HomeMy WebLinkAbout1961-04-24 Board of Public Works Minutes April 24, 1961
' Regular meeting of the Board of Public Works opened
at 7:30 P.M. in Room 14, Municipal Building.
Present were Chairman Florence, Board Members Leonard,
Hodson and Watt and Superintendent Welch.
Minutes of the previous meeting read and approved.
A lengthy discussion was held regarding the proposed
schedule of dump fees as prepared by Mr. Welch. Mr. Watt moved
that the Board tentatively approve the schedule contingent upon
the willingness of the Board of Selectmen to go along with the
program as initiated by the Board of Public Works and that
final approval shall be made after a discussion and meeting with
the Selectmen. Mr. Hodson seconded and the motion carried.
Read petition signed by ten abutters requesting that
Batchelder (Private) Road be accepted as a Public Town Way
under the Provisions of the Betterment Act. Mr. Leonard moved,
Mr. Watt seconded that the petition be placed on file and pro-
cessed in the usual manner. It was voted.
Read letters received from Weston & Sampson regarding
bids and resume ' of funds on the New Filter Plant. A discussion
ensued.
Read letter from James Construction Company advising
of their acceptance of a three-month extension on their pro-
posal dated April 6, 1961 for Alterations to the Purification
Plant. All sub-bidders are in agreement except John D. Ahern
L Co. , Inc. - Painting. Mr. Welch informed the Board that he had
written to Raymond O'Connell, Department of Labor and Industries
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to ascertain whether or not some other sub-bidder may be used
when the contract is awarded.
Mr. Leonard moved that items 4 and 10 be accepted as
information and laid on the table until such time as it may be
necessary to use the data in making a final decision. Mr. Watt
seconded and it was voted.
Read note from the Superintendent with reference to
Water Treatment funds. Mr. Leonard moved that the prior vote
of the Board proposing an additional bond issue of $150,000.00
for the construction of the Water Treatment Plant be rescinded
and that an additional bond issue of $180,000.00 be requested
at the Special Town Meeting in May for the construction of the
Water Treatment Plant. Mr. Watt seconded the motion and it was
so voted.
Mr. Florence read the Superintendent ' s comments on
the proposal of Roderick Hogan. Mr. Welch recommended that the
offer not be accepted for various reasons. Mr. Leonard moved
that Mr. Hogan' s proposal be rejected, Mr. Hodson seconded and
it was voted.
Mr. Leonard moved that the original plan of operation
drawn up by the Board of Public Works be authorized and pro-
cessed. Mr. Watt seconded.
It was moved the motion be amended to read that if
within 30 days no reasonable proposition is forthcoming from Mr.
Hogan. . . . . . . .The Board will reconfirm its offer of $500.00 for
the easement. Mr. Watt seconded and the motion was carried in
i
favor of the amendment. '�
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The original motion made by Mr. Leonard was voted.
Mr. Watt moved that the Board follow the Superin-
tendent ' s recommendation relative to advertising for bids
on a billing-accounting machine and inviting bids on an ad-
dressing machine . Mr. Leonard seconded and it was voted.
Read note from Superintendent regarding resignation
of Arthur Quale, mechanic, and comments thereon; also Mr.
Welch' s remarks on two applicants. A discussion followed. Mr.
Watt moved that the Board employ Harry Mohla at $2.40 per hour
and William Comeau at $2.25 per hour and if at the end of six
months, provided they demonstrate ability, be increased ten
cents an hour. Mr. Leonard seconded, Mr. Hodson abstained
and Mr. Watt was opposed.
Mr. Watt moved the Board employ Harry Mohla at $2.40
per hour and William Comeau at $2.25 per hour and that the ap-
proval of the Personnel Board be requested. At the and of
six months the situation will be reviewed. Mr. Hodson seconded
and it was voted. Mr. Leonard was opposed.
Read note from the Superintendent regarding inability
to obtain laborers. A short discussion followed. Mr. Hodson
moved that a revised salary schedule be presented to the Board
by the first of June and an invitation be sent to the Personnel
Board to hold a joint meeting. Mr. Watt seconded and it was
voted.
' Read letter from William W. Bishop requesting per-
mission to connect a catch basin on his property at 105
1 H
Gleason Road to public storm drain located near the corner
of Gleason Road and Alden Circle; also Mr. Welch' s comments
in regard thereto. Mr. Leonard moved that Mr. Bishop be
given permission to install and connect a storm drain into
the public drain. Mr. Watt seconded and it was voted.
Read request from John Beaudoin, 50 Lawrence Road.
for abatement on his April 1961 water bill. Mr. Leonard
moved no abatement be made; it was not seconded. Mr. Watt
moved that since there was no reasonable doubt that he was
overcharged by the Board and there are indications that he
has received a low charge, no abatement be made. There was
no second.
Mr. Leonard requested the Chairman' s ruling or opin-
ion as to the Board' s legal right to make an abatement , and
upon affirmation, moved that the Board abate 50% of the bill
in excess of the usual bill. Mr. Hodson seconded and it was
voted.
Read petition from seven abutters requesting exten-
sion of the sewer in Wentworth Road; also petition signed by
20 abutters on Oak Street from Pine Ridge Road to West Street
requesting extension of the sewer in Oak Street. Mr. Watt
moved that the Superintendent notify the interested parties by
letter of the procedure followed and in order for the Board to
have an efficient program, it must evaluate the needs. Mr.
Leonard seconded and it was voted.
7s
' Mr. Welch presented list of bids received for Two-way
Radio - one base station, tower and five mobile units as fol-
lows: -
Company Make Price
Thomas Comm. Corp. Dumont - 30 Watt $3,572.00
Motorola Co. Motorola - 25 Watt 3,714.00
New England Comm. , Inc. RCA - 25 Watt 3,819.00
E. Drozek Gen. Elec. - 25 Watt 4,190.50
New England Comm. , Inc. RCA - 30 Watt 4,316.50
All bids are on transistor equipment. Budget amount - $4, 600.00.
Mr. Leonard moved that the contract be awarded to the
lowest bidder, Thomas Communications Corporation - Dumont - 30
Watt, at a price of $3,572.00. Mr. Watt seconded and it was
voted.
' Signed House Connection Betterment.
Signed Pay-roll and Bill-roll for the period April 9,
1961 through April 15, 1961.
Meeting adjourned at 11:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary
