HomeMy WebLinkAbout1934-05-18 Board of Public Works Minutes Reading, Mass. , May 18, 1934.
i
The regular meeting of the Board of Public Works opened
at 7:30 P. M.
Messrs. Putnam, Fairclough, Fowls, Crooker, Barnes and
Superintendent Birnie were present.
The records of the previous meeting were read and approved.
Miss Linda Laetseb, 11 Percy Ave. appeared asking for a
permit to play tennis on Memorial Park. She said Officer MacIntire
said that non-residents could not play on courts. Board granted
request.
Mr. Bryant appeared relative to the E. R. A. projects
which concern this Board. It has been ruled by federal officials
i that no road construction nor building construction either new or
of a maintenance nature shall be undertaken. This will not effect
projects already undertaken. Mr. Bryant reported progress on the
project to gather information on sign construction as regulated by
other towns.
Mr. Henry Johnson came before the Board relative to the
three day 4th of July celebration. It is not practicable to hold
the bonfire on Bear Hill and it has been suggested that it be held in
Memorial Park. He would like to put up one or more signs somewhere
in the Square. He was advised to get a permit from the Building
Department.
-2- May 18, 1934.
At 8:00 P. M. a hearing was held on the installation of
underground conduits from Washington St. to the B & M Railroad
Crossing.
Miss Josephine A. Sweetser, Mrs . Edith S. Nichols and
Mr. Gillard appeared. There being no objections the proposed
changes to be made by the N. E. Telephone & Telegraph Co. were
approved and a permit issued allowing operations to proceed.
Mr. Daniel O'Keefe appeared relative to working out some
of his bills, particularly his water bill. The Board could do
nothing for him.
A letter was received from Camp Curtis Build asking for the
use of the department's roller. It was voted to loan the roller to
the camp providing that it will produce the results desired. The
Superintendent was doubtful of the benefit which might be produced.
A letter was received from the Saint Agnes Rectory request-
ing some filling for a driveway and also some of the patching material
used on the town roads. It was decided not to grant the request in
view of the fact that there is no precedent to warrant such action,
and furthermore there are many local contractors very much in need
of work who are quite capable. .
Sidewalk construction was authorized at the premises of
Helen R. Gillis , 19 Locust St., Ella M. Halligan, 33 John St. ,
Catherine M. Haley, 34 John St. and Harold R. Metcalf, 10 John St.
The project of the Municipal Light Department to install
underground conduits in Haven St. from the Square to the Railroad
Station was formally approved.
-3- May 18, 1934.
The Superintendent presented some samples of the cement
blocks being made by the department.
A letter was received from the Town Counsel relative to
examination of titles on Van Norden Road. He advises indicating on
the plans the number of the lots as included in his letter.
A letter was received from Mr. Kenneth C. Young complaining
of damages to his property at 363 Haverhill St. sustained at the time
the road was reconstructed. The Superintendent was instructed to see
Mr. Young and obtain a better understanding of the complaint.
Water bills and shut-offs were taken up. Money is coming in
from many of the delinquents as the result of shut-off notices and
shut offs.
An estimate of the cost of Main St. reconstruction was pre-
sented in detail as made up by the State Department of Public Works.
It was mentioned that Clapp & Leach object to the high curbing in
front of their store. It was agreed that this bad condition should be
remedied.
It was decided that Post Office Square be done in concrete
providing a concrete cross walk from Willis ' to Kingman & Richardsons.
The concrete is to end on Ash St. on a line with the point where the
Ash St. and Main St. curbs intersect. The gutters from the Square down
will be of bituminous macadam and the center lane 40 Ft. wide will be
either all concrete or part concrete and part macadam to be decided
at a later date probably when the contractor is about to make up his
estimate.
-4- May 18, 1934.
Two letters were received from Central Garage, Main St.
Wakefield, one withdrawing a previous bid and the other making a
new bid. The bids were rejected on the grounds that they were out
of order.
It was voted unanimously to buy the year's supply of oil
from the Texas Co. at .416¢ per gallon less 2¢ a gal. when delivered
in 50 gal. drums.
The gasoline bids were voted to be held over until next
Friday.
The truck bids were looked over and it was decided that a
Sterling and a Dodge truck be brought out for demonstration next
Friday.
Mr. Arthur G. Sias came before the Board at the Board's
request. According to his estimate the Light Department uses 9,000
Gals. a year. Mr. Sias expressed a willingness to cooperate with
us in buying gasoline so as to get the benefit of the large quantity
price. He will bring the matter before his Board and report to this
Board at a later date.
The Chairman reported that the meeting with the Wakefield
Selectmen resulted in the petitioning of the State Reclamation Service
for an investigation of the whole area.
The Chairman brought to the Board's attention the fact that
the excavated material from Main St. will be at this Board's disposal,
that is, within a mile radius. It was suggested that it might be used
on Chapin Ave.
The Board adjourned at 11:22 P. M.
Respectfully Submitted:
Signed:
A. Russell Barnes , Jr. , Secretary