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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-05-24 Board of Public Works Minutes Board of Public Works Meeting of May 24, 1982 Page 1 A meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16, Municipal Building at 7:30 P.M. Present were Chairman Wood, Secretary Fallon, Board Members Barker and Polychrones, Superintendent E. Roger Louanis and Assistant Superintendent Edward D. McIntire, Jr. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 to approve the minutes of the Board of Public Works meeting of May 17, 1982 as corrected. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 that the Board sign the Chapter 90 Project request form in regards to the Route 129 (Lowell Street) overlay. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 that the Board sign the Chapter 90 Project Request form for release of the money from the State in regards to the Hopkins Street overlay. The Board reviewed the Storm Warning Service Agreements covering the period July 1, 1982 through June 30, 1983 from Weather Services Corporation. Superintendent Louanis stated the cost for the Agreement was $795.00 in FY81, $875.00 in FY82, and $950.00 in FYS3. He also stated that this is a valuable service to the Department and felt the service should be continued. Mr. Fallon moved that the Board allow E. Roger Louanis to represent the Board and Department in entering into a Contract with Weather Services Corporation not to exceed $950.00. It was seconded and voted 4:0. Board of Public Works Meeting of May 24, 1952 Page 2 The Board met with Jack H. Fenton, Utility Safety Consultant, at 7:45 P.M. Mr. Fenton stated he has been working with the Reading Municipal Light Department, as well as many other utility companies, for the past eleven years. His Safety Program has decreased the number of Workmens' Compensation Claims. He would like to tailor a safety program for the Town of Reading Department of Public Works. He stated one of the biggest problems with labor forces are back injuries, and feels that people should be educated and trained in proper lifting techniques. Mr. Fenton stated he typically keeps copies of all Accident Reports that are made and determines where most of the problems are. He then concentrates on the areas with the highest incidents of accidents. He gives a visual presentation to the labor force. He also does field observations. He then makes recommendations to Management. He proposed four visits a year to the Reading Public Works labor force for a cost of approximately $1,000.00. A general discussion ensued, the Board asked several questions of Mr. Fenton. Mr. Fenton stated that CPR training would be included in the $1,000.00 figure. He also stated he would meet with the Supervisors before he met with the general labor force. Board of Public Works Meeting of May 24, 1982 Page 3 ' Mr. Barker stated he felt that these programs are always beneficial. They do wonders for employee morale and they do reduce employee accidents over a period of time. He would like to see the Board implement this program. Mr. Barker requested that Mr. Fenton meet with the Departments' Supervisory staff to get an idea as to where the problem areas are, so that this program is geared towards Readings' particular problem areas. Superintendent Louanis pointed out to the Board that for several years the Department has been looking for a Safety Program for Reading. Mrs. Wood requested a cost proposal for the first year, including start-up figures from Mr. Fenton, and he stated he would present this to ' the Board at a later date. The Board met with members of the League of Women Voters at 8:30 P.M., regarding a proposal to keep the Recycling Center open after July 1st. a Present from the League were Nancy Berman, Sonya Griffin and Julie Constantino. The League feels there is still a need for the Recycling Center to be open. They propose to keep it open one Saturday per month for four or five hours (9:00 - 1:00 or 2:00). They felt it should be attended by a D.P.W. worker. In order to do this, the League would like to work with the Board of Public Works on the publicity drive. The League felt it would cost approximately ESO/day or 8600/year to maintain the center. Board of Public Works Meeting of May 24, 1982 Page 4 Ms. Griffin stressed that publicity is a priority. The League i has also committed itself to presenting this proposal at Town Meeting. Mr. Barker stated that the Board moved to close the Recycling i Center, and it was our considered opinion that we keep it open through Town Meeting for them to make the final decision. Mr. Fallon stated the Recycling Center costs for FY81 were 82,448 (open 2 Saturdays per month). 8960.00 was appropriated for FY82, as of May 14, 1982 81,370.23 has been spent. We are now therefore, 37.2% over budget. Superintendent Louanis stated it is now a poor market for recycling. ' Mrs. Wood felt that if Town Meeting approved the idea, a 6 month trial peirod would be advisable. Superintendent Louanis stated he would look at the cost figures again for a 5 hour day tone Saturday a month) and the League could contact him. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 that the letter from Alan L. Kovacs, Assistant Attorney General, regarding the Bid Monitoring Project, be accepted as a point of information. It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 that the Board accept the Motions for Town Meeting. Board of Public Works Meeting of May 24, 1982 Page 5 1 The Board discussed the Highland School Playground Area. Mr. Barker informed the Board that he had spoken with a Mrs. LeHane of 32 School Street. She requested that the DPW (1) cut the grass at the Highland School and (2) the swings be reattached to the swing frames at the playground area. Mr. Barker moved to intstruct the Department to contact the Supervisor of Building Maintenance in the Selectmen's office and/or the School Department Maintenance staff to determine the location of the swings and getting them erected and be suitably maintained under the direction of this Department. The motion was seconded. Mr. Fallon amended the motion to release the Department from the responsiblity of maintaining the swings. The amendment was seconded. The amendment passed 3: 1 (Mr. Barker opposed). The amended main motion passed 4:0. Mr. Barker moved that since the Board of Public Works is in receipt of a request from Mrs. LeHane of 32 School Street, the Board should direct the Clerk of the Board to write a letter to the Board of Selectmen, stating that since the Highland School is under their direction, they should respond to the residents' request to cut the grass. It was seconded and voted 4:0. Board of Public Works Meeting of May 24, 1982 Page 6 Under Old and New Business, Superintendent Louanis pointed out the Departments responses to the Boards' comments regarding the downtown plan. The Department made the changes that the Board requested on the different areas throughout the plan. A general discussion ensued regarding the changes made. Mr. Barker inquired if it would be possible to implement part of these changes this Spring with traffic line painting. He felt there were two or three areas where line painting could be done. Mr. Barker requested that the next meeting with Camp Dresser & McKee and R.H. White regarding the Water Treatment Plant should be held at the Water Treatment Plant for discussion of the Change Orders. Mrs. Wood felt that we should discuss this with Camp Dresser & McKee and R.H. White. Mr. Fallon moved that the Board go into Executive Session to discuss labor negotiations, not to reconvene in open session, it was seconded and the Chairman polled the Board as follows: Mr. Polychrones - yea Mr. Barker - nay Mr. Fallon - yea Mrs. Wood - yea The Board signed the Payroll for the period ending 5-21-82. The Board signed the Bill Roll for the period ending 5-21-82. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 P.M. 1 Resec tfu lly submitted, ec retary