HomeMy WebLinkAbout1963-02-04 Board of Public Works Minutes i7
February 4, 1963
Meeting of the Board of Public Works opened at 7:30 P.M.
in the Auditorium of the Community Center, 52 Sanborn Street,
Reading.
Present were Chairman Hodson, Secretary Watt, Board
Members Brown, Florence and Kenney, and Superintendent Welch.
Hearing was held on the Proposed Acceptance as a Public
Way of a portion of Prospect Street which runs in a Northwesterly
direction from the Northwesterly end of the 1939 Acceptance of
Prospect Street, a distance of 35$.00 feet more or less to Summer
(Public) Avenue; also concurrent Board of Survey Hearing on the
proposed Change of Grade for the same section.
Twenty-four persons attended the Hearing.
Donald R. Monson, 39 Summer Avenue, requested permission
to present to the Board a petition signed by 31 abutters, from 6
through 61 Summer Avenue, voicing their opposition to the proposed
extension of Prospect Street from its present end to Summer Avenue.
The abutters feel no benefit will be derived from its extension
and that it will create a most hazardous intersection for both
vehicular and pedestrian traffic. They desire that the proposal
be permanently abandoned.
The abutters of Prospect Street Extension were polled
regarding acceptance of the street as follows: - In favor - 0;
Opposed - 6; Non-committal - 0.
The Board convened in Room 16, Municipal Building.
' Hearing was held at 8:30 P.M. in Room 16 for the pur-
pose of taking an easement for drainage and sewerage purposes
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from Ridge Road in a Southerly direction through private pro-
perty.
No one attended the hearing.
The Board met with the Sub-Finance Committee, Messrs.
Millner, Sumberg and Brigham, to discuss and consider the 1963
Budget as presented.
Mr. Sumberg questioned the summarizing records used by
the Board of Public Works on different projects within the De-
partment. A detailed discussion took place on the $89,000.00
appropriation for Highway Construction and Maintenance Salaries
and Wages - full time and overtime - and the possible use of
funds from other accounts. Particular attention was called to
the use of the Snow and Ice Account during the summer months .
Mr. Sumberg stated that a more detailed system of bookkeeping
should be in use, that is wages and overtime on each project.
Mr. Welch informed the Committee that it would involve the use
of a part-time clerk for one and one-half days to which Mr.
Sumberg agreed. The Board Members and the Superintendent pro-
vided proper answers to Mr. Sumberg's inquiries.
Mr. Millner questioned the need of an Incinerator
Study at this time and suggested the use of Cedar Swamp as a
dumping site. No decision was reached on the $4,000.00 appro-
priation which was requested by the Board of Public Works.
The following reductions were approved by the Sub-
Finance Committee and the Board of Public Works., -
Storm Drains $2,000.00
Parks - Special 1,400.00
Birch Meadow Development 51000.00
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Sidewalk Construction and Sidewalk Maintenance will be handled
as one account.
Mr. Sumberg inquired of the Superintendent if he would
agree to a central accounting system for the Town, excluding the
School Department. Mr. Welch informed the Committee that he
would be in agreement.
Mr. Sumberg suggested that overtime, exclusive of Snow
and Ice, be restricted to 3 percent of the total payroll. The
Board of Public Works stated that it would not agree to such a
restriction.
Minutes of the previous meeting approved.
It was moved, seconded and voted to table Item 5 -
Letter from Donald Moss, Greenwood Road, and Item 10, Discussion
of Water Department Bond Issue, for one week. It was moved,
seconded and voted that Mr. Welch be granted permission to arise
at the Town Meeting and place himself squarely on record as in
favor of the bond issue plus the entire program of improvements.
Mr. Welch informed the Board that the study being made
by the Personnel Board relative to Sick Leave had been abandoned.
It was moved, seconded and voted to approve the follow-
ing pole locations requested by the New England Telephone &
Telegraph Company: -
Greenwood Road - Northeasterly from Gleason Road
(1 pole )
MacIntosh Road - Southerly and Southeasterly from
' Gleason Road (3 poles )
Alden Circle - Southerly from Gleason Road (4 poles )
Cherry Lane Drive - Southerly side Westerly from
Sumer Avenue (4 poles )
zu
Avalon Road - Northwesterly then Northerly from
Gleason Road (6 poles ) '
Oak Street - Relocate pole 65/21 four feet
Easterly. (1 pole, also remove
1 pole )
Signed payroll and billroll for the period January
26 through February 1, 1963.
Meeting adjourned at 12:40 A.M. , February 5.
Respectfully submitted,
zdakt�' fit- "*
Secretary