HomeMy WebLinkAbout1963-11-26 Board of Public Works Minutes 13'7
November 26, 1963
Meeting of the Board of Public Works opened at 7:30
P.M. in Room 16, Municipal Building.
Present were Chairman Watt, Secretary Kenney, Board
Members Cochrane and Leonard and Superintendent Welch.
Minutes of the previous meeting read and approved.
The Board discussed the operation of the Dump, primar-
ily opening Dump on Mondays, and agreed to advise the Board of
Selectmen that if it were their wish to extend the hours, addi-
tional manpower at a cost of between $2,000 and $2,$00 would be
necessary.
Public hearing was held at 8:00 P.M. regarding the pro-
posed location of one New England Telephone & Telegraph Company-
Reading Municipal Light Department jointly owned pole on Bolton
Street, north side, approximately 94 feet easterly from Ash
Street.
George H. Cooley, Right of Way Agent, represented the
Telephone Company.
Mr. Kenney moved, Mr. Cochrane seconded and it was
voted to approve the petition.
Read letter from Mrs. Mabel F. Coolidge, representing
the Unitarian Church, requesting permission to erect a directional
sign on Main Street, westerly side, on the corner of Woburn Street
on the small section of Reading Common containing the drinking
fountain. It is the Church's intention to contact the other
churches on Woburn Street to see if they would like to join in
listing all churches on Woburn Street on one sign.
It was moved, seconded and voted to take the matter
under advisement.
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The Board conferred with the following in regard to
the Garage Study: -
8:30 P.M. Clinton F. Goodwin - Architect
8:11.$ P.M. Edwards & Kelcey, represented by John Cusack -
Consulting Engineers
9:00 P.M. Cleverdon, Varney & Pike, represented by
William B. Merry and Floyd E. Brown -
Consulting Engineers
Qualifications were presented. The Board was requested to hold
a decision in abeyance until Messrs. Merry and Brown had con-
ferred with members of their firm to ascertain if the company
wishes to compete against architects as 75% of their business is
received from them. The Board agreed to do so.
The Board adjourned temporarily at 9:20 P.M. to meet _
with the Board of Selectmen.
The Board reconvened at 9:50 P.M.
Read note from the Superintendent in regard to the
unexpended Chapter 782 funds in the amount of $10,932.04 and his
suggestion that the available balance be spent in conjunction
with the 1963 Chapter 90 funds on Haverhill Street with action on
1963 supplementary budget funds withheld until official notice is
received.
Mr. Leonard moved, Mr. Cochrane seconded and it was
voted that the Superintendent be authorized to request transfer
of unexpended funds. ,
The Board discussed a program of reconstructing many
of the older, narrow, oil-treated gravel roads to meet modern
traffic conditions. It was moved, seconded and voted to hold
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' the matter in abeyance for future budgetting.
Read letter from Melvin Crosby, 50 Middlesex Avenue,
requesting an abatement of $25.00 on his water service pipe re-
placement bill to offset certain alleged problems at his property.
Mr. Leonard moved, Mr. Kenney seconded and it was
voted to grant the abatement as requested.
Read note from the Superintendent in regard to labor
salaries and changes in classifications. It was moved, seconded
and voted to accept the information and place it on the Agenda
for over-all study.
The Board agreed to meet on Thursday, December 5, to
consider the budget and salary increases for 1964.
Read letter from Mrs. Beverly R. Salathe regarding the
organizing of a Fair Housing Practices Committee and a meeting
to be held December 6 at 8:00 P.M. at the Congregational Church.
It was moved, seconded and voted to accept the letter as a point
of information.
Read petition from 34 residents of Selfridge Road,
Cottage Park, West Street and Catherine Avenue requesting in-
stallation of a sidewalk on West Street from Catherine Avenue to
Arcadia Avenue, which would be used by more than 35 children who
will attend the Alice M. Barrows School beginning in the Fall of
1964. Mr. Welch suggested that the proposed sidewalk be ex-
tended to Edgemont Avenue.
It was moved, seconded and voted that a letter be writ-
ton to the petitioners advising that the request will be included
In the sidewalk program and taken under consideration when the
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Board reviews the study program.
The Board signed the Billroll dated November 22, 1963
and the Payroll for the period November 16 through November 22,
1963.
Meeting adjourned at 10:35 P.M.
Respectfully/submitted,
SecretaryV