HomeMy WebLinkAbout1934-06-22 Board of Public Works Minutes Reading, Mass. , June 22, 1931+.
The regular meeting of the Board of Public Works opened
at 7:30 P. M.
Messrs. Putnam, Fowle, Fairclough, Crocker, Barnes and
Superintendent Birnie were present.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
Mr. Sias of the Light Department appeared relative to the
installation of an underground conduit at the corner of Lowell and
Highland St. crossing the property of Mr. Goodwin into the cemetery.
A letter was received from Mrs. Shipkin asking that the
name of Third Street be changed to Shipkin Ave. as per the request
of the late Joseph Shipkin. The Board voted to hold a hearing in the
proper manner necessary to changing the name of an accepted street.
A quotation was received from Fred F. Smith on various
sizes of chicken wire. Matter was laid on the table.
A letter was received from the Board of Public Welfare
giving this board a report on the status of unpaid water bills of
welfare recipients.
A letter was received from the Meadow Brook Golf Club ask-
ing that this Board in rebuilding Grove St, through the Golf Club
property take land on the West side of the present roadway. It was
voted that the Superintendent look into the possibilities of getting
a survey made of that section under the E. R. A.
A report was received from the Superintendent on the
flushing out of the dead end water pipe on Gardner Road.
-2- June 22, 1934-
A copy of the contract between this Board and the State
of Massachusetts on the construction of Main St. was received.
An error was noted as to the surface of the new construction. A
letter was written to the State authorities calling attention to the
mistake.
The Superintendent made a report of the number of street
signs needed. It was decided that in view of the shortage of funds
do the highway department no new signs could be made at the present
time.
The matter of placing curbing along Main St. where the
trees were removed was discussed. It was voted thatthecurbing be
' put in and charged to the sidewalk account.
A report was made by the superintendent on the cost of in-
stalling sewer pipes on Dudley and High Streets. There was appended
to it a summary of the financial status of the entire sewer department.
Mr. Lane appeared relative to correcting the drainage prob-
lem at his property on 71 Hopkins St. He also wanted to have the
wall along the roadway in front of his property built up so as to
afford some protection against the drop in elevation from the road to
his land.
The 4th of July Celebration Committee requests the Board
of Public Works to build privys on Washington St. Ball Field in
preparation for the crowds expected there. Board voted to do so.
-3- June 22, 1934.
The Planning Board appeared relative to the development
of Birch Meadow. They were very much opposed to any material de-
viation from the plan as laid out by the Play Ground Committee.
Representative Sweetser appeared to present the bill
which has already been approved on the changing of the Reading-
Woburn line. The elimination of the grade crossing at Main St.
was discussed at length.
The project of developing Birch Meadow was discussed at
length.
The matter of park supervision was taken up. The chairman
made a report.
The ways and means of cutting highway expenses were dis-
cussed at length. By cutting down on highway maintenance and by
putting highway department employees on sidewalk construction, the
necessary amount will be conserved.
Mr. Fowle brought to the Board's attention a request for
a toilet to be built in the Woburn St. fire station for the conve-
nience of persons meeting there.
The matter of sewer construction on Dudley St. and High St.
was again taken up and sewers in general were eventually discussed.
It was decided to take up with the Town Counsel the possibility of
eliminating the charge to the abuttor for the sewer installation,
the sewer rates, that is; for the use of the sewer would remain the
same.
The matter of putting the portion of Main St. between the
tracks and Washington St. in a passable condition was discussed. It
-4- June 22, 1934.
It was decided that by honeing that section the end would be
accomplished.
Mr. Fairclough brought to the Board's attention the
possibility of obtaining some very exact geodedic data from the
Federal Government merely by filing an application. The Chairman
agreed to get whatever information he could from Mr. Houdelette, the
man in charge in Massachusetts.
Motion was made that the Board buy 18 gage 1 1/2" mesh
chicken wire.
Board adjourned to the Selectmen's office to consult them
' in the development of Birch Meadow at 11:45 P. M.
Respectfully Submitted:
A True Copy:
Attest:
(Signed) A. Russell Barnes,Jr.
SECRETARY
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