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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-12-10 Board of Public Works Minutes i December 10, 1979 Meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16, Muni- cipal Building at 7:30 P. M. Present were Chairman Price, Secretary Cowell , Board Members Testa, DeHart and Wood and Superintendent Louanis. It was moved, seconded and voted to accept the minutes of the 8:30 P. M. Executive Session Meeting of November 26th as written. It was then moved, seconded and voted to accept the minutes of the 10:40 P.M. Executive Session Meeting of November 26th as presented. It was further moved, seconded and voted that the minutes of the 10:40 P.M. Executive Session be released and be made part of the minutes of the open meeting. It was moved, seconded and voted to accept letter from Raphael W. McDonald, Town Accountant dated December 4, 1979 concerning in- terest rate on betterments as a point of information. Letter from John W. Agnew, Jr. , Executive Secretary to the Board of Selectmen stating the Board of Selectmen at a recent meet- ing voted to initiate the policy of charging 2% over the rate charged ' to the Town for any betterment was read and accepted as a point of information. The Board met with Douglas Barker and John Fallon, Jr. , at 7:45 P.M. to discuss filling the vacancy to be created by the resignation of Mr. David L. Testa effective following this evening's meeting. Chairman Price stated each candidate would have an opportunity to express his reasons for wishing to serve the Town as a member of the Board of Public Works and the Board would have an opportunity to question each candidate following his presentation. Mr. Barker spoke first stating that he was graduated from Nasson College in Springvale, Maine with a B. S. Degree, is employed by Gillette and is presently working on "Project Alert" which is concerned with maintenance of the plant and is anxious to serve the Town. When questioned by Mrs. Wood, Mr. Barker responded that he was in general agreement with the Board' s present policy, would keep an open mind on all issues and felt the budget should remain as it is as the Board has been doing a good job living with the guidelines of the Finance Committee. In answer to Mr. Cowell ' s questions, Mr. Barker stated he was a Town Meeting Member, had served on the Building Committee, and the Parking Committee and if appointed to the Board would run for re-election. , Mr. Fallon addressed the Board stating he wished toser ve I as a member of the Board with the intention of representing the entire Town, not just one segment of it, and felt his training as owner and operator of a business in Boston for the past fifteen years and his experience as a Town Meeting Member coupled with his experience as a member of the Recreation Committee would prove of value as a member of the Board. When questioned by Mr. Testa, Mr. Fallon stated that he would expect no conflict between his work and serving as a Board member and that he would plan to run for re-election if appointed to the Board. In answer to Mr. Cowell ' s question Mr. Fallon stated he had been involved with the Ad Hoc Committee and active with Little League for a period of six years but resigned effective last June. Mr. Fallon stated he felt the budget had been well presented at Town Meeting but if the presenta- tion were augmented by pictures of where the money went the past year, especially as it related to roadway improvements, it would be helpful in gaining support from Town Meeting for the budget , for the ensuing year. Investigation revealed that the Board could vote the candidate in effective December 11 , send Town Clerk a letter to the effect that this has been accomplished then Town Clerk could swear the candidate in to office at a later date. Mr. Cowell suggested a written ballot be submitted to the Clerk of the Board. This was done and Mr. Louanis announced that John Fallon, Jr. , has been elected on the first ballot by a 3-2 vote at 8: 17 P.M. Chairman Price requested Mr. Louanis notify Town Clerk of the Board' s action. Mr. Cowell read Notice of Continuation of Public Hearing re- garding the petition of the Boston Gas Company for installation of regulators and related piping at 59 Willow Street. Boston Gas was represented by Messrs. Wood and Spencer. Mrs. O'Brien owner of the property at 59 Willow Street was present but the owners of the property at 60 Willow Street were not present. Mr. Spencer stated Boston Gas .now .proposed to install the regulators underground in , front of 60 Willow Street, that he had discussed the .matter with Mrs. Fish who voiced no objection. Mrs. O'Brien had expected Mr. and Mrs. Fish to be present this evening and was disappointed at J r Minutes - continued December 10, 1979 their absence as it was her impression they were opposed to the proposed location of the regulators by the Boston Gas Company. Mrs. O'Brien did not feel that any one taxpayer should be penalized by the placement of this facility on their property since only one entity was to benefit. A lengthy discussion ensued and Mr. Wood stated if the Board did not approve this plan he would go back to the Engineering Division of the Boston Gas for an alternate plan to present. It was moved, seconded and voted to close the hearing. Mr. Cowell moved to deny the plan, Mrs. Wood seconded. Mr. Cowell then stated that while the plan presented this evening may have been a better proposal , he would feel very uncomfortable about approving it without the owner of the property at 60 Willow Street present. It was voted to deny the plan. Meeting adjourned temporarily at 8:45 P.M. and following a meeting as the Board of Survey reconvened at 9:40 P. M. Bids were received on December 6, 1979 for Cleaning, Redevelop- ing and Backflushing Existing Gravel Well and Well Repairs as follows: D. L. Maher Company A = $ 8,788.30 B = 1,947.50 -Layne - N. E. Company A = $ 11 ,931..00 B = 8`01 :.00 00 Based on the results of the bid and upon a favorable recommenda- tion from the Engineering Division, it was moved, seconded and voted to award Contract 79-28 for Cleaning, Redeveloping and Backflushing Existing Gravel Well and Well Repairs to D. L. Maher Company in the amount of $16,735.80 subject to their ability to procure a proper performance bond. It was moved, seconded and voted to sign letter committing betterment assessments for street acceptances, sewer house connec- tions and sewer frontages to the Tax Collector in the total amount of $87, 165. 12. The Board read letter from Attorney Feldman concerning sur- face runoff and drainage on Lakeview Avenue. Mr. Cowell moved, it was seconded and voted to acknowledge the letter stating the matter has been referred to our Engineering Department for study and upon receipt of additional information the Board will contact him further. , Read letter from Attorney William Diamond concerning an in- trusion on a Town easement through private property at 72 Willow Street. The Board reviewed legal document, Release from Damages, recorded in the South Middlesex Registry of Deeds in Book 12420, Page 430 and signed by the owner of the property. It was then moved, seconded and voted to allow the six foot intrusion into the easement to accommodate the porch on this home subject to the con- ditions afforded Mr. and Mrs. William Keefe. Read letter from Charles George Land Reclamation Trust re- questing a meeting with the Board to discuss the sale of the incin- erator site and the building of a transfer station on the site. The Chairman requested that the Superintendent write and invite Mr. Russ to the meeting of January 7, 1980. The Board agreed to meet during the month of January as follows: January 7, 14, 21 and 28th, 1980. The Board signed the Payroll for the period ending December 7th, and the Bill Roll dated December 14th, 1979, 1 Chairman Price thanked Mr. David L. Testa for serving as a Board Member and for the many contributions he had made as a member. The Board wished Mr. Testa every success in his new position in New York City. Meeting adjourned at 10:02 P. M. RsepE uIly bmita Secretary cf/✓C. 1