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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1961-01-16 Board of Public Works Minutes y January 16, 1961 Regular meeting of the Board of Public Works opened at 7:30 P.M. in the Auditorium of the Community Center, 52 Sanborn Street. Present were Chairman Florence, Secretary Harrison, Board Members Ames and Leonard and Superintendent Welch. Hearing was held on the laying out as Public Ways under the Betterment Act of Private Ways known as - GLEASON ROAD which runs in a Northeasterly direction from the accepted portion of Gleason Road, a distance of 1749.47 feet more or less to Pine Ridge Road ALDEN CIRCLE which runs from Gleason Road in a South- erly direction, a distance of 441.10 feet to a dead end GREENWOOD ROAD which runs in an Easterly direction from Gleason Road, a distance of 156.00 feet to a dead end MaclNTOSH ROAD which runs in a Southwesterly direc- tion from Gleason Road, a distance of 228.17 feet more or less to a dead end. Each person attending was presented with Cost Estimate and Estimated Betterment Assessment; also form on which to record his or her vote. A petition was presented by five abutters to that sec- tion of Gleason Road where sidewalks have not been laid out, re- questing that the Road be accepted without bituminous concrete sidewalks. The petition was accepted and placed on file. A question and answer period followed, the questions being answered by the Board and Superintendent Welch. A total of 21 persons attended the Hearing with the voting as follows: i 10 i In favor Opposed Non-Com. Gleason Road (Old) 6 (without sidewalks) ° (Hew) 8 Alden Circle 4 MacIntosh Road 2 Greenwood Road N o p o l l The abutters were referred to detailed plans at the con- clusion of the Hearing. Civil Engineer Richard Boutiette answered technical questions. The Board of Public Works and Superintendent Welch moved to Room 14, Municipal Building. Mr. Hodson met the Board in the Municipal Building. Minutes of the previous meeting read and approved as amended. The Chairman read letter from the Board of Selectmen re- garding meeting at the Town Dump at 9:00 A.M., Saturday, January 21, 1961; also notice of special Town Meeting, February 2, 1961. War- rant closes January 16. Read note from the Superintendent regarding request for an abatement on the October 1960 water bill at 324 Main Street. Mr. Ames requested permission to speak on the point of personal privi- lege and moved that the entire letter from Charles W. Howard not be read. Mr. Leonard seconded and it was voted. Mr. Ames moved that no abatement be granted, Mr.Harrison seconded and the motion was carried. The Chairman read letter received from George M. Bryne Co. , Inc, requesting an opportunity to meet with the Board at its next meeting to discuss certain items relating to the sewer con- . / tract. Mr. Harrison moved that Mr. Welch answer the letter stating that when the time comes that we are in a position to discuss all the matters in the contract, that he will contact them. It was seconded and voted. Read report from the Superintendent regarding approxi- mately 18,000 lineal feet of 1 1/411 water main in the system serv- ing as water mains and the replacement thereof. This was presented to the Board as information. The Chairman read report from Mr. Welch regarding the brush dump. The Superintendent is of the opinion that 75% of the material delivered to the brush dump is brought in by contractors. It is his recommendation that it be suggested to the Selectmen that special licenses be issued to commercial users and substantial fees be charged. Such licenses shall be required even if only one load is dumped. Licenses shall not be granted to contractors for rubbish from the demolition of buildings. Mr. Welch felt the present dump would suffice providing one of two steps were taken, i.e. , the purchase of a chipper for use at the dump or a so-called "teepee" incinerator. The chipper could be rented by the Tree Warden if desired. Mr. Harrison moved that the purchase of a 6" chipper be included in an article and inserted in the Town Warrant. It was seconded and voted. Mr. Ames moved that the subject matter regarding sub- stantial fees to be charged to commercial users be referred to r- Mr. Leonard for submission to the Board of Selectmen. A discus- sion followed. Mr. Ames withdrew his motion. i Mr. Ames moved that a letter be sent to the Board of Selectmen regarding their feelings on issuing licenses and charg- ing fees for dumping. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was voted. The Board adjourned temporarily at 9:40 P.M. to meet as the Board of Survey. The Board reconvened at 9:55 P.M. Received ,letter from Ernest Nigro, Attorney, in behalf of Pallotta Development requesting permission to post signs on certain locations in Reading. Mr. Leonard requested permission to speak on the point of personal privilege and moved that the .entire letter not be read. It was seconded and voted. Mr. Leonard moved that Mr. Nigro be informed that the Board does not approve or issue permits for advertising signs of this nature. Mr. Ames seconded and it was voted. It was decided to approve the Annual Board report which was held in abeyance as amended. Read letter from Town Counsel regarding splitting the sewer work into two contracts and awarding the contracts to dif- ferent contractors or to the same contractor. In his opinion it is legal to do so. Read petition from 15 abutters of Putnam Road requesting installation of sloped granite curbing in conformance with require- ments discussed with Mr. Welch at an approximate cost of $0.70 per foot to the abutters. It was moved, seconded and voted to accept the petition and approve the addition of sloped curbing. I The Chairman stated that the Board of Public Works had been invited to meetwith the Sub-Finance Committee and Personnel Board on Thursday evening at 7:30 P.M. 13 Signed the bill-roll and pay-roll for the period January 8, 1961 through January 14, 1961. The Chairman expressed his opinion regarding the appear- ance of an employee of the Board of Public Works before the Board representing an outside interest. A discussion followed. Mr. Ames moved that the Board write to the Town Counsel requesting an opinion on whether the Board has the legal right to prohibit any employee from appearing before the Board as a repre- sentative of, or advocate for any person, group of persons or a business organization having business before the Board unless he has received prior approval, in writing from the Board. Mr. Harrison seconded the motion and it was so voted. Mr. Leonard voted in the negative. Read letter from Harry Thibault, 6 Hanscom Avenue, re- garding condition of property owned by him adjacent thereto. No ' action was taken. The Board then took up the acceptance of streets: - GLEASON ROAD (old) - Mr. Harrison moved that the Board recoimsend acceptance or Gleason (Private) Road from Ste. 0+00 to Sta.5+76.02, including bituminous concrete side- walks, as a Public Way under the Betterment Act at the annual Town Meeting. Mr. Ames seconded and it was voted. GLEASON ROAD (new) - Mr. Harrison moved that the Board recommend acceptance of Gleason (Private) Road from Sta. 5+76.02 to Sta.17+49.47 as a Public Way under the Better- ment Act at the annual Town Meeting. Mr. Ames seconded and it was voted. MacINTGSH ROAD - Mr. Ames moved that the Board recommend acceptance of Macintosh (Private) Road as a Public Way under the Betterment Act at the annual Town Meeting. Mr. Hodson seconded and it was voted. ALDEN CIRCLE - Mr. Ames moved that the Board recommend acceptance of Alden (Private) Circle as a Public Way under the Betterment Act at the annual Town Meeting. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was voted. 14 GREENWOOD ROAD - It was moved, seconded and voted to hold any vote in abeyance until the next meeting of the Board when the abutters will notify the Board which alternate they prefer. It was moved, seconded and voted to continue in execu- tive session. Discussed proposed list of individual salary increases at some length and in some detail. Meeting adjourned at 12:00 midnight. Respectfully submitted, �ecretary