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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971-09-20 Board of Public Works Minutes September 20, 1971 ' Meeting of the Board of Public Works opened at 7:30 P.M. in Room 16, Municipal Building. Present were Chairman White, Board Members Cochrane, Hodgkins and Watt and Superintendent Louanis . In the absence of Mr. Florence, George Cochrane acted as Secretary. Minutes of previous meeting read and approved. The Board met with Dr . Walker of the Reading School Com- mittee regarding rubbish collection from the schools . According to Dr . Walker, the schools were equipped with Incinerators but to meet the specifications of the State would require extensive re- pairs. Seven of the Incinerators could be repaired at a cost of $1 ,500.00 apiece, three could not. The Superintendent informed the Board that or . Wells, Mr. Macdonald and he had met and discussed the situation early in June but only in a general way. Dr. Walker and the Board discussed the collection of rubbish by the Town versus contractor. Dr . Walker stated that the School Department is trying to reach the most economical solution for the collection of the rubbish. Discussed were the use of metal con- tainers at the various schools and the use of a hoist attached to the Town 's rubbish trucks . Mr . Macdonald and Mr . Louanis will meet for a discussion of the subject. ' Read letter from Middlesex County Commissioners con- cerning hearing to be held September 22 regarding highway im- provements for the year 1972 (Chapter 90 Construction and Mainte- nance) . Mr . Hodgkins moved, Mr. Cochrane seconded and it was , voted to authorize the Chairman to sign a letter requesting that 1972 funds be requested for reconstruction of portions of Haver- hill Street. The Superintendent was instructed to ascertain what districts have 40-foot and 45-foot layouts under Chapter 90. Ac- cording to the Superintendent, the County Aid Engineer has been in Reading and insists on 50-foot layouts . Upon receipt of the data on the layouts, new programs with 40-foot layouts will be submitted to the County Commissioners and State Engineer . Public hearing was held at 8:00 P.M. regarding the pe- tition of the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company and Reading Municipal Light Department for two (2) pole locations on , Waverly Road. Mr . Frank Graupner represented the Reading Municipal Light Department at the hearing. Mr. Watt questioned the use of underground; also a light on each pole. Mr. Cochrane moved that the petition be approved, Mr . Hodgkins seconded and it was voted. Read letter from Eugene J. Fortin of Medford requesting approval as a Licensed Drain Layer in the Town of Reading, Mr. Cochrane moved, Mr . Hodgkins seconded and it was voted that Mr . Fortin be approved as a Licensed Drain Layer . Read note from the Superintendent regarding approval of a petition by New England Telephone & Telegraph Company for underground conduit in Salem, Lowell and Main Streets. Hearing was , held on August 16. Mr. Hodgkins moved, Mr. Cochrane seconded and it was voted to approve the petition. The Board met with the Personnel Board to discuss the ' evaluation and salary of the Assistant Sanitary Engineer. . Mr. White introduced the Members to the Personnel Board and asked the Chairman, Mr. Picano, to outline what further information it needs regarding the approval of the classification of Assistant Sanitary Engineer. Mr. Picano stated that he felt the presentation made on Wednesday, September 8, was adequate and the Personnel Board had reached the conclusion that the classification of Labor Grade 15 was too high and should be Labor Grade 14 with a range of $157 . 12 to $198.34. The Board would agree to approve the hiring of someone for this position at $180.00 per week. Mr . Picano brought up the question of approving a classi- fication of Heavy Equipment Operator at the Incinerator and stated that the Personnel Board was of the opinion that this was incon- sistent with the present labor structure and considerably higher than the present classification of Dump Caretaker. A lengthy dis- cussion ensued and it was agreed that the Superintendent would re- evaluate this position and forward his evaluation to the Personnel Board for its consideration. Read letter from Mrs. Linda McFarland, 2 Maple Street, re- garding flooding condition on her property. She requests proper drainage of a brook in the rear of her home. According to the Super- intendent, the land may be developed in the near future and of neces- sity, the area will be cleaned up. It was suggested that a letter ' be sent to Mrs. McFarland stating that in the light of pending de- velopments, the situation may change radically in the near future. The Board read petition from 18 property owners (9 fam- ilies) of Causeway Road requesting acceptance of said Street. Mr. , Watt moved that a "guestimate" be made and the Board hold a pre- liminary hearing and advise the abutters of the cost; Mr. Cochrane seconded and it was voted. It was suggested that the unaccepted portion of Spruce Road be treated in the same manner. The Board voted to authorize the Superintendent to sign a contract with Weather Services, Inc. for the year 1972, the fee being $525.00. Read letter from Boston & Maine Corporation regarding increase from $5.00 to $30.00 per year on Contract No. 50327, dated 10-28-53 Sewer Pipe. It was accepted as a point of informa- tion. ' Read letter from the Registry of Motor Vehicles which stated that effective September 27, 1971 , all vehicles owned by cities and towns, counties, etc. and used solely for official business, will be exempted from the registration fee. It was ac- cepted as a point of information. Read letter from Robert E . Jones, Reading Scholarship Foundation, requesting permission to conduct a Flea Market Sale at the parking lot in the front of the Department of Public Works Building on John Street on Sunday, September 26, from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. (rain date for the following Sunday) . Mr. Watt moved, Mr. Hodgkins seconded and it was voted to approve the re- quest. , Read card from Mrs. K. W. Dolloff, 11 Tamarack Road, ' regarding rubbish collection problems . The Superintendent was instructed to write Mrs. Dolloff thanking her for the interest in the Town ' s collection system. Read letter from Mrs . Phyllis Senier, 471 Lowell Street, regarding the plowing of the sidewalk on Lowell Street northwesterly of Beverly Road. The Superintendent was instructed to notify Mrs. Senier that the Department has voted not to extend the sidewalk plowing program. Read letter from the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen regarding complaint by the Superintendent of the Forestry Department ' that contractors and members of the Department of Public Works were severing roots of Reading's shade trees, causing their ultimate de- struction. Mr . Cameron asked for cooperation from the Department. Mr . Watt suggested that a notice be posted covering the unfavorable publicity and the desire to keep the shade trees. Read letter concerning proposed Capital Expenditures Pro- gram. Data will be prepared and submitted to the Board at a future meeting. The Board signed the Payroll for the period September 13 through September 19 and Billroll dated September 24. Meeting adjourned at 9: 30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Secretary