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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1966-01-10 Board of Public Works Minutes l January 10, 1966 Meeting of the Board of Public Works opened at 7:30 P.M. in the. Auditorium of the Community Center, 52 Sanborn Street, Reading. Present were Chairman Cochrane, Secretary Watt, Board Members Kenney and Leonard and Superintendent Welch. Public Hearing was held at 7:45 P.M. on the laying out as Public Ways under the Betterment Act of the following: - RMELBOURNE (Private ) AVENUE which runs Easterly from venue to unnyside Avenue, a distance of 820 feet more or less CUMBERLAND (Private ) ROAD which runs Northerly from elbI oourne Avenu, to VI toria Avenue, a distance of [ 530 feet more or less WHITEHALL (Private ) LANE which runs Westerly from the Accepted Portion of hitehall Lane to South Street, a distance of 635 feet more or less BLUEBERRY (Private ) LANE which runs from Franklin street, Sout er y, Easterly and Northerly to Franklin Street, a distance of 1, 320 feet more or less BANCROFT (Private) AVENUE which runs from the Accepted Portion o t ancro venue Northerly, a distance of 514 feet more or less to a dead end Sixteen persons attended the Hearing. Details were explained by the Board and Superintendent, and technical questions answered by E. R. Louanis, Town Engineer. A record of the vote follows: - In Favor Opposed Non-Committal Melbourne Avenue 4 2 - Cumberland Road 4 - - Whitehall Lane 2 = = Blueberry Lane 3 Bancroft Avenue 1 14 2 l N Messrs. Brown, Travalini and Harrison of Blueberry Lane, unable to attend the Hearing, contacted the Office of the Board of Pub- lic Works and requested that their vote be recorded as in favor; Mr. Pendergast of Bancroft Avenue made the same request. The Board convened in Room 16, Municipal Building. Minutes of the previous meeting read and approved. The Board voted to send a letter to the Board of Se- lectmen requesting that a Special Town Meeting be held in February, preferably on the 14th, the major reason being to al- low the Board of Public Works to present a Motion for sewer construction funds which, if approved, will allow the Board of Public Works to arrange for an early start on sewer construc- tion. A telephone call from the Selectmen confirmed the Meeting on February 7. The Board conferred with Stanley I. Robinson and Roderick E. Macdonald, representing the School Committee and Richard C. Evans and H. Lee Donley, representing the Recreation Committee, regarding the undeveloped area abutting the Barrows School. The Board discussed work which has been performed by the Board of Public Works at various play areas; also the Program - Special Parks - as prepared by the Public Works. No definite development programs were presented by the representa- tives of either Committee. Mr. Cochrane suggested that a letter be sent to the Board of Public Works requesting that this De- i partment prepare a plan of the area; also that the School i Committee and Recreation Committee present duty specifications +■ 3 for development. Upon receipt of the above, estimates would be made by the Superintendent and Engineering Division of the Board of Public Works and then submitted to the Finance Committee for review. The Board took up the matter of Street Acceptances: - Mr. Kenney moved that the Board recommend acceptance of Melbourne (Private ) Avenue as a Public Way under the Betterment Act at the Annual Town Meeting; Mr. Watt seconded and it was voted . Mr. Kenney moved that the Board recommend acceptance of Cumberland (Private ) Road as a Public Way under the Betterment Act at the Annual Town Meeting; Mr. Watt seconded and it was voted. Mr. Kenney moved that the Board recommend acceptance of Whitehall (Private ) Lane as a Public Way under the Bet- terment Act at the Annual Town Meeting; Mr. Watt seconded and it was voted. Mr. Kenney moved that the Board recommend acceptance of Blueberry ( Private) Lane as a Public Way under the Bet- terment Act at the Annual Town Meeting; Mr. Watt seconded and it was voted. Mr. Kenney moved that the Board recommend acceptance of Bancroft (Private ) Avenue as a Public Way under the Betterment Act at the Annual Tom Meeting; Mr. Watt seconded and it was voted. Read letter from the Recreation Committee suggesting that the Board of Public Works look into the possibility of sprinkling the playing fields at Birch Meadow during the summer months, using the underground water supply available in the Birch Meadow area; also consider the possibility of planting a hedge around the skating area at Memorial Park. The requests were taken under advisement. ' Read letter from the Reading Municipal Employees Association amending Article 2 of petition dated November 16, 1965, PAID HOLIDAYS - as follows: - Holidays falling on Saturday, to be paid at regular ail rates, or the day prior (Friday), time off without loss of pay. The request will constitute a change in the By-laws. The Personnel Board will be contacted in an effort to obtain statistics to be used as a yardstick with which to measure their requests. The item of the petition will appear on the Agenda for discussion on January 17, 1966. Read letter from Walter S. Bleecker, 59 Hanscom Avenue, suggesting that a "Keep to the Right - Two-way Traffic" sign be installed, or a prominent double white line be painted in the middle of Lowell Street, heading east toward the square. On occasion the street has been mistaken as one-way. The Board was informed by the Superintendent that traffic control is the function of the Selectmen. Read letter from Theodore M. Nigro, 121 Prospect Street, requesting an abatement on his January 1965 water bill in the amount of $142. 05. According to Mr. Nigro, no particu- lar plumbing problems existed . The Board discussed the request and Mr. Kenney moved that the abatement be denied, Mr. Leonard seconded and the motion carried . Read notice from the Planning Board of a meeting to be held January 20 in Room 2 at 8:00 P.M. in order that the con- sultant, Mr. John Atwood, can bring all town officers up to date on the current standing of the Downtown study. l J Mr. Welch discussed with the Board the Federal Loan and the New Public Works Assistance Bill passed by the Federal Government. The Bill allows up to 50% free grant on basic public works improvements. In Mr. Welch's opinion, the Sewer Intercep- tor, Incinerator and installation of a well in a used field are in this category. Detailed information is not available on the grant immediately. The Board signed the Billroll dated January 7 and the Payroll for the period January 1 to January 7, 1966. Meeting adjourned at 10:15 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Secretary