HomeMy WebLinkAbout1960-04-04 Board of Public Works Minutes April 4, 1960
Regular meeting of the Board of Public Works opened
at 7:30 P.M. in Room 14, Municipal Building.
Present were Chairman Florence, Messrs . Leonard,
Harrison, Ames and Hodson; Superintendent Welch, Assistant
Superintendents Putnam and Watson, and Civil Engineer
Boutiette.
Minutes of Board Meeting held Monday, March 29,
1960 read and approved.
Board Member Lawrence W. Leonard stated,as a point
of personal privilege, that he is afflicted with a physical
condition which may require surgery, and that he may be com-
pelled to leave the Board Meeting prior to adjournment.
Board agreed that Mr. Leonard should leave meeting
if his physical condition so required.
Mr. Leonard questioned Secretary Harrison regarding the
absence of the minutes of a Board Meeting held Sunday,
March 20, 1960, of which, Secretary Harrison stated no records
had been kept. Chairman Florence stated that the then Town
Counsel Carl H. Amon, Jr. had assured him that the Meeting
was an informal meeting. Mr. Ames questioned whether Meeting
was a legal meeting or an informal meeting to discuss the
Town Meeting articles. Chairman Florence stated that the
press was present, and that the Meeting was an open meeting
of the Board. Mr. Leonard then made the following
Motion: "Meeting held Sunday, March 20, 1960: WHEREAS Motions
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were entertained and no records having been kept, it is my
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opinion that the Board of Public Works entered into acts 1
consider as an illegal meeting."
The Motion was not seconded and no action was
taken on it.
Received letter from Dorothy (Mrs . E. H. ) McRonald,
46 Willow Street, requesting abatement of sewer rental
charges for her property at 46 Willow Street, due to her al-
leged inability to pay same, this abatement to continue until
such time as her present financial status improves.
Discussed request at length. Moved , seconded and
Voted to deny request for abatement, with regrets.
Received petition for sewer extension on Wentworth
Road, signed by seven abutting property owners, showing
pictorial evidence of flooded conditions on Wentworth Road
by attached photographs dated February, 1960.
Moved, seconded and voted to notify abutters on
Wentworth Road that sewer installation will not be considered
until such time as the remainder of Wentworth Road is accepted
as a Public Town Way. The petition for sewer extension was
accepted, and placed on file for future processing.
Received note from Superintendent relative to re-
pairs to the Mineral Street railroad bridge, and suggesting
that the Board should give consideration to a request to the
Board of Selectmen for a Special Town Meeting to seek an ap-
propriation for repairs to said Bridge.
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Moved, seconded and voted to request the Board of
Selectmen to call a Special Town Meeting for the purpose
recommended by the Superintendent.
Received petition for extension of the common sewer
in Ide Street from Daniel J. Scott, Jr. , 8 Ids Street.
Moved, seconded and voted to accept petition, and
place same on file for processing in the usual manner when
funds are available.
Received letter from Mr. Harold A. Swanson, 2
Coolidge Road, requesting abatement of a portion of his sewer
frontage assessment, contending that his property was assessed
on both Wescroft Road and Coolidge Road.
Following an explanation of the assessment by the
' Superintendent, showing that assessments were levied on
Wescroft Road frontage only, the request for abatement was
denied with regrets, and the Superintendent was instructed to
send a written, detailed explanation of the assessment compu-
tation to Mr. Swanson.
Received letter from Mr. William R. Burns, 192
Wakefield Street, concerning requested drain easement rights
through his property to correct a surface water problem on
Wakefield Street. Mr. Burns stated that he would grant the
right of easement as requested, dependent on two conditions:
1. That the work be accomplished expeditiously, when
started, and
2. That when construction in the easement is completed,
his property would be restored to its original condi-
tion, to his complete satisfaction.
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Moved, seconded and voted to send Mr. Burns
written assurance that, if the proposed easement is taken,
his conditions will be complied with.
At the suggestion of the Superintendent, it was
moved, seconded and voted to request the Board of Selectmen
to appoint the following employees as Special Policemen for
the purposes designated: -
Emplovee Purpose
James T. Putnam General Department Purposes
Ernest R. Watson General Department Purposes
John D. Louanis Water & Sewer Pumping Stations
Fred Rebello Maintenance of Town Dump
John Enos Maintenance of Town Dump
Received letter from Mr. Max Sandler, 525 Main
Street, protesting estimate given him for extension of water
main to service property owned by him on Pearl Street,
Northerly of Franklin Street. After a review of the cost
estimate, it was moved, seconded and voted to approve the
estimate as issued.
Received petition signed by twelve abutting property
owners on Pearl Street, from Franklin Street Northerly to Main
Street at Sanborn Hill, requesting that said section of Pearl
Street be improved by relocating the street lines for the pur-
pose of widening the travelled way. Petition accepted and
placed on file pending an engineering study and design.
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' The Board was presented with a resumelof bids
received on Thursday, March 31, 1960 for the 1960 Sewer
Construction Program. (See attached list)
Moved, seconded and voted to instruct Superintendent
to investigate competency of First, Third and Fourth bidders
as listed.
Mr. Ames presented the Board with a brochure re-
garding the capabilities of a Mr. Casamir J. Kray, 16 Dustin
Road, Reading, who offers his servicesto the Board in the
capacity of Consulting Engineer. Brochure referred to
Superintendent for study, for his consideration and comments
at a later date.
' The meeting adjourned at 9:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary
retary