HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-10-24 Board of Public Works MinutesF
Board of Public Works meeting of October 24, 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, Secretary
Barker, Board members Polychrones, Griffin and Hampson and Assistant
Superintendents William R. Bergeron and Edward D. McIntire, Jr.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to approve the minutes of
the Board of Public Works Meeting of October 3, 1983 as amended.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to approve the minutes of
the Board of Public Works Meeting of October 13, 1983 as written.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to approve the minutes of
the Board of Survey meeting of October 13, 1983 as amended.
The Board next discussed the Petition of David L. Vines for a
written recommendation from the Board of Public Works to the Board of
Appeals in regard to his petition to build a single family home on private
property at Willow and Lowell Streets.
Mr. Bergeron explained the majority of Lot 21 is within the Flood
Plain District as established by the Planning Board Zoning. Mr. Vines, et
al proposes to locate the home with attached garage on the extreme limit
of the existing Flood Plain.
However, the residents of the area are opposed to this new
construction because they claim the area floods, but there is no definite
p roof .
through?
River.
Chairman Wood asked is this the area the Ipswich River flows
Mr. Bergeron replied no, this is the headwaters of the Aberjona
Chairman Wood stated she has two problems with this proposed
construction. One of them is the flow from the Aberjona River and the
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Board of Public Works Meeting of October 24, 1983 Page
flooding in the area, the drainage ditch is also over- extended.
Mr. Polychrones stated he walked the area last Friday morning and
he could not see any great amounts of water in the area they plan to
develop.
Mr. Bergeron stated this parcel has a lot of high ground.
Chairman Wood stated she also has a problem with the length of
access to the proposed dwelling.
driveway.
Mr. Bergeron replied this is proposed to be a 250 foot gravel
Chairman Wood asked Mr. Bergeron to notify all abuttors for a
meeting on the 31st to discuss the situation.
Mr. Barker read the Notice of Public Hearing at 8:00 P.M.
regarding a preliminary hearing on the laying out as a Public Way, Morgan
Park under the Betterment Act.
There were approximately 11 residents present.
Chairman Wood welcomed those present and introduced the members
of the Board.
Mr. Bergeron stated the Board of Public Works under the
Betterment Act, can accept private ways as public streets.
Mr. Bergeron showed the abuttors the original plan dated 1947.
There will be an addition of two catch basins in front of House #8 and #9
with a manhole to tie into an existing manhole on King Street. We would
remove the existing gravel on Morgan Park.
He explained the cost estimates on Sheets A & B for acceptance as
a public way. There is a 20 year time span to pay these charges with an
interest rate of under 7.S%. The drainage will go onto King Street and
discharge into a brook behind Morgan Park.
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Board of Public Works Meeting of October 24, 1983 Page 3
brook?
Mr. Paul Hurley of 4 Morgan Park asked who actually owns the
Mr. Bergeron replied he didn't know if the Town physically has an
easement in the brook.
Josephine Mahoney of 10 Morgan Park stated you can not have that
drain into the brook because the brook overflows now.
Mr. Bergeron stated he had not done an in -depth field study and
would check into the matter.
drainage.
The abuttors all agreed they have had problems in the past with
Hazelle McWilliams of 10 King Street asked if once the work is
done, is this a Public Way?
Chairman Wood stated this goes to Town Meeting to be accepted and
then it is maintained by the Town.
Edwin Forsberg stated he has suffered with the condition of this
street for 46 years.
Mr. John McWilliams of 10 King Street asked who makes the final
decision on this.
Chairman Wood stated the Board, generally speaking, looks for the
input of the residents and looks for a majority vote.
Mr. Robert Mahoney of 10 Morgan Park asked if we sell our home
after the street is accepted, are we responsible for the betterment?
Chairman Wood replied yes, anything on your tax bill as a
betterment or a lien has to be paid off before you sell.
P. M.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to close the Hearing at 8:51
Board of Public Works Meeting of October 24, 1983 Page 4
The Board next met with Mr. Patrick Scanlon, Account Executive,
for North Shore Recycled Fibers Corp.
Mr. Scanlon stated that North Shore is the largest recycler of
paper in New England, we own eight mills nationwide for making paperboard.
He stated they are in a position in terms of recycling programs over a
long period of time even when the markert is poor.
He stated his company has been very instrumental in helping set
up recycling programs. We are presently working with many communities in
the area, including Andover.
He stated the concept is unique. He is confident this can be
successful for a number of reasons. The concept is that he would put a
container at the incinerator site, or other designated site in conjunction
with the Boy Scouts. We would pay the Boy Scouts a floor price which will
never go below this price.
Mr. Polychrones questioned what is it you are looking for from
the Board?
Mr. Scanlon replied for permission to do this and to set up this
program at the incinerator or another comparable site.
Mr. Polychrones asked how much time will elapse between the time
the containers are filled and you pick them up.
Mr. Scanlon replied we will pick it up within 24 hours.
Mr. Barker stated we have a lot of active bids for the
incinerator site. At Town Meeting the sale of this land will be voted
upon.
Mr. Griffin asked if this whole program was to be sponsored by an
organization, would they need something from this Board in order to do it?
Board of Public Works Meeting of October 24, 1983 Page 5
Chairman Wood replied no, it is just the land use.
Mr. Griffin stated I strongly urge you to seek other sites than
the incinerator.
The Board next discussed the summary of Town Meeting proposals
for the John Street site.
Mr. Barker stated it is his opinion that this Board should take a
stand on each of the motions to be presented to Town Meeting.
Mr. Bergeron stated someone should be representing the Board at
the Finance Committee meeting tomorrow night.
Chairman Wood stated if this Board was in favor of selling all or
any part of this land we would have declared it surplus. We have no plan
to sell this land, we are just reacting to a situation.
Mr. Bergeron stated the closest Article comparable to what we
have done in the past is Article 8. We have previously requested
proposals for use of the incinerator site, it would be compatible to us
staying where we are.
Chairman Wood stated I think that centralized vehicle maintenance
may be something to think about for the future.
Mr. Griffin stated under any of the suggestions there is no
guarantee that the operation of the DPW will be maintained at the present
capacity or enhanced. I think there are other demands on that land
coming, having to do with the closure of the dump. It may turn out that
the Town's trash may be picked up in one spot at a cost savings to the
Town. He stated he thought it would be short- sighted to lose any of the
land without guarantees of enhancement for this Department for the future.
:)
Board of Public Works Meeting of October 24, 1983 Page 6
Mr. Barker moved that the Board support Article #6 by the
Selectmen to sell all or part of the existing 15.29 acre site as it
appears on the November Town Meeting Warrant. The motion was seconded and
defeated 0:5.
Mr. Barker moved that the Board support Article 7 by Boston Stove
to sell a 20 foot strip of land along the common property line as it
appears on the November Town Meeting Warrant. The motion was seconded and
defeated 2:3 (Mrs. Wood, Mr. Polychrones and Mr. Griffin opposed).
Mr. Barker moved that the Board support Article 8 by American
Realty development Corporation to sell the incinerator site excluding the
drainage canal for a total area of approximately 4.7 acres for $800,000.00
as it appears on the November Town Meeting Warrant. The motion was
seconded and voted 3:2 (Chairman Wood and Mr. Griffin opposed).
Mr. Barker stated this Article does not provide for any
relocation funds or direction for the housing of existing undercover
storage presently in the incinerator building. It will also impact the
Department in terms of loss of acreage used for various seasonal storage
capabilities. It will impact the entire Town in terms of providing
easements and the potential for causing traffic constraints.
Mr. Bergeron stated that Judge Garritys' ruling does not apply to
the Town of Readings' sewer.
Peg Russell of the Finance Committee asked if the Board had any
cost figures for relocation in this area.
Chairman Wood stated no, but we can get the figures.
Mr. Hampson stated we should go to Town Meeting with that request
in writing as well as the cost figures for moving.
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Board of Public Works Meeting of October 24, 1983 Page 7
Mr. Polychrones stated the Board should go to Town Meeting in
full agreement to sell at least part of this land.
Mr. Barker moved that the Board support Article 9 by American
Realty Development Corporation to sell the entire John Street Complex
excluding the drainage canal for a total land area of 13.757 acres for
$1,600,000.00 as it appears on the November Town Meeting Warrant. The
motion was seconded and defeated 0 :5.
Mr. Barker moved that the Board support Article 10 by the
Analytic Sciences Corporation (TASC) to sell the entire 15.229 acres as it
appears on the November Town Meeting Warrant. The motion was seconded and
voted 0:5.
Mr. Barker moved that the Board of Public Works support Article
11 by Transitron Electronic Corporation to sell a fifty foot right of way
across the existing John Street site. The exact location was not
specified as it appears on the November Town Meeting Warrant. The motion
was seconded and defeated 0:5.
Mr. Barker stated that if at Town Meeting Article 7 was to pass
we would be willing to negotiate a suitable compromise with the
understanding that compromise would have to include funding for
alterations of the existing facility.
Mr. Barker felt it should be our responsibility to provide site
plans in terms of an overhead viewgraph to show Article #8 at November
Town Meeting.
Mr. Griffin asked Mr. Bergeron if the factoring of the $475,000
on the Capital Outlay Plan for the garage addition included funds for
existing barns, sheds, storage areas, floor space, etc.
Mr. Bergeron replied yes.
Board of Public Works Meeting of October 24, 1953 Page 8
Under Old and New Business:
Mr. Barker stated that last Saturday (October 22) he visited the
Water Treatment Plant and found to the best of his knowledge that only the
electrician had made a visit to the plant. Therefore, the items on the
Punch List for the week of October 21 had not been accomplished.
Mr. Polychrones reported to the Board on the three company
presentations with regard to the diagnostic machines. He stated he is
having a meeting this week with the Department Supervisors, and he would
like to have a factory representative meet with the Board on October 31st.
The Board discussed Article 18 for November Town Meeting -
"Newsracks ".
Mr. Griffin moved that the statements substituting Superintendent
of Public Works for the Chief of Police be changed in our Article. The
statement was seconded and voted 5:0.
Mr. Griffin moved to clarify the Article to state that the Board
of Public Works will hold the Hearings and the Town Clerk will receive the
Notices. The motion was seconded and voted 5:0.
The Board signed the Payroll and the Billroll for the period
ending October 21, 1983.
The meeting adjourned at 11 :05 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
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