HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-10-17 Board of Public Works Minutes 1
Board of Publi.c Works Meeting of October 17, 1983 Page 1
A meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16,
Municipal Building a+ 7: 30 P-M. Present were Chairman Wood, Secretary
Barker, Board Members Polychrones, Griffin and Hampson and Assistant
Superintendent, William R. Bergeron and Edward D. McIntire, Jr.
The Board met with Mr. .Tames Blomley of the Reading Municipal
Light Depar+men+ at 7: 30 P.M. regarding the review and approval of
Municipal Light Department underground vault and manhole locations.
it was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to approve the final.
locations for the vaults and manhole locations for the R.M.L.D. as
previously tabled.
The Board reviewed the Coeoerative Salt Bids received at
Wakefield, Me. on October 4, 1983.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to award the Contrac+ for
both Rock and Solar Salts to Eastern Minerals, 130 Plain Street, Lowell,
Me. in the amount of 821.45 per ton with an upset limit of 416,697.00.
The Board reviewed the memo from William R. Bergeron regarding
the System Rehabilitation Grant under Chapter 286 in the amount of
439.612.50.
The original grant request was to complete the 12 inch wafer loo'
from John Street. to Ash Street and provide cleaning of the existing mains
on Main Street from Ash Street to South Street. The grants were reduced
by the State to basically 25S of what the total project cost was es+ima+ed
to be.
It does appear that we will he under budget on our previous grant
project by a sufficient amount to complete all of the work.
It was moved, seconded and voted F: 0 that the Board indicate to
the State that we will romplete all of the project outlined in the grant
Board of Public Works Meeting of October 17, 1483 Page 2
' application provided we obtain all of the payments from the previous grant
requested under Chapter 286.
Secretary Barker read the Notice of Public Hearing at 7: 45 P.M.
regarding the petition of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company
to lay and maintain underground conduits and manholes, as follows:
Main Street: Southerly from an existing Manhole #74/1IA near Ash Street
(Route 28) extending Southerly along the Easterly side of Main Street
(Rt. 28) to existing pole #54/30 approximately 150 feet
Southerly of Summer Avenue.
Main Street: Westerly from proposed Manhole #74/115, extending Westerly
(Route 28) into and along the Northerly side of Summer Avenue to
& Summer existing pole 87/27, place approximately 165 feet of
Avenue underground conduit.
Present from New England Telephone Company was Mr. Cearge Cooley.
Mr. Cooley stated we are extending our underground system from
Ash Street to Summer Avenue.
Over a period of years, we have fed that area by pole line. We
are having residential and industrial growth near the intersection of
Route 128. This will provide additional telephone facilities for the
foreseeable future. This is a conduit system primarily in the sidewalk
area with one crossing at the intersection of Summer Avenue. This has
been reviewed with the Engineering Department and the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts D.F.W.
Mr. Bergeron stated the Departments' recommendation would be the
same as the States' as far as overlay at the crossing at Summer Avenue.
This should be a full width overlay as well as replacement in kind of the
curbing.
Board of Public Works Meeting of October 17, 1983 Page 3
1 Mr. Cooley described in detail the specifications for placing
this conduit in the sidewalk and street area.
Mr. Griffin asked do we end up with a patched sidewalk?
Mr. Bergeron replied no, this is in the gutter area of Summer
Avenue only.
Mr. Barker stated the centerline of thermoplastic should also be
replaced in kind.
Mr. Griffin expressed hie concern over the safety aspect of this
type of project being undertaken at this time of the year.
Mr. McIntire left the meeting at 8: 06 P.M. to attend a Board of
Selectmen's Meeting.
Mr. Cooley stated the entire job would probably take one months'
' time. The timing delay is mainly because of the construction of the
manholes. He also stated historically N.E.T. has had a good association
with the B.P.W. and would like to continue this relationship with any
future Boa Ms,
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to approve the petition of
N.E.T.&T, to lay and maintain underground conduit and manholes as follows:
Main Street: Southerly from an existing Manhole #74/11A near Ash Street,
(Route 28) extending Southerly along the Easterly side of Main Street
(Route 28) to existing pole #54/30 approximately ISO feet
Southerly of Summer Avenue.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4: 0 to approve the petition of N.E.T.&T.
to install and maintain underground conduit as follows:
' Main Street: Westerly from proposed Manhole 74/115, extending Westerly
(Route 28) into and along the Northerly side of Summer Avenue to
& Summer existing pole 87/27, Place approximately 165 feet of under-
Avenue ground conduit.
Board of Public Works Meeting of October 17, 1983 Page 4
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to reconsider the previous
votes to include the provisions that the areas disturbed on Summer Avenue
be completely replaced with 1" overlay full width and thermoplastic line
be replaced in-kind.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to close the hearing at 8: 15
P.M.
The Board next met with Sack Fenton, Safety Consultant, to
discuss our safety program.
Mr. Fenton reported that two months of 1983 have been accident
free.
Mr. Fenton thanked the Board for the ability to conduct the
safety and training sessions. He stated he is looking for input from the
Board regarding the new insurance situation. His issue with safety is
training and he feels the only way we can effectively institute some
safety operating procedures is to do so before the fact.
He stated he is also in the process of getting into video
training and photographing in the field.
Mr. Polychrones inquired if Mr. Fenton has inspected the
equipment and trucks, etc. at the Garage for safety requirements.
Mr. Fenton replied that he had met with the Raster Mechanic and
the majority of the trucks have chocks except for the smaller ones.
Mr. Barker stated he has written a fairly extensive list of
concerns and he would like to have Mr. Fenton do a written report on what
he has done for the last year and a program and recommended budget figure
for next year. Some of the areas he would like addressed are: road
construction - signs, lights, barrels, etc. ; water treatment plant - need
for low overhead padding and warning signs; safety kit, room designating
Board of Public Works Meeting of October 17, 1.983 Page 5
signs, warnings, etc.; vehicles - need for reflective decals on trucks,
personnel practices, etc.
He would also like a progress report on the safety report dated
March 21, 1983 that he issued.
Additionally, Mr. Barker wouldlikean Action Plan from Mr.
Fenton so that the Board can do a checklist.
Mr. Palychrones asked for an update of the decision of one man
vs. two man operations on the snow plowing details.
Mr. Fenton replied he discussed this with Roger and Ted and he
has not come to a concrete decision on this as yet.
Mr. Griffin stated his concern with the Water Treatment Plant is
that it represents a very unique safety problem. The solutions would have
' to be put into effect immediately such as the results of chemical burns or
safety alarms that may or may not be attributable to certain causes. He
would like to look at the placement of aid kits so that there is a direct
correlation between the area and the safety problem.
Mr. Barker stated he would like Mr. Fenton to look into one vs.
two man operations for certain processes such as the lime system ,
specific functions that should be done by one or two men.
Mr. Griffin stated perhaps the treatment plant review suggestions
should be an isolated package from the rest of the DPW operations.
Mr. Hampson asked do you handle the safety procedures for all the
chemicals at the plant.
Mr. Fenton replied basically he is looking at basic safety
1 hazards at the treatment plant.
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Board of P!,h lir Wurks Meet inn rF October 1.7, 1493 Page b
' Mr. Barker stated please get back to the Board or Department if
you find any budgetary constraints with what we asked of you.
The Board adjourned temporarily at 9:40 P.M. to meet as the Board
of Survey.
The meeting reconvened at 9: 00 P.M.
The Board next met with John Willis and Edmund DiIorto of Camp,
Dresser & McKee to discuss an update on the Water Treatment Plant.
Mr. Willis stated in regards to the Lime System; CDM has ordered
three new pumps at 350 gallon capacity to be replaced at CDM'= expense.
They will take eight weeks to he deli.vered. He. also stated if piping
modifications are necessaryy they will be taken care of ahead of time.
Mr. Willis stated the 35p gallon capacity is based on handling on
' the worst condition plus a 257.. safety factor, He stated at 52 slurry now,
you need 240 gpm which is consistent with the design. We have actually
added over 110 gph capacity per each pump.
Town Meeting member Victor Carlson stated a lot of people are
very upset about this situation. He is curious about the warranty on the
equipment that is on line. Does it begin at the point the plant is on
liner or the day it was resolved?
Chairman Wood stated some of the equipment has been operating
since it was installed. The lime pums in particular have not operated as
they were supposed to.
Mr. Carlson asked how de we know these pieces of equipment that
are operating will not adversely affect the other equipment, and since
t when do we accept a verbal contract?
Mr. Willis stated the lime system would have no affect at all an
any other equipment. Other pieces of equipment will be under warranty for
Board of Public Wnrks Meeting of October 17, 1993 Page 7
' one year from the official acceptance. The date of the official
acceptance starts the date of the official warranties.
Mr. Carlson stated I hope the Hoard will make sure our Town -
Counsel is on top of this situation regarding the Contract. We never seem
to be able to get things done correctly and I hope this is addressed by
the Board.
Mr. Willis stated I would like to remind you that CDM is footing
the bill for this.
Mr. Griffin stated every point you have made I have heard made by
every member of this Board. I think every member of this Board has toured
that plant consistently, and are mos+. alert to the areas of greatest
difficulty. The contract under which the obligations were clearly spelled
' out was only reinforced verbally.
The Board next discussed the ventilation scheme for the Chlorine
Dioxide Room.
Mr. Di.Iorio stated initially we estimated the cost to be
$3,500.00. We subsequently came up with an alteration of that scheme to
make it more automatic and the cost went up to 46,461.00. We have
reviewed the price and feel this is within acceptable and reasonable
parameters and we would recommend you do the work at this price. When the
price first came in it was 48,500.00.
Chairman Wood asked what would you expect for a total work time
to do this work?
Mr. DiIorin replied one week for the actual work. There will. be
' two subcontractors involved in this work (heating and ventilating and an
electrician).
Beard of Public works Meeting of October 17, 1483 Page 8
' Mr. Griffin asked presuming we went ahead with this, what type of
test would we actually run to prove out the efficiency of the system.
Mr. Willis stated you could measure by an air flow test.
Mr. Griffin asked how can we verify this will clear the room
under significant safety standards.
Mr. Willis stated it would be possible to de a smoke test to
determine any pockets of air.
Mr. Hampson stated I don't think it is feasible to do an actual
test.
Mr. Griffin stated I would like to have some very adequate,
provable test mechanism to be completed rather than simply an air change
by volume,
' Mr. Willis stated we would have to ask +he HVAC about that and
get bank to you.
It. was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to accept the lump sum bid
of 86,461.00 for a ventilation system for the Chlorine Dioxide Room with
one week construction at the plant and pending proper testing procedures
and recommendations for operation.
Mr. McIntire returned to the meeting at 10: 00 P.M.
Mr. Barker next discussed the Punch List item by item and
requested an additional item be put on the list:
Ammontator Room - the ammoniator scale room door does not lock.
The master key does not work. He. asked that the door frame be
fixed, the door has settled.
' Mr. darker stated we are hoping to make a positive report to Town
Meeting.
Board of Public Works Meeting of October 17, 1983 Page 9
' Mr. Griffin stated he has been more than pleased with the quality
of water coming out of that. plant. There is no direct correlation between
the output and the finished product.
Mr. Willis stated 1 think the operators have been doing an
eycellent job.
Chairman Wood thanked Messrs. Willis and DiIorio for coming.
Under Old and New Business:
The Board discussed the several meetings they had scheduled for
the week.
The Board signed the Payroll and the Billroll for the period
ending October 14, 1983.
The meeting adjourned at 10: 15 P.M.
' Respectfully submitted,
Secretary
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