDM prepare a specific report on the
condition of the water so that we can turn it over to the residents.
Mr. Griffin suggested that someone review the initial Contract
and see if it has an "escape clause ". If not, we should take a look at
the amount of money left available to us and evaluate the amount of funds
remaining and do a cost assessment to bring the Water Treatment Plant to
our standards of completion and that we hire an independent firm to assess
the general effectiveness of CDM. He also asked if it is possible to
bring pressure via embarrassment to demand at the time when we feel we are
ready to pursue an independent engineering consultant that he be asked to
meet with the President, Project Manager and Legal Counsel for CDM for the
possibility of pursuing a suit against CDM.
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 9, 1983 Page 8
Chairman Wood stated she will speak with Town Counsel regarding
these issues.
Mr. Griffin stated he would like Town Counsel to make a statement
to the Board in writing regarding the standing of the concept of
"substantially complete ".
The Department was instructed to reserve a room at the Community
Center for Monday evening, May 16, 1983 and to contact Mr. John Willis of
CDM and request his presence at the meeting to report on the concerns of
the Board.
Mr. Fallon moved 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:
Mr. Griffin - aye
Mr. Polychrones - aye
Mr. Barker - aye
Mr. Fallon - aye
Mrs. Wood - aye
The Board signed the Payroll and the Billroll for the period
ending May b, 1983.
The meeting adjourned at 11:24 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
?Secretary
TOWN OF READING
k
M +
�O CE
11 C01�t� "r
MASSACHUSETTS
t4i.ddlesex, as
OFFICE OF
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
MUNICIPAL BUILDING
READING, MASS. 01867
GAIL F. WOOD, Chairman
JOHN L. FALLON, JR., Secretary
DOUGLASS L. BARKER
ARTHUR POLYCHRONES
ROBERT P. GRIFFIN
E. ROGER LOUANIS, Superintendent
May 9, 1983
The undersigned, Board of Public Storks of the Town of
Reading, in compliance with the provisions of the General Laws,
CA,xpter riu, as a:;:en"ied by - chapter 63 of the Acts of 1933, hereby
certify that the lists he:rewith contain the names of persons
against wl-io m we ave made betterment assessiments together with
the location of the la:: benefitEu by t1le inl')rovement and the
natit3re a;.,,ount, of Slid: i- ter`mt --nt assiussr:ent.
veWE r lateral (7U!s, j) .................. .$285.67 G
iOtd1. . • • . • • • . .. . . . . . . . . . .Y2bJ.67
Suc: list is cLrtifie 1 to you for tr c rurrasc of
com=ittinq sa:r:k:� to Collector as r,rcvi(oL by law.
:c`ti,2s this ninth :)- '1 --v 1.983
� - cretary
�i�41