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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1958-07-28 Board of Public Works Minutes July 28, 1958 Regular meeting of the Board opened at 7:30 P. M. Present were Chairman Donahue, Messrs. Harrison, Florence, Zannl, Kilgore and Acting Superintendent Putnam. Minutes of previous meeting read and approved. Received letter from Mr. Philip A. MacDonald, 26 Sturges Road, which registered a complaint regarding a depression in an easement abutt- ing his property. Acting Superintendent reported to Board that this com- plaint is Justified, but that The Sturges Trust is responsible for the .condition complained of by Mr. MacDonald. Acting Superintendent instruc- ted to write C. Sumner Teel, as representative of The Sturges Trust, re- questing that complained of condition be remedied forthwith. Received letter from Harold F. Davis, Superintendent of Cemetery Department, requesting abatement of April 1, 1958 water bill at Laurel Hill Cemetery. On recommendation of Acting Superintendent, it was moved, seconded and voted to defer action on abatement until the regular Octo- ber 1958 water billing, and that an average water bill be then issued, based on normal annual water consumption at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Received letters from State Department of Public Works, stating that West .Street Chapter 90 Contracts Nos. 17415 dated November 5,1.957 and No. 16146 dated December 13, 1955 had been approved as completed by the Commissioner of Public Works for the Commonwealth. Approvals noted. Received report from Acting Superintendent regarding maintepance program for the John Street Dump. Action by Board deferred until meeting to be held August 11, 1958. N ti Received further report from Acting Superintendent regarding var- ious complaints of Lois M. Connor at al, 268 Franklin Street. Acting Superintendent reported that in his opinion the Towns' obligations have been met and fulfilled regard;ng said complaints. Report noted. Temporarily adjourned at 8:99 P.M. to act as Board of Survey. Reconvened at 8:45 P. M. as Board of Public Works. Public Hearing held at 8:45 P. M. regarding location of a Munici- pal Light Department Pole on Gould Street, South Side, corner of Haven Street. No abuttors present at Hearing. Moved, seconded and voted to approve pole location as requested. Conferred with Dr. Wang, Attorney Goodhue, and one other, representing the Wang Realty Trust, regarding a proposed roadway and 8" water main to the site of the proposed Wang Laboratory building Souther- ly of Route 128. Certain facts were explained to Dr. Wang and his assoc-1 sates, who were advised to secure more facts and confer at a later date with Acting Superintendent Putnam. Conferred with full membership of Finance Committee in Room 19 regarding the proposed increased water rates and charges, as they would be effected by the proposed increase in hydrant rentals from 415.00 to 440.O0 per hydrant annually. Need for added water revenue was also dis- cussed. Finance Committee Chairman William Dolben Jr. informed Board that their decision on hydrant rentals would be forthcoming at an early date. Opened bids on Water Works Brass Goods at 9:30 P.M. I The following bids were received: MEAD 1�"LEAD Ln GOOSE GOOSE L"xl" 3/4"xl" 3/4" LEAD 3/47x1" 3/4" LEAD NECKS,NECKS ME Y CURB CORPS WELL ME Y CURB GOOSE- BIDDER MAKE COMP. COMP. VALVES COCKS COMP. CONNS. Valves COCKS NECKS TERMS Sumner & Hays 11.75 22.50 6.50 4.80 4.25 None 6.06 5.?0 None Dunbar Red Red Red 16.54 37.94 7.31 5.01 4.17 21.50 7.88 6.06 10.61 Mfg.Co. Had Hilco Muel- 9.97 18.64 None 4.26 3.29 None None 5.32 8.27 2% 10 Supply ler days Inc. OPened bids on Motor Gasoline at 9:45 P.M. The following bids were received: ' BIDDER MAKE PRICE PER GAL. Texas Co. , Texas Fire chief $.1225 Texas Co. Texaco Sky Chief $.1475 Gulf Oil Corp. Good Gulf Gasoline $.12535 Gulf Oil Corp.. Gulf Super No-Nox Gasoline $.15035 Fidewater 011 Co. Flying A Gasoline ,$.13605 tlantic Atlantic Gasoline $.147 l alifornia 011 Co. Chevron $.132 Esso Standard 011 Co.Esso Motor Fuel $.1228 Amoco 011 Co. American Gasoline 8.132 Received letters from E. Roy McGrath at uR', 63 Whittier Road, and George M. Sanford Jr. et ux, 56 Tennyson Road, regarding a proposed Drain- age and Sewerage Easement through their properties, which letters are in- cluded herein as a part of these minutes: 63 Whittier Road Reading, Massachusetts Mr. ColemanJ. Donahue, Chairman July 18, 1958 Board of Public Works Reading, Massachusetts Dear Sir: ti With reference to your request to construct an easement for drain age and sewerage purposes through our property, we wish to state that we� will grant same if ,we can be assured in writing of the following: 1. No frontage assessment. 2. Tie-in from the cesspool line to the easement free of charge. 3. Grounds returned to present state and satisfactory. to us. 4. Subsequent settling of soil in area used for easement be promptly filled and reseeded if lawn area. 5'. Driveway be completely resurfaced and 'any subsequent settling of same be immediately repaired to our satisfaction. 6'. Any damage to our house and porbh, hedges, trees or lawn be fully repaired or replaced to our satisfaction. 9. Any damage caused by blasting, however minute, be fully repaired: 8. Release, while work is in progress and until its completion, for us from any liability for casualties of any description since the property, in essence, is still ours and we did not hire the con- tractor. 9. Provision for parking of family car if street and driveway are not available. 10. Shoring of porch and retaining wall in the presence of a danger of land cave-in. on either side of easement trench. We feel that when you have complied with the above, we will be oo- operating with you. 100%. Your proposed use of 1958 sq- ft., roughly 20% of our entire lot,. 1pu111fies our use of same for erecting a garage in a ' logical location should we or any future owner so desire; thereby de- preciating the value of the property. We are, of necessity, going to have to contend with the INCONVENIENCE and attendant dust, dirt, noise, invasion of privacy, inaccessibility of entrance and exit during the period of construction--to say nothing of the mental anguish of heavy equipment working in the immediate area of many children including our own son. To put the yard in its present condition we have spent two years of back-breaking labor and 9600.so you can understand why we want it returned to its present state. We trust we have made our desires clear and that you are in full accord. Respectfully yours, (Signed) E.Roy McGrath-Agnes E. McGrath, J r July 23, 3-958 Mr. Coleman J. Donahue, Chairman Board of Public works Town Hall Heading, Massachusetts Dear Mr. Donahue: This letter is in regard to the taking of an easement of 1,710 square feet (19.70 of land owned by George M. Sanford,Jr. and Verena Pearl San- ford at 56 Tennyson Road, Reading, Massachusetts, for the purpose on con- structing a sewerage line between Tennyson Road and Whittier Road. The granting of an easement for the construction of a main sewer line as proposed will put permanent restrictions on this property and cause a financial burden, hardship and inconvenience upon us for the following rea- sons: 1: The proposed plan enables the building of a main sewer line approx- imately 6 to 8 feet from the house foundation and 13 feet deep. As ledge in line with sewer construction is feasible and its removal could cause unestimated damage to the property and inconvenience us. 2:. The sewer line will go through the present cesspool which will render the plumbing facilities of the property unusable, requiring other ' arrangements for living quarters during the period of construction. 3: Due to the location and area of the easement and easement rights, a contemplated garage cannot be built as planned. The limitation of lot space and the contour of the land of the -existing property is not applicable to re-positioning a garage without a sizable outlay of money. As a justification for the above, we are willing to extend the privilege of the easement if the following requests are granted: 1: That all frontage assessment of our property for +he sewer exten- sion on Tennyson Road be eliminated. As the present plan shows the exten- sion ending in front of our property, we want all assessments eliminated for this and for future construction if at some later date the sewer ex- tension Is continued. 2. That all services for tieing in the house sewer line to the main sewer line be free of charge. i 3. That all damage to personal property or private property caused j by the construction of the sewer be restored or replaced to its original condition, prior to taking the easement, and left in a condition satisfac- tory to us. 4: That the hardtop driveway be completely resurfaced and left in a condition satisfactory to us. SII \ b 5: That any subsequent settling that should occur to the land, walls or driveway will be restored to a condition satisfactory to us. 6: As the house foundation is partially built on a ledge which protrudes into the cellar and should blasing be necessary, it is essen- tial that an inspection of the house and ledge be made prior to blasting so that if the natural strata of the ledge Is disturbed allowing water seepage, through veins or cracks, into the cellar, it is expected that blasting damages would be repaired to our satisfaction. As taxpayers 'in this town, we expect consideration to be given by the Board of Public Works to the before-mentioned requests. The estimated sewer frontage assessment represents an estimated assessment of $175.00. The tie-in to the main sewer line is negligible as the house line ties-in to the cesspool which will be eliminated by the main sewer. The other requests only guarantee that the property, after completion of the sewer, will be left in the same condition as it was prior to the construction work. It is our desire to co-operate in this project and we feel that our requests are Justified for this represents only a token of settlement in view of personal inconvenience and financial loss which we will suffer. Very truly yours, (Signed) George M. Sanford, Jr. (Signed) Verena Pearl Sanford $6 Tennyson Road Reading,Massachusetts. Received written report from Acting Superintendent regarding the requests of McGrath at ux and Sanford Jr. at ux, which hereby becomes a part of these minutes: TENNYSON-UFIITTI ER ROADS SEWER EASEMENT Have visited the Sanfords' and McGraths' in the field, and fully dis- cussed the proposed sewer easement through their properties. Both parties are adamant in demanding that their frontage saes6ments be abated and sewer house connections be installed free of charge. These are the only items in their bills of particulars that effect the Board directly, as the other items are included in the sewer con- tract, with the possible exception of bituminous concrete driveways, which I believe will have to be replaced in toto, due to th6 necessary depth of out for the sewer main. 7 Estimated costs of the considerations requested are as follows: SEWER SEWER HOUSE ESTIMATED OWNER & ADDRESS FHONTAGE CONN. TOTALS G.M.Sanford Jr. at ux 56 Tennyson Rd. $175.00 $ 25.00 $200.00 E. Roy McGrath at ux, 63 Whittier Rd. 0'0 1150.00 325.00 Est. Totals 350.00 175.00 525.00 These requests appear logical, in view of conditions and necessity, and I recommend they be complied with if the easements will then be gran- ted, gratis. ACTING SUPERINTENDENT Moved, seconded and voted to accept the recommendations of the Acting Superintendent as set forth in the preceding report. Reviewed letter from Edouard N. Dube' Consulting Engineer, offering his services as Consultant in the preparation of plans and specifications for sewerage or drainage work in Reading, and enclosing an experience res- ume and qualification data. Letter noted, and filed for future reference. Received letter from School Committee Chairman Robert E. Turner, advising Board that no excavation for sewerage purposes should be made in the new Birch Meadow Athletic Field until clearance is given by the Town Counsel or the School Committee, due to the fact that the contract for construction of the athletic field is being canceled on the grounds of failure to complete the work satisfactorily. Letter noted. Received the following letter from Weston & Sampson; Consulting Engineers, 'which hereby becomes a part of these minutes: ' July 22, 1958 Board of Public Works Municipal Building Reading, Mass. Gentlemen: Attached is a tabulation of the bids received on the evening of July 14th for the construction of a booster pumping station to be loca- ted underground at the Junction of Lothrop and County Roads to increase the water pressure of the houses in that high level area. The low bid was more than double our estimate and we have no ex- planation except that contractors are not as anxious for work as we had anticipated. Evert eliminating one of the duplicate pumps would reduce the cost only about $1,000. We suggest that if you are in a position to construct the concrete pit and install the outside piping, that you do so and obtain bids for the pumps and interior Piping. In this way we are sure that the work can be done within the estimated cost. Our estimate was as follows: - Excavation, 90 cu. yds. ® $10.00 $ 900. Concrete, 7 cu. yds. ® 100.00 700. Pump and piping (one pump only) 1620. Outside piping, wiring, pavement replacement 1500. Total $4720. Engineering, 10% 472. Total estimated cost 5192. Yours very truly, WESTON & SAMPSON GGB/rw (Signed) George G. Bogren Enclosure An duplicate READING, MASS. BIBS ON BOOSTER PUMPIMG STATION Lothrop & County Roads Received 7/14/58 x CONTRACTOR ITEM 1 ITEM JA ITEM 9 TIME Navarro Const. Co. , Medford,Mass $11,700 -- Rock $20 12 weeks Ralph P. Hall,Inc. Stoneham, Mass 9(12,024 $11,724 $55. 12 weeks James Const. Co.Inc. ,Boston,Mass. $13,395. $13,000. $30. 20 weeks Cameron, Fay & Co. ,Inc. 13,789. -- $25. 10 weeks. (•) Item IA - Prefabricated steel pumping station. Letter noted. Received report from Acting Superintendent in reference tothe previously noted ]atter from Weston & Sampson, which hereby becomes a part of these minutes: CReport of Acting Superintendent: BOOSTER PUMPING STATION The attached letter from Weston & Smpson regarding the bids for a Booster Pumping Station at Lothrop,Road suggests that the bids be re- jected, that the Water Division construct the concrete pit and install the outside piping; and advertise again for pumps and interior piping. An estimate has been made by this Office, and it is agreed that the excavation, concrete and outside piping can be accomplished by town forces within the estimates as given by Weston & Sampson. The four bids seem to be very high, and by eliminating one pump, which has been planned as a stand-by only, a saving of several thousand dollars should be possible. Saving includes that due to Town' s forces work. ACTING SUPERINTENDENT Report of Acting Superintendent taken under advisement. J ' Received preliminary copies of Contract and Specifications for Pumping Equipment for Gravel Wall Well off Beverly Road from Weston & Sampson. On recommendation of Acting Superintendent, it was moved, seconded and voted to bid this Contract at the earliest possible date. Previewed Contract, Specifications and Plans for 1958 Street Con- struction, consisting, of Knollwood Road, Dana Road, and Intervale terr- ace, bids to be opened Monday, August 11, 1958. Received request from J. Gavigan Corp. , 1958 Sewer Contractor, to the effect that he be permitted to use precast concrete sewer manholes as manufactured by New England Concrete Pipe Corporation of Newton Upper Falls, Mass. in place of regulations brick manholes. Gran+ Moved, seconded and voted to a -said request, payment to ' be made at bid price per vertical foot quoted on regulation brick manholes. l0 Received application for extension of Common Sewer on Ridge ' Road, signed by seven abutting property owners. Application accepted and placed on file for processing in usual manner. Board adjourned at 11:40 P. M. Respectfully submitted: - \ ��eor� 1