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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-01-10 Board of Public Works Minutes1 14 Board of Public Works Meeting of January 10, 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 Fallon, Board Members Barker, Polychrones and Griffin and Superintendent E. Roger Louanis and Assistant Superintendent William R. Bergeron. P. M. Chairman Wood and Superintendent Louanis left the meeting at 7:31 Mr. Fallon assumed the Chair in Mrs. Wood's absence. It was moved, seconded and voted 4 :0 to approve the minutes of the Board of Public Works meeting of December 16, 1982 as corrected. It was moved, seconded and voted 4 :0 to table the minutes of the Board of Public Works meeting of December 20, 1982. The Board adjourned temporarily at 7:50 P.M. to meet as the Board of Survey. The meeting reconvened at 8 :00 P.M. The Board reviewed the request of the Reading Art Association to hold its Annual Spring Art Festival on the Reading Common on Saturday, June 4, 1983. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to grant permission to the Reading Art Association to hold its Annual Spring Art Festival on Saturday, June 4, 1983 subject to the usual stipulations: 1. No alcoholic beverages may be served in the public way. 2. Proper police and insurance protection must be procured. 3. The area must be broom clean at the conclusion of the event. Z Board of Public Works Meeting of January 10, 1983 Page 2 The Board reviewed the letter from Vincent C. Fantasia of Terrace Trust regarding Chapel Hill Drive and Terrace Park - acceptance as public ways. Mr. Fantasia stated in his letter that as the Developer of Chapel Hill Estates which includes Chapel Hill Drive and Terrace Park, he is willing to assume $983.82 of the total amount required to bring these streets up to grade to be accepted by the Board as public ways. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to accept the letter as a point of information. It was moved, seconded and defeated 1:3 (Mr. Fallon, Mr. Barker and Mr. Griffin opposed) to include Chapel Hill Drive and Terrace Park for street acceptance for the 1984 Fiscal Year. Mr. Barker suggested a letter should be sent to the abuttors indicating that because of a lack of interest from the abuttors, the Board will not do the street acceptance work at this time. It was moved, seconded and defeated 0:4 (Mr. Fallon, Mr. Barker, Mr. Polychrones and Mr. Griffin opposed) that the Board include Criterion Street in its FY84 street acceptance plans. Criterion Street will be discussed in FYB5 budgets. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 that Sheet No. 1, Bill No. 1, dated January 10, 1983 for a 70% lateral for John M. and Betty A. Moore, 44 Catherine Avenue, Plat 97 - Lot 14 in the amount of $323.40 be committed to the Tax Collector and betterments assessed accordingly. The Board reviewed the memo from William R. Bergeron regarding 805 Grants. Mr. Bergeron outlined the grant proposal plan that will be filed if the Board decides to request the project. Board of Public Works Meeting of January 10, 1983 Page 3 The request as shown on the plan will complete the 12" water main loop between John Street and Ash Street and also clean the existing b" water main on Main Street from Ash Street to South Street. The funding for this project will use the balance of the $250,000.00 bond issue. The projected total cost of the project is $159,250 of which $79,225 should be eligible for a grant. It was moved, seconded and voted 4 :0 that E. Roger Louanis be designated as the Town's Agent for obtaining the 805 Funds. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to approve the plan as submitted by the Department. It was moved, seconded and voted 4 :0 that the Department have authorization to proceed with the work if the Grant is not approved. The Board reviewed the letter from State Senator Robert C. Buell regarding the Transportation Bond Issue of 1981. It was moved, seconded and voted 4 :0 that the Board accept the letter as a point of information. Assistant Superintendent Bergeron stated that as you can see from the letter, it is questionable whether the 732 Grant will go anywhere. All of the projects are now in a holding pattern. Mr. Barker moved that the Department draft and send to Senator Buell and Representative Barrett on behalf of the Board a letter expressing the Board's concern over the lack of progress on the corrective legislation that was apparently not passed during the 1982 legislative session and requesting their assistance in obtaining for the Board a copy of the "first draft" document of any new or revised legislation, it was seconded and voted 4:0. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 that the Board accept the letter from Thomas C. McMahon of the DEGE regarding a permit for the :j Board of Public Works Meeting of January 10, 1983 Page 4 connection of six residences to the existing sewer line on Franklin Street (Buckskin Drivel as a point of information. The Board reviewed Camp Dresser & McKee`s Monthly Construction Progress Report #15 for the period November 1, 1982 to November 30, 1982 and accepted it as a point of information 4 :0. Mr. Fallon stated that because of the pending Change Orders and in conversation with the Superintendent, it seems we are on the plus side with Change Orders with the exception of the roofing in part of the old section of the treatment plant. Mr. Fallon stated he hoped the Department would come in with a report no later than next Monday addressing any problems since December 7. Mr. Griffin requested that this be a complete list. Mr. Griffin stated he toured the facility and felt there were a number of things that needed some attention. (i.e., new pieces of equipment that looked to be in the first stages of deterioration). Mr. Fallon stated the Superintendent is aware of several problems including the problem of the cement used to join certain pipes dissolving and becoming clogged in the pipes. Mr. Barker moved and it was seconded and voted 4:0 that the Board meet at the Louanis Water Treatment Plant at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, January 17, 1983 for an informal tour and a general business meeting to start at 7:30 P. M. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to instruct the Department to inform CDM, R.H. White and Alan Swan of the Engineering Division to meet with the Board on Monday, January 17, 1983 at 7:00 P.M. at the Louanis Water Treatment Plant. Board of Public Works Meeting of January 10, 1983 Page 5 The Board reviewed the Memorandum of Agreement between the School Committee, the Board of Public Works and the Recreation Committee. Mr. Fallon stated he agreed with most of the Memo but wondered why Birch Meadow Park was not shown on any of the maps. Mr. Fallon asked that the Department add another section of a map showing it as an area that would come under the control of the Board for maintenance purposes. Mr. Barker moved, and it was seconded and voted 4:0 that the Board accept the Memorandum of Agreement as corrected dated January 3, 1983 between the School Committee, Board of Public Works and the Recreation Committee. The Board reviewed and discussed the Budget as submitted to the Finance Committee on December 31, 1982. Sheet 32 - ROADWAY RECONSTRUCTION - Mr. Griffin asked that Van Norden Road and South Street be included on this page. Mr. Fallon stated he hoped that at the meeting of January 31 (after the roadway hearings held on January 20 and 27) the Board could make recommendations regarding Van Norden Road and South Street. Sheet 29 - RECYCLING - Mr. Barker asked that this be worded that the Board voted to close the recycling center as of July 1, 1983. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to accept the FY84 Budget as submitted to the Finance Committee on December 31, 1982. 9: 05 P.M. Chairman Wood and Superintendent Louanis joined the meeting at The Board reviewed the letter from Carol Lanza of 330 Lowell Street regarding the 30% lateral bill she received from the Board of Public Works. Board of Public Works Meeting of January 10, 1983 Page 6 Superintendent Louanis stated that Mrs. Lanza's concern was that the Town in overlaying Lowell Street felt it necessary to lay the sewer lateral from the main to the property line and she does not feel that she was properly notified of the cost that would be involved or the fact that it was going to take place. Town Counsel has ruled that the Board has the right to assess 30% of the construction cost to the homeowner prior to their connecting to the lateral. At the time the homeowner decides to connect to sewer, they are required to pay the remaining 70 %. Superintendent Louanis stated he felt she has a point in that the Board did not hold a Public Hearing, therefore, the Superintendent asked her to write a letter to the Board for the Board to make a determination on this case. Mr. Fallon asked if other Boards in the past have waived the 30% lateral charge until connection. Superintendent Louanis stated no, not to his knowledge. Mr. Fallon moved, and it was seconded that the Board continue the previous policy of a 30% assessment for all laterals placed on reconstructed streets. Mr. Griffin amended the motion to table the letter until further information could be obtained. The amendment was seconded. The main motion as amended was voted 3:1:1 (Mr. Polychrones opposed and Mrs. Wood abstained.) Mr. Barker moved that the minutes of December 20, 1982 be taken from the table. It was seconded and voted 4 :0. Superintendent Louanis stated the Engineering work for Van Morden Road and South Street would be completed before Town Meeting, but not before the Board meets with Finance Committee. Board of Public Works Meeting of January 10, 1983 Page 7 It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to accept the minutes of the Board of Public Works meeting of December 20, 1982 as written. Under Old and New Business: Mr. Barker requested that the Department contact the Police Department and advise them it is the Board's desire to have a Police Department representative present at the street hearings to be held on January 20 and 27 to comment upon traffic problems expressed by the citizens. Mr. Barker asked if the Department has a progress report on the meeting with the Union regarding the snow plowing operation. Superintendent Louanis stated he was not prepared to make a progress report at this time. Mr. Barker moved that the Board instruct the Department to contact B.F.I. and reinstitute daily pick -up of all barrels located at the parks and the downtown area on a 5 -day week basis and to bill the Town for added expenses. He recommended the Department sweep the streets of sand as well and maintain the barrels that we have out which may include painting. Mr. Polychrones stated he felt people are using barrels to dispose of their excess household trash - and a fine should be imposed upon these people if it is proven. Mr. Fallon asked what the pick -up schedule is for the park barrels at this point. Assistant Superintendent Bergeron stated there is a reduced schedule during the Winter months, if we feel it is not enough, we can I increase the frequency. Board of Public Works Meeting of January 10, 1983 Page 8 Superintendent Louanis stated he believed the barrels at the parks are collected at the end of the day at the end of the routes. Mr. Barker requested that all barrels be emptied in the square on Friday afternoons. Mr. Griffin asked if there is any way we can clean up the downtown area. Superintendent Louanis stated yes, we could increase the cleaning operation in the square either with B.F.I. or our own people. Mr. Griffin stated he is only interested in an image of a clean downtown area. Superintendent Louanis stated he didn't really see a big problem with this financially. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 that the Board accept the memo from the Finance Committee regarding the 53rd payweek, FY84 Energy Guidelines, and the FY84 Budget Hearings Schedule as a point of information. 1983. The Board signed the Payroll for the period ending January 7, The meeting adjourned at 9:50 P.M. Respectfully submitted, c Z—�— TOWN OF READING r k M + c fio MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, 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 January 10, 191x3 The undersigned, Board of Public Works of the Town of P"Oding, in compliance with the provisions of the General Laws, Chapter f3i), was amended by Chapter 63 of the acts of 1933, hereby certify that the lists herewith contain the names of persons s %j ainst whom we have made betterment agesesamente together with the loc6tion of the lend benefited by the improvement and the nature and amount of such betterment assessment. Sevier lateral `7f1 -'t ....... • ..........5323.46 Total .................. S323.40 Such lint is certified to you for the purposes of committing some to the Tax Collector as provided by lave. WITNrSS our hander this tenth day of January A.D, 1983. heirmeen Seeretery