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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-02-23 Board of Public Works Minutes February 23, 1981 Meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16, Municipal Building at 7: 30 P . M. Present were Chairman Cowell, Secretary Wood, Board Members DeHart , Fallon , Barker and Superintendent Louanis. Chairman Cowell requested the Board postpone action on the records of previous meetings as the Industrial Committee was pre- sent for the 7:45 P .M. scheduled appointment. Chairman Cowell stated the Board of Public Works had advertised for bids on the contract for curbside rubbish pickup . The result of the bids indicated it was feasible for the Board to contract for unlimited pickup of bags and/ or barrels of rubbish plus one bulk item at the curbside and as a result of this, the Board voted to close the landfill in accordance with the requirements of D. ff. Q. E. It is anticipated it will take a per- iod of four years to complete this project . In response to a question from the Chairman of the Industrial Committee , Mr . O' Connell , Mrs. Wood explained the Department planned to use the incoming trash to fill the area in accordance with the stipulations of the D.E.Q.E, thereby eliminating the necessity of purchasing fill. Chairman Cowell added further that this will provide time for the commercial users to lo- cate another site, or to arrange with another source to fulfill their needs. Mr. O ' Connell asked how soon the area could be closed if funds were available to do all the work required by the D. E. Q . E . The Superintendent and Chairman were in agreement that it would take from six months to a year to accomplish all the necessary work. Mr. O' Connell asked the Board if there was any engineering data available that the Industrial Committee might utilize in evaluating the feasibility of using the site for its highest and best use. The Superintendent pointed out that although there was some data available there was no comprehen- sive report that could be used by the Industrial Committee to determine what the sub-soil conditions were in a comprehensive pattern since filling, drainage and open dumping had not been accurately cataloged over the years. The Superintendent also stated that the water distri- bution system on John Street is not adequate for an industrial develop- ment and a study would be required. Mr. O'Connell stated the Industrial Committee was planning to petition the Metropolitan Area Planning Council for an engineering study of the feasibility of developing the landfill 1 and requested the Board assist in this matter by writing a letter to the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council supporting the Industrial Committee ' s proposed study. The Board , agreed to assist . Mrs. Wood moved , it was seconded and voted 5 :0:0 to accept the minutes of the meeting of February 5th as amended. It was moved , seconded and voted 5:0:0 to accept the minutes of the meeting of February 9th as presented. The Board read letter from Albert Robinson, Treasurer of the Reading Pony League (48 Maple Ridge Road , Reading, Ms. ) . Mrs. Wood suggested the letter be accepted as a point of information and that the Superintendent write inviting the group to a future meeting . Mr. . Barker requested the Board be provided with some cost facts relative to watering the field etc. , prior to the suggested meeting. A letter from Lathe Allen , President of the Reading Midget Rocket Football wherein an offer of assistance is presented with regard to the maintenance of two practice fields (Sturges Park and Castine Field) assigned to Pop Warner football. Again, , the Board requested the Superintendent respond to the letter thank- ing them for their cooperation and propose a future meeting with them. The Board was pleased to receive a letter of appreciation from Margaret G. Munroe (P .O .Box 274, Reading , Ms. ) ,concerning sidewalk plowing but complaining about citizens and businesses, etc . , who by their actions destroy the fine work of the department. Chairman Cowell requested the letter be accepted as a point of in- formation and asked the Superintendent to write Mrs. Munroe explain- ing we must know when an infraction of the By-Laws is committed as only then are we in a position to attempt to remedy the situation. Mrs. Elinare Pinto of 143 Prospect Street, Reading forwarded a clipping from the Massachusetts Audubon Society' s monthly magazine , "Sanctuary for February 1981" concerning the subject of sand vs. salt . Chairman Cowell suggested the Superintendent acknowledge the letter and state the Board is aware of the pros and cone of sand vs. salt. The Board reviewed Town Counsel ' s bill for the month of Dec- ember 1980. It was moved , seconded and voted 5:0:0 to approve Town Minutes - continued February 23, 1981 Counsel ' s bill for 7.9 hours at $45.00 per hour for a total of ' $355.50. The Board read letter from John Phillipa, Marketing Engineer for W.O.P. Solid Waste Systems requesting a meeting on Monday, March 23 , to present the NESWC project in advance of Town Meeting. The Board requested the Superintendent to write and advise Mr. Phillips that March 23d is election day in the Town of Reading and that we will get in touch with him after that date. Mrs. Wood moved , it was seconded and voted 5:0:0 to sign commitment letter to the Tax Collector for 70% sewer lateral in the amount of $280.00 on property at 25 Emerson Street owned by Kenneth McDevitt, in compliance with the provisions of the General Laws Chapter 80 as amended by Chapter 63 of the Acts of 1933. Residents of Barbara Lane have requested the sewer main be extended in order that their property may be serviced . Super- intendent Louanis stated that the Town has been charging $4.00 a lineal foot for sewer frontage assessment for several years. The law however provides that it is possible for the Town to assess the abutters for thirty percent of the cost per lineal foot. Following s discussion , Mr . Barker moved to assess 30% of the actual cost for sewer frontage and Mr . Fallon seconded the motion. Mrs. Wood requested that the motion be amended to incorporate the word estimate in place of the word actual. Mr. Fallon seconded the amendment. Chairman Cowell called for a vote on the amendment:- 2:3:0 the amendment did not carry. A vote was then taken on the original motion with the following result : 4:1:0 - the motion carried . The Superintendent reviewed changes in the budget as a result of the Finance Committee ' s action and the Board Members made the necessary adjustments in their copies of the budget. Mrs. Wood requested action concerning telephones in homes of the department' s employees be postponed until the next meeting. It was agreed that the information would be in the package delivered to Board members next week. The Board signed the payroll and the billroll for the period ending February 20, 1981. Re pectfully submitted, Ti� Y Secretary