Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-11-02 Board of Public Works Minutes 46 Board of Public Works Meeting of November 2, 1981 Page 1 A meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16, Municipal Building at 7:30 P.M. Present were Chairman Cowell, Board Members DeHart, Fallon and Barker and Superintendent E. Roger Louanis and Assistant Superintendent William R. Bergeron. Town Treasurer, Beth Y.lepeis, addressed the meeting regarding the new computer. She informed the Board she would be going to Town Meeting requesting $103,000 for the computer. A computer study committee has been formed and representing the BPW have been E. Roger Louanis and William Redford for approximately 1 1/2 years. $8,500 was granted at the Spring Town Meeting for a study of the Town's needs. Peat, Marwick & Mitchell did the consulting for the Town. The first year down payment would be approximately $56,000. The maintenance would be approximately $1,000. Training of personnel would cost about $5,000. Conversion would cost about $3,000. Site preparation - $5,000. Interest on the lease Sbank loan) - $5,000. Consultant for testing - $17,000, this is based on 22 days at 8 hours per day. The second year would cost $36,000 for the lease. Board Members expressed their concerns about the high maintenance contract cost. Mrs. Wood joined the meeting at 7: 45 P.M. Mrs. Wood read the Notice of Public Hearing regarding the proposed relocation and alteration of a portion of the sidelines of Pearl Street in the vicinity opposite #651 Pearl Street at 8:05 P.M. Assistant Superintendent Bergeron informed the Board of the requested modification for the Subdivision of Gavin Circle. The cost factor has not been investigated as yet. Board of Public Works Meeting of November 2, 1981 Page 2 It was moved, seconded and voted 5: 0 to close the hearing at 8: 10 P.M. Mrs. Wood moved that the [ward of Public Works adopt the report of laying out a portion of the sidelines of Pearl Street in the vicinity opposite #651 Pearl Street. It was seconded and voted 5:0. Mrs. Wood read the notice of the Public Hearing regarding the proposed Relocation and Alteration of a portion of the sideline of Franklin Street and Collins Avenue in the vicinity of kb Collins Avenue at 8: 15 P.M. Mr. Bergeron informed the Board this land taking was negotiated with Mr. & Mrs. Garrity. The taking is basically just a formality of them giving up the property. The property is a gift to the Town. It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to close the hearing at 8:20 P.M. Mrs. Wood moved that the Board adopt the Relocation and Alteration of a portion of the sideline of Franklin Street and Collins Avenue in the vicinity of Nb Collins Avenue. It was seconded and voted 5:0. Next discussed was the NESWC project. Present were Audi Audio of Mitre and the Bureau of Solid Waste, Mike Barrett - State Representative and John Phillips, Marketing Representative for U.O.P. The Board pointed out that they had some difficulty in accepting parts of the Contract, especially the liabilities the Town could be left with. Mr. DeHart stated the Board was in agreement with the concept of the project, that is not the problem, he is not happy with the Contract itself. It is the physical liabilities within the contract. Mr. DeHart cited numerous item in the Service Agreement of April 8, 1981, wherein the Board of Public Works Meeting of November 2, 1981 Page 3 ITown of Reading would be liable to pay fees in the event of "uncontrollable circumstances" leading to the shutdown of the refuse facility. Mr. Phillips of UOP retorted that when UOP entered into this Contract it was in order to matte a profit and therefore they would want to avoid a shutdown also. Mr. Phillips then gave the Board a visual presentation outlining the advantages of going with NESWC. Among his points were the facts that Landfills are OY, for the short term, but most landfills will be closed or filled by 1985, the Town must pay the "market price" at that time, and because of the R.C.R.A. acceptable landfills will be fewer, more distant and more expensive. Mr. Phillips pointed out that UOP would have higher risks caused by entering into this Contract, i.e. , (1) Quantitatively and qualitatively UOP shoulders all historical risks, (2) costs - construction and Operation & Maintenance (3) Performance - including processing, energy conversion, metals recovery and environmental. UOP is covered by (1) Casualty insurance (2) business interruption insurance (Acts of God, etc. ) In case of shutdown, UOP pays share of revenues lost. UOP will also transport waste to whatever landfill is available. UOP thinks the likelihood of this would be minimal. There is no recorded instance where there has been down time due to community refuse or manner of delivery by communities. Representative Barrett stated he agreed with Mr. Audio specifically. He stated that as a lawyer, one can itemize the risks to the community, on the other hand, he liked the fact that UOP is in this Contract for a rofit. Every tire the plant is shut down, UOP loses money. He sees all other options for Reading disappearing. He stated ['card of Public Works Meeting of November 2, 1981 Page 4 that D.E.O.E, is under incredible pressure. He stated there is not a better alternative to this project or even any alternative. Mr. DeHart stated that at this meeting we were discussing the contract and the Town's liability in the Contract as our majority concern. Superintendent Louanis asked Mr. Audio if he felt NESWC had the sane legal backup that UDP has. Mr. Audio replied yes, they are represented by Walter Kelleher. He also informed the Board that the Committee has voted to remove the penalty for communities signing up after June 30. Mr. Audio outlined the tipping fees; a $5.00 figure is the best scenario, this has been modified to $6.70, however, we should actually look at a figure of $10.60 (when all residue and metals have not been sold). Mr. Fallon moved that the Board reconsider their vote of October 13, 1981 in regards to the NESWC Article N23 on the Town Warrant. It was seconded and approved 4:0: 1. Mrs. Wood moved that the Board of Public Works recommend Article N23 on the Town Warrant. It was seconded and defeated 0:3:2. The meeting adjourned temporarily at 10:35 P.M. to meet as the Board of Survey. The meeting reconvened at 10:38 P.M. It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 that the Board sign the Agreement with the State in the amount of $61,781.00 for funds assigned under Chapter 351, Acts of 1981 for reimbursement under the Provisions of General Laws, Chapter 90, Section 34, Clause 2(a). It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to accept the minutes of the Board of Public Works meeting of October 26 as amended. Board of Public Works Meeting of November 2, 1981 Page 5 It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to accept the minutes of the Board of Public Works Executive Session meeting of October 26 as written and that they be placed in private privy. Mr. Barker moved that we instruct the Department to cooperate with the Board of Selectmen's request in putting up and taking down the Christmas lights on the Common, with the stipulation that expenses be recorded for future reference. It was seconded and voted 5:0. The update on Zoning Maps will be discussed at next weeks' meeting. Under Old Business, Mr. Fallon informed the Board that the sprinkler system at the Little League Field is working well. There is a possibility of another sprinkler being installed at the tennis court field ' at Birchmeadow. Mr. DeHart stated that in tonights' discussion with UOP it seemed like the innuendos or the points they were trying to relate to us was that it was looking good for NESWC in that they are getting close to the 400 tons. It should be noted that on the letterhead there are 50 communities, but only 15 have signed up (21 are looking favorably towards the project). This Board is by no means alone in their skepticism. Mr. Barker asked the Superintendent the approximate date when the Seni-Annual Subdivision Status Report will be issued to the Board - and the Superintendents reply was that the reports would be issued right after Town Meeting. Mr. Barker requested corrected copies of both the Rules and Regulations for Rubbish Collection and the Sanitary Landfill Area and the f-- Board of Public Works Meeting of Kovemb e 2, 1981 Page 5 Superintendent informed him they would be in next week 's package. The Board signed the Payroll for the period ending October 30, 1981. The Board signed the Billroll for the period ending October 30, 1981. The meeting adjourned at 11:00 PA. Respectfully submitted, Secretary