HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-05-21 Board of Public Works Minutes MINUTES
May 21 , 1973
Meeting of the Board of Public Works opened at 7: 30 P.M. in Room 16,
' Municipal Building.
Present: Chairman Blood, Secretary White, Board Members Reed, Russell ,
and Dustin, and Superintendent. Louanis.
Minutes of the previous meetings were read and approved.
Billroll was signed dated May 26, 1973; payroll was signed for the
period ending May 20, 1973•
Read letter from the State Department of Public Works relative to
Chapter 90 allocation of funds. Discussion ensued, covering several
possibilities for use of the funds with Franklin Street, from Haverhill
to Main Street having the greatest potential . It was moved, seconded,
and voted that a hearing be set up for the laying out and re-construction
of Franklin Street, and that all abuttors be duly notified.
Secretary White read notice of Public Hearing on Change of Name of
Goodall-Sanford Road to General Street. Hearing was formally closed,
' with one representative of General Tire present. It was moved, seconded
and voted to approve the change of name from Goodall-Sanford Road to
General Street.
Read letter from Superintendent to James Fandel , Personnel Board,
regarding the promotion of Alvin Opland from transit man at a salary
of $168.00 to the position of land surveyor at a salary of $185.00.
Accepted as a point of Information.
The Board interviewed four consulting engineering firms relative to the
drainage problem in the Willow Street Pumping Station as follows:
8:20 P .M. Whitman b Howard, represented by Robert P. Langill and
Robert T. Jones, President of Whitman & Howard. Their main presentation
concerned systems analysis of the entire collection system, and use of
smoke detection to locate infiltration problem. A full report to be
given in 3 to 4 months, with an interim report if required.
' 8:50 P.M. Cleverdon, Varney b Pike represented by Floyd Brown
offered a two-phase program. A preliminary report would be submitted,
followed by discussion with the Superintendent to determine what areas
should be concentrated on; i .e. estimate storm drainage and need for
MINUTES - May 21 , 19731
more storm drains . His report would indicate definite areas needing
further investigation.
' 9: 15 P.M. Alonzo B. Reed, Inc. , represented by Henry D. Hoyle. Feels
the problem is two-fold; infiltration and illegal cellar drainage.
Possibility of a gravity route in the Aberjona River connecting with
the M.D.C . Would cut maintenance costs approximately 90%. He would
require any information the Sewer Department has, pumping station data,
etc. Opening manholes at a set time, both during the day and at night
to test the depth of flow would give an indication as to where the bead
spots are. Camara may be set up as a further means of study; and
entering cellars accompanied by one of the town crew to ascertain just
how much is draining illegally. Suggested putting in a meter at the
pumping station to record the discharge, and compile date. Meter costs
between $4,000 and $5,000. Knows of the smoke screen procedure, but
has not used it. Could supply an interim report if necessary to satisfy
the state within 4 - 6 weeks and full report in 4 months.
9:50 P.M. Coffin & Richards represented by Dave Beach, John Curtis
and John Roche (designed new M.D.C . pumping station at Spot Pond) .
Sees three areas - 1 . excessive overflow; 2. Department of Natural
Resources; 3. OSHA standards for pumping stations . Would monitor
system to pinpoint critical areas, also check commercial business,
flowing clean water into the sanitary system instead of the drain system
to cut down on volume. Diversion of flow into M.D.C. lines . Inspection
of water usage andconsumption; pumping station survey; meters set up
in pumping stations to record discharge. Report to be compiled in 3 - 4
months . Under EPA law most of the work is federally eligible, but has
priorities . Studies of this nature are directly eligible under a
grant, but not federal funds. $20,000. for study. "Detective work"
is, if necessary, followed up by camera screening and then sealing
problem areas.
The Superintendent was requested to obtain an answer from Whitman &
Howard, and Coffin & Richards as to the scope of their proposed pro-
grams, and an estimated cost, with the question of how much work can
be accomplished for $25,000. and how much for $50,000.
The Board signed Contract for Sanitary Sewer No. 73-1 .
MINUTES May 21 , 1973
Read letter from Reading Youth Baseball League. Accepted as a point
' of information.
Read note from the Superintendent regarding the cost of keeping the
dump open for leaves and yard trash during the months of June, July,
and August. It was moved, seconded, and voted that the dump be kept
open for receiving leaves , and yard trash on the following Saturdays:
June 2, 16, July 7, 21 , and August 4 E 18.
Notice is to appear in the Reading Chronicle the Thursday before the
date scheduled . A new schedule is to be set up in September for the
fall clean-up.
It was moved, seconded and voted that the Board meet in the following
dates during the summer months:
July 16, August 13, and September 10.
Meeting adjourned at 11 : 15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted
' Secretary
May 15, 1973
Thomas C. McMahon
Water Resources Commission
Leverett Saltonstall Building
Government Center
100 Cambridge Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02202
Dear Mr. McMahon:
Res Reading Sewer overflow
on Arcadia Avenue
In response to your letter of May 4, 1973 regarding the overflowing
sewer manhole on Arcadia Avenue, please be advised that the Board
of Public works has budgeted sufficient funds to install a new pump
at the willow Street Sewer Pumping Station. It is planned to com-
plete this in the current constructionperiod. The new pump will
increase the station's capacity to the point where the overflowing
sewer manhole on Arcadia Avenue will be alleviated.
The following steps are also in progress to remedy the situation:
1 . The Board of Public works has been involved in a program of
surveying and sealing leaks in the entire Reading sewer
system for the past eight (8) years. This year's funds will
be concentrated in the Willow Street Pumping district.
2. The Board of Public Works is now 1n the process of interviewing
consulting engineers to assist the Town in solving infiltration
problems and future overflowing manholes.
?. Discussions are now underway with the Reading Board of Health,
Plumbing Inspector, end Building Inspector to find ways to stop
illegal cellar drain connections.
In line with the above activities, and the serious overflowing cess-
pool problems throughout the Town, the Board of Public Works requests
permission to continue its sewer house eonnectionc:program to existing
sewers.
Very truly yours
1
E. Roger ouanis—
Superintendent
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