HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-04-14 Board of Public Works Minutes April 14, 1981
Meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16, Muni-
cipal Building at 7: 30 P . M.
Present were Chairman Cowell, Board Members DeHart, Fallon,
Barker , Superintendent Louanis, Assistant Superintendent Bergeron, and
Assistant Superintendent McIntire.
It was moved, seconded and voted 4:0 :0 to accept the minutes of
April 6th as amended .
Mrs. Wood joined the meeting at 7:40 P. M.
The Board voted 5:0:0 to award Contract 81-3 "Placement of Sod"
to Cameron Sod Farm, P . 0 . Box 536, Farmington, New Hampshire in the
amount of $2 ,076.
It was moved, seconded and voted 5 :0:0 to sign commitment
letter covering 70% sewer laterals in the amount of $182 .00 in
compliance with the provisions of the General Laws, Chapter 80 ,
as amended by Chapter 63 of the Acts of 1933 to the Tax Collector
as provided by low.
The Board met with Mr . Paul Prendiville, John Willis and Stephen
Martin of Camp Dresser and McKee regarding the design of the water
treatment plant modification and addition . Superintendent Louanis
explained to the Board that the meeting with Camp Dresser and McKee
representatives on April 8 included discussion on eliminating a new
pumping station, the use of the existing Pumping Station No . 1, the
elimination of the emergency generator, sludge lagoon and a new roof
for the existing treatment plant. The concept discussed was to build
the basic treatment plant addition and modification and include addi-
tions in the form of alternates in the bids. Mr . Prendiville assured
the Board that every effort would be made by Camp Dresser and McKee
to redesign the treatment plant within the appropriation and that
the integrity of the design would not be changed in the area of
treatment process or hydraulic capacity . The Board questioned the
elimination of a new pumping station . Mr . Willis explained that
during the preliminary design stage a decision was made not to re-
design Pumping Station $1 due to the fact it would not have been
economically feasible and there would have been operation problems
during construction. A decision has been recently made to discontinue
using the vacuum system and the tubular well field making it possible
to eliminate a good deal of piping and equipment in a portion of '
Pumping Station No. 1 to allow room for additional pumps which will
keep the station in operation. The Board noted that the instrumenta-
tion originally requested under Alternate No. 3, in the draft report
by Camp Dresser and McKee , indicated a cost difference of $55,000.
from Alternate No. 2 and in the redesign the coat difference using
Alternate No. 2 is only $20,000. Mr . Martin explained that although
the automatic filter back-wash feature has been eliminated, there was
still a need for a timing mechanism for sludge removal .
The Board was concerned as to whether the redesign would fall
within the contract the Town now has with Camp Dresser and McKee.
Mr . Prendiville answered in the affirmative . A discussion ensued re-
lative to the media used for aeration process and the fact the cost
difference of using plastic media as opposed to coke was $35,000 .
Mr. Willis explained that the alternatives are limited to coke or
gravel with a support platform or plastic media in which a support
platform will not be required. He explained that plastic materials
are used extensively in water treatment plants because of their '
corrosion resistance . Mr . Willis stated he would provide further
information regarding the plastic to be used for the aeration process.
The Board was concerned that there was no reduction in the estimated
engineering costs during construction of the treatment plant which was
originally estimated for one hundred weeks for construction and it now
is estimated at seventy-eight weeks . The Board had requested that
the construction phase be completed in sixteen months and sew no reason
why there should not have been a reduction in engineering costs . Mr.
Willis stated that delivery of the electric switch gear motor, control
center and other equipment for the plant will effect the construction
time more than the construction of the actual building itself and
felt that eighteen months was a good estimate.
The Department requested that the following items be included
as alternates in the bids:
1 . New roof for existing treatment plant
2. Automatic back-wash filter
3. Emergency generator ,
The Department also requested that Camp Dresser and McKee contact
the Reading Municipal Light Department to discuss the possible use
of the existing transformer . It was moved , seconded and voted 5:0:0
to authorize Camp Greaser and McKee to redesign the treatment plant
and pumping station within the budget constraint of 2.3 million dollars
in line with their letters of April 2 , 1981 and April 13, 1981 and con-
firm in writing to the Board of Public Works the details discussed here
tonight.
A short discussion ensued regarding the possibility of the Town
assigning an employee to overlook the construction and modification
of the water treatment plant. Superintendent Louanis felt that this
would be a benefit to the Town .
The Board discussed Article 10 of the Annual Town Warrant
regarding overtime for supervisory personnel and possible guidelines
for emergency conditions. It was felt that the Board should review
each emergency on recommendation by the Superintendent.
The meeting adjourned at 10: 20 P. M.
ResWectfully submitted,
'Secretary