HomeMy WebLinkAbout1956-12-20 Board of Public Works Minutes December 20, 1956
Special Meeting of the Board opened at 7 :30 P. M.
Present were Chairman Johnson, i"iessrs. 7anni, Hopkins, Don-
ahue, Kilgore and Superintendent Putnam.
Minutes of previous meeting read and approved.
Received the following copy of a letter sent by the State
Dept, of Public Health to the Reading Health Department:
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
511 STATE HOUSE, BOSTON 33
December 17, 1956
Re: Reading - Town Dump
Board of Health
Reading
Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The Department of Public Health, in response to
a petition containing approximately 100 names, has
caused an examination to be made relative to an alleged
smoke nuisance from the refuse disposal site of Reading.
The site is located northerly of the junction
of Route 128 and North Avenue adjacent to the Wakefield
dump site in Wakefield. The area comprises approximately
32 acres of land, of which a small portion is now being
operated as an open dump. The entrance is directly off
Village Street southeasterly of a drainage ditch which
empties into the iaugus River.
Information obtained from Mr. Putnam, of the
Reading Public Works Department, disclosed that refuse
containing garbage is not accepted and that burning is
carried on only under favorable weather conditions. At
the time of the examination burning was observed near the
face of the dump, and also in assmall area northerly of the
drainage ditch. It was noted that combustion of refuse was
limited to a small area and a moderate amount of light smoke
was being produced.
Although the amount of smoke being produced by the
burning of refuse was not sufficient to be considered a
nuisance at the time of the, examination, the Department is
of the opinion that, if the practice of burning is continued, '
it is likely to result in nuisance conditions from time to
time.
The Department recommends, therefore, that burning
be discontinued and that refuse be disposed of only by the
sanitary landfill method by which the refuse is compacted and .
covered daily.
The Department suggests that Reading, in cooperation
with nearby communities, make a ,joint effort to study the -
feasibility of constructing a regional incinerator to serve the
future needs of these communities.
Respectfully,
( SIGNED) Francis H, Kin sbui
ranc a H. Kingsbury
Acting Deputy Commissioner
Environmental Sanitation
Letter noted, and Superintendent instructed to continue operations
at the Town Dump in the usual manner, and to request from the Town
Counsel an opinion of the rights of the Town of Reading regarding
the continued use of the Reading Town Dump with respect to the
burning of combustible matter.
Received progress report from Superintendent regarding
Chapter 90 Construction on West Street, as concerning the Middle-
sex County Commissioners, as follows:
1. The town will write the County Commissioners requesting that
1956 County funds be reallocated for the entire West Street
construction ,job (1955-1956-1957) .
2, The County Engineers will re-section West Street from Woburn
Street to West-Willow-Sumner.
3. The County Engineers will section West Street from West-Willow-
Summer to the Reading-Wilmington Town Line,
4. This work will start immediately, so that the State can bid job
in near future.
Progress report 64 Superintendent noted.
' Received preliminary report from Superintendent of status
of questionnaires sent abuttors on Knollwood Road and County Road
regarding Betterment Aeceptance of the two streets named. Action
postponed until more questionnaires have been returned.
Received the following letter from the Town of Reading Board
of Health regarding Fluoridation of the Town water supply:
December 20, 1956
Board of Public Works
Municipal Building
Reading, Mass.
Gentlemen:-
Replying to your letter dated December 7, 1956
Re: Fluoridation of the Town water supply.
At a meeting of the Board of Health, held Dec.
1 181f 1956, Mr. George Coogan Sanitary Engineer of the
State Department of Public Health, Northeastern District
together with Mr. Putnam Superintendent of your Board
discussed this matter quite thoroughly. Mr. Coogan
agresded with suggestions as submitted by Weston & Sampson
in the use of crystalline Sodium Fluoride. He also
told Mr. Putnam that when the machinery was installed he
would instruct the operator as to the method and amount
to be used in the fluoridation of the water supply.
He stated that daily samples would be taken for a month
and at regular intervals there after.
Yours very truly
Board of Health
( SIGNED) C. F._ Axkinson
ecretary.
Moved, seconded and voted to proceed at once with advertising for
bids on Fluoridation equipment for each of the three (3) municipal
water pumping stations .
Discussed proposed 1957 Salary Schedule at some length. '
Moved, seconded and voted to hold a special meeting of the
Board on Thursday evening, December 27, 1956.
Board Adjourned at 11:15 P. M.
Respectfully submitted: �-
(7ere<
Secretary
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