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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1957-10-21 Board of Public Works Minutes October 21, 1957 ® Regular meeting of the Board opened at 7:30 P. NI. Present were Chairman Johnson, Messrs, Donahue, Zanni, Kilgore and Superintendent Putnam. Minutes of previous meeting read and approved. Signed vouchers and payroll for payment. Received "thank-you'. card for floral tribute from family of William J. Webb, a former Chairman of the Board of Public Works, who deceased September 27, 1957. Card noted . Received letter from State Department of Public Works advising the Board that Dingley Contracting Co. , Inc. has requested a time extension on their West Street Chapter 90 construction contract to November 30, 1957, and that the Commissioners of Public Works recommend this requested time extension. Moved, seconded and voted to advise State Department of Public Works that the completion date for Dingley Contracting Co., Inc. is hereby ex- tended to November 30, 1957 as recommended by them. Received report of progress from Weston & Sampson, Consulting Eng- ineers of water adequacy study and search for additional water, which hereoy becomes a part of these minutes : October 21, 1957 Board of Public Works Mr. James T. Putnam, Supt, Municipal Building - Reading, Massachusetts Dear Mr. Putnam: - This letter .is written to report the progress to date of work aiming to i.mmed�ately increase your water supply. To answer your question if ciesning the gravel and screen with chem- icals would increase the yield of Gravel Wall Wells Nos. 2 and 3, 22" ob- servation wells were driven on September 24th and 25th as close as possible to these wells. m Station #2. With pump running at 3UO gpm, there was a drawdown of 0.7 foot in the observation well and 8.0 feet in the gravel wall, well. ' Station #3. With pump running at 120 gpm, there was a drawdown of 2.8 feet in the observation well and 10.7 feet in the gravel wall well. On the basis of these observation, it was deemed advisable to clean #3 well with 'Welltone' . On October loth 700 pounds of Welltone in so- lution were added to well #3, and for two days agitated by pumping sev- eral hundred gallons from the well to a temporary adjacent tank, and let- ting the tank contents run back into the well. The well was then pumped to waste at about 25U gpm as frequently as possible with the limited ava- ilable supply to the well. On October 17, the pump discharge having . cleared, water was pumped to the mains at the same rate, 120 gpm, as the test prior to cleaning, and the drawdown noted, with a 2.0 foot drawdown in the observation well the drawdown in the gravel wall well was 5.6 feet, about half that observed prior to cleaning. The static water level on October 17th was 1.75 feet lower than on September 27th. The attached sketch shows graphically the effect of the cleaning. It indicates that the cleaning was a success in that the pump can now run for a greater length of time before the drawdown becomes excessive. Beginning on October 3rd, test wells have been driven in the Hundred Acre Meadow area to locate a site for a gravel wall well. to supplement your supply. It was hoped that a promising site might be located near existing suction mains, and hence the first test wells were driven just beyond F line, between F and H lines, and just beyond D line. No test wells in these areas disclosed either suitable Yater-bearing soil or a depth to ledge adequate for a gravel wall well, and the rig was shifted to the meadow northwest of the main pumping station. Two test wells there went to suitable depths, but the soil was poor. At this writting a test well is being driven at the and of former A line. Because of pressure of work, no detailed logs of the test wells have been received from D. L. Maher Co. , but we have kept in close touch with the work, and detailed logs of all test wells will be furnished you. A bried summary of test wells driven to date is given below: Test Well 140. 1-50' beyond end of F line. Struck boulder at 51 . Pulled. 2. n to " of If If " m " 8' , " 3. " It it " If " Driven to depth of 301 . Poor material.Pulled. 4. Between F and H lines, opp. TW3.Driven 381 . Poor material. Pulled. 5. Between F82 and H104. Driven 42.51 . Poor material. Pulled . 6. " F80 " H100. Struck boulder at 71 . Pulled. 7. " If it " Driven 45.81 . Poor material. Pulled. 8. Beyond of D line. Driven 371 . Poor mateaial. Pulled. 1 3 9. 4001 NW of Sta.#2, in meadow. Driven 80.31 . Poor material. Pulled IU. 3501 NW of TW9, in meadow. Driven 76.31 . Poor material. Pulled. 11. At former A17. Driven 5U? on Oct. 18. Good material down to 39' . After completing test well #11, it is planned to move directly west- ward, at the edge of the meadow. Yours very truly, WESTON & SAM2'SON ( signed) ( GB/B George G. Bogrem Report of progress noted. Received Notice of Closing of Warrant for Special Town Meeting to be held on Monday, November 25, 1957 . Warrant to close at 5:00 P. M ; Friday November 8, 1957. Communication noted, and discussed possible articles at some length. Superintendent instructed to prepare list of possible tranfers of appropriations, also to review existing data on "dead-end street" subject. Mr. Pender, representing Trancoa Chemical Corporation, appeared be- fore Board to discuss present and projected future municipal water re- quirements at the new Trancoa Ash Street Plant. Mr. Pender gave a very thourogh and lucid description of the plumb- ing, piping and processing of material at the plant, and reiterated that in his opinion the plant would never require more than 50 G.P.M . of Town water, and then only at short peak load intervals. Mr. Pender received the appreciation of the Board for his cooperation in this matter. Messrs. Walsh, 352 West Street, and Martin, 338 West Street, appeared before Board t6 discuss the fact that Realty Construction Co. Inc ., devel- opers of Glen Meadows housing development, had guaranteed them and others nrd nand that bituminous(manord aHyl sidewalks would be constructed for them on West Street. Messrs Walsh and Martin requested written assurance from the Town Y - of Reading, through the Board of Public Works, that Realty Construction will be permitted by the Town to construct said sidewalks. Superintendent instructed to request opinion on- this matter from• ' Towp Counsel. Mr. Leo MacDonald, 86 South Street, appeared before Board to discuss installation of a water main in the Kew- Service Road paralleling New Route 28 on the East from South Street to West Street. Mr. MacDonald was again advised by the Board that the request of the Board to T. F. Eamon, District Highway Engineer, State Department of Public Works for a water main the New Service Road had been denied and that a water main would only be installed therein in the usual manner, by payment in ad- vance by the petitions of the total cost of the proposed water main. Ir. MacDonald reiterated that he bplieved the main should be installed Ly the Town, as a necessary link in the Town water distribution system. Pr. MacDonald also requested release of the /3,o00.00 cash bond posted gie1­7 by him for construction of(Britten) Road and Fraser Road. Moved, seconded end voted to authorize Superintendent to release said cash bond, after necessary legal requirements had been complied with. Received letter from Recreation Committee advising Board that the bleachers at Birch Meadow Playground and Little League.Barkl,are not in proper condition in accordance with public safbty regulations, and sug- €esting that steps be taken to remedy this situation. Letter noted and Superintendent instructed to advise Recreation Committee, by letter, of regular maintenance procedure on all Park bleachers. Received letter from Recreation Committee requesting that a survey be made and estimate prepared of the cost of leveling, grading and grass- ing an area of 12 acres for a play ground at Glen Meadow School Site, for the purpose of inserting an appropriation article in the Town Meeting 1%arrant. Superintendent presented an estimate of $4,800.00 for this work, which he was instructed to transmit to the Reareation Committee. s Received application for extension of common sewer in Lowell Street, near Beverly (Private) Road. Application accepted, and filed for proc- essing in usual manner. The following letter, tabulation of bids, and letter of explanations from D. L. Maher Co. was received from Weston & Sampson, Consulting Eng- ineers, whichhereby become a part of these minutes: October 20, 1957 Board of Public Works Mr. James T. Putnam, Supt.. Municipal Building Reading, Massachusetts Dear Mr. Putnam: As requested in your letter of October 15th, we have tabulated the bids received by your Board on October 14th for driving 212" test wells, conducting pumping tests and constructing a gravel wall well, on the . attached sheet. It will be seen from the table that three of the bids were close: that of the Eastern Drilling.Co. was considerably higher than the rest. D. L. Maher had some technical irregularities in their proposal, . In that snit prices were given instead of lump sums for items #3, 6, and 7. However, it was obvious to anyone familiar with well-driving prices What the 'intentions of the bidder were, and the bidder corrected the . irregularities in a letter to your Board dated October 16th, sent through us, and enclosed herewith. The best time for starting and completing the work was given by D. L. Maher Co. It is difficult to predict just what amounts of the various items rill constitute the final cost of the work. For the sake of comparison of the bids, an assumption that the work will consist of 1,000 feet of 2z" test wells of which 250 feet will be left in place, that the gravel wall well will be 60 feet deep and will have a 15 foot screen (as spec- ified), and that the pumping test will be of 48 hourst duration (as specified) , will result in the following total costs for the four bidders: Layne New England Co. $lo,8o8. R. E. Chapman Co. - 11,313. D. L. Maher Co. 11,1}77.50 Eastern Drilling Co. 13,588. L Since all the bidders are competent, an award to the lowest bidder could be in order, unless your Board feels that D. L. Maher Co. ' s know- ledge of the terrain from past work for the. Town, their better time tchedule and the fact that they have a rig now at work for you offsets their $$670. higher proposal than the lowest bidder, 6GB/B Yours very truly, Ines: WESTON & SAMPSON 4 proposals D. L. Maher letter 10/16/57 (Signed) By G®orge G. Bogren Reading, Massachusetts Public Works Department Summary of bids received October 14, 1957 Wells and pumping tests LAYNE R. E. D.L. EASTERN ]:TEM NEW CHAPMAN MAHER - DRILLING ENGLAND CO, CO. CO. 1. 22" test wells driven and left in $$4.40 $$4.50 $4.00 $5.00 place, $/foot 2. 22" Test wells driven and removed 2,40 2.80 3.25 3.00 E/foot 3. Constructing 60 foot gravel wall $7620, $7800, $7800, $9800. well, lump sum L. Addition to or subtraction from 100. 100, 50. 12U. Item 3, $/foot Addition to or subtraction from 100. 100. 80. 110. 15 foot screen, $/foot 6. Pumping test, 48 hour, lump sum 288. 288. 240. 288, 7 . Addition to or subtraction from $6,00 $6.UG $5.00 $5.00 Item 6, $/hour Start driving test wells, from 5 days 10 days at once 15 days date of contract Complete gravel wall well, from 4-5 wks 3 wks 2 wks (blank) date of authorization October 16, 1957 Town of Reading board of Public Works Reading, Massachusetts Re: 2-1/2" Test Wells & Gravel Well Town of Reading, Massachusetts Attention: Mr, James T. Putnam, Superintendent Gentlemen: In connection with our proposal and specifications for driving 2-1/2" Test Wells, conducting pumping tests and constructing Gravel Wall Well, ' as issued by your consulting engineers, Weston & Sampson, we wish to State the following: -- Under Item No. 3 The intent was to quote 1130.00 per foot, making a sum total for this item of $130.u0 x 60 ft, or (57800.00. Under Item No. 6 For pumping test the intent was 48-hour test at $5.00 per hour or a total sum of $2ya00. Under Item No. 7 For any addition to or deduction from 48-hour period assumed in Item No. 6, the unit price of �5.uO per hour. The bidder agrees to start driving Test Wells immediately and will con- struct Gravel Well within two weeks after approval of site and Instruc- tions from Engineers to proceed. We regret this error in the per foot price instead of lump sum price. Very truly yours, D. L. MAHER COMPANY (SIGNED) Robert J. Walsh Robert J. Walsh RJW:cmt - - - - - - Vice President- - - Moved, seconded and voted to award contract for driving 21° test wells, conducting pumping tests and constructing gravel wall well to D. L. Maher Co., of Woburn, Mass. , according to the within stated bid tab- ulation and letter of explanation. Moved, seconded and voted that henceforth on all contract payments for extra work the Superintendent first obtain a vote of the Board on extra work prices not covered in the particulab contract involved, with the exception of emergency extras, in which case the Superintendent is to negotiate extra work prices with the contractor or his authorized agent. Exrmined and approved for recording a Plan of Lot on Main Street owned by Albert J. & Ann Minotti, C. A. Putnam, Surveyor. Received letter from Personnel Board approving the request of the Board of Public Works to employ Aldo Andrew Bartlett as Land Surveyor, ' Engineering Division, at $100.00 per week, the maximum rate for this classification. Letter noted. Received letter from Albert B. Abhott., of Makatory Machine Corpora- tion, 2 .LiAden Street, Reading, requesting that earth fill be installed around the building housing theirmachine shop, to prevent surface water from Linden Street flooding the machine shop cellar. Superintendent instructed to investigate request and report back to Board. Received letter from H. Raymond Johnson, Treasurer Reading Cb-Oper- ative Bank advising Board that construction of the new bank building on Leven Street is progressing on a satisfactory basis and that they are now anxious for the storm drain to be installed on Haven Street. Superintend- ent instructed to write Mr. Johnson and advise him of probable date of _ storm drain installation. - - - - - ' Received note from Superintendent regarding innoculation of Public I+orks personnel with Asiatic Flu vaccines Moved, seconded and voted to Instruct the Superintendent to arrange the Asiatic Flu innoculation to Iublic Works personnel, at the expense of the various Departments, con- tingent on the action to be taken by the Board of Selectmen concerning the Police and Fire Departments; also subject to the signing of proper release forms by employees. Discussed patching of sewer trencnes on the Johnson Brothers sewer contract. Superintendent instructed to negotiate with Johnson Brothers regarding prices for cold-patching said trenches, as this item is not included in thg contract. 1 FY Discussed Dingley Contracting Company, West Street Chapter 90 Con- struction contract, particularly the inconvenience experienced by resi- dents of West Street during construction of the roadway. Superintendent instructed to prepare a letter to T. F. Hanron, District Highway Engineer, regarding this matter. Moved, seconded and voted tnat,if Johnson Brothers wish to have their present sewer contract extended, at existing bid unit prices, there contract will be extended, and that completion dates for contracts will likewise be extended for suitable periods. Received letter from Mr. Arthur Marchinko, 155 Walnut Street, advis- ing Board that he had re-designed his contemplated new garage to a one- car garage, that the garage would not now be erected over the storm drains pipe, out would intrude on the easement. ' Moved, seconded and voted to permit Mr. Arthur Marchinko, 155 Walnut Ltreet, to erect garage over portion of drain easement, provided no part of garage extends over drain pipe, and further provided that a concrete envelope is placed over drain pipe at near garage corner. Board adjourned at 10;50 Y. M. Respectfully submitted ; 1