HomeMy WebLinkAbout1957-07-29 Board of Public Works Minutes July, 29, 1957
' $agular meeting of the Board opened at 7 :30 P.. M,
Present were. Chairman Johnson, Messrs. Hopkins, Donahue, Kilgore
and Superintendent Putnam.
Minutes of previous meeting read and approved.
Signed vouchers and payroll for payment.
Temporarily adjourned at 8:00 P. M. to act as Board of Survey.
Reconvened at 8:45 P. M. as Board of Public Works.
Received letter from Vernon E. Chandler, Jr. , 88 Wescro St Road, Re-
garding the nightly pumping of water by a Fire Department engine adjacent
to his residence With resultant annoyance to the neighborhood. Letter noted.
Reaeived the following recommendations from the Superintendent re-
garding the award of bids on several items on which bids had been taken,
and it was moved, seconded and voted to incorporate said recommendations,
as written, as a part of these minutes:
STEAM CLEANER, PORTABLE BIDS OPENED JUNE17, 1957
Have had two units demonstrated-the Malsbary and Janney, The Malsbary
seems the more efficient, with fewer stovable parts. Recommend purchase
of a Malsbary Model 110 T. 0. E. P. Steam Cleaner from Malsbary Engin-
eering Service, 643 Boylston St., Newton Centre, Mass, for, the bid price
of $895.00 less 2,%. -
WATER METERS BIDS OPENED JULY 1, 1957
To continue the policy of standardization of water meters of proven qual-
ity, I recommend the purchase of Trident and Gaon Water Meters at the
present ratio, which is 70-20-10 Rockwell
GATE VALVES BIDS OPhNED JULY 15, 1957
The Water Division has standardized on Rensselaer Gate Valves for many
years. They have given excellent service, are trouble-free, and readily
operable.
I recommend the purchase of Rensselaer gate valves from Ludlow Valve Co.
MOTOR GASOLINE BIDS OPENED- JULY 15, 1957
The Motor gasoline bids are all based on The Seller' s Commercial Consumer
Tankwagon price as posted at the time and place of delivery, for the pro-
' duct delivered, less certain discounts per gallon, plus applicable taxes.
The three low bids on standard motor gasoline were:
1957
BID PRICES AS OF JULY 11, NET PRICE
BIDDER MAKE TANK PRICE DISCOUNTW 0 S
ooccony Mobile Oil Co. M=o lgas .1= --.= ,l TAXE9
Gulf Oil Corp, Good Gulf .1610 ,0278 ,1332
The Texas Co. Texaco Fire Chief .1610 ,0277 .1333
On the basis of 60,000 gallons of motor gasolina, the difference between
J Socony and Texas gas of .004 per gallon would total $24.00, for a years
supply.
The Texas Company has, over the years, given the Town excellent service
in all emergencies, making many unscheduled night deliveries when called.
I recommend award of the motor gasoline bid to The Texas Co.
CURB & VALVE BOXES %IDS OPENED JULY 15, 1957
All three bidders supply the same type Service and Valve Box, I recommend
award of this bid to Public Works Supply Company, 93 Brookline Street,
Lynn, Mass. . .
TRANSITE SEWER HOUSE CONN. PIPE BIDS OPENED JULY 15, 1957
All six bidders quoted identical prices.
I recommend award of this bid to Lynn Builders Supply Co., 50 State Street,
Lynn, Mass.
32 TON TRUCK-CHASSIS & CAB BIDS OPENED JULY 15, 1957
The two low bidders on this truck chassis and cab, Newhouse Motor Sales
of Reading and Classen Brothers of Wakefield, each bid on a Dodge K8-D800
truck. This truck is to mount a Pitman Model 60 Hydraulic Truck Crane
and Power Winch, and specifications were written to secure heavy axle and '
spring groups. The crane dealer, Morrissey Brothers, recommend as heavy
an axle and spring group as can be obtained on the new truck.
A comparison of the two bids follows:
NEWHOUSE MOTOR SALES ITEM CLASSEN BROS, INC.
6000 s.. Front—Me s,
18500 lbs, Rear Axle 22000 lbs,
2600 lbs. Front Springs 3300 lbs.*
8500 lbs, Rear Springs 11000 lbs.*
16ix22n Front Brakes 16"x22"
16 x4 Rear Brakes 162"x5"
I.Th3vweight spring.requires heavy axles. The reason for calling in the
specifications for not rated for less than 6000 lb, front and 1 ,UOO lb.
rear axles" was to permit Ford, Chevrolet, GMC to bid-none of these trucks
can supply heavy axles,
The Cost of the items listed above runs to about $500.00. It is not *impor-
tant to me who furnished the truck, but is important that as heavy a unit
as possible be procured. Another item not listed herein is 100j& Air Brakes
with quick release valve. These cost about $500.UO more than standard . All
other bids list full or 1UOj, air brakes except Newhouse. After the episode
of the 3/4 ton pickup truck bid by Newhouse without a body, a reasonable
doubt is present re%arding this bid, particularly where, on the base price
of- the trucks a difference of $925.00 is quoted, and there is only a differ
ence of $p28 .00 in final cost to the Town. On the basis of this comparison,
I recommend awarding the contract for supplying the 32 ton truck to Classen
Bros, of Wakefield for the bid net price of 964188.Go.
3
Moved, seconded and voted to award bids as follows:
' ITEM MAKE FIRM
Steam Cleaner, Portable Resbary Model PP sbary Engineering Service
110 T.O.E.P. 663 Boystpn, 5t. , Newton Centre,
Mass.
Water Meters Trident-M- of tot.Neptune Meter C.o.
Gamon-20jo of Total Worthington Meter Co.
Rockwell 10°6 of tot.Rockwell Mfg. Co.
Gate Valves Rensselaer Ludlow Valve Co.
Motor Gasoline Texaco Fire Chief The Texas Co.
Curb & Valve Boxes Buffalo Pattern Public Works Supply Co.
Transite' Sewer Pipe 4" Johns-Manville Lynn Builders Supply Co., ,
3 Ton Truck-Chassis-& Cab Dodge D800 Classen Bros. Inc.
Received letter from Robert E. Turner, Chairman, School Committee
inquiring as to program of the Board of Public Works relative to access
roads and sidewalks for the new Birch Meadow Elementary School, which is
to be opened- for classes in September. Letter noted, and Superintendent
instructed to advice Mr. Turner of road and sidewalk construction program.
Messrs. Langiell, Chambers, Saunders, Basner and Sloane, all property
' owners on the Southerly side of Forest Street, appeared before Board to discuss
the proposed construction of Forest Street sidewalk from Main Street to Grove
Street. Mr. Langiell acted as spokesman. Various phases of construction
were discussed, regarding retaining walls, tree lawns, drainage, roadway
surface, etc.
- Received letter from Robert B. Taylor, 8 Willow Street, advising
Board of a sewer extension petition filed by owners cC26 houses on Willow
Street dated August 1955, and reminding Board that they are still in dire
need of sewerage facilities. Letter noted.
Received list of additional streets for sewer extension in 1957 pro-
viding funds are available as recommended by Superintendent, as follows:
The following listed streets are suggested for possible construction
' in 1957, with the understanding to the abuttors that they will be serviced
if funds are available.
H
LENGTH ESTIMATED POSSIBLE
NO. STREET SECTION FEET COST CONNECTIONS
=Summer venue _3 — -725 4500.00 5
2. Virginia Rd. Ext.Thru Easement to Summer
Avenue 365 5500.00 4 '
3. Brands Ct. Chute St.to No.6 Brands Ct. 170 1850.00 1
4. Ordway Tarr. Chapin Ave.Northerly 140 1550.00 3
5. Pleasant St.Ext. Easterly off Manning St. 125 1500.00 2
6. Michelini Lane Washington St. Southerly 150 1850.00 1
7 . Pierce St. Existing• Sewer to No. 20 100 1100.00 1
8. Lowell St. Existing Sewer to No. 61 J50 675.00 1
Totals 1425 $18525.00 I
Nos. 1 and 2 are both in locus of proposes Chapter 718 construction of
Summer Avenue, and should be installed prior to road construction.
No;v3 to 8 inclusive are all short extensions, from which constant com-
plaints have been and are being received from both property owners and the
Board of Health.
Moved, Seconded and voted to prepare streets as listed for sewer
extension hearings, as recommended by Superintendent.
Request received from Edward M. Bashian, 10 Waverly St., Stoneham,
to have a water main installed to a new dwelling house on Lots 2 and 3,
Charles Street, under the Water Betterment Act in lieu of cash payment in
advance. Moved, seconded and voted to install a 12" main when extension '
is made, and to charge pet1ition for an 8" main, the Town to absorb the
difference in cost between the two sized mains. In reference to the, better-
ment extension request, Superintendent instructed to obtain an opinion from
the Town Counsel as to whether the use of the Betterment Act by the Board
of Public Works is mandatory, on petition, or whether the Board has discri-
tionary powers regarding its use.
Received letter from New England Fire Insurance Rating Association,
89 Broad Street, Boston, by Percy C. Charmock, Manager, thanking the Board
for the informative letter of July 3, 1957 concerning the water supply sit-
uation in Reading, and requesting a copy of the consulting engineers report
port
when it is completed. Letter noted.
II
Received letter from Goodwin, Procper & Hoar Attorneys-atLaw, 84
' State Street, Boston, stating that they represent Wang Laboratories, Inc.,
who are presently in the process of erecting a building for light manufac-
turing purposes on land adjacent to the Stoneham-Reading Town Line South-
erly of Route 128 and Westerly of Route 28; that Wang Laboratories are in-
terested in securing an adequate public water supply to the proposed build-
ing; that the Town of Stoneham has water mains in the immediate vicinity of
the proposed building; and would the Board abject to the extension of Stone-
ham water mains in Reading to service Wang Laboratories, Inc. After some
discussion regarding this inquiry, the Superintendent was instructed to ad-
vise the attorneys to contact their Fire Underwriters and request report
as to which Town can best furnish adequate water for fire protection, before
a further deeision is made.
Received report from Superintendent regarding bids obtained by the
' State Department of Public Works on July 16, 19$7 for Chapter 90 West Street
construction. Report noted.
Received copy of a letter sent to Honorable Frank D. Tanner, Repre-
sentative, 18th Middlesex District, from Rodolph G. Bissette, Director, Div-
ision of Waterways, State Department of Public Works, stating that the Water-
ways Division have not as yet received the report of the ground water study
of the Ipswich River area from the U. S. Geological Survey; that all the field
data has been obtained and is being analyzed and compiled; and due to the
magnitude of the project, and personnel shortages, the date of release of the
report is unknown. Letter noted.
Received letter from State Department of Public Health regarding
Water Conservation Practices, made necessary by the prolonged record-
breaking drouth. Superintendent instructed to cause same to be printed '
in the Reading Chronicle .
Board adjourned at 11:2$ P. N .
Respectfully submitted :
C
Secretary