HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-01-31 Board of Public Works Minutes January 31 , 1977
Meeting of the Board of Public Works opened at 7:30 P. M.
in Room 16, Municipal Building.
Present were Chairman Russell , Secretary Dustin, Board
Members Blood, Price and Botka, Superintendent Louanis, Assis—
tant Superintendents McIntire and Bergeron, Kenneth Hall , Sani—
tation Engineer and Douglas Cowell of the Finance Committee.
Minutes of the meeting of January 24th were accepted as
written and minutes of January 21st accepted as rewritten.
A committee of four representing Little League appeared
before the Board. John L. Fallon, Jr. acted as spokesman for
the group and stated that since the enrollment is expected to
be increased to 800 or 900 boys and girls they hoped to have
one more playing field similar in nature to that at Hunt Memorial
Park available to them this summer. They also expressed a desire
for three or four more practice fields. A lengthy discussion
ensued relative to the status of, and plans for the playing
fields within the Town. Referring to the Park and Playground
Study as prepared by the Engineering Division it was determined
that the area at the Nike Site on Haverhill Street could be
developed for a practice field for the least possible expense.
Mr. Blood moved, it was seconded and voted that the Board of
Public Works would contribute some engineering assistance in
developing a plan and cost estimate for a practice field at the
Nike Site. Mr. Fallon submitted a copy of his report and stated
that his committee would like to act as laison and open up a
line of communication with the various Town Officials and Boards
in control of the use of the various fields.
The Superintendent called the Board' s attention to the
availability of a H.U.D. Block Grant of approximately $200,000
for community development improvements . Assistant Superintendent
Bergeron outlined the criteria and point system established by the
Boston Area Office of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development used in scoring community development projects stat—
ing also that it is possible that relocating the ditch at the
sanitary landfill and development of Batchelder Field might be
favorably considered. The Superintendent pointed out that it
is necessary to hold two hearings for the purpose of receiving ,
citizens recommendations or comments. It was moved, seconded
and voted to hold the Hearings and take the necessary steps to
make a submittal on relocating the ditch at the sanitary land-
fill and for further development of Batchelder Field.
Mr. Cowell spoke to the Board briefly relative to the
Finance Committee's efforts to stream line their report and
reviewed their recommendations.
The Board reviewed the five year summary of proposed capital
expenditures for FY-1978 through FY-1982 submitted by the Super-
intendent. After a detailed discussion of these projects, it
was moved, seconded and voted to adopt an amended proposed
capital expenditure project as attached hereto.
The Board accepted the first draft of the proposed Union
Contract for July 1 , 1976 through June 30, 1978 and it was
accepted as a point of information. ,
It was moved, seconded and voted to begin a review of the
budget starting with Page 11 - Rubbish Collection. After con-
siderable discussion of the Rubbish Collection Program and Re-
cycling it was moved, seconded and voted to approve Rubbish
Collection Salary Account at $82,500 and the Expense Account
in the amount of $1 ,000 for a total of $83,500.
Discussion of the operation of the Municipal Incinerator
Account began by reviewing the costs from July 1 , 1976 through
January 21 , 1977. It is obvious that the funds budgeted for
FY-77 are not adequate and a substantial overrun is anticipated.
Some of the reasons for the anticipated overruns are results
of the needed substantial repairs to the receiving building,
the ash quenching tank, pipe replaced to the cooling tower
and refractory and grate replacement. After considerable dis-
cussion of the cost of materials for the operation and extensive
overtime, Mr. Price moved and it was seconded and voted to
instruct the Superintendent to develop reasonably accurate cost
figures for the incinerator over the next five years and to
J
Minutes — continued January 31 , 1977
L present to the Board some alternatives to the operation of the
incinerator. In view of the late hour it was moved to table
action.
The Board signed the Pay Roll for the period ending
January 28 and the Bill Roll dated February 4, 1977.
Meeting adjourned at 11 : 15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,