HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-01-24 Board of Public Works Minutes January 24, 1972
' Meeting of the Board of Public Works opened at 7: 30
P.M. in Room 16, Municipal Building.
Present were Chairman White, Secretary Florence, Board
Members Hodgkins and Watt and Superintendent Louanis.
Minutes of previous meeting read and approved.
Read letter from the State Department of Public Works
regarding tentative Chapter 90 Maintenance and Construction allot-
ment for 1972, as follows:
Project State Town Count
Maintenance $2,000 $2,000 $2,000
Haverhill Street 20,800 10,400 10,400
It was accepted as a point of information.
Read letter from Elbridge W. Grover, Director, Reading
Council for Girl Scouts, Inc. requesting abatement of the sewer
frontage assessment placed against Plat 128, Lot 4 (Forest Street)
' in the amount of $565.00. According to the Superintendent, in
1972 an assessment will be placed against Lot 1 , Plat 128 having a
frontage of 701 . 32 feet, and in 1974, sewer will be installed in
Rice Road with a frontage of approximately 860.00 feet. Total
assessment could amount to approximately $6,500.00.
It was the Superintendent ' s recommendation that the Board
vote to abate the present sewer frontage assessment in the amount
of $565.00 and in the event the property is sold for residential
development, the sewer frontage assessment would have to be paid
by the new owner before obtaining permission to connect to the san-
itary sewer. Mr . Watt moved that the sewer frontage assessment in
the amount of $565.00 be abated and future assessments be regis-
tered before being billed, Mr . Hodgkins seconded and it was voted.
It was suggested that Mr. Louanis contact Town Counsel as to the
proper action.
' Read note from the Superintendent regarding abatement of
sewer house connection assessment of John and Mary Whalen, 28
Chestnut Street in the amount of $359. 15. Mr . and Mrs. Whalen
had granted the Town a sewer easement through their property from ,
Chestnut Street to Parkview Road. Mr . Hodgkins moved, Mr. Watt
seconded and it was voted to grant the abatement in the amount of
$359. 15•
The Superintendent brought to the attention of the
Board the betterment costs for the acceptance of Spruce Road
which were considerably over the preliminary estimate given to
the abutting property owners. The reason for this was the need
to install storm drainage to pick up surface water from the ac-
cepted portion of Spruce Road. It was the Superintendent ' s
opinion that this additional drainage was necessary and the cost
for its installation should not be charged against the abutting
property owners on the unaccepted portion of Spruce Road. The
Superintendent pointed out several instances in which the Board
had taken a similar position in the past and established a
precedence for not assessing the drain costs not directly related '
to the acceptance of the street.
A discussion ensued. Mr . Watt moved, Mr. Hodgkins
seconded and it was voted that the Town pick up the construction
of the drainage not directly related to the acceptance of Spruce
Road and pay for it out of the Storm Drain Construction Account.
The Board reviewed special Articles to be inserted in
the Town Meeting Warrant. Mr. Hodgkins questioned the inclusion
of Reconstruction of Town Public Ways under General Maintenance.
Of
The Board voted in favor/the special Article, Mr . Hodgkins
abstained.
The Board discussed Improvements to the Water System.
Mr . Louanis stated that he anticipated receiving a report late in
the week and it was agreed to invite Mr . Kilgore to be present at
the meeting on February 7 to discuss the water supply situation
of the Town.
The Board discussed Additions and Modifications to the
Public Works Garage. Also discussed was additional office space
needs and possible cooperation effort with the School Committee.
The Board agreed that it would not be justified in spending a lot
of money, especially to rent space.
The Board reviewed the report of the Board of Public
Works and Sewer Construction Program 1972 through 1977• Both
items were approved.
The Board signed the Billroll dated January 28 and
Payroll for the period January 17 through January 23•
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
' . Secretary