HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-01-19 Board of Public Works Minutes January 19, 1976
Meeting of the Board of Public Works opened at 7:30 P. M.
in Room 16, Municipal Building.
Present were Chairman Russell , Secretary Dustin, Board
Members Blood, Price and Botka and Finance Committee Members
Donald Trudeau and Michael Haley and Superintendent Louanis.
Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted.
Read copy of report from Mr. McIntire to the Superinten-
dent outlining the procedure relative to departmental operation
in the instance of parked cars in community parking areas and
public streets during the recent snow storm. A lengthy dis-
cussion ensued followed by a motion that the Department con-
tinue with the established procedure of towing vehicles. It
was seconded and voted. It was further moved, seconded and voted
that the Department take an active communication to the Board
' of Selectmen requesting they direct the Chief of Police to take
a much more directive action in tagging vehicles illegally parked
and that signs be posted in the parking areas.
Read Notice of Public Hearing wherein the New England Tele-
phone and Telegraph Company and the Town of Reading Municipal
Light Department Petition the Board to locate and place a pole
on Libby Avenue Southeasterly side, approximately one hundred
thirty-four feet south westerly of 'A' Street. Mr. Hadley
represented the Municipal Light Department and Mr. George Cooley
who represented the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company
stated a request had been received from a property owner to re-
move guy wires from a tree on private property and in order to
do this a new pole would have to be installed to use for guying
purposes. It was moved, seconded and voted to close the Hearing.
Mr. Blood abstained. It was further moved, seconded and voted
to allow the N. E. Telephone and Telegraph Company and the Muni-
cipal Light Department to install the new joint pole in accordance
with the Petition and Plan. Mr. Blood abstained.
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969 the Board of Public Works of Reading held a Public
Hearing at 8:00 P. M. to discuss the proposed project of re- ,
placing the existing Willow Street wastewater pumping station
in Reading with a wastewater interceptor. Mr. David Blake of
the firm of Weston and Sampson, consulting engineers for the
Town of Reading, conducted the Hearing. The proceedings were
taped and a transcript will be appended hereto.
The Board reviewed the reworked summary sheet for the
Water Department and the Superintendent pointed out that there
was an estimated deficit of $107,400 for FY-77 and this was due
to two basic reasons:
1 . The chemical costs have been estimated to increase
$80,000.
2. The estimated income for FY-77 is based on the actual
income of the Water Department for the year ending
June 30, 1975 and therefore it appears necessary to
increase the water rate between 27-33%.
The Superintendent was instructed to take a close look at the ,
actual use of the Water Department and a review of the matter
of rate increases and to discuss other means that could be used
to mitigate the problem with the Town Accountant.
It was agreed that the Board could now begin a sheet by
sheet review of the Budget beginning with:
Sheet 1 . Administration - More information was asked of
the Superintendent relative to supplies but the
sheet was tentatively agreed to at $41 ,200.
Sheet 2. Engineering - Tentatively approved at $119,982.
Sheet 3• Highway Construction and Maintenance - Tentative-
" 4. ly approved at $245,000
The Board discussed the Massachusetts Growth Policy Devel-
opment Act, Chapter 807 of the Acts of 1975. It was agreed
that the Chairman would volunteer to serve on the Local Growth
Policy Committee and request that some citizens with Public
Works background also be appointed to the Committee. ,
Minutes - continued January 19, 1976
The Board signed the payroll for the period ending January
18 and the bill roll dated January 23, 1976.
Respectfully
submitted,
Secretary
be