HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-05-23 Board of Public Works Minutes,-A
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 23, 1963 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, Polychrones and Griffin and Superintendent E. Roger Louanis.
It was moved, seconded and voted 3 :0:1 (Mr. Polychrones
abstaining) to approve the minutes of the Board of Public Works meeting of
May 16, 1983 as written.
It was moved, seconded and voted 3:0 :1 (Mr. Polychrones
abstaining) to approve the minutes of the Board of Survey meeting of May
16, 1983 as written.
Mr. Griffin requested that the Department prepare a schedule for
the possible flushing of the water system in the Town.
The Board reviewed the final draft of the Town of Reading's
Affirmative Action Plan as presented by John W. Agnew Jr., Executive
Secretary.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4 :0 to accept the report as a
point of information.
Superintendent Louanis stated from the Department's point of
view, he saw no problems with this plan, this probably will require a
better review of the bid process to make sure we comply with these
requirements.
The Board discussed the letter of resignation from John Fallon.
Mrs. Wood read the memo she wrote regarding the Boards' response to his
resignation.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to send a letter to Mr.
Fallon signed
by
all Board Members
to express their appreciation and
gratitude and
to
include the letter
in these minutes:
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 23, 1983 Page 2
"It is with disappointment and extreme regret that we accept the
resignation of John Fallon from the Board of Public Works.
During his tenure on the Board, John's dedication and
involvement has contributed directly to the continuation of the
Road Reconstruction Program, the initiation of a sewer maintenance
program, the implementation of the Town Drainage Study and the
upgraded maintenance of our park facilities.
While his experience and cleverness at addressing the subject
matter at hand will be sorely missed, we would like to express our
gratitude for the many hours of selfless effort John Fallon has
contributed to the citizens of the Town of Reading during his
tenure as member and Secretary of the Board of Public Works ".
The Board next took a secret ballot to elect a new Secretary. On
the first ballot, Mr. Douglass L. Barker was elected Secretary to the
Board. Mrs. Wood appointed Mr. Barker as the Boards' representative to
the Law Committee.
The Board set a date of June 20 for interviewing new candidates
for the vacancy now existing on the Board.
The Board set the date of June 7th for the meeting with Attorney
Ken Latham and CDM.
The Board set the date of June 23 at the Community Center for the
downtown improvements roadway hearing.
The Board also set a possible Executive Session meeting for June
7th regarding personnel matters.
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 23, 1983 Page 3
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 that Sheet Mo. By Gill Flo.
9, for a 70% Lateral for Bruce H. and Carol M. Patterson, 128 Grove
Street, Plat 121 - Lot 68, dated May 23, 1983 in the amount of $224.00 be
committed to the Tax. Collector and betterments assessed accordingly.
Chairman Wood left the meeting at 8:00 P.M.
The Board reviewed the letter from Mr. William C. Helliesen of 36
Whittier Road regarding the yellow water problem, as well as the high
level of sodium, the high cost of the water, and the storage of salt in
our area. He also questioned the use of hot top in the downtown area.
Mr. Polychrones stated he felt the letter made a lot of sense.
Mr. Barker stated he felt the Board should be communicative to
Mr. Helliesen and to answer his questions. He felt the Department should
respond.
Mr. Griffin felt the areas that should be addressed are the
abatement issue, the prospect of the reduction of sodium, what implicit
penalties there are for non - payment of bills. He felt the Department
should also respond to the comment about the repaving of Main Street.
Mr. Barker stated he felt we should address the question of the
capacity of the street sweepers.
The Board reviewed the request from Edward I. Gadbois, Commander
of V.F.W. Reading Post 685 requesting the use of a DPW truck, with a
driver, to assist in the transportation of the Memorial Day Gaskets at
2:00 P.M. at the Laurel Hill Gate on Sunday, May 29, 1983.
Mr. Polychrones moved that the Department supply the truck and
driver, after the Department has exhausted all efforts to find a volunteer
driver from the Department, the motion was seconded and voted 3:0.
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 23, 1983 Page 4
The Board reviewed the memo from William R. Bergeron, Assistant
i El
Superintendent, regarding Contract 83 -13, Cleaning, Redeveloping and
Backflushing Existing Wells and Well Repairs.
Mr. Polychrones moved to award the Contract to the D.L. Maher Co.
in the amount of $12,440.00 subject to their ability to furnish the proper
labor and materials bonds. The motion was seconded and voted 3:0.
Superintendent Louanis stated he anticipates it will cost in the
area of $15,000.00 to clean each of the two wells.
The Board reviewed the letter from Mr. Joseph Prew of 10 Barbara
Lane requesting that the sewer frontage assessment and the sewer lateral
assessment together with any interest be abated. This request is in
accordance with special arrangements between the Town of Reading and Mr.
John Fernekees.
It was moved, seconded and voted 3:0 that the Board of Assessors
be advised that the Board of Public Works abate the following:
1. Joseph Prew & Rita Prew, 10 Barbara Lane (Plat 168 Lot 23)
Sewer Frontage - Principal & Comm. Int. in the amount of $288.00
House Connection - Principal & Comm. Int. in the amount of $80.64
for a total of $368.64.
2. Alvin P. & Joan M. Bi.ttrich, 9 Barbara Lane (Plat 168 Lot 29)
Sewer Frontage - Principal & Comm. Int. in the amount of $288.00
House Connection - Principal & Comm. Int. in the amount of $86.40
for a total of $374.40.
Under Old and New Business:
Superintendent Louanis showed a plan for the Boards'
consideration of the downtown area which was not totally complete, but
brought up previously as a point of concern. This is a tentative
a
Board of Public Works Meeting of May 23, 1983 Page 5
layout and the Department would like a recommendation of the Boards'
1
preference. He showed the layout of Main Street (from near Chapin Avenue
to near Woburn Street).
There was previously some discussion of four lanes of traffic on
Main Street from Haven Street to Chapin Avenue.
The Engineering Department has proposed that both parking lanes
on each side could be maintained. The need for four lanes on Main Street
in that portion would not be feasible and they are proposing a three -lane
configuration.
This is very similar to the initial plan with the blocking off of
the access to Ash Street as it now exists.
Mr. Barker asked if the hydrant in front of the General
Washington Apartments could be moved to the end of the street to allow for
another parking space.
Mr. Griffin stated he would like to see an overlay of this area.
He also stated he would like to see Main Street from the Washington Street
tracks improved before the High Street area is done.
The Board reviewed the memo from Superintendent Louanis regarding
the progress at the Water Treatment Plant as of May 20, 1983 as a point of
information.
C
The Board signed the Payroll and the Billroll for the period
ending May 20, 1983.
The meeting adjourned at 9;25 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Sec tarn
TOWN OF READING
E
MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss
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 23, 1983
The un----r%rsi-gnad, Board of Public G iorks of the Town of
i:-, coi�iplia,-nce with the provisions of the General Laws,
,
Chapter "j, as a;'nendedl by C k, %apter 63 of the Acts of 1933, hereby
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certi .-Ey t.iat tae lists herewith contain tie names of persons
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'-'Ucil list is certifieu to you for tine r%urnose of
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oux iizuCts this S*nnty-thi uay of .--,4av 19E.3 A.D.
Chairman
Secretary