HomeMy WebLinkAbout1966-01-17 Board of Public Works Minutes 'l
January 17, 1966
Meeting of the Board of Public Works opened at 7:30 P.M.
in Room 16, Municipal Building.
Present were Chairman Cochrane, Secretary Watt, Board
Members Florence, Kenney and Leonard and Superintendent Welch.
Minutes of the previous meeting read and approved.
The Chairman suggested that adequate copies of the Rub-
bish Disposal Report which had been submitted previously to Board
Members should be made for and distributed to Town Meeting Members
and other Town Officers. The cost would be $175.00. Mr. Watt
moved that an Article be inserted in the Warrant for the Special
Town Meeting on February 7, 1966 requesting the above amount for
the printing of the report; Mr. Kenney seconded and it was voted.
Read letter from Benjamin E. Nichols requesting permis-
sion to occupy and use the Reading Common on Saturday, February
12, 1966 for the observance of the Boy Scout Anniversary. Mr.
Kenney moved that permission be granted; Mr. Watt seconded and
the motion carried.
Read letter from Mrs. William H. Dillon, 24 Haverhill
Street, requesting the Board of Public Works, after snowstorms,
to plow the sidewalk from 24 Haverhill Street to Salem Street
at the break in the fence leading to Bay State Road. Mrs. Dillon
has two small children and feels that Haverhill Street is too
heavily travelled to walk with the children on the Street.
Mr. Florence moved the request be denied. The Board
discussed the area in question. No action was taken. The Board
Members agreed to view the area before making any decision.
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Read letter from the Board of Selectmen stating that
a bid had been received again for Tax Title land at the corner
of Wilson and Pleasant Streets, Lot 30 on Assessorsf Plat 17 .
According to the Superintendent, the Board of Health has re-
moved its restrictions on Osborne Avenue and the Plan has been
approved by the Board of Survey. It was suggested that the
Boardcf Public Works withdraw its objection to the sale of the
land but that the sale shall be conditional. The new owner must
agree to a drain easement as proposed on the Board of Survey
Plan; also that in keeping with the requirements of the Board of
Survey on Osborne Avenue, no cellar floor shall be constructed
below an elevation established by the Board of Public Works.
Mr. Leonard moved that the prior objections be removed
on the sale of the land but that the easement requirement and
cellar elevation restriction be given to the Board of Selectmen
to be included in the deed on the sale of the land ; Mr. Florence
seconded and it was voted.
Public hearing was held at 8:30 P.M. in regard to the
proposed extension of the Mystic Valley Gas Company main in Chapin
Avenue from the present terminus at #14 Chapin Avenue Westerly, a
distance of 12$ feet.
No one attended the Hearing. Mr. Florence moved, Mr.
Kenney seconded and it was voted to approve the petition. The
Board signed the Plan.
The Chairman read summary of a recent study conducted
by 36 of the major industrial, utility and financial companies in
the Greater Boston community covering vacation and holiday prac- J
tices. The averages for holiday and vacation policy follow: -
l -
When a holiday falls on Saturday, 16 companies grant a
paid holiday on another day - 20 companies do not; on Sun-
day, 33 companies grant a paid holiday on Monday, three
` companies do not.
Vacations - two weeks after one year of service - 36 companies
three " it ten years " " - 26
four it twenty " " it - 18
The Board considered the following requests contained in
the Employees ' Wage and Benefits Petition: -
1. Overtime Pay - Time and one half to be paid for all work
performed after eight hours a day. Also Saturday and
Sunday work to be paid at time and one half.
Mr. Watt moved that the Board of Public Works ask
the Town Meeting to change the By-law and pay overtime
after eight hours; Mr. Leonard seconded. Messrs. Leonard
and Watt were in favor; Kenney, Florence and Cochrane were
opposed .
2. Holidays falling on Saturday, to be paid at regular rates,
or the day prior (Friday) time off and without loss of
pay.
Mr. Kenney moved it be referred to the Personnel
Board. There was no second.
Mr. Watt moved that the Board take no action on Item
#2 Holiday Pay because at the present time prevailing
practice does not give Friday as a holiday in lieu of Sat-
urday. However, by this motion also would like to advise
the Personnel Board that this Board is having trouble in
holding the line because other Departments are liberalizing
this By-law. Mr. Leonard seconded for discussion.
Messrs. Watt and Leonard voted in favor; Kenney and
Florence were opposed . The Chairman voted in favor.
3. Vacations - Four weeks after 10 years of continuous
service; three weeks after five years of continuous ■
service. The above to become effective on the anniver-
sary date of employment.
Mr. Watt moved that the Board recommend the fol-
lowing schedule: -
Two weeks' paid vacation after one year up to ten years
Three " " " " ten years
Four it " It " twenty years
Mr. Leonard seconded and it was voted.
4. Pay raise - a flat 10% pay increase for all employees.
Mr. Watt moved that a proposal to give the top
merit rated employees about a 4% increase with the
lower rated employees receiving not less than $3.00
per week - 7 1/2¢ per hour. The method would cost ap-
proximately $13,000.00 for 40 weeks; $17,000.00 for
52 weeks; Mr. Kenney seconded. Messrs. Watt, Kenney
and Cochrane voted in favor; Mr. Florence was opposed ;
and Mr. Leonard abstained.
The Board signed the Billroll dated January 14, 1966.
Meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary ✓✓//