HomeMy WebLinkAbout1965-01-04 Board of Public Works Minutes 1
January 4, 1965
Meeting of the Board of Public Works opened at 7:40
P.M. in Room 16, Municipal Building.
Present were Chairman Kenney, Secretary Cochrane,
Board Members Leonard and Watt and Superintendent Welch.
Minutes of the previous meeting read and approved.
Mr. Leonard stated that he wished to clarify his
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stand on granting a half-holiday the day before Christmas to
employees of the Department. Mr. Leonard was of the opinion
that it was not within the province of this Board to vote away
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the Town's money by granting the half-holiday. If the practice
is to be continued, it should be done in the proper manner and
included in the Town By-laws.
The Superintendent will prepare and present to the
Board for approval an item in regard to holiday time, after
which it will be submitted to the Personnel Board with the
recommendation that it be presented at Town Meeting.
Read letter from Benjamin E. Nichols requesting per-
mission for the Boy Scouts to occupy and use Reading Common on
Saturday, February 13, for observance of the Boy Scout Anni-
versary.
Mr. Leonard moved, Mr. Cochrane seconded and it was
voted that the request be approved.
Read note from the Superintendent suggesting that the
Board request the Selectmen to call a Special Town Meeting in
February as in previous years to request funds for Main Sanl-
tary Sewer Construction in 1965. Mr. Cochrane moved, Mr.
Leonard seconded and it was voted to request a Special Town
Meeting on February 15.
Read note from the Superintendent in regard to forced
house connections. According to the Superintendent, it has
been determined that approximately 70 houses could be required
to connect with the sewer system since in each case the sewer
has been available for more than ten years, as follows: -
In 20 cases since the 1920s
In 6 cases since the 1930s
In 22 cases since the 1940s
In 22 cases since the 1950s
Field checks will be made of each connection. The Superin-
tendent will draft a letter explaining the program which will
be submitted to Town Counsel for ,editing. The locations will
be taken chronologically; letter and petition for the voluntary
request for sewer house connection to be sent to approximately
26 houses this year; the remainder (approximately 50) in two
years following.
Read note from the Superintendent with reference to
posting at the garage a list of names designating employees who
may consider themselves regular employees, and his suggestion
that the list be poSted.
Mr. Leonard moved that the list be posted on an annual
basis, Mr. Watt seconded and it was voted.
The Board accepted as a point of information schedule
of various hearings on different projects.
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Read note from the Superintendent with reference to
a visit to the Lowell Incinerator. It was agreed that the Board
would ,journey to Lowell on Tuesday, January 12, to inspect the
incinerator.
Read note from the Superintendent regarding estimated
costs of requests for salary increases and additional vacation
time by employees: -
A. - A flat $10.00 per week increase
Regular - 75 employees x $10.00 x 39 weeks = $29,200
Temporary - 30 men x 30 weeks x $8.00 7,200
Total $36,400
B. - Additional vacation
54 weeks x $84.00 (salary of temporary men) _ $ 4,500
C. - Overtime for Supervisory Employees
® Estimated coat = $ 400
Total payroll for the first 52 weeks of 196} was $451,000 (ex-
cluding storm help). To accomplish proposed $10.00 increase
. would necessitate 15 changes in classification schedule.
The Superintendent explained that "C", relating to
overtime, pertained to snowstorms, water main breaks, etc. and
"B" is debatable because of replacements.
Mr. Leonard felt a $10.00 across-the-board cost of
living increase should be explored. ��s stated that a flat
amount may have some merit this year but it should be combined
with the merit system. Obviously a lower figure of $4.00 to
$5.00 would be the base.
Mr. Leonard stated that the employees should have had
a cost-of-living increase at least every three or four years
which had nothing to do with merit. The merit plan in itself
is not sufficient to take care of the inflationary problems which
will occur in every labor force. There has been no proper adjust-
ment along the line except for the Police and Fire Departments.
As far as the Board of Public Works is concerned, it has been a
miserable situation.
Mr. Kenney was of the opinion that the cost-of-living
and merit increases should be combined.
The Superintendent stated that the Town could vote to
approve salary increases beyond the limits of the classification
system without changing the system in itself as it stands now.
Mr. Watt favored holding the classifications as �they
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are but ra&kl-4 the curve upward. A discussion followed.
The Superintendent will assemble figures to cover both
possibilities for study by the Board.
The Board signed the Billroll dated December 31, 1964
and Payroll for the period December 26, 1964 through January 1,
1965.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M.
Respectfully, s P tted,
Se J