HomeMy WebLinkAbout1957-04-08 Board of Public Works Minutes April 8, 1957
' Regular Meeting of the Board opened , at 7 :30 P. M.
Present were Messrs. Donahue; Hopkins, Zanni, Kilgore and Superin-
tendent Putnam. -
Mr. Zanni was elected Chairman pro tem.
Minutes of previous meeting read and approved as corrected.
Signed vouchers and payrolls for payment,
Received report from Superintendent relative to his attendance at
public hearing on Lowell Street rail road bridge relocation. Report noted.
Discussed 1957 construction projects at some length.
Moved, seconded and voted to prepare remainder of Oak Street side-
walk, Southerly side, for hearings and bidding.
Postponed action on Forest Street proposed sidewalk, pending pre-
sentation of tentative five-year Chapter 90 Construction program to Board
by the Superintendent.
Moved, seconded and voted to install a six ( 611) inch water main in
Pearl Street, from Main Street at Greenleaf' s gasoline station North-
easterly, where the water main now exists, the new main to be laid
in the old 14" water main trench; and, when weather permits, scarify, re-
shape, penetrate, seal and adjust existing catch-basins to improve road
surface and surface drainage on Pearl Street.
Received letter from Mrs. Rena Lucy reporting damage to mail box
owned by her and requesting it be repaired and/or replaced. Superin-
tendent instructed to write Mrs. Lucy, ascertain what work. she . wishes
done, and accomplish same.
Received letter from Mr. R. E: Hatfield, 19 Oak Street, reporting
Idamage done to his sidewalk and tree lawn during sidewalk construction
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by a contractor. Superintendent instructed to write Mr. Hatfield and ,
inform him that repairs will be made when weather conditions permit.
Received letter from Thomas Worcester, Inc., architects and engin-
eers for the proposed Nike Housing Site off Hopkins Street in Wakefield,
regarding extension of Town of Reading,water mains to it. Superintendent
instructed to do the following:
1. Request opinion from Town Counsel as to legality of proposed insta-
llation.
2. Obtain written permission from Town of Wakefield for installation.
3. Require U. S. Army authorities to purchase all material according to
Town of Reading Board of Public Works specifications, do all trench ex-
cavation and backfill, reimburse the Town of Reading Public Works De-
partment for the installation of all mains, services, and hydrants.
Received request from Nike authorities to erect several directional
signs inviting the general public to open house at the control site. Per-
mission granted, subject to approval of specific locations by Superintend-
ent.
Previewed estimates of sewer frontage assessments on four streets,
on which hearings are to be held April 15, 1957. Frontage assessments
approved, with one revision.
Examined and approved for Superintendents signature the following
Registry of Deeds plans:
LOCATION OWNER SURVEYOR
.Main St, and Pearl St. Kenneth Nichols H. Kingman Abbott
Prospect Street David C. Carpenter D. F. Perkins & Sons
Gleason Rd. Extension Morel Bros. Fred R. Bean '
' Received letters from the following citizens citing needs for sewer
extensions:
Edith W. Downs, 67 Vine Street-cess-pool has failed
William J. Dunn, 27 Woodward Avenue-cess-pool has failed
Arthur M. Hathaway, 86 Grand Street-cess-pool has failed
Letters noted, and placed on file for future reference.
Superintendent reported on negotiations with Roderick Hogan et al
relative to drain easements. No agreement arrived at.
Moved, seconded and voted to deny the request of Roderick Hogan
and Katherine Hogan for abatement of sewer frontage assessments on Willow
Street.
Moved, seconded and voted to abate the following water bills and
sewer rentals on the property of Robert Channonhouse, d/b/a "Channys,
Cleaners" at 508 Main Street, because of double metering:
IWATER BILLS SEWER RENTAL BILLS
October, 1955 - - - 0 87.90 November, 1955 - - - $41.54
April, 1956 - - - - 56.00 May, 1956 - - - - - 34.70
October, 1956 - - - 4.00 November, 1956 - - - 3.00
TOTAL 0141-90 TOTAL 79. .
Received the following letter from Robert M. Graham, 72 Cross St.,
Reading: ' '
April 6, 1957
The Board of Public Works
Town of Reading
Municipal Building
Lowell Street
Reading, Mass.
Mr. Kenneth R. Johnson, Chairman
Gentlemen,-
Necessary
entlemen;Necessary for litigation that is being started are several
public letters and documents in the files of your Board that
I should like to copy yr get certified copies of. This litigation
is an appeal to the Department of Public Safety of Massachusetts.
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Below I will number the requests and follow each with a brief
explanation for the request. I also am willing to pay any nominal ,
expense to procure the same .
1. The letter of request from the Board of Selectmen, Town of
Reading, for the Board of Public Works to place and request
funds for the placement of a water main to a Industrial 'Zone
off Ash St. (Article #49 Warrent of Annual Town Meeting 1957)
This will cover the rights of the Selectmen to lay out
Private Ways and the rights of the Town through the Board
of Public Works to install the water main according to
Chapter 41 Section 77 of the General Laws.
2. Any notes and decisions of the Board of Public Works acting
As the Board of Survey under the Chapter 41 Section 74 of
the General Laws.
The Selectmen under Common Law have the right to lay out
Private Ways for Public use for one inhabitant. Due process
have to followed, however. The question of the necessity
of the entrance to the Tranco plant being a Private Way
open for Public use is necessary for the lives and safety
of the public in view of the storage of inflemables in this
area and its remoteness.
3. The letter from Tranco to the Board of Public Works that was ,
read by Mr. Johnson at the Annual Town Meeting 1957 laying
out the requirements of Tranco as regards- water and fire
protection.
The expressed need for a 12 inch connection for fire
protection is somewhat extraordinary. This will show
to the Fire Marshall of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
that the danger to the adjacent property is large.
4. A statement of the amount of pressure in the water main at
the location of the connection that will run into this
Industrial Area.
Same as above in #3.
I would appreciate a quick reply as the date and process of the
hearing on the State level is at the present unknown to me.
Thank you
(SIGNED) Robert M. Graham
79Fer , ra am
72 Cross St.
Reading, Mass.
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' Moved, seconded and voted to instruct Superintendent to supply Mr.
Graham with the information requested.
Attended joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen, Planning
Board, and Town Counsel regarding proposed Business C Area rezoning
Westerly of Curtis Street. Several methods of prohibiting use of George,
Curtis and South Streets by occupants of Business C area were discussed.
No final action taken.
Received written request from Rupertia (Mrs. Stanley S.) Dearborn,
Chairman Girl Scout'-. Camp Committee, for making repairs to Rice Road, the
access road to Camp Rice-Moody. Superintendent instructed to comply with
request.
Received request from Reading Municipal Light Dept , to install a
direct burial cable in Ash Street, from Municipal Light Power Plan to
Transitron-Trancoa building. Voted to hold public hearing regarding in-
stallation, cable to be installed 2.5 feet Westerly from Easterly street
line of Ash Street, in sidewalk area.
Superintendent reported on negotiations with George J. Murdock,
Jr, et ux, 107 John Carver Road, Reading, relative to Birch Meadow Drive
land takings. Board agreed in substance to result of negotiation, pending
signed agreement by the Murdocks.
Discussed reduction of scope of subdivision bonds by Massachusetts
Builders, Inc. in Sturges Trust development.
Board adjourned at 11:30 P. M. ar
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