The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1958-01-20 Board of Public Works Minutes January 2U, 1958 ' Regular meeting of the Board opened at 7 :30 P. M. Present were Chairman Donahue, Messrs. Zanni, Kilgore and Superin- tendent Putnam. Signed vouchers and payroll for payment. Minutes of previous meeting read and approved. Public Hearing held at 8 :00 P. M . in Room 19 regarding acceptance as a Public Town Way under the Betterment Act of WILLIAM ROAD, from Frank- lin Street Westerly. The following persons attended this Public Hearing, who, when polled, expressed their opinions as noted : NAME & ADDRESS YES NO N.C. Allan J. hussell, 19 William Road x E. Fraser Collins, 38 William Road x George M. Richards, 32 William Road x William Angelini, 632 Main St., Malden x Mrs. James Chambers, Jr. , 12 William Road x Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel T. Mello, 26 William Road x Henry Angelini, 632 Main St. , Malden y Mrs. Charles T. OtConnell, 25 William Road, x Mr. Charles T. O' Connell, 25 William Road x Mrs. William P. Huebel, 405 Franklin Street x Miss Eleanor Huebel, 405 Franklin Street x Public Hearing held at 8:30 P. M . in Room 19 regarding acceptance as a Public Town Way under the Betterment Act of BAKER ROAD, from Pearl Street Easterly. The following persons attended this Public Hearing, who, when polled, expressed their opinions as noted : NAME & ADDRESS YES NO N .C. Frances Tuscano, 25 Baker Road x Nuncio Tuscano, 25 Baker Road x Marie T. McKay, 31 Baker Road x Doris E. Holden, 12 Baker Road x George H. Holden, 12 Baker Road x Arnold R. Baker, 32 Baker Road x Laurence S. Stephenson, 18 Baker Road x ' Beatrice G. Stephenson, 18 Baker Road x Public Hearing held at 8:45 P . M, in Room 19 regarding acceptance as a Public Town Way under the Betterment Act of KNOLLWOOD ROAD, from Main Street to Summer Avenue. The following persons attended this Public Hear- , ing, who when polled, expressed their opinions as noted : NAME AND ADDRESS YES NO N.C. Marion C. McHugh, 452 Weston Road, Wellesley x John T. McHugh, 452 Weston Road, Wellesley x Sidney Goodrich, 42 Knollwood Road x Vincent Campbell, 36 Knollwood Road x Felix F. Campbnella, ,52 Prescott Street x Mildred I. Freeman, 26 Knollwood Road x William T. Freeman, 26 Knollwood Road x Alice Collins, 33 Knollwood Road x Walter R. Collins, 33 Knollwood Road x Bertrom Gosse, 38 Stowers Avenue, Medford x Winthrop Frazier x Dorothea Frazier x Elizabeth Cassey x Sydney Cassey x Harold Butt, 37. Knollwood Road x Constance B. Butt, 37 Knollwood Road x Following the three Public Hearings previously listed, the. Board, in executive session, discussed the opinions'noted herein, and the intsrest of the Town regarding acceptance of the roadways in question, and it was ' moved, seconded and voted as follows: WILLIAM ROAD - Not to recommend for acceptance BAKER ROAD - To recommend for acceptance KNOLLWOOD ROAD - To recommend for acceptance Received letter from Personnel Board regarding Proposed 1958 Board of Public Works Salary Schedule, which herewith becomes a part of these minutes: Mr. Coleman J. Donahue, Chairman January 14, 1958 Board of Public Works 9 Lawrence Road Reading, Mass. Dear Mr. Donahue: As you may have heard, we are endeavoring to keep salary increases in line with the general rise in cost of living over the past twelve months, which is about 0-- We realize some latitude is necessary, but with the 3 general depressed business conditions, budgets will be closely scrutinized by the taxpayer this year. Our rough calculation on your budget indicates about a 4.7% increase. - ' However, there are a few increases that are well above this figure. We list the ones that stand out: M. Publicover-Jr. Clerk llzo increase J. Selfridge-Jr. Clerk 122% increase D. Davis-Jr. Draftsman 7.4% increase L. Hoyt-Rodman 7.6% increase R. DeEntremont-Supr.Employse 9.5% increase Our comments on the above: , We doubt if any ju#ior clerks in any town office will be getting increases even approaching these figures; the pattern to date is not over 6% for either junior or senior clerks. R. DeEntremont received an 8% increase last year, so his 9.5% pro- posed increase would mean a 17.5% in two years. J. W. Doucette in Semi-Skilled is listed for a 6.3% increase. He got a 5yt last year. R. Slatting in Unskilled is listed for a 7.8% increase. R. .Currier in Unskilled is listed for an 8 .3% increase. With proposed hourly rates of either 1.30 or 1.40 per hour, we can' t ' comment on the above; we merely point out the increases percentage-wise. In the highway department we note the following over 5$: H. Evans-Shovel Operator-7.3% increase; last year his increase was 8%. R. Dugan-Supr. Employee-7.8% increase; last year increase was 5%. J. Cavanaugh-Semi-Skilled-11%-increase; last year his increase was 9%. T. Fallon-Semi-Skilled-11% increase; last year his increase was 9k. C . Mehaffey-Unskilled-7.4%-increase; last year his increase was 18%. We know you must have had good reasons for bringing these people along fast, but where most o£ them fared not too badly last year, it would seem they might understand our welfare rolls are going up in 1958, and a steady job with security is quite an asset. We'd appreciate your review in light of our comments. We are sure in some exceptional cases we can arrive at some compromise, but we would like to see a readjustment where the people have fared well over the past two years at least. We have given considerable thought- to your suggestion that overtime be paid to foremen after, 4U hours per week, as there ' is considerable to be said on both sides of this problem. It exists in business as well as in Ll Public Works. However, with overtime already subject to criticism, it could be said that by paying overtime to foremen, they could in effect not only set their own take home pay 'out likewise add to the already trouble- some problem of overtime on the part of hourly paid employeesEfforts to control this situation by setting forth conditions justifying the per- formance of work would only add to the problems besetting the Superintend- ent. It would be the preference of the Personnel Board that the salaries of the foremen in question be so advanced that necessary -overtime for these foremen would be compensated for each week. Under these conditions foremen could remain free from any criticism that they were making work. In the case of any questions on the increases in general or overtime for foremen, we would be available for any discussion with your board. Very truly yours, PERSONNEL BOARD Chairman Superintendent instructed to prepare a report to the Board on the subject matter.of the Personnel Board letter, and to request a joint meet- ing with the Personnel Board at bhetr convenience to further discuss the proposed salary schedule. ' Reviewed subdivision bond and agreement for Sturges Trust subdivision, Massachusetts Builders, Inc. , Postponed action on this matter pending receipt of opinion of Town Counsel. Received notice from Board of Selectmen that the Warrant for th6 Annual Town Meeting would close on February 7, 1958. Received letter from the State Department of Public Works regarding tentative allotments of Chapter 90 Construction and Chapter 90 Maintenance funds for 1958, ad follows: PROJECT STATE TOWN COUNTY ' TOTAL West Street $15,000.00 $7,500.00 $7,500.00 $30,000.00 Maintenance 1,500..00 1,500.00 11500.00 4,500 .00 S Received letter from Recreation Committee regarding Capital Expen- ditures figures for "OTHER PARKS", which hereby becomes a part of these ' minutes; January 15, 1958 Reading Board Public Works Municipal Bldg. 16 Lawoll Street, Reading, Mass. Attention: James T. Putnam, Superintendent Gentlemen: With regard to the Capital. Expenditures Planning Figures on "Other Parks", in our opinion the figures shown under Item C are adequate and would suggest $35,000 for 1963. Very truly yours, RECREATION COMMITTEE ( SIGNED) H. M . Rixon BMR:md Chairman Examined, and approved for recording in the Registry of Deeds under ' the Subdivision Control Law, the following Plan: Land Southerly of Grove Street opposite Strout Avenue owned by Domenick Zanni, Jr. , Dana F. Perkins, Surveyor. Received letter from Joseph G. Sawtelle, Jr. , 765 Main Street, Wake- field, requesting an appointment witn the Board to discuss acceptance of Park Street, from Main Street to Minot Street. Superintendent instructed to inform Mr. Sawtelle that, if corner roundings at Main Street and Minot Street can be obtained by Mr. Sawtelle, an interview will be arranged. Received letter from Frank A. and Florence M. i,anzillo, 107 Grove Street, advising Board that they do not wish to have sidewalks or sewers installed abutting their property, corner of Grove Street and Forest Street. Letter noted, and placed on file. Received letter from Board of Selectmen regarding plowing of snow over right-of-way to property at 14 Libby Avenue, owned by Beulah Ellis. ' Letter noted, and Superintendent instructed regarding same. Received preliminary report from Superintendent regarding proposed , land takings for additional water supply at Revay Brook Meadows, Super- intendent authorized to negotiate with owners of various parcels of land adjacent to the proposed well sites, , Signed ten (10) copies of extra work orders approved by the State Department of Public Works with Dingley Constructing Co. for retaining wall .work on Chapter 90 West Street Contract. Previewed estimates of construction oo-st of Dana Road and County Road, on which acceptance hearings will be held January 27, 1958. Moved, seconded and voted to secure releases from the Boston & Maine Rail Road Corporation, and then remove snow from both B, & M. Parking areas abutting Lincoln Street, after regular snow removal routes are completed. Each Board member present given copy of revised .Board of Puplic, Works annual report for further study. - Board adjourned at 10;25 P. M. Respectfully submitted; • � Secretary