HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-02-04 Board of Public Works Minutes February 4, 1980
Meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16,
Municipal Building at 7:35 P.M.
Present were Chairman Price, Secretary Cowell , Board Mem-
bers DeHart, Wood and Fallon, Assistant Superintendent McIntire
and Assistant Superintendent Bergeron.
Minutes of the Board of Public Works meeting of January
28th were accepted as written.
Assistant Superintendent McIntire reported that the head
count at the Recycling Center on January 19 was 200 and 262 at
the dump site. On February 1 it was 192 at the dump site and
283 at the Recycling Center.
Minutes of the meeting of January 14th were accepted as
presented.
Read letter from Watson Brothers requesting permission
to tie a roof drain of property owned by them at 143 Washing-
ton Street into a drainage ditch at the rear of the property.
' Assistant Superintendent McIntire stated he had spoken to
Ted Watson who asked that the request be withdrawn. It was
moved, seconded and voted to indefinitely postpone this in view
of Mr. McIntire' s report.
The Board read and accepted with regret the resignation
of Mark Whelton from the Ad Hoc Committee for Park Planning.
The Chairman requested Mrs. Wood contact Mr. Benjamin Nichols
and that a letter be sent to John Faria, Town Moderator concerning
the appointment of a new committee member from Precinct 6 in order
that the valuable work of this committee continue without interrup-
tion. The option to purchase land near Pinevale for park purposes
expires in May. As a large portion of the area involved is swamp
land a determination must be made as to whether the Town does or
does not want it for recreational purposes. Mrs. Wood agreed to
contact the committee to ascertain their intentions and if it
appears there is a desire to purchase the land an Article must
be prepared and placed on the Warrant.
The Board read letter dated January 29, 1980 from residents
of Track Road concerning Street Betterment Assessments. The
Chairman requested the letter be acknowledged and a meeting
be scheduled at 7 :45 P. M. on March 3d. Mr. Price requested
that the people involved be advised that non-payment of the '
bills within the allotted time will result in interest and
penalty charges.
The Board accepted as a point of information letter dated
January 23, 1980 from Dean P. Amidon, Commissioner of the Mass-
achusetts Department of Public Works concerning the I-93 Joint
Transportation Study.
Letter from the West Side Citizens Committee and letter
from the Planning Board relative to the construction of a five
story structure on Jacob Way by the Analytic Sciences Corpora-
tion was accepted as a point of information.
Mr. and Mrs. Stewart of Lawrence Road appeared before the
Board to request that something be done to improve the skating
conditions at Birch Meadow Park. They are interested in organ-
izing skating parties during the forthcoming school vacation
week. Assistant Superintendent McIntire explained that circum-
stances involving the water table, lack of snow, the fact that ,
the ground has not been frozen until recently all contributed
to poor skating conditions. After a lengthy discussion it was
agreed to clear the area of debris and make an attempt to flow
water over the existing frozen area in an effort to provide a
smooth skating area.
Mr. Price retired from the meeting at 9:20 P•M. Mr. Cowell
assumed the Chair.
Letter from the North East Solid Waste Committee dated
January 25, 1980 stating NESWC and the Bureau of Solid Waste
were informed on January 22 by UOP, Inc. , that the owner-trustee-
ship has been finalized and stating that a meeting is scheduled
on February 13th was accepted as a point of information. Mr.
Cowell stated that he and Superintendent Louanis intended to
be present at the meeting.
The Board signed legal document to be recorded at Land
Court regarding Red Gate Lane, Indian Tree Lane and Balsam
Road. The Board also signed Payroll for the period ending '
February 1 , 1980 and Bill Roll dated February 8, 1980.
Meeting recessed at 9:25 P.M. and reconvened at 9:36 P.M.
when Mr. Price assumed the Chair.
Minutes - continued February 4, 1980
' The Board began an account by account review of the proposed
Water Department Budget for FY-81 , as follows:
Account 4800 - Water Construction and Maintenance - General It
was moved, seconded and voted to approve Salaries at $71 ,510 and
Expenses at $37,590 for a total of $109, 100.
Account 4810 - Main Pipe Construction - Moved, seconded and voted
to approve Salaries at $21 ,710 and Expenses at $16,285 for a total
of $37,995.
Account 4820 - Service Pipe Construction - Moved, seconded and
voted to table action on this account.
Account 4830 - Main Pipe Maintenance - Moved, seconded and voted
to approve Salaries at $12,885 and Expenses at $9,990 for a total
of $22,875.
Account 4840 - Service Pipe Maintenance - Moved, seconded and
voted to approve Salaries at $56,080 and Expenses at $20, 245 for
a total of $76,325.
Account 4850 - Water Meters - Mr. Cowell moved that $48,895 be
approved for Salaries and $6,400 for Expenses removing $2,000
from line item 333 as this would allow 116 new meters with readers
and 34 for older homes. This was seconded for purpose of discussion.
Mr. Fallon amended the motion to read Salaries be approved at $34, 160
and Expenses at $6,400 since we are not hiring any new employees
we do not have to increase the salary budget. This was seconded
for purpose of discussion. Mrs. Wood moved to amend the motion
since she wished to see more money in Line Item 333, New Meters:
$34, 160 in Salaries and $7,535 for Expenses to cover new meters and
replacement of broken meters. Chairman Price called for a vote on
Mr. Cowell ' s original motion as amended by Mr. Fallon, i .e.
$34, 160 Salaries and $6,400 Expenses. The vote 4-1 in favor. No
further vote was taken.
Account 4870- Pumpina Station - Mr. Bergeron stated that it was
possible to cut the $127, 140 allowed for Line Item 273 (Power) by
' $14,680 setting the budget figure at $112,460. The anticipated
increase in power rates and the likelihood of a dry summer however
account for the increase over the FY-80 budgeted figure of $77,291 .
Meeting adjourned at 11 : 10 P.M.
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