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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-11-03 Board of Public Works Minutes November 3, 1980 IMeeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16, ' Municipal Building at 7:30 P. M. Present were Chairman Cowell, Secretary Wood, Board Mem- bers DeHart, Fallon, Barker, Superintendent Louanis and Assis- tant Superintendent Bergeron . It was moved, seconded and voted to approve the minutes of the meeting of October 27th as written . - Superintendent Louanis stated that he attended the first arbitration meeting concerning Pitt Pipeline Company and the Board of Public Works, Town of Reading , Ms . ( 1110-0197-79) . Present at this meeting were three arbitrators, Superintendent Louanis, David K . Blake of Weston and Sampson, Inc. , H. Theodore Cohen , Town Counsel , representatives from Pitt Pipeline with their legal counsel. A claim in the amount of $327 ,000.00 has been presented based on additional work caused by unsuitable soil conditions, sewage backup at the pumping station and other I minor items. A second meeting has been scheduled on November 25 and 26 and it is believed the Town has a good defense to present at this time. The Superintendent reported that a meeting was held on Octo- ber 31st at 10:00 A.M. in the Town Hall by the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs regarding the environmental notice filed by the Town of Reading for improvements to the One Hundred Acre Treat- ment Plant. Mr . Foster held the hearing and reviewed the form with the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent Bergeron, John Willis and Steve Martin of Camp Dresser and McKee . No one appeared to give any input and the meeting was adjourned to the One Hundred Acre Treatment Plant site. The area was viewed by Mr. Foster who was particularly concerned with the removal of sludge and its disposal and it was his opinion that since there was to be an add on to the existing plant that an environmental study would not be necessary and anticipated the final decision would be reached on November 6th and we would be notified shortly thereafter. Mrs. Wood read notice of public hearing regarding the petition of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company and the Municipal Light Department to install a pole on the westerly side of Main Street (Route28) northerly of Percy Avenue . Mr. George Cooley represented the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company and explained that �. the proposed new pole will replace one that is on private property. Following a brief discussion it wasmoved , seconded and voted to close the Hearing. Mrs. Wood moved , it was seconded to grant per- mission to the N. E. Telephone and Telegraph Company and the Town of Reading Municipal Light Department to install pole 54/51S in accordance with the Order and as shown on the Petition Plan No. 4-3403. Mr. Fallon requested that in the future Board members receive copies of Orders and Petition Plans prior to the meeting in order to allow an on site review prior to the meeting. Chairman Cowell instructed the Superintendent tofollow through on Mr. Fallon ' s request and called for a vote on the motion: 5:0 :0 - the motion carried. Mr. George Cooley of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company then presented Petition for joint pole relocation stating that a hearing was not required : the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company and the Reading Municipal Light Department wish to relocate P13/365 approximately six feet southwesterly on the southeasterly side of Charles Street thereby improving the guying , of poles located on the northwesterly side of Charles Street. It was moved , seconded and voted to grant permission to move the pole in accordance with Petition Plan No. 4-3405. Mr . Cooley then reviewed Petition for Joint Pole Relocation on Orchard Park Drive stating that when this area was developed, the poles were placed in a manner to provide service to all the homes. However, the Reading Municipal Light Department has re- quested the relocation in order to shorten service wire connections to homes in the immediate area. It was then moved, seconded and voted to grant permission to the N. E . Telephone and Telegraph Company and the Reading Municipal Light Department to relocate pole 235/5 in accordance with Petition Plan No. 4-3396. Mrs. Wood moved , it was seconded and voted 5:0 to sign letter certifying that betterment assessments for sewer house connection in the amount of $323.40 and sewer frontage in the amount of $340.40 have been made in accordance with the provisions of G. L. Chapter 80 as amended by Chapter 63 of the Acts of 1933 and committing same to the Tax Collector. Minutes - continued November 3, 1980 The Superintendent reported to the Board that the Department was making a study of the possible options for funding the water treatment plant improvements and what effect that funding would have on the water rates. It is assumed that the Town will prefer to pay for the cost out of the Water Department revenue, therefore an increase in water rates will be required by January 1981. Four options were considered which would require an increase of 30¢ per hundred cubic feet to 440 per hundred cubic feet. The rate would remain constant for three years and would require review at that time . After considerable discussion the Chairman instructed .the Superintendent to review the different options with the Treasurer and requested Finance Committee Member Joseph Cloonan to review the Board' s action with his committee and get back to the Board with his input. The Superintendent presented to the Board summary of proposed budget for FY-82 based on the assumption the Town would require the same level of effort and salary increase would be based on existing contract and assuming material costs would escalate at the rate of 12%. The Superintendent pointed out that the format attempted to rearrange the budget to maintain the capital items. Also, this is the first step in preparing the FY-82 budget which must be completed early in January to be presented to the Finance Committee . (copy attached) . The Superintendent requested input from the Board members concerning the options of the department . A member of the Board suggested increased funding in Roadway Reconstruction was appropriate and the Chairman suggested increased funding in the Parks and Play- grounds should be considered in the budget. It was accepted as a point of information. Mr. Cowell requested Mr. Barker ' s opinion on Article 15 on the Warrant and what position the Board should take on the matter. Mr. Barker re- quested the Superintendent be instructed to prepare a memorandum out- lining the Board' s position as discussed at previous meetings to be sent to the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee the Industrial Committee and the Planning Board . The Chairman instructed the Super- intendent to do so. The Superintendent pointed out to the Board that Article 20 in the Warrant for the Subsequent Special Town Meeting would remove 26,725 square feet of park land from the Town of Reading parks and that it might be wise for the Board to take a position on this Article . Mrs. Wood indicated it was a poor location for the proposed facility because of safety conditions on Main Street . Mr. Barker concurred with this and Mr. Fallon stated lights at Charles Street should help eliminate the problem. The Superintendent was asked as to what purpose it was used as a park. The Superintendent stated it was a Mein Street entrance to Memorial Park and was main- tained in the same manner in keeping with the restrictions of Memorial Park although those do not apply to this parcel. The Super- intendent also felt if the land was to be taken away consideration should be given to providing additional land to offset the loss. It was moved, and seconded to support Article 20. The vote - 1:4:0 the motion lost. Chairman Cowell called on the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Parks and Recreation, Mrs. Wood, to report on her draft report (copy attached) . Mrs. Wood stated that she and Mr. DeHart had developed a draft report to thepuint where they need the Board ' s input to complete the final recommendation. The Chairman suggested the report be reviewed page by page. After much discussion the Board accepted the report with appreciation . The Board signed the Payroll for the period ending October 31, 1980 and the Billroll dated November 7, 1980. Meeting adjourned at 10:50 P . M. Res ectfully submitted, OL ecr atar y��