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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1931-02-27 Board of Public Works Minutes Reading, Mass . , Feb. 27, 1931. ' The Regular Meeting of the Board of Public Works was held at 7:30 P .M. All Members and the Superintendent were Present. Previus records read and approved . Secretary read letter to Mr. Samuel H. Davis relative to auto insurance and his answer. He suggests that matter be nut before Insurance Committee, which the Board voted to do. Chairman read letter from Finance Committee, reporting a 15,000. cut in appropriations. Superintendent to put more gravel at corner of Thorndike and Spring Streets . The sign at Belmont Street, corner of Salem Street seems to be missing. Superintendent to investigate and report. A letter with bill is to be sent to Austin's Lunc'^ Cart for cost of cleaning sewer caused by treir own negligence. It was decided that they should bear all expense in future. The work on Forest Street is to be continued to fill in cut-off at least. Superintendent to smooth out Haven Street at foot of Linden Street. Adjourned at 8: 10 P .11. A True Record :- Attest:- William T. Fairclough S ICR3T.'_i;v CHU 2 , February 21,1901. t1r. "a mel Ii. Davis, 89 f;tete "t. , Bo: ton,Lasv. Dear ir:- The .Board vriiles rao to notify you that tho Torn Troasurer has oanoelled our incurriwe on the i'ruoks end Gare of the Board of :'ublic .corks, except the truck of the Teter kept. .e can not ,-,ceuno responsibility in this natter end ask your o±)Inion if there is easy way in whioh this Doard any insure its trucks and oars in order to give the tormn-people and the public proper protection. Yours very truly, BOU41D OF ! UBIIG t7 IUX p � Fig ME BJLL VLIO 41 SAMUEL H. DAVIS COUNSELLOR AT L S9 5 E STREET BOSTON February 23, 1931. RL:. i'rilliam T. Fairclough, Board of Public '.Orks, Road ing, I'Sass. Dear Is. Fairclough: In response to your letter of February 21st relative to the insurance on the trucks and cars which come under the control of your Board, I beg to say that any trucks or cars used by the dater Department should be covered by insurance. The Town is liable for negligence in the operation of the system of water works and any car or truck operated in a negligent manner while en;�;aged in the business of the operation of the water works , vrould impose liability on the part of the Town. There is no liability on the part of the Town for the negligent operation of trucl.s used in the Highway Department , but if the trucks are used both in the Highway and 'dater Departments , liability would be established on the Town if an accident occurred during the' time that such trucks vrere being used by the 'dater Department. of course the driver of the truck is = sonally responsible i£ he operates a truth in a negligent manner and has an accident. If your trucks of the 7i�hway Department are occasionally used by the +ater Department, I would advise that they have the proper coverage of insurance. I see no reasonwhy the Board should not carry insurance on trucks and cars where there is a legal liability on the part of the Town. It has been the cus- tom of the Town to have the Insurance Committee take care of this matter which has been done in the past by blanket policy coverinz all of the trucks. I would suggest, however, owinZ to the fact that the Town Accountant approves all bills by virtue of the law, that this matter be taken up with the Insurance Committee with a view of restoring the insurance upon the trucks where legal liability exists on the part of the To=. FIS NE 9N IL�ING n2 SAMUEL H. DAVIS =UHSEUOR AT uw 48 STATE STREET BOSTON William T. Fairclough -2- 2/23/31 I feel that the Board has a right to place insurance for the protection of the Tovm, but mould advise that the matter be taken up in the manner suggested so as to avoid any unnecessary controversy. If you desire any further information on this subject, I shall be glad to ..-'ive you further advice. Yours very truly, 9iID :LP JVO� <� VOTE TO BE PASSED BY THE BOARD OF -UBLIC WORKS AT M']ETING HELD FEBRUARY 27 1931, WITH REFE_PENCE TO TAKING OF LAN IN BIRCH MEADOW. ---------------------------------------------- Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted that this Board make a taking by eminent domain of land belong- ing to the heirs of Oliver A. Swain, containing approximately seven and one-half (7-,L) acres, located in Birch Meadow, so- called, and a parcel belonging to Delia E. Sweetser contain- ing approximately two and fifty-three one hundredths (2. 53) acres for the Purpose of a public playground or a recreation center which taking is made bar virtue �of authority vested in this Board by vote of the Town at a Special Meeting held ® December 1, 1930, and it is further voted that this Board sign an Order of Taking of said parcels and cause the same to be recorded in the Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds in accordance with the law applicable to such taking.