HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-11-15 Board of Public Works Minutes November 15, 1976
1 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, Botka, Superintendent Louanis and Mr.
Douglas Cowell from the Finance Committee.
Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted with correc-
tion.
The Board met with Mr. Duane Heineck and Mr. Donald Pierce
of the Recreation Committee. Mr . Pierce reviewed the six points
outlined in his letter of November 15, 1976, as follows:
1 . Complete work started on skating rink at Birch Meadow to
create more practice areas. Desired completion date 1978.
2. Restore the softball field adjacent to the tennis courts
at Birch Meadow. The field would be out of service from
Fall 1977 to Spring 1979. This would seem to be a job that
the Engineers at Camp Curtis could perform. Upon completion
of the work, a temporary fence should be erected around the
area to prevent use of the field. Desired completion date
Fall 1977.
3. Clean up and landscape the area along the first baseline and
behind the backstop at the varsity baseball field. The
cleared area is to be used for practice. Desired completion
date 1977.
4. Continue development of the Batchelder property. Desired
completion date - 1980.
5. Install lights at the varsity football practice field for
recreational purposes. This is dependent on the approval
of the School Department. Desired completion date - July
1977.
6. Install a drinking fountain near the tennis courts and
adjacent to the right field area at the varsity baseball
field. Desired completion date - Summer 1977.
A lengthy discussion ensued following which it was determined
that a formal hearing on an off meeting night would be held,
December 2, 1976 to advise the public of the Board of Public
Works' plans regarding parks and playgrounds so that we could
solicit their support in getting a program approved by Town
Meeting.
It was moved, seconded and voted that the Board sign
commitment letter for sewer house connection at 108 Main St.
Read letter from Mr. Searl of 26 Harrison Street con-
cerning overgrowth in ditch at the rear of his property and
abutting Memorial Park. The Superintendent stated that there 4
were several miles of drainage ditches in the Town and an
effort is made to clean them periodically but the cost of the
work must remain within the bounds of the money appropriated
for this purpose. Following a lengthy discussion, Mr. Dustin
requested that the Superintendent prepare a cost estimate for
cleaning this particular ditch.
Letter from the Planning Board calling attention to a
Hearing on apartment building moratorium was read and accepted
as a point of information.
Read letter from Mrs. Muriel R. Chapman complaining her
bill in the amount of $630.87 for a service pipe connection
was too high. The Superintendent cited cost of like connec-
tions and it was moved, seconded and voted to deny Mrs. Chapman' s '
request for a reduction in the bill .
Letter from George J. Coogan, Director of Water Supply
together with Notice of Hearing concerning Safe Drinking Water
Act was read and accepted as a point of information.
Invitation to a Cocktail Party for Christmas Lights for
Reading at the home of Marvin Rosenthal was accepted as a point
of information.
Read Notice of Public Hearing in Rm. 2, Town Building at
8:00 P. M. , November 18 on Petition of the New England Power
Company to construct electric power line through Cedar Swamp.
Accepted as a point of information.
The Board signed the Pay Roll for the period ending Nov-
ember 12, and the Bill Rolls for the period ending November 12
and November 19, 1976.
The Superintendent stated he was not yet ready to make
a recommendation regarding a selection of a consulting firm ,
to work on the Comprehensive Water System Study for the Town
of Reading. The Superintendent asked the Board if they wished
to interview additional firms and received a negative response.
The matter was tabled for a week.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 P. M.
Respeqtfully submitted,
Secretary
L