HomeMy WebLinkAbout1960-02-29 Board of Public Works Minutes February 29, 1960 'Z 5
Regular meeting of the Board of Public Works opened at
7:30 P. M, in the Auditorium of the Community Center, 52 Sanborn
Street, Reading.
Present were Chairman Zanni, Messrs. Donahue, Harrison,
Florence, Leonard and Assistant Superintendents Putnam and Watson,
and Civil Engineer Richard Bbutiette.
Minutes of previous meetings read, and approved as corrected.
Temporarily adjourned at 7:35 P. M. to act as Board of Survey.
Reconvened at 8:00 P. M. as Board of Public Works.
Public Hearings held simultaneously at 8:00 P. M. regarding
laying out under the Betterment Act of the following Private Ways:
Linnea Lane, which runs from Pearl Street in an Easterly,
Northerly and Westerly direction, a distance
of 1151.46 feet back to Pearl Street;
Laurel Lane, which runs in a Southwesterly direction from
' Mark (Private) Avenue, a distance of 655.88
feet to a dead and;
Swan Road, which runs from Van Norden Road in a Southerly
direction, a distance of 200.00 feet to a
dead end;
Tanglewood Circle, which runs in a Southerly direction
from Laurel Lane, a distance of 120.00 feet
to a dead end ;
Mark Avenue, which runs from Grove Street in a Westerly
direction, a distance of 506.96 feet;
Marla Lane, which runs in a Northerly direction from Forest
Street, a .distance of 366 feet more or less to
a dead end.
Each person present was given a sheet showing the estimated
cost of construction and estimated Betterment Assessment on the
abutter's particular street; a printed form describing the method
' by which a Private Way is accepted as a Public Way under the
Betterment Act; and a printed form on which the attending abutters
were given the opportunity of recording their individual expression
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of opinion of the proposed street acceptance.
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An extended discussion ensued, during which many questions
were propounded by attending abutters and answers given by the
Board members and Public Works Department personnel.
A total of 59 persons attended the Hearings, and 9 were
represented by Proxy, making a grand total of 68 present or
represented, of which 53 favored the layouts, some abutters noting
exceptions to certain phases of proposed street construction; 11
were opposed to acceptance of the layouts, again with exceptions
concerning for the most part the inclusion in the street layouts
of bituminous concrete sidewalks; and four abutters were noncom-
mittal in their expressions of opinion.
At the conclusion of the Public Hearings the attending abut-
ters were referred to detailed plans of each street displayed on
tables in the Auditorium, with members of the Engineering Division
under the supervision of Civil Engineer Richard Boutiette in atten-
dance to answer technical questions propounded by abutters.
The Board of Public Works, with Assistant Superintendents
Putnam and Watson, then assembled at Room 14, Municipal Building,
to continue the regular Board meeting.
Received petition for extension of common sewer in Linden
Street from Mrs. William J. A. Keith, 58 Linden Street and Mrs.
Thaddeus Howell, 62 Linden Street. Petition accepted, and placed
on file for processing in usual manner.
Conferred with Mr. Gordon Berry, 35 Longfellow Road, regard-
ing sewer main installation on Longfellow Road. Mr. Berry stated
that he represented fourteen property owners on Longfellow Road,
all of whom were living under emergency conditions due to failure
of private sewage disposal facilities, and who petitioned the
Board to move up the scheduled 1962 date for Longfellow Road sewer
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extension to an earlier date. Subject matter of this request
taken under advisement by the Board.
Received letter from Mrs. Frank R. Gray, Jr. , 68 Van Norden
Road, requesting that storm drain improvements be effected abut-
ting her property. Civil Engineer Boutiette instructed by the
Board to expedite drain survey now under way in this area.
Received report from Superintendent Welch in reference to
the estimated cost of physical examinations for temporary and
seasonal employees, which will be mandatory if the proposed new
Town By-Law is adopted, said estimated cost to the Public Works
Departments to be $1,000.00 in 1960. Moved, seconded and voted to
insert Article in Special Town Meeting Warrant for, this amount,
and to advise Finance Committee, by letter, of the action of the
Board.
' Received Notice from the Board of Selectmen of a Special
Town Meeting to be held Thursday, March 24, 1960, the warrant for
which will close at 5:00 P. M. Thursday, March 10, 1960.
Assistant Superintendent Putnam notified Board of the follow-
ing Budget cuts , as related to him by Finance Committee Chairman
George Larson:
BUDGET AMOUNT AMOUNT RECOMMENDED
SHEET ITEM REQUESTED CUT- AMOUNT
9 Pks.& Plygrds.-Payroll $22,000.00 $2,000.00 $209000.00
9 " " -Expenses 129200.00 2,200.00 10,000.00
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9A Mem. Park Baseballial 500.00 500.00 0.00
9A Pks.& Plygrds.-Special
Mem. Park Basketball 600.00 600.00 0.00
' Moved, seconded and voted to instruct all members of the
Board of Public Works, and all Public Works Personnel, to refrain
from contacting Superintendent Welch during his illness.
Moved, seconded and unanimously voted that, during the
absence of Superintendent Philip Welch, the following employees
would assume duties and responsibilities as designated herein:
Assistant Superintendent Putnam - to be in charge of ---
Office Administrative functions; sign weekly 'Payroll and Voucher
Warrants; carry on necessary correspondence; sign Subdivision
Control Act Registry of Deeds Plans; continue in charge of all
Pumping Stations ; carry on Water Improvement program.
Assistant Superintendent Ernest R. Watson - to be in charge
of all outside activities with the exception of those delegated
in the previous assignment:, i.e. , Pumping Station and Water Improve-
ment program. He shall also have full authority on snow removal
work.
Civil Engineer Richard C. Boutiette - to be in charge of
all Engineering Division projects.
It was further moved, seconded and voted that, during the
ensuing week, any instruction to the three employees named be
given to them by the Chairman of the Board of Public Works, direct,
with approval of remainder of Board, through contacting the Chair-
man.
It was moved, seconded and voted to instruct Messrs. Putnam,
Watson and Boutiette to confer at least once daily to correlate
ideas and discuss any problems which might arise; and that all
three employees named attend Board meetings.
It was moved, seconded and voted to designate James T.
Putnam Clerk of the Board of Public Works during the absence of
Superintendent Welch.
Moved, seconded and voted to hold a Special Meeting of the
Board on Friday, March 4, 1960 at 7:00 P. M.
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The meeting adjourned at 11:00 P. M.
' Respectfully submitted,
d-YS ecretar;&f V