HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-09-22 Board of Public Works Minutes September 22, 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 Mem-
bers Blood and Botka, Superintendent Louanis and Paul Dube from
the Finance Committee.
Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as written.
The Board met with Mr. and Mrs. Balboni of 20 Fox Run Lane
for the purpose of discussing the drainage ditch at the sideline
of the Balboni property where the Town maintains an easement.
Mr. Balboni stated he felt the ditch of approximately 100' was
a hazard to the children in the area and further he believed
the area would be improved if the ditch were piped. Mr. Bal-
boni indicated his willingness to assume the cost of the pipe.
The Superintendent stated that the Board of Public Works had
paved the bed of the ditch with asphalt and intended to loam
and seed the slope on either side and further that in his
opinion there would not be more than a foot of water in the
ditch at any time. Following a general discussion the Board
advised Mr. Balboni they could not consider the ditch a hazard
and that it was not the Board 's policy to pipe ditches on pri-
vate property. In fact, funds to do work of this kind simply
were not available.
The Superintendent advised the Chairman that the Hearing
with regard to a sewer easement on Bolton Street was cancelled
and would be rescheduled.
Mr. Neil Trulson of the Municipal Light Department re-
quested the Superintendent outline the investigation made by
the Municipal Light Department relative to an alternate loca-
tion for the placement of proposed pole 27/65 as shown on the
plan dated June 11 , 1976. In the absence of Mr. Trulson the
Superintendent outlined possible solutions and the reasons for
discounting them. The best remedy seemed to be to splice the
service thereby lengthening the wire in order that the pole
could move. At the present time the wire is quite taut and
there is no room for movement of the pole. At this point in
time the Municipal Light Department withdraws their request
for the pole 33' northerly of existing pole 27/6 near the
driveway at 545 Franklin Street.
The Superintendent requested that Items 6, 7 and 8 on
the agenda relative to bids on Truck Chassis, Cab and Body;
Van Type Truck and for Wheel Type Articulated Front End Loader
be postponed until the meeting of September 27th as he was not
ready to make his recommendations at this time.
Read note from John Agnew calling attention to the fact
that the warrant will close on September 27th at 8:00 P. M.
It was accepted as a point of information.
Read memorandum from John Agnew calling the Board' s atten-
tion to Mr. Barker 's motion under Article 2 instructing the
Board of Selectmen to compile a summary of the cost reduction
programs instituted by Town Boards and Committees dyring the
agree
fiscal year ending June 30, 1976. It was the/following repre-
sented the most substantial savings within the Department for
the period:
1 . A 15 foot Gain type mower was purchased which reduced the
manpower needed to mow the parks and playgrounds at an
approximate saving of $6,000 per year.
2. A seeding machine was purchased for the Park Department
which reduces the man power necessary to reseed the parks
and playgrounds.
3. The Public Works Department took over the supervision of the
Forestry Department which resulted in a reduction in hearing
costs at the Haverhill Street location in the amount of
$1 ,000. Also other savings were achieved in clerical and
telephone services.
4. The operation of the recycling center has resulted in a
saving to the Town both in dollars and extended life of
the sanitary land fill .
5. The Board of Public Works introduced a four day collection
program which resulted in overtime saving for eleven paid
holidays or $10,000 per year.
Read letter from Richard J. Ogden calling attention to a
meeting of all town committees and department heads on October
Minutes — continued September 22, 1976
4th at 9: 30 P.M. in the Community Center. It was accepted as
a point of information.
Meeting adjourned temporarily in order that the Board
could meet as the Board of Survey and reconvened at 8:25 P. M.
The Board reviewed the Order of Conditions prepared by
the Concervation Commission, North Reading, Massachusetts re—
lative to the Drinkwater Realty Trust project at the Ipswich
River in North Reading. Following a discussion it was moved,
seconded and voted to file an Appeal to the North Reading
Conservation Commission Order, File Number 245. 15 Order of
Conditions, Project location: Concord Street, North Reading
in view of the immediate proximity of the Town of Reading's
water treatment plant and primary well field, sole water supply
for the Town of Reading.
The Board signed the Boston Gas Company Plan approved
at the meeting of September 13th.
' Read memorandum from John W. Agnew wherein it is requested
the Finance Committee designate one member and the Board of
Public Works appoint two members to work with the Board of
Selectmen in compiling a report on a suitable dump site area
for the Town.
Mr. Russell reported on the meeting with the Selectmen
on September 16th. It has been requested that the Board of
Public Works explore the possibility of taking over the main—
tenance of school grounds and a meeting will be held in mid
Movember to discuss park and recreation needs. It was hoped
that all interested parties would do their homework prior to
the meeting.
The Board met with a group from R.E.T.l1.R.N. Mrs. Lynn
Stasz acted as spokesperson for the group outlining the activities
of the group from early 1974 to date and the proposed activities
through the Spring of 1977 when the group will disban. The
Board expressed their appreciation to Mrs. Stasz and her co—
workers for their volunteer efforts concerning recycling.
Chairman Russell stated he had been approached by a Wakefield
group interested in recycling efforts at our incinerator site. ,
Following a brief discussion it was moved, seconded and voted
to encourage Wakefield people to use our recycling center.
At the request of R.E.T.U.R.N. it was moved, seconded and
voted that the Board support R.E .T.U.R.N. in their effort
to pass Referendum #6 re: the "Bottle Law".
The Board signed the Pay Roll for the period ending
September 12th and the Bill Rol1poatedSeptember 17, 1976.
Meeting adjourned at 10. 15. Board Members joined the
Board of Selectmen to discuss labor negotiations.
Respectfully ub..,m,tiitted,
Secretary
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