HomeMy WebLinkAbout1962-05-07 Board of Public Works Minutes t� I
May 7, 1962
Regular meeting of the Board of Public Works was held
at 7:30 P.M. in Room 16, Municipal Building.
Present were Chairman Hodson, Secretary Watt, Board
Members Brown, Florence and Kenney and Superintendent Welch.
Minutes of the previous meeting read and approved.
Mr. Welch presented to the Board owner type petition
and agreement for permanent type sidewalk signed by Samuel H.
Biggins, 26 Vine Street.
Mr. Florence moved that the petition be approved and
permit granted, Mr. Kenney seconded and it was voted. After com-
pletion of the construction and approval of the work by the Board
of Public Works, the Board will as soon as possible recommend to
Town Meeting acceptance of the sidewalk as a gift to the Town of
Reading. The Board also signed the aforementioned agreement.
Estimate of cost and proposed sketch of 24"x 12" Bronze
tablet to be installed at the New Filtration Plant were presented
to the Board. Mr. Florence moved the item be tabled for two weeks,
it was seconded and voted.
Reviewed letter from Addison-Wesley Publishing Company
requesting change of name of Jacob Way to Addison-Wesley Road.
Mr. Florence in referring to correspondence stated that under
Article 23 of the Town Meeting Warrant, the Board of Public Works
recommended the acceptance of Jacob Way as said access road. No
signed agreements were found.
Mr. Brown moved that the Superintendent contact Mr.
Zeytoonian and inquire if he is agreeable to changing the name,and
if there were a gentlemen' s agreement, does he wish to continue to
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honor it; it was seconded and voted.
Hearing was held at 8:00 P.M. regarding the proposed
extension of a gas main as requested by the Mystic Valley Gas Com-
pany in Willow Street from #42 Willow Street Southwesterly, a
distance of 1,050 feet more or less. The pipes will be located
within the limits of the above-mentioned street. This extension
will service the new Austin Preparatory School. Four persons at-
tended the meeting, including Louis Stockwell who represented the
petitioner. It was not opposed.
Mr. Florence moved that permission be granted to extend
the gas main; Mr. Brown seconded and the motion carried.
Read petition signed by twelve residents of Intervale
Terrace and the corner of John Carver Road requesting sidewalks,
and Mr. Welchts comments thereto. Bituminous concrete sidewalks
were eliminated when the contractor's price exceeded the estimate
by $150.00. The original appropriation was $5,000.00.
Mr. Watt moved that the Superintendent be instructed to
write to the person whose name first appeared on the petition ex-
plaining the situation as it now stands and a copy be sent to each
person whose name appears on the petition in order to clear up the
apparent misunderstanding; Mr. Brown seconded and it was voted.
Read letter from Edward Resnick, 419 Grove Street, re-
garding the purchase of 15 feet of land owned by the Water Depart-
ment, adjoining his property.
Mr. Florence moved that the Water Department of the
Board of Public Works approve the selling of this strip of property
at a reasonable offer to Mr. Resnick, providing all details can be ,
worked out satisfactorily; Mr. Brown seconded and it was voted.
Conference was held at 8:30 P.M. with George Bogren of
Weston & Sampson regarding progress at the New Filtration Plant.
Mr. Hodson stated the records of March $ show that Mr.
Bogren, when asked at what time the plant could be put in opera-
tion, ascertained that he was reasonably sure of two or three weeks
at the latest. Mr. Hodson questioned the delay.
Discussion followed on the installation of an 181'x 12"
Wye in place of an 18"x 18" Wye. It was the opinion of Mr.Bogren
and the Board that there should have been no deviation from the
specifications in this respect.
A list of 23 items to be done before the north half of
the filter plant is operable was presented to the Board. Each
item was discussed and decisions made in relation thereto. Mr.
Bogren was questioned about a date when the north half of the filter
plant would be put in operation. His answer was May 23.
Mr. Florence stated it was the concensus of opinion of the
Board of Public Works that the contractor had deviated from the spec-
ifications in many respects and the Board would like to have such
deviations corrected and completed.
A discussion took place on the 24 Conductor #14 cable
damaged in three places. A splice is not desirable and the Board
was of the opinion that the contractor should adhere to the spec-
ifications and the cable be replaced.
Mr. Bogren, when questioned about the delay, stated possi-
bly the contractor was stalling because he did not receive his pay-
ment for two months. This was his opinion.
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It was suggested by Mr. Hodson that Mr. Bogran go over
the list with the contractor item by item and report back to the
Board. Mr. Bogren agreed to do so.
In recapitulation, Mr. Hodson informed Mr. Bogren that
the Board is waiting for a letter of verification of these com-
plaints from the contractor and a definite completion date. There
has been adverse publicity. For that reason the Board must insist
on a correct date.
Mr. Bogren informed the Board that the painting con-
tractor would bring in color charts from which a color could be
selected.
Read letter from Raymond D. Stephens , 215 West Street,
representing the Congregational Church, and requesting permission
to close Sanborn Street from Woburn Street to Lowell Street on ,
September 21 - 5:00 P.M. to 12M, and September 22 - 7:00 A.M. to
12M to allow the Church to hold its annual church fair. In case
of inclement weather, an attempt will be made to move the fair to
the Community Center.
Mr. Watt moved that in accordance with past practices,
permission be granted; it was seconded and voted.
Read note from the Selectmen enclosing copy of letter
from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Public
Works, granting permission to the Town of Reading to enter on
State Department of Public Works land to clean up debris on State
Highway, Route 128.
Read letter from Mrs. Gordon W. Tennett, Parish Secre-
tary, Church of the Good Shepherd, requesting permission to close
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off Chute Street from 9:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. on May 26 to allow
the church to hold its annual fair. Mr. Kenney moved permission
be granted; Mr. Brown seconded and it was voted.
Signed Payroll and Billroll for the period April 29
through May 5, 1962.
Mr. Florence moved, Mr. Kenney seconded and it was
voted to go into Executive Session.
Superintendent Welch recommended the appointment of
William MacBrien as a Foreman to be assigned to the Highway Di-
vision.
An extended discussion took place which covered the
broad field of employee relations, employee evaluations, indi-
vidual employee actions, resignations of two employees and
other pertinent items.
It was moved, seconded and voted to approve the ap-
pointment of Mr. MacBrien as a Foreman in the Highway Division.
Meeting adjourned at 11:55 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary