HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-11-22 Board of Public Works Minutes November 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
Members Blood, Price and Botka and Superintendent Louanis and
Paul Dubb of the Finance Committee.
Read copy of letter from Viola M. Blue addressed to the
Board of Selectmen concerning the hardship experienced by the
elderly citizens following a snow storm. The plows, in an
effort to widen the travelled way for vehicular traffic, block
private driveways with heavy loads of snow and ice after the
homeowner has paid to have the driveway shoveled. Following
a lengthy discussion it was suggested that the Board of Public
Works request the Chronicle to do a story concerning the problem
suggesting cooperation with the elderly in individual neighbor-
hoods, make our drivers aware of the problem and solicit ideas
' from them that might improve the situation and write the Select-
men, sending a copy of the letter to Mrs. Blue, making them
aware of our efforts concerning the problem.
The Board read the letter addressed to the Chief Engineer
of the Department of Public Works, 100 Nashua Street, Boston,
Mass. and following a short discussion it was agreed to sign
the letter.
Read memorandum from Assistant Superintendent McIntire
concerning overtime for sanding and rubbish collection on Wednes-
day, November 10, 1976 advising the Board that it was necessary
to request assistance from non-union personnel to complete the
rubbish pickup as no union personnel were available. It was
accepted as a point of information.
Read memorandum from the Superintendent relative to the
four proposals made by consulting engineers for a Comprehensive
Water Study for the Town of Reading. Mr . Price abstained from
the discussion. It was agreed that the most satisfactory pro-
posals were made by Whitman and Howard and Weston and Sampson.
However, based on Weston and Sampson 's proposal presentation
and their experience with the water system it was moved, seconded
and voted to award the contract to Weston and Sampson, with ,
an upset limit not to exceed $25,000.
Meeting adjourned temporarily at 8: 15 P. M. in order that
the Board could meet as the Board of Survey and reconvened at
9: 15 P. M.
The Board met with a group of homeowners from Whittier Road
and discussed the drainage ditch in back of their property. John
Silvaggi acted as spokesman for the group explaining that their
home was situated on a low area of Whittier Road and in back of
some of their properties was a drainage ditch that ran toward
Birch Meadow which was in need of immediate maintenance, because
their cellar floor elevation is close to the ground water table
and could create a problem for them. Their request to the Board
was to have the ditch cleaned of debris, baby carriages, etc.
After considerable discussion it was agreed that the ditch would
be cleaned out on the Town property and where the Town had ease-
ments but the Town would not be able to go on to private property. '
The Board signed the Pay Roll for the period ending November
19, 1976 and the Bill Roll dated November 26, 1976.
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 P. M. in order that the Board
could join the Board of Selectmen in their office to discuss
collective bargaining.
Re ctfully submitted,
w
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Secretary