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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-02-25 Board of Public Works Minutes February 25 , 1980 Meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in the Audi- torium of the Community Center, 52 Sanborn Street at 7:45 P .M. Present were Chairman Price , Secretary Cowell, Board Mem- bers DeHart., Wood and Fallon and Superintendent Louanis, Assis- tant Superintendent Bergeron, members of the Engineering Divi- sion andMr. Linscott and the Finance Committee . Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as amended . Secretary Cowell read notice of public hearing concerned with a discussion of the upcoming roadway reconstruction program. Approximately thirty-five people attended the hearing. Chairman Price stated that Mr. Bergeron would make a presentation of the proposed reconstruction of Franklin Street , questions would be asked by the Board and following that the meeting would be open- ed to questions from the public . Mr. Price called attention to the fact that the handout package contained a public opinion poll and requested that everyone present answer the questions in order ' that the Board could have some input from the citizens. He stated further that following the meeting members of the Engineering Division would remain and answer questions concerning individual problems . Mr. Bergeron stated the meeting was scheduled to discuss the reconstruction of Franklin Street from Grove Street to Collins Avenue, showed slides and plans of the length of the street in- dicating the area where the water main would be relocated , de- scribed the pavement reclamation method it is planned to employ stating it is a cost-saving method for the Town , creates an ex- cellent base and causes the least amountof dust possible and since Franklin Street is a residential area this is important to the homeowners . Mr. Cowell questioned the width of the layout and asked if it is planned to widen the street . Mr . Bergeron stated . thegreater portion of the street is a forty foot layout but that in an area near Lhrch Lane it widens out to fifty feet . However it is planned to pave a twenty-four foot wide area in the center of the right-of-way leaving a grassed area of eight feet more or ' less on either side . When questioned, Mr . Bergeron stated there were 30-34 homes that must be connected to the sewer on Franklin Street and that laterals will be placed to every property line. The Board questioned what the time frame for theproject would be and was assured that discounting the loaming and seeding of the ' areas on either side of the pavement the project would be com- pleted within a six month period of time. The abutters..were primarily concerned with the speed of the traffic, the possible elimination of trucking, the location of the individual laterals , the time allowed for the homeowner to connect to the sewer, whether it would be possible to have a one-way-street , the possi- bility of bumps being placed in the street to slow the .traffic , and when the construction would begin in order to plan for house painting. These questions were all answered satisfactorily and it was moved , seconded and voted to close the hearing at 9: 50 P .M. The Board recessed for ten minutes and following a meeting of the Board of Survey reconvened at 10:30 P.M. The Board had scheduled a meeting with Mrs . Trainor of the _ Board of Health at 8:45 P .M. Because of personal reasons and the lateness of the hour Mrs . Trainor was unable to remain. How- ever, she left a note stating she was concerned with the disposal of dead animals and requests that the Board of Public Works dig ' a trench 31W x 31D x 301L in order that the Board of Health may be able to bury the animals as needed . It was moved , seconded and voted to send a letter to Mrs . Trainor questioning whether the Board of Health has scheduled the proper public hearings and stat- ing that if that has been done and the abutters in the area do not object to the project the Public Works Department will comply with her request but must be informed of the proper Board of Health account number to charge for the labor and/or materials . It was moved , seconded and voted to approve bill for legal fees for the month of January 1980 in the amount of $787 . 50 ( 17 . 5 hours at $45 .00) . The Board read letter from Carl H. Amon, Jr. re purchase of land on John Street adjacent to land owned by 128 Sales , Inc. The Board instructed the Superintendentto schedule a meeting with Mr. Amon at 9 : 00 P.M. on March 3, 1980. The Board signed the request for reimbursement from the State ' of Massachusetts Department of Public Works for work done on Salem Street in Reading. The Board signed the Payroll for the period ending February 22 , 1980 and the Bill Roll dated February 29 , 1980. The Board read and approved Article to be presented at Town ' Meeting for the improvement , construction and reconstruction of Town Public Ways in accordance with Chapter 480 of the Acts of 1979. The Board read and approved the Article concerned with Chapel Hill Drive and Terrace Park and agreed to submit the Article Monday Evening, March 3, 1980 in the event Mr. Fantasia has not complied with instructions to him from the Board of Survey at that time . The Superintendent reviewed site plan and details of new handicapped curb it is proposed to install at the Reading Hous- ing Authority at Frank Tanner Drive and informed the Board that the Housing Authority has an opportunity to obtain Federal Funds to accomplish the project . It was moved , seconded and voted to approve the plan . The Board reviewed bid results for Contract 80-1 Inspection and Sealing of Sanitary Sewer Mains , as follows : Penetryn Systems Inc. . $ 9 ,821 .90 N. E . Pipe Cleaning - 9 , 980. 00 Eastern Pipe Services 10,430.80 ' Hycon Const . Co. Sys . Corp . 20, 243 .00 The Engineering Division's report indicated that work performed by Penetryn System, Inc. has been satisfactory and recommended the contract be awarded to them. It was moved, seconded and voted to award the contract to Penetryn System, Inc . with the provision that they furnish the proper bonds . The Board reviewed the tally of the opinion poll regarding construction of Franklin Street , as follows : In favor - 26 Opposed - i Non-committal - 0 The Chairman requested that Mr. Linscottreport the outcome of the hearing to the Finance Committee . Mr . Price read a letter from the Planning Board tentatively scheduling a joint meeting between the Board of Public Works , the Board of Selectmen and representatives from the M.B .T .A . for March 19 , 1980 . It was accepted as a point of information ' The Chairman reported that he had a meeting with Town Counsel and David Blake of Weston and Sampson regarding the cost overrun for engineering for the federal sewer program. It now appears that the E .P .A .is prepared to make its final offer very close to the position taken in their letter of November. 9 , 1979 except they ' may approve the $7 , 500 figure as a lump sum payment . These funds will not come up to the full amount of cost overrun. David Blake indicated they would not appeal the decision feeling the legal cost would outweigh any financial gain. However, Mr. Blake has requested that the Board consider making up the difference out of available sewer funds as an ineligible cost . Town counsel has been requested to investigate the legality of this possibility and report to the Board on March 7, 1980 . Mr. Blake is scheduled to come before the Board on March 10, 1980 at 9: 00 P.M. to discuss the entire matter. Mrs. Wood requested direction from the Board regarding the Rivers property abutting Washington Park as the Board of Survey had imposed a restriction in order that the Town couldconsider purchasing the property for park purposes since the ad hoc committee will be meeting February 26th . Mr . Cowell moved , Mr . DeHart seconded that the Board discontinue any further pursuit of this property and it was voted 3 in favorwith Mr. DeHart and , Mr . Price abstaining. Mr. DeHart questioned the Superintendent regarding the need for hiring private equipment in the recent storm as in his opinion the storm was light and the Department could have handled it with its own equipment . The Superintendent pointed out that it was his decision and judgment that it was necessary to have the outside con- tractors in light. of the forecast received by the Department , and the fact that the Town has an implied contract to hire the con- tractors in the event of snow and this is the only probable storm in this year. Chairman Price indicated he would like to go into Executive Session to discuss labor negotiations , not to return to open session, and polled the Board , as follows: Mr . Fallon - In favor Mrs . Wood - In favor Mr . DeHart - In favor Mr. Cowell - In favor , Mr. Price - In favor Meeting adjourned at 11 : 27 P .M. Re�ss�e�tfully submitted , S creta��a�+w'