HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-11-30 Board of Public Works Minutes Board of Public Works Meeting of November 30, 1981 Page 1
A meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room lb,
Municipal Building at 7:30 P.M. Present were Chairman Cowell, Secretary
Wood, Board Members DeHart, Fallon and Barker and Superintendent E. Roger
Louanis.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to accept the minutes of the
Board of Public Works meeting of November 23, 1981 as corrected.
The Board adjourned temporarily at 7:50 P.M. to meet as the Board
of Survey.
The meeting reconvened at 9: 00 P.M.
Next discussed was the letter from the Reading Conservation
Commission regarding the Reading Conservation Plan - 1981 Update. The
Conservation Commission would like the Boards' comments regarding the Plan
Update as soon as possible. Mr. Barker pointed out several areas he would
like investigated. The Chairman accepted the letter as a point of
information and requested that the Department advise the Board further.
The next iten discussed was the memorandum from William R.
Bergeron regarding the Review of Street Acceptance Specifications and the
request to accept both sides of D Street in FY83. The Department is
looking for direction from the Board for applying a policy for D Street's
acceptance. A decision is required prior to the preliminary hearing so
that the appropriate costs can be determined. There is also a 1 114'
water main that needs to be replaced on one side of D Street. Mr. DeHart
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stated he had no problem as to falling back on the old rules and
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Board of Public Works Meeting of November 30, 1981. Page 2
regulations regarding street acceptance. Chairman Cowell felt the Board
should cost this project out and have a preliminary hearing with the
residents of D Street to advise them of the costs to have the street
accepted.
Mr. Barker moved that the Department prepare for the benefit of
the homeowners on D Street cost estimates representing "past practice" and
those representing the currently adopted Board of Survey regulations, with
the exceptions as would be practical, i.e., cul de sacs.
The next item discussed was the Snow and Ice Removal Plans for
1981-82. Assistant Superintendent, Ted McIntire, gave a presentation to
the Board. He outlined the different phases of the operation including
sanding, plowing of the public ways, plowing of schools, parking areas,
churches, dead end streets, municipal parking lots, sidewalk plowing and
the actual removal of snow. The first phase of operation is sanding, the
Highway Division has a call man at the garage desk at all times. There
are five front end loaders, and 13 people including a mechanic on that
duty. There are five sanding routes, we have a map which indicates the
five routes, the NS route being the square area. A four square yard
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sanding unit is assigned to this area. The other sanders are b square
yards.
Depending on the forecast, the call man will contact the Highway
Supervisor, the Supervisor will ride around the Town, contact Mr.
McIntire, who will check the conditions, check the forecast update, if he
feels he should call in all the plowing units, he will call the
Superintendent who will make the final decision as to whether or not we
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pard of Public Works Meeting of November 30, 1981 Page 3
plow. The Town's equipment is rigged in the afternoon when an evening
snowstorm is predicted. The dunptrucks will then be filled with sand and
salt.
Mr. DeHart was concerned with the lack of street signs in many
areas of Town.
Mr. Fallon asked if there was any communication with the private
contractors other than visual, and the answer was no, but supervisors or
other vehicles patrolling the routes would probably see them in cases of
breakdowns, etc.
Chairman Cowell inquired that if we should get a major snowstorm
of 8" or more, and we called in all the trucks we have available,
including private contractors, how many units would be working? Mr.
McIntire replied 44, 20 private and 24 Town, sanders included. There are
37 Town employees available, of which 25 have Class II licenses and are on
trucks, 4 are on loaders, 1 is on the sidewalk plow, 4 are mechanics, 2
are foramen out on disabilities and 1 can not work at night because of his
health.
R discussion ensued regarding sidewalk plowing and the sequencing
of plowing in general.
Mr. Fallon asked if there had been any further response since the
bids were recommended. The answer was yes, we are assuming we are getting
two more dump trucks and possibly a 4-wheel drive unit.
The next item discussed was the letter from the M.D.C. regarding
Readings' Municipal Discharge Permit. This is the new permit program that
the M.D.C. has established. Chairman Cowell accepted the letter as a
�I point of information.
Board of Public Works Meeting of November 30, 1981 Page 4
Under New Business, the Board advised the Department to send a
letter to Mr. John G. Moore regarding the installation of hockey nets at
Sturges Park.
Also under New Business, Mr. Darker requested that the Department
install additional signs or new reflectors on the Northeast corner of West
Street at West and Bak Streets. The Superintendent reminded the Board the
proper procedure was via the Police Department and that he would discuss
this request with the Safety Officer.
Under Old Business, the subject of the skid test on Summer Avenue
was discussed. The Superintendent advised the Board that we have not
heard back from the State as yet, however, the signs have been installed.
Mr. Fallon requested a report from the Department on the Mineral
Street Bridge to be presented at the next meeting.
Mr. Fallon moved that the Board go into Executive Session to
discuss personnel matters, not to reconvene in open session. The Chairman
polled the Board as follows:
Mr. Fallon - aye
Mr. DeHart - nay
Mr. Barker - aye
Mrs. Wood - aye
Mr. Cowell - aye
The Board signed the Payroll for the period ending 11-27-B1.
The Board signed the Bill Roll for the period ending 11-27-81.
The meeting adjourned at 10:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
A
Secretary