HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-06-07 Board of Public Works Minutes�r
Board of Public Works itee�ing of June 7, 1963 Page 1
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A meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Boom 16,
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Municipal Building at 7:30 P.M. Present were Secretary Barker, Doard
Members Polychrones and Griffin and Superintendent E. Roger L_ouanis.
Mr. Barker assumed the Chair in the absence of Chairman Wood.
It was moved, seconded and voted 2:0:1 (Mr. Polychrones
abstaining) to approve the Executive Session minutes of May 16, 1983 as
written and that they remain in private privy.
It was moved, seconded and voted 3:0 to approve the minutes of
the Board of Public Works meeting of May 23, 1983 as written.
It was moved, seconded and voted 3 :0 to award Contract 83 -7,
Stone Chip Seal Surface Treatment to Mystic Bituminous Products Co.,
Everett, Ma, in accordance with their bid of May 26, 1983 in the amount of
$30,606.41 subject to their procurement of the necessary performance and
payment bonds.
It was moved, seconded and defeated 0:3 (Mr. Barker, Mr.
Polychrones and Mr. Griffin opposed) to grant permission to Richard
Mastrocola to use Memorial Park for a softball game on Tuesday, June .'8 at
6:00 P.M. because of the deed restriction stating there can be no
organized sports conducted at this park.
It was moved, seconded and voted 3:0 to grant permission to Mr.
Mrs. George E. Cress of f,6 Libby Avenue (corner of C Street) to construct
permanent type curbing within the public way abutting their property, the
construction to be in conformance with the standards of the Town.
The Board next met with Attorney Ken Latham who represents the
firm TASC, now located on Jacob Way in (reading. Present from TASC were
}parry Silverman and Marvin Cohen.
Board of Public Works Meeting of June 7, 1903 Page 2
Mr. Latham explained the property at Jacob Way is presently under
a lease. TASC presently employs 300 people and are the second largest
employer in the Town. TASC is strictly a Research & Development Company.
They need to relocate because their lease expires in 1906. Fifteen to
twenty percent of their personnel live in Reading. They want to stay in
Reading and make their main headquarters in Reading. Under the Zoning
By-Laws of the Town, this industry has to go in the industrial zone. The
site TASC is interested in is owned by the Town of Reading and under the
jurisdiction of the Board of Public Works, which is the incinerator site
on John Street.
Chairman Wood joined the meeting at 7:43 P.M.
There is roughly 11 acres available at this site. It would be
TASC's plan to put up a six-story, 120,000 square foot office building
strictly for Research & Development. This building would cost an
estimated $8,000,000.00. On this basis, it would generate somewhere in
the neighborhood of $17F.,000 - $200,000 in taxes. Attorney Latham stated
we estimate 15 - 18 months for the completion of the actual building. He
stated they are looking for eight acres existing and the potential for 3
1/2 additional acres in back that could be used for future expansion.
Chairman Wond stated she would have a problem with the water and
sewer service availability if an office building of this size were to
connect to these services.
Attorney Latham suggested Superintendent Louanis contact Mr.
Cohen at TASC to discuss any questions he might have.
Attorney Latham stated if the Boards decision was favorable, he
would immediately request that TASC's engineers meet with the Town
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engineersy in the meantime. the Board Could let TASC know about the cost
of removal of the incinerator' either by Town forces or TASC.
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Board of Public Works Meeting of June 77 1903 Page 3
The Board thanked Attorney Latham and the TASC representatives
for coming.
The Board met with Steve Martin and [d DiIorio of Camp Dresser &
McKee at 8:10 P.M.
Mr. Barker stated we have the letter of June 3 on the table as
well as a new Punch List.
Mr. Martin stated the letter addresses the water quality problems
presented at the last meeting that CDM attended. Mr. Willis listed in his
letter a number of samples taken throughout the Town and the different
chemical characteristics, and they indicated the water quality was of a
good nature and did meet all applicable water quality standards.
The second part of the letter is devoted to a review of the plant
operations, running jar tests, etc., and looking at other treatment units
within the treatment plant, specifically, taking a look at the operation
of the filters themselves. Mr. Willis concluded that water quality
considerations for the plant should be handled by an individual with a
good chemistry background and recommended additional sampling and analyses
work be conducted at the plant whenever the plant is in operation. He
also suggested the Town institute a well-coordinated flushing program and
that better water quality control be instituted at the treatment plant.
Mr. Griffin asked Mr. Martin to explain the statement made by CDM
on page 3 of said letter, "As CDM has previously recommended, we believe
the water quality aspects of the plant operation should be assigned to one
person, preferably a water quality chemist' or an individual with a good
water analysis background. This person's primary concern at all times
should be water quality and he (or she) should have the responsibility of
seeing that operating staff can perform the necessary analyses for plant
control".
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Board of Public Works Meeting of June 7, 1983 Page 4
Mr. Martin stated we don't necessarily believe the staff are
unqualiffedr but we believe insufficient analyses are taken out there. Our
recommendation is made so that the plant personnel would be receiving
direction from only one person.
letter.
Chairman Wood asked if this was a recommendation prior to this
Mr. Martin replied I believe much of what we state is in the O&M
Mr. Griffin stated it strikes me that either the operators are
not following your recommendations or are incapable of doing so. I would
like to know what exactly CDM's recommendation is.
Mr. Martin stated much of the problem could possibly be a
transition period. In this particular case, we still suggest the overall
~� responsibility for water quality control be guided by one individual. One
individual should be responsible for running Jar tests, etc. The O&M
Manual is only a guideline. Specifics have to be taken care of on a
daily, weekly and monthly basis.
Chairman Wood asked what happens if this person is not available
at any given time, such as on vacation, etc.
Mr. Martin replied if you hire a Chemist, he would leave
instructions for the following evening and morning shifts.
Superintendent Louanis stated when the original procedure was
being developed, I think you stated the O&M Manual was rough draft form.
At that time it seemed to me that charts and forms developed at that time
in light of the problems we had and the recent extended period of time,
Hr. Chobrial has made additional recommendations to try to rectify and
better control the operation of the plant. All of these things are
refinements of the beginning process of putting the plant on-line. The
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Board Of Public Works Meeting of JuTie 7, 19C3 Page r
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I apparent recommendation in your letter of a totally new procedure would
appear very much like this plant is not being operated in a good fashion,
but I believe it is their intent to upgrade procedures that were in
evidence and also possibly to put some sa{eguards in so that the inherent
unreliability of certain pieces of equipment would be kept under control.
Mr. Martin stated CDM's recommendation is as stated on page four
"This means additional sampling and analyses work is a necessity. The
benefits of this program will be easily seen in plant effluent appearance
and could lead to a reduction in operating costs associated with chemical
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usage optimization. Additional labor costs, may however, have to be
increased".
Mr. Barker stated I am disappointed that John Willis is not
here. I see nothing in this letter that addresses the degritting process
or the lime system. I understand we have a pump out of service and a
Slurry tank agitator out of order and T am aware of the fact that we have
not been on line for seven to ten days.
Mr. Martin stated these problems are not related to the lime
system in any way.
Mr. Barker stated he has problems with the vibrations. Who is
going to pay for the repairs in general, and the welding in particular.
Mr. DiIorio stated CDM supplied what was called for and approved.
Mr. Barker asked why didn't You look at this vibration problem
three months ago and why should the Town of Reading have to pay for the
welding.
Mr. Dilorio stated we do not have the actual piece of equipment
to replace this.
Mrs. Wood stated she can't believe we are talking about equipment
that has not been functioning for a month. This has not even been 30 days
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Board of Public Works Meeting of June 7, 1987, Page 6
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Mr. Barker asked from who and when are we going to get a response
on the lime slurry system degritting problem? We do not have an
operational plant. [low many times do we have to face the same leaks?
Mr. DiIorio stated the system is designed {or two pumps with one
as a standby.
Mr. Martin suggested CDM evaluate the lime system and come up
with a list of critical spare parts.
Mr. Griffin stated I don't think you can do this until you have
the entire lime system in operation.
Mr. Griffin asked if upon the completion of the slurry mixer, the
system will, in effect, be completed.
Mr. Martin stated yes.
Mr. Griffin stated then the {our to six week projection made a
few weeks ago strikes me as an enormous turnaround. I would have liked to
have known that my expectations were right. I get the impression you have
dropped further investigation of this. Should this reappear as a
necessity, we will be additionally behind. In {act, we will be looking at
thepeak season of this year with the potential of the solution being put
o{{ farther away than expected.
Mr. Barker stated I would like to have you clearly respond. Do I
now understand CDM to say with the replacement of the agitator unit that
it is your current projection that there will be no requirement for an
auxiliary degritting system.
Mr. Martin replied yes.
Board of Public Works Meeting of June 7, 1903 Page 7
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Mr. Barker stated I understand the hole behind the Master Control
Center (MCC) has been filled and sealed. (l) Uow do we know that any and
all vapors which are emitted will damage wires have been stopped and (2)
do we have any way of knowing that the materials used are not going to
degenerate with time.
Mr. DiIorio stated he does not have the answer to the second
question, however, visually the vapors tend to create a white film and
there is no evidence of this. (After one day) All those wires are in use
daily and you will notice it in your day to day operation.
Mr. Barker stated there are various apparatus available to test
for vapors. Please consult with your firm and see what assurances can be
given that the procedure instituted will work.
Hr. Barker asked that CDM address the problem of the numerous
I leaks at the plant.
Mr. Barker also requested that CDM and the Department meet by the
close of the work day on Wednesday (June 8) to discuss the safety problem
of the latch on the sodium chlorite room door.
Mr. Barker stated we have all been involved for a long time and
we all want to see this plant operational. If this had been done right
the first time, we would not have these problems now.
Mr. Griffin stated he would like to add that there is still a
leak between the old roof and the new roof in the chlorine dioxide room.
The Board decided to meet with CDM again on June 27th at the
regularly scheduled Board meeting.
Mr. Barker requested the Department install the best venting
method possible in the chloride rooms as soon as possible subject to Town
Counsel's approval.
Board of Public Works Meeting of June 7, 1903 Page 0
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Mr. Barker stated he would like the fencing opposite the loading
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dock immediately secured.
do this.
Superintei,dent Louanis stated the contractor has been notified to
Mr. Barker requested that the Plant Supervisor change the ammonia
tanks from 13O lbs. to 100 lbs. and he would like to see all the tanks in
the room have the proper chaining.
The Board reviewed the letters from Mrs. John M. Patterson of 35
Prospect Street and Mrs. I. Myrtice Dlye of 71 Forest Street regarding
discolored water problems.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 that these letters be
deferred to the Department for the appropriate response.
The Board reviewed the petition from Charles E. Godfrey
I requesting extension of the common sewer on Chute Street to his property
at 14 Brande Court.
The Superintendent stated there is no money in the budget to do
this work.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 that the Department draft a
letter to Mr. Godfrey informing him of this fact and advise him to hire a
private contractor to do this work.
The Board reviewed the Memorandum from John W. Agnew Jr.,
Executive Secretary, regarding the Motorola Proposal for installing IBM's
antenna on the Auburn Street water tank.
Superintendent Louanis stated he did not {eel this was a good
precedent to set for the rest of the Town.
Mr. Griffin requested the Superintendent get in touch with Bill
Sencabough of TAC2 Communications rind that one of the Asst,
Superintendents be sent to the meeting with the Selectmen on the June 20th
with the vote of the Board.
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Board of Public Works Meeting of June -11. 1983 Page 9
The Board reviewed the requests for private drain connection to
the Town's Drainage System at 46 James Roady 77 Hartshorn Street and at
101 Wakefield Street. All three property owners have provided the Town
with the standard Release from Damages form.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4|0 that the request for private
drain connection to the Town's Drainage System at 46 James Road be
permitted.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 that the request for private
drain connection to the Town's Drainage System at 77 Hartshorn Street be
permitted.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 that the request for private
drain connection to the Town's Drainage System at 101 Wakefield Street be
permitted with the stipulation that the work be completed in conjunction
with the roadway reconstruction.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to accept the letter from
the Superintendent to Mr. William C. Helliesen at 36 Whittier Road
regarding his concerns of the water problems as a point of information.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to accept as a point of
information the letter from the Superintendent to Thomas C. McMahon,
Director of the State Division of Water Pollution Control regarding
Reading's sewer construction project and the American Arbitration
Association decision.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to accept as a point of
information the letter to Noel D. Baratta, Director and Chief Engineer at
the M.D.C. requesting the M.D.C. Sewer Commissioners to take over the
ownership and maintenance of the Reading Interceptor Sewer.
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Board of Public Works Meeting of June 7, 190 Page 10
It was moved, seconded and voted 4;0 to accept the letter from
the Council. on Aging thanking the Department for helping them set up for
the picnic on May 26th commemorating May as "Older Americans Month ", as a
point of information.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4,0 to accept the letter
addressed to the Board of Selectmen from the Labor Relations Commission
regarding a petition filed by AFScmc council 93, AFL -CIO as a point of
information.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4.0 to table the letter from
Joseph Fl.ibbert of 20 Chequessett goad requesting the use of the upper
field (near the grove) of Memorial Park on Saturday, June 10, 1903.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4;0 to ask the Department to
cooperate with the Old South Cell committee in providing sawhorses to
close Salem Street from Main to Lowell Streets on Sunday, June 26, 190
from 11;00 A.M. to Moon.
The Board signed the Payroll and the Ci.11roll for the period
ending June 3, 1983.
The meeting adjourned at 10;15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Sec r . ary
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