HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-11-19 Board of Public Works Minutes November 19, 1979
Meeting of the Board of Public Works opened at 7:05 P. M. in
Room 131 , Reading Memorial High School , 62 Oakland Road.
Present were Chairman Price, Secretary Cowell , Board Members
Testa, DeHart and Wood and Superintendent Louanis.
Minutes of the meeting of November 5, 1979 were accepted as
corrected and Mr. DeHart moved, Mr. Cowell seconded and it was voted
to approve the minutes of November 13, 1979 as submitted.
Mrs. Wood moved, Mr. Cowell seconded and it was voted to table
action on letter from Mr. DePalma of the Environmental Protection
Agency concerning Contract C-250-401-01 .
The Superintendent reported that in the course of a routine
pumping test on the gravel packed wells at One Hundred Acres it
had been discovered that the pump in B well dropped off dramatically
and upon removing the pump it had been found that the pump column
and the pump itself had severe corrosion and required replacement.
Also, it was learned that the pump was pumping gravel from the well .
' This would indicate that a break had occurred somewhere in the 18"
liner. A TV camera had been located to view the inside of the well
and a video tape had been made. This investigation showed that
approximately 32' below the surface the 18" liner had elongated
from its normal cylindrical shape to an eliptical shape. Money
spent to date on this investigation is as follows: $1 ,200 for re-
moving the pump and pipe column and pumping the well and $1 ,000 for
the TV investigation. Estimate of the work to be accomplished to
put the well back in service is as follows: a new 1611 well liner,
$2,600. A new pump and pipe column $4,250. Installation cost $650.
The Superintendent requested the Board to authorize repairs to be
done on an emergency basis instead of the _normal bid process. After
considerable discussion, it was agreed that although there may be
some risk involved because of the time required by bidding process
the bid process should be used and the Superintendent was instructed
to do so.
The Board reviewed the following Board of Survey plans: Exten-
sion of Warren Avenue, property owned by John Rivers, a subdivision
plan northerly of Franklin Street and westerly of Pearl Street and
a subdivision plan of property formerly owned by Schurman on Haver-
hill Street. Hearings for these subdivisions have been scheduled for
December 3d.
Chairman Price had a letter from David Testa announcing his
resignation to take effect on December 10, 1979, copy attached
hereto. The Chairman instructed the Superintendent to notify the
Chronicle of the Board' s vacancy and to schedule time on the Agenda
of December 10th to interview potential Board Members. The Board
acknowledged Mr. Testa' s resignation with regret and thanked him
for a job well done.
The Board read letter from the Reading Clergy Association re-
garding the celebration of Christmas on the Common. It was moved,
seconded and voted unanimously to close Lowell Street between Salem
and Woburn Streets on December 16, 1979 from 3:00 to 6:00 P.M. and
to assist the association by erecting a platform on the library wall
facing Lowell Street on December 15th to allow time to decorate.
Permission to close the street is given subject to the standard
restrictions: No alcoholic beverages may be served within the
public way, the area must be properly policed, proper liability
insurance must be obtained, and the area broom clean at the conclu-
sion of the event.
The Board reviewed letter from Town Counsel regarding sewer ,
assessments and it was accepted as a point of information.
The Board took a five minute recess and reconvened at 7:45
P.M. The Secretary read notice of public hearing regarding a gas
main extension in Vale Road. Mr. William Spencer of the Boston
Gas Company presented the plan and stated the reason for extending
thegasmain to 30 Vale Road was to service a new customer, Mr. and
Mrs. Parker. Mr. and Mrs. Parker were in attendance and stated
they were anxiously awaiting the gas service in order to keep warm
this winter. Mr. Spencer of the Boston Gas Company assured the
Board that a pneumatic hammer would be used in compacting the
trench. It was moved, seconded and voted to close the hearing.
Mr. Cowell moved, Mrs. Wood seconded and it was voted to allow the
Boston Gas Co. to install the line to service the home at 30 Vale Rd.
in accordance with the Boston Gas Company plan.
The Board signed the following: Pay Roll for the week ending
November 16 and the Bill Roll dated November 23, 1979• It was ,
moved, seconded and voted to sign commitment letter for sewer house
connection in the amount of $377.30 and to assess betterments accord-
ingly.
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T O W N C L E R K
READING, MASSACHUSETTS
November 21, 1979
MUNICIPAL
Laence Drew
eulLomc Tow Clerk
TO: Board of Public Works
This is to advise you of the resignation of Mr. David L. _Tesxa
Dec e.nbeM 10, wriq
from the Board of Public Works, effective ..sem A copy of
the resignation is forwarded for yojjur information.
z/'
Lawrence Drew
Town Clerk
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enc.
PEC_ .D
Td.el. ! ' r 1
266 Lowell Street
Nov 20 12 23 PM '19 Reading, Massachusetts 01867
November 19, 1979
Mr. Jo Price / 1al? C</dfaf�S
Cha' man
Board of Public Works
16 Lowell Street
Reading, Massachusetts 01867
Dear John:
By means of this letter, I wish to resign my responsibilities as a
member of the Board of Public Works. I am resigning because I have
accepted a job in New York City and will be moving from Reading
sometime in the next few months.
I would like to say that I have been most pleased to work with you
and the other Board members. I regret leaving the Board at this
time because I feel we are involved in several important and interest-
ing issues. I apologize for any inconvenience that my unanticipated
departuremay create..
I would also like to communicate my very great respect for Roger Louanis.
During the last two years, I have seen Roger in many situations and
have been impressed consistently by his judgment, fairness, profes-
sionalism, and administrative capability. In my opinion, the Town of
Reading is fortunate to have in its employ such a dedicated and hard- --
working public official. I hope that many other Reading citizens .
will come to appreciate Roger as I have. -
I will try to continue working with the Board until a replacement for
me is found. It may be difficult for me to continue this for more
than three or four weeks, however, because I will begin working in
New York on December 17 (even though my family may remain in Reading
for some time longer).
With my very best regards,
4i 71-e-1
David L. Testa