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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1962-05-28 Board of Public Works Minutes rd May 28, 1962 Regular meeting of the Board of Public Works opened at 7:30 P.M. in Room 16, Municipal Building. _ Present were Chairman Hodson, Secretary Watt, Board Mem- bers Florence and Kenney and Superintendent Welch. Minutes of the previous meeting read and approved as amended. Read note from the Superintendent stating that all tests taken by Weston & Sampson after the Water Treatment Plant was steri- lized came out negative. Results will be submitted to the State Department for approval. The Board Members agreed to make an informal inspection of the Plant on May 30 at 10:00 A.M. Mr. Hodson reported to the Board that the American Legion will hold a circus on the old brush dump off John Street on July 12, 13 or fly. _ Chairman read note from the Superintendent regarding the summer schedule of meetings. Mr. Florence moved that the Board hold meeting June 4, 18 and 2$, and upon call by the Chairman in July and August. It was seconded and voted. The Board took up the item of the Bronze Plaque for the New Treatment Plant. Mr. Florence moved the plaque, as outlined at a previous meeting, be installed. It was seconded and voted. A brief discussion followed on incineration. The members were informed that Mr. Florence had obtained slides on incineration which would be shown at the June 18 meeting. The Board discussed the installation of sidewalks on Mid- dlesex Avenue. Mr. Welch suggested the following: - Place grano- lithic where the two people wish it. Place bituminous concrete (1) where persons present requested it, and (2) where the non- committal people live, and (3) where the persons not represented at rj the hearing live. Persons wishing granolithic will sign separate applications. Mr. Florence moved, Mr. Watt seconded and it was voted that the Superintendentts suggestion be followed with the excep- tion of Dr. Lyster. Mr. Hodson will contact him. Read report from Mr. Welch on Pearl Street sidewalks and his suggestion that the project be abandoned. Mr. Florence moved that the Board abandon installation of the sidewalk on Pearl Street and pass on to other locations which need sidewalks; Mr. Kenney seconded and it was voted. As an alternate, Oak Street was chosen. Read letter from Mrs. Edward Abely, 241 Pearl Street, re- questing permission for the Village Associates to hold an outdoor Arts Festival on the Reading Common, June 9, 1962 from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. ; in case of inclement weather, June 16. Mr. Watt moved the request be granted provided the neces- sary liability coverage is obtained, Mr. Kenney seconded and it was voted. Read letter from Henry Is Thompson, 16 Harvard Street, Reading, complimenting the Board, Mr. Welch and staff for the ex- cellent and efficient manner in which the sewer line is being in- stalled on Harvard Street. This letter was accepted as information to the Board. Read Mr. Welchts comments in regard to a motion made at the Town Meeting to investigate the pension payments made to em- ployees of income departments. The Superintendent listed the four employees receiving pensions from the Town. He also estimated the time each person worked for the Water Department and the estimated cost to the Water Department per year of $4,500.00. It was Mr. Welch's opinion that if the cost is added to the Water Department , expenses, the water rates will have to be raised. Mr. Florence moved the data be accepted as a point of information and held for further study by the Board; Mr. Kenney l J seconded and it was voted. Held conference with Ralph Bens and Robert Turner, Members of the Industrial Committee. Mr. Bens informed the Board that the Committee has more or less set up their own rules and one of their aims is to survey existing facilities - utilities, water, sewer, etc. Mr. Bens referred to the land off John Street for which three bids have been received. Mr. Bens questioned the Board re- garding the availability of sewer and water in that area. Mr. Hodson quoted from the letter written to the Board of Selectmen on May 15 and signed by the Chairman, which was in the negative. Mr. Bens inquired when the situation would be corrected. The Board Chairman and Mr. Welch referred to the maps showing flow studies made as a result of the use of the Mcllroy Analyzer and the work to be done on our water system. They also referred to the _ sewer program as outlined in the Town report in which the main out- fall sewer from John Street to the M.D.C. Pumping Station is scheduled to be enlarged in 1965. Mr. Welch stated that the Board had many times in prior years said that the Town water system could not support a substant- ial increase in consumption from any source. Mr. Welch referred to specific instances where such information had been published and stated. Mr. Sens asserted there was land available for develop- ment and would it not be possible for the Board of Public Works to give some thought to a program of development of the Town-owned business property. Would it be possible collectively as a Town to develop the property; - remove the peat, etc.? Would this be some- 62 thing in the future which could be considered or would this be too much of a project? Could some thought be given to it? If the land 76 cannot be used, the Board might use it for covering the Dump, depending on content of the fill. Mr. Welch informed Messrs. Sens and Turner that the Board of Public Works has a good over-all plan for the Town on sewer. This is not a plan to build from, but it is a good out- line of what the sewer system of the Town will eventually be. Read comments by Mr. Welch regarding Water Department in- surance. Mr. Florence moved that the Board table the subject for one week; Mr. Watt seconded and the motion carried. Mr. Watt requested further information on this and allied subjects. Mr. Welch presented to the Board a proposal and sketch from Goodall-Sanford to relocate drainage ditch through their pro- perty in Reading. The Superintendent suggested that access to Bol- ton Street might cause complaints. Mr. Watt moved the Board approve the proposal to relo- cate the drainage ditch with the provision that the grades be lowered six inches and the vertical dimension of the culvert be increased six Han�u a.c Inches to four feet. The access into Bolton Street is to be tenta- tively approved with the understanding that if it creates a traffic problem, the Board may find it necessary to cancel access on to the public way at that point. Mr. Florence seconded the motion and it carried. Read notice of the closing of the warrant for special Town meeting to be held on Monday, June 11, 1962 from the Board of Selectmen. Signed Payroll and Billroll for the period May 20 through May 26, 1962. Meeting adjourned at 9:55 P.M. ' Respectfully submitted, Secretary