HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-12-12 Board of Public Works MinutesBoard of Public Works Meeting of Decem--r 12, 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 Edward D. McIntire, Jr. and William R. Bergeron.
It was moved, seconded and voted S:O to accept the minutes of the
Board of Public Works Meeting of December 6, 1983 as corrected.
The Board adjourned temporarily at 7:SO P.M. to meet as the Board
of Survey.
The meeting reconvened at 8:50 P.M.
The Board reviewed the request of Malcolm E. and Margaret
Robinson of 20 Osborne Avenue to allow them to pump excess water from
their property through a pipe into the storm drain located in front of
their property.
It was moved, seconded and voted S:O that the Board allow the
connection to be made subject to the homeowner signing a Waiver of Claims
for Damages and they also be instructed to install a backflow-preventing
valve on the line.
The Board reviewed the letter from Virginia Adams, Chairman of
the Historical Commisison requesting assistance of the Department in
moving the Towns' Tercentenary sign to the northerly end of the Common on
Salem Street next to the walkway. The Commission has obtained approval
from the Massachusetts Department of Public Works, and cleared it with the
Mass. Historical Commission as well as the Board of Selectmen.
It was moved, seconded and voted S:O that the Department assist
the Historical Commission in the moving of this sign to the Reading
ICommon.
Board of Public Works Meeting of December 12, 1983 Page 2
Mr. McIntire stated he has a problem with the existing shrubbery
on the Common and he will meet with the Tree Warden to discuss with him
whether those shrubberies can be moved.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to accept as a point of
information the letter to Barry Hampson from Katina Belezos of the M.D.C.
regarding the funding for the Reading Sewer Pumping Station. The letter
states the M.D.C. has budgeted the necessary amount of money and will
proceed with construction with or without the grant.
It was moved, seconded and voted S:O to accept as a point of
information the memo from S.E.A. Consultants Inc. regarding the Reading
Wastewater Pumping Station and Interceptor Sewers - Design Phase.
It was moved, seconded and voted S:O that the letter from Peter
Moscariello of R.M.H.S. regarding the chain link fence to be installed at
Washington Park be accepted as a point of information and be included in
the budget discussions.
It was moved, seconded and voted S:O that the letter from
Marianne Jarema, Commissioner of Reading Youth Softball regarding the
possibility of donating either the money or the actual recommended
materials for the installation of player's benches to the 60 foot diamonds
located at Barrows and Sturges Parks be accepted as a point of information
and be included in the budget discussions.
It was moved, seconded and voted S:O that the memo from John W.
Agnew Jr. regarding Local Mandates be accepted as a point of information
and the Department be instructed to respond.
The Board next discussed the FY8S Budget.
Board of Public Works Meeting of December 12, 1983 Page 3
Under Sheet 9 - Parking Areas - Mr. Barker asked if the painting
of lines and sweeping of parking areas comes under this account.
Mr. Bergeron replied yes.
Mr. Barker stated the line painting at Parking Lot #2 is very bad
and traffic flow is being hindered. Consideration should also be given to
direction of flow arrows as you enter from Woburn Street and Linden
Street. He suggested that the arrows and striping should be made legible.
Mr. Barker stated under Parking Areas and Traffic Signs, the
Department should adopt a policy to have line painting done three times a
year, once in late Spring, once in the latter part of August and once in
the mid or latter part of October or November.
Mr. Griffin asked if the Department has been watching the
progress of the New England Telephone Company on Main Street.
Mr. Bergeron replied yes, they are delayed right now because of
special manhole ordering that has to be done.
Mr. Griffin stated on last Sunday the flashing barricades were
not flashing at all.
Chairman Wood asked what can we do to make sure they keep up with
some kind of reasonable safety standard.
Assistant Superintendent McIntire replied I would assume this
could be done through the Police Department and the Safety Officer.
Under Sheet 10 - Drain Maintenance - Chairman Wood asked are
these ditches that are or are not included in the Capital Outlay Program.
Assistant Superintendent McIntire replied these are not in the Capital
Outlay Program - the capital program is for the major items.
Board of Public Works Meeting of December 12, 1983 Page 4
Under Sheet 11 - Equipment Maintenance - Mr. Barker asked that
the Temporary and Operating Equipment lines be struck from the sheet.
Under auto parts, Mr. Griffin questioned the percentage increase based on
the 1983 expenditure. Chairman Wood stated under gas and oil the
Department should compare the Finance Committees' guidelines and check
actual spent to date.
Under Sheet 12 - Parks & Playgrounds - Overtime - Mr. Barker
stated the expended to date figure is $2,018.00, the $1,700.00 projected
for FY85 could be a problem.
Assistant Supt. McIntire explained that this overtime was for
watering the infields of some parks we had installed sprinkler systems in
and we had a very dry Summer. The maintenance of the wading pools was
also under this account.
Under Sheet 13 - Forestry - chemicals - Mr. McIntire stated the
Tree Warden indicated he would like to see the funding remain at
$2.038.00.
Under Sheet 14 - Traffic Sign - Mr. McIntire stated this account
includes the purchasing, installation and maintenance of traffic control
signs and the painting of center lines and crosswalk lines.
The Board signed the Payroll and the Billroll for the period
ending December 9, 1983.
The meeting adjourned at 10|30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Secrefary