HomeMy WebLinkAbout1965-04-12 Board of Public Works Minutes April 12, 1965
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.
The Board opened general bids on the Reconstruction
of the Garage, as follows: -
T. F. McCarthy, Beverly $37,783.00
Francis G. Falzarano, Reading 36,400.00
N. C. Construction Co. , Inc. , Brighton 43,920.00
Metric Construction, Inc. , Winchester 44,312.00
Masonry Construction Corp., Beverly 48,977.00
Bids were taken under advisement.
Minutes of the previous meeting read and approved.
The Board reviewed the list of storm drain projects
which it is suggested be accomplished in 1965. The amount of
$38,000.00 is available. Mr. Kenney moved that the Department
proceed with the drainage program as outlined; Mr. Watt seconded
and it was voted.
The Board adjourned temporarily at 7:45 P.M. to meet
as the Board of Survey.
The Board reconvened at 8:00 P.M.
Read note from the Superintendent in regard to the
request by the Library Trustees that the Board of Public Works
consider the use of the present Library - exclusive of the base-
ment area - as an office for the Department. The basic idea is
that if the question happens to be asked at the Special Town
Meeting, an answer would be available whether favorable or not.
Mr. Leonard felt that the Library Trustees showed
bad taste in requesting the above. Mr. Leonard was informed
that if a new Library is constructed, the old Library will re-
vert back to the Board of Selectmen who will decide on the oc-
cupants.
Mr. Florence was of the opinion that the Board should
have an answer ready for Town Meeting Members, if requested, and
it should be in the affirmative. A discussion followed.
Mr. Watt moved, Mr. Florence seconded and it was voted
that the Board should have an answer prepared for Town Meeting
in case the question is raised - in favor or opposed - whichever
way the question is asked. Mr. Leonard was opposed .
The Board conferred with six residents who presented
a petition signed by 77 abuttors of Lowell Street, Beverly Road,
Bradford Road, Fielding Road and Pilgrim Road, to extend the
common sewer in Lowell Street. The petition stated that the
situation in this area is very bad and very serious. It is a
danger to the children's health because of the odors that arise
from cesspools and septic tanks and they feel that immediate
action should be taken to alleviate this unsanitary and un-
healthful condition. They also want the same privileges that
other citizens of the Town have.
The Superintendent explained to the Board and those
in attendance that to connect to Willow Street Pumping Station,
the main would be carried under the Boston & Maine Railroad
tracks, and brought up alongside the tracks to Fielding Road.
A rough estimate of the cost would be around $200,000.00. A
lengthy discussion ensued. Mr. Welch explained the problems
involved with the disposal of sewerage and the progress being
made by the Town and the M.D.C. to cope with the situation.
Mr. Leonard suggested that 'the Board take the peti-
tion under advisement and place it in the active file with the
40% of Reading which is not presently sewered. Mr. Florence
moved that the suggestion be accepted as' amotion, Mr. Kenney
seconded and it was voted.
Mr. Leonard moved the above suggestion, Mr. Kenney
seconded and the motion carried.
Read information prepared by the Superintendent in re-
gard to connection Addison-Wesley with the sanitary sewer, as
follows: -
A. First - Extend the gravity sewer in Main Street from
Hopk net (end of this yearfs contract) to a point in
Jacob Way, about 300 feet southeast of 'South Street. Con-
struct a sewer ejector station in Addison-Wesley land near the
newest building - run sewers from the various buildings to this
station - build a. force main to connect 'with the and of gravity
sewer in Jacob Way and eject the sewage into it.
Estimated cost of this method is : -
1. Extension of Gravity Sewer $20io00.00
2. Ejector Station and Force MainOj_,000.00
Total $ 0,0 00
This amount ($$0,000.00) would be split as follows: - Town
$20,000.00 - Addison-Wesley $30,000.00. . . .
B. Second - Building an ejector station at Sturges Park -
install a force main in Walnut Street to near No. 56. Install
a short section of gravity main in Walnut Street from Hopkins
' Street (end of this year's contract) to near No. 56. Install
a gravity main in South Street from near No. 323 to Sturges
Park. Install a gravity sewer from South Street to Addison-
Wesley land - run sewers from the various buildings to a central
manhole at the outlet sewer.
-------------
Estimated cost of this method is: -
1. Installation of ejector station,
gravity mains and force main $120,000.00
2. Installation of connection to
Addison-Wesley land 15,000.00
Total $713770-0-00
00.00
This amount ($135,000.00) would be split up as follows: -
Town $120,000.00 - Addison-Wesley $15,000.00. . . . '
Under method "A" the cost to Addison-Wesley would be
$30,000.00 plus connections to buildings. Under method "B"
their cost would be $15,000.00 plus connections to buildings, -
a saving of $15,000.00.
Under method "A" the cost to the Town would be $20,000.00.
Under method "B" their cost would be '$120,000.00, - an increase
of $100,000.00.
Under method "A" it would not be necessary for the Depart-
ment to ask for an added appropriation. We had an appropriation
of $150,000.00. The low bid is $101,000.00. We have set up a
contingency of $24,000.00. Have allowed $6,000.00 for labor
($3,000.00 for Inspection - $3,000.00 for cleanup) and set aside
8,000.00 for sewers which the department is to install - Total
129,000.00. This leaves $21,000.00 which could be alloted to
the Addison-Wesley sewer extension.
Under method "B" it would be necessary to ask for an 'appro-
priation of $100,000.00.
Despite the fact that method "B" is more expensive, it would
seem the better method. Certainly the Town gains this way and
the waste of $30,000.00 in Addison-Wesley land would be eliminated.
In any event, if method "B" is chosen, it should be understood
that the appropriation is not to be considered a pre-draw of 1966
funds. . . .
A discussion of Plan A and Plan B followed. Messrs.
Florence, Kenney and Cochrane expressed their preference of Plan
B, Messrs. Watt and Isdriard Plan A. '
Mr. Kenney moved that the Board submit the two •pro-
posals to the Finance Committee and recommend that Plan B be
followed, Mr.Flcence seconded. Messrs. Watt and Leonard were
his
opposed. Chairman Cochrane cast/Vote as in favor and the
motion carried.
' Read letter from Roderick E. Macdonald, Assistant
Superintendent of Schools, requesting the Board of Public Works
to replace the sidewalk in front of the Reading Memorial High
School from the auditorium end of the building to the street
at the gym and of the building, using Bituminous Concrete. It
will be requested that $3,500.00, which is in their budget, be
placed at the disposal of the Board of Public Works.
Mr. Watt moved, Mr. Kenney seconded and it was voted
that the project be included in the 1965 sidewalk program.
Read information prepared by the Superintendent at the
request of Mr. Leonard in regard to the availability of utili-
ties to Lot 51 on North Main Street owned by John Putnam.
' Mr. Florence moved that the data be accepted as a
point of information and copy released to the owner, Mr. Leonard
seconded and it was voted.
Read list of equipment which the Town voted to authorize
the Board of Public Works to purchase, as follows: -
One Sedan
One 4-Ton Truck
One Sidewalk Tractor
One Tractor Dozer
Also, Superintendent Welchfs recommendations and comments.
Mr. Florence moved that Item 9 in regard to equipment
be accepted as routine, Mr. Kenney seconded and it was voted.
The Board signed the Billroll dated April 9 and Payroll
for the period April 3 through April 9, 1965.
' Meeting adjourned at 10:20 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary