HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-10-15 Board of Public Works Minutes October 15, 1973
Meeting of the Board of Public Works opened in Room
16, Municipal Building at 7:30 P.M.
Present: Chairman Blood, Secretary White, Board
Members Dustin, Reed and Russell and Superintendent Louanis .
Minutes of the previous meeting were read, corrected
and approved.
The Board met with Mr . Carey and Mr. Langill of the
firm of Whitman and Howard, Inc. Mr. Carey spoke at great
length outlining the work done thus far by his firm and of
their future plans, as follows:
1 . System inspection complete
2. Flow tests complete
3. Visual vapor testing
4. Tributary area analysis
5. Pumping station analysis
6. Summary and recommendations
7• Cost estimates
8. Final report
Whitman and Howard, Inc. is covered by liability insurance and
proposes to publish a notice in the local newspaper on .October
18th as well as hand deliver a letter to each house outlining
the work to be done with regard to the sewerage system study.
Mr. Carey suggested that we proceed with Item 3 and continue
the program as planned in about a week. The Board was advised
that the Town could expect financial assistance under the E.P.A.
in the amount of 90% of the cost of the project; 75% from the Federal
Government and 15% from the State. The Board was in accord that
we should continue the project. *
Read letter from Elbridge W. Grover, Director of Rea-
ding Council for Girls, Inc. requesting abatement of sewer front-
age assessment on Forest Street. Read letter from Town Counsel
in which it is stated that the "Board may not abate the betterment
assessed to the property on Forest Street owned by the Reading
Council of Girl Scouts , Inc. on the grounds that the organization
enjoys a charitable tax exemption under G.L. Chapter 59. " Follow-
ing a lengthy discussion the Board directed the Superintendent to
advise Mr. Grover that it was improper for the Board to abate
the sewer frontage assessment levied against the Girl Scout ,
property on Forest Street. However, the Board has an impend-
ing need for obtaining a sewer easement across the Girl Scout
property to sewer Rice Road and a portion of Forest Street and
would consider abating the sewer frontage assessment in lieu
of the Girl Scout Council granting the Town an easement for san-
itary sewer construction.
The Board discussed the proposed drain connection
from 95 Grove Street property owned by Misses Gregory and
Weaver. The sewer is needed at this location and there is also
a ground water problem. The property owners are willing to pay
for the installation of the drain connection. Mr. White moved,
Mr. Dustin seconded and it was voted to allow the sewer and
drain systems to be installed simultaneously subject to the owners
signing a release from damages running in favor of the Town.
Read letter from Nutter, McClennen and Fish, attorneys
for Addison and Wesley Publishing Company, Reading Realty Trust ,
and reviewed the drainage plan of the Grolier Building on Jacob
Way. The Superintendent informed the Board of the latest plan
submitted on October 15 and stated that the Engineering Depart-
ment had not had an opportunity to check the hydraulic computa-
tions. The previous plans submitted were unacceptable because
they would overload the Town 's drainage system in Jacob Way.
It was also pointed out that the proposed plan would take water
from a drainage area which normally ran to South Street and
divert it through the Jacob Way drain area. The Superintendent
was instructed to discuss the matter with the Town Counsel and
report back to the Board at the next meeting.
Read letter to the Personnel Board re salary increase.
It was accepted as a point of information.
Read letter from the Church of Good Shepherd re clos-
ing Chute Street during their Fair. Mr . White moved, Mr . Russell ,
seconded and it was voted to close Chute Street from Woburn to
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Mt. Vernon Street on Saturday, October 27th from 9:00 A.M. to
5:00 P.M. subject to the following conditions:
' 1 . No alcoholic beverages may be served within
the limits of the public way. j
2. The area shall be policed and completely
clean by 12:00 Noon on October 28, 1973.
The Board signed the Payroll for the period ending
October 14th and the Bill Roll dated October 19th.
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary
* These funds are available only if a construction program is
approved.
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