HomeMy WebLinkAbout1931-12-11 Board of Public Works Minutes -1-
Reading, Mass. , Dec. 11, 1931.
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Public Works called to
order at 7:30 P.M.
All members and the Superintendent were present.
Minutes of Dec. 4th meeting, read and accepted.
Letter received from Kingman & Richardson requesting curbing
placed in Westwood Park in front of Lots 7 - 34 to 36, 41, 42
and 46. Board placed request on file.
Mr. Harold Parker, representing the Travelers Insurance Co.
made a complete report on our two workmen's compensation cases.
Letter received from Logan R. Dickie, requesting our Board
to supply water necessary to flood an area of his property for
a public skating rink.
Letter from our Town Counsel, relative to charges for
' cleaning sewer pipe, etc. , on private property. Copy of same
filed herewith.
Mr. Goldsmith interviewed the Board relative to Public
Liability Insurance on our Auto Equipment. Cost for 5- 10000
limits for public liability on six Trucks , one Air Compressor
and two Pleasure Cars is $421.00 - 19% or $80-.79; - net cost
$340.21, and extra territorial net charge of $33.92. Board
considers this project necessary and Chairman to so advise our
Insurance Committee.
Board voted to pay. 50¢ an hour labor charge, on all extra
help, starting Jan. 1, 1932, This is a reduction of 4¢ per hour.
Board considered reducing telephone expense. Supt. instructed
' to remove phones in H. W. shop, eater shop and home phone of
J. Ferrick. Also to reduce number of extensions in main office.
December 11, 1931 Cont. '
Hearing to be held at 8 P.M. Dec. 18th on the relocation
of Grove St. , abutting property of John A. Mac Leod, Chas. Loring
and Meadow Brook Golf Club.
Board adjourned at 9:34 P.M.
A .True Record:-
Attest:- Frank M. Merrill
SECRETARY.
C 0 p Y
Samuel H. Davis
Counsellor At Law
89 State St.
Boston
December 10, 1931.
Mr. Alexander Birnie, Supt.
Board of Public Works,
Municipal Bldg. Reading, Mass .
Dear Mr. Birnie:
In response to your letter of December 8th, asking MY
advice with reference to cleaning out sewers located on
private property, I beg to say that the answer to this
question can be found in Section 11 of the Rules and Regula-
tions of the Sewer Department, adopted in 1922. Section
11 reads as follows:
Section 11. All particular sewers shall be
under the control of and be maintained and
kept clean by the Town. The expense in clean-
ing and repairingany particular sewer shall be
paid by the owner of the premises connected by
said particular sewer; provided, however, that
' any labor on particular sewers occasioned by
defects or obstructions in the common sewer
shall be paid for by the Town.
You will notice that the expense in cleaning the
private or particular sewer shall be borne by the owner of
the premises.
It would seem wise to have the owner make a deposit
covering the amount of the cost of cleaning the sewer before
the work is commenced. All labor performed should be charged
at actual cost.
The book I have showing these rules and regulations
indicates only two amendments which were adopted in 1924.
These amendments do not affect Section 11 but if you have
any record in your office of further amendments , I should '.ike
to secure copies of the same for future reference.
If such amendments exist affecting Section 11, my advice
would, of course, be predicated on such later amendments.
Yours very truly,
Samuel H. Davis
Town Counsel
SHD:S