HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-03-03 Board of Public Works Minutes I
March 3 , 1980
1 Meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16,
Municipal Building at 7 : 30 P . M.
Present were Chairman Price, Secretary Cowell , Board Mem-
bers DeHart, Wood and Fallon and Superintendent Louanis .
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and accepted
with corrections.
Meeting adjourned at 7 :35 P.M. and following a meeting of
the Board of Survey reconvened at 8 : 00 P .M.
Mr. Cowell read Notice of Public Hearing regarding a meet-
ing with residents on Track Road to discuss assessments for
betterments on their street . Mr . Price greeted those in atten-
dance and introduced the Board . Murray F. Huber, Jr. acted as
spokesman for the group stating that he and his neighbors had
several questions concerning the expense items on the cost
estimate for acceptance given the abutters at the public hearing.
The residents have been unable to locate the bounds for which they
were charged and questioned the assessment for trees as no new
trees were planted . The Superintendent stated that three trees
will be planted this spring and that the bounds will also be set
when the frost is out of the ground. The residents were given an
actual cost sheet (copy attached) of the materials used indica-
ting the actual cost exceeded the estimate by approximately
$2,500 .00 . All questions regarding the installation of the
drainage system and terminology were answered satisfactorily by
the Board and the Superintendent . Mrs. Manley and Mr. Huber were
concerned with the condition of the bridge and the Superintendent
stated that with the advent of the new fiscal year it is planned
to install a chain link type fence as a guard rail on the bridge
and it is hoped this will serve to protect the children in the
area . Mr. Bertolino of 25 Harvest Road requested that the
Engineering Division view his property during or following a
heavy rain as water is entering his property from the public way.
The owner of property abutting the Bertolino property is experienc-
ing the same problem. Superintendent Louanis agreed to investi-
gate this stating it could probably be corrected by raising the
grass area at the edge of the travelled way. Since there were
no further questions, it was moved, seconded and voted to close
the hearing.
The Board met with John Willis and Paul Williams of Camp,
Dresser and McKee who reported on the water study. Mr. Williams
acted as spokesman and stated that the first phase of the study
is thirty-five to forty percent complete. The general area up-
stream of the Reading Well Fields encompasses fifteen to seven-
teen square miles . This area has been evaluated from the point
of view of how much water would be available before any withdrawal
had been taken out upstream. In the past , this area had been
evaluated from a low safe yield of 3 .2 MGD to a high of 7 .7 MGD.
A preliminary evaluation indicates the safe yield may be closer
to 3 .7 MGD than to 4 .5 MGD . After evaluating the withdrawal up-
stream of Reading these numbers would be adjusted downward to
3.2 MGD and 3 .7 MGD. Therefore, Reading should begin consider-
ing the investigation for water down stream of the present well
supply in the Bear Meadow and Cedar Swamp areas. Also, consid-
eration should be given to reactivating #1 well at Revay Meadow
to supply water during a dry season. Depending upon where the ,
additional water supply is discovered , consideration must be
given to the economic feasibility of pumping water to the exist-
ing Treatment Plant or building a new treatment plant close to
the location of the supply. Mrs. Wood asked if additional wells
in the area would increase the safe yield of the present field .
Mr. Williams responded by saying the present well field was
basically one well and already had sufficiently constructed wells
to withdraw the safe yield of the area and new wells should be
considered only from the point of view of replacing existing wells .
Mr. DeHart requested of John Willis that future billing for
services be described in more detail so the Board could be
assured of progress of their work. Mr. Willis stated he had
already discussed the matter with the Superintendent and future
billing would be accompanied with greater detail . Mr. Price
expressed a desire to receive a monthly report from Camp,
Dresserand McKee and Mr. Willis responded that in about two weeks
they would make a decision as to what the treatment process might ,
be and would be available to report then and on a monthly basis
thereafter . The Superintendent was concerned about the rainfall
used in computing the safe yield of the area and whether or not J
J
Minutes - continued March 3, 1980
' a determination had been made as to how much water would be
available downstream of the present well fields . Mr. Williams
stated an amount of 32 inches was used and at this time no
estimate had been made of what water would be available down-
stream. A citizen, Gail Matthews, was concerned about what steps
had been taken to delete carcinogenic contamination from the
water and would the new design be able to handle any further
unknown problems. Mr. Willis responded stating he believed
trihalomethane in the water which were not manmade contaminates
but the result of decayed vegetation matter percolated down into
the water table and were not completely removed by the present
treatment method and are combined with chlorine forming carcino-
genic compounds . Mr. Willis stated that modifications to the
treatment plant would be based on the latest available technol-
ogy but he could not go out on a limb and guarantee what might
happen twenty years from now. Mrs. Matthews also stated she
recently discussed the State' s 50% funding program with Repre-
sentative Barrett who had informed her that the Town of Reading
could possibly lose funds as it had not filed the proper form to
receive the funding . Mr. Willis was at a loss to explain this
as the State has just established the rules and regulations re-
garding filing for funds and seminars will be held in March and
April to explain the proper procedure the first meeting of
which will be held on March 11 . He and the Superintendent in-
tend to attend that meeting to gain the necessary knowledge to
protect the interests of the Town of Reading. The Chairman in-
structed the Superintendent to contact Representative Barrett in
an effort to determine if there are any avenues which were not
being explored to the fullest by the Department in getting 50%
funding for the Town.
The Board met with Carl Amon, attorney representing 128
Sales, Inc . in connection with Article 45 on the Warrant relat-
ing to the purchase by 128 Sales , Inc . from the Town of Reading
Lots A, B and C on John Street near the 128 Exit Ramp . The pre-
sent building owned by 128 Sales has 10,000 square feet on the
first floor add 5,000 square feet on the second floor. The area
surrounding the proposed new building will be landscaped , have
the same set back as the existing building and consist of ,
5 , 000 square feet on the first floor and 2 ,500 on the second 1
floor . It will house the dealership and provide for a showroom
on the first floor . Mr . Amonassured the Board that construction
of the new building on Lots A and C would not interfere with the
sewer easement . A lengthy discussion ensued and it was accepted
as a point of information.
Bids were received at 2:30 P .M. on February 21 , 1980 for
pesticides and herbicides Bids were received from Baird and
McGuire , Inc . , Richey and Clapper, Inc . , and Hartney Spray Corp .
the latter being the only one to bid on all items . It was moved,
seconded and voted to award the contract for Pesticides and
Herbicides to the low bidder on all items Hartney Spray Corpora-
tion - total amount of the bid $1 , 947 .86 .
It was moved , seconded and voted to reject all bids for
trees and shrubs as specifications were sent out with incorrect
information. The Superintendent was directed to inform the '
bidders and to rebid the item.
Bids were received on February 21 , 1980 for fertilizer and
grass seed from three companies . Johnson Farm Supply , Inc . was
the only company to bidonall items and was the low bidder in
each instance . It was moved , seconded and voted to award the
contract to Johnsons Farm Supply, Inc . in the amount of $4, 113.61 .
It was moved, seconded and voted to table discussion on bids
for the skid mounted sprayer until the Superintendent is able to
supply more information.
The Board accepted as a point of information report from
Assistant Superintendent Bergeron concerning Water and Sewer
Rates and agreed that a press release should be given to the
local paper.
Chairman Price read a letter from the League of Women Voters
and it was agreed to invite them to the meeting of March 17th.
The Board agreed to meet on Tuesday March 25th for the
purpose of reorganizing. '
The Board reviewed and approved the Report of the Public
Works Department and the Superintendent 's Report as corrected
for publication in the Town Report .
Minutes - continued March 3 , 1980
The Board signed the Payroll for the period ending February
29th and the Bill Roll dated March 7th, 1980.
Meeting adjourned at 11 : 15 P .M.
Reully submitte%d/,� l�
Secretar7 �C
TRACK ROAD
STREET BETTERMENT
ITEM - MATERIALS UNIT QUANTITY UNIT COST AMOUNT
Manhole Frames-Covers Ea . 3 91 .00 273.00✓ .
Catch Basin Frames-Grates Ea. 5 124 .00 . 620.00✓ -
Base Slabs Ea. 2 36.80 73.60
31 Sumps Ea. 4 82.48 329.92
Flat Tops Ea. 4 32.00 128.00
18" Cone Sections Ea. 3 37.20 111 .60
Barrell Block Ea. 378 0.65 245. 70
Brick Ea . 589 0. 12 70.68
15" R . C. Pipe L.F . 280 3 .95 1 , 106.00
12" R . C. Pipe L.F . 77 . 7 . 3.02 234 .65
10" C. I. Pipe L.F . 24 9 .60 230. 40
8" X. I . Pipe L.F . 40 - 6 .63 265 .20
4" Transits Pipe L .F . 45 1 .03 46 . 35
4" 450 Bend - Transite Ea . 1- 12.41 12. 4.1
Portland Cement Bags 46 3.40 156 . 40
Washed Sand Ton 3.75 2.75 10.31
}" Stone Ton 13.2 4.00 52.80 _
Crusher Run Gravel Ton 310.2 3.00 940.60
Bank Run Gravel Ton 710.8 2.65 1 ,993.62
Bituminous Concrete ( plant ) Ton 2 16 .70 33.40
" " ( in place) Ton 301 .4 17.29 5,211 .21
Loam Borrow C.Y. 36. 4.65 167. 40
Seed Lbs . 65. 1 . 105 71 .83
Trees Ea . _ 3. 25 . 00 75 .00✓
Stone Bounds Ea . 7 . 14 .81 103.67'
Total Materials - 12,443 . 75
ACTUAL COSTS - Charged to Abuttors
Labor 10,467 .49
Equipment (Town) 2,477 .45 /
Equipment (Hired) 50.00
Materials 12,443 .75
Subtotal 25 ,438.69
Clerical-Records-billing 2,543.87
Total charge to abuttors 27 ,982.56 (Greater than est . cost .
therefore charge maximum)
E `
ACTUAL COSTS - Not Charged to Abuttors
�. Labor $ 1 ,018.75
Equipment (Town) 175.80
Materials 919.02
Total . $ 2, 113 .57
I _ -
JOHN W. PRICE. Chaff man
OFFICE OF DOUGLAS A. COWELL. Saeeeta+F
JOHN FALCON, ]R.
-OWN OF READING
DON R.. DeHART
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS GAIL F. WOOD
E. ROGER LOUAN$, Suva+in[rnden[
Y MUNICIPAL BUILDING
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READING, MASS. OIBRJ
a.N�.
MASSACHUSETTS
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss.
The undersigned, Board of Public Works of
the Town of Reading, in compliance with the provi-
sions of the General Laws, Chapter 80, as amended
by Chapter 63 of the Acts of 1933, hereby certify
that the lists herewith contain the names of per-
sons against whom we have made betterment assessments
together with the location of the land benefited by
the improvement and the nature and amount of such
betterment assessment.
Sewer House Connections 369.50
Such list is certified to you for the purpose
of committing the same to the Tax Collector, as pro-
vided by law.
WITNESS our hands this seventeenth day of March
1980 A. 0.
Chairman
Secretary
See Commitment Sheet
For List