HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-04-04 Board of Public Works Minutes April 4, 1977
' Meeting of the Board of Public Works opened in Room 16,
Municipal Building at 7: 30 P. M.
Present were Chairman Russell , Secretary Dustin, Board
Members Blood, Price and Botka, Superintendent Louanis, Assis—
tant Engineer Redford and Finance Committee Member Douglas
Cowell .
Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted with correc—
tion.
The Board reviewed the vote taken at the Public Hearing on
March 28 concerning the acceptance of various streets, as follows:
Street In Favor Opposed
Beaver Road 20 0
Annette Lane 0 0
Hodson Lane _ 3 0
Indian Tree Lane 0 0
Red Gate Lane 4 0
Balsam Road - 0 0
' Rustic Lane 1 0
It was moved, seconded and voted to recommend to Town Meeting
that these streets be accepted as public ways and assessments
for betterments be levied against the abutting properties.
The Board met with Mr. Bastolla, owner of Lots 3 and 4,
Plat 54 on the southerly side of Haven Street. Lot 3 is a
vacant lot, easterly of and immediately adjacent to land owned by
the Reading Savings Bank, and there is a block of stores on Lot
4. Mr. Bastolla wishes to obtain permission from the Board for a
curb cut which would allow him to gain entrance from the street
for a driveway and parking area on Lot 3 alongside and to the
rear of the building on Lot 4. This paved area would provide
Mr. Bastolla and his employees with parking spaces and allow
deliveries to be made to the rear of the stores. There was a
brief discussion concerning the loss of street parking, the runoff
that would cone from Lot 3 onto Haven Street due to the difference
in elevation and the accessibility of the drive—up Post Office
Boxes at the curb for motorists because of the curb cut. It was
moved, seconded and voted to table the item until a more thorough
investigation is made.
Read letter from Attorney Albert F. Vigeant requesting
the Board reconsider its vote not to install sanitary sewer
in Barbara Lane inasmuch as a tremendous hardship has been
placed on his client. Mr. Fernekees. Mr. Fernekees now pro-
poses that the Board vote to install the sanitary sewer down
Barbara Lane only the distance to his lot and that he pay the
frontage assessment for the two lots owned by Prew and Bittrick.
Mr. Dustin requested that the Superintendent investigate the
history of the installation of sanitary sewer on Twin Oaks Road
and report to the Board. Mr. Blood moved to table the item,
present the suggestion made by Mr. Vigeant to Town Counsel and
request direction for procedure from him. It was seconded and
voted.
The Board met with Mr. William Perkins and Alan Silbovitz
from the firm of Weston and Sampson, Inc. to discuss the progress
made to date on the Water Study. Lynn Stasz and Nancy Morton,
representatives from the Conservation Commission and Joseph ,
Sturm of the Planning Board were present also. Chairman Russell
reviewed the chain of events leading to the water study and
turned the meeting over to Mr. Perkins who reviewed Weston and
Sampson, Inc. 's Progress Report on Reading's Water Supply Study.
(copy attached) Items concerning iron, manganese, sodium content
as well as supply and population growth were discussed at length.
The meeting concluded at 9:50 P. M.
Discussion of the FY-78 Budget centered around the Park
and Playground Construction Program. It was moved, seconded
and voted 4-0 to go to Town Meeting for the Field Conditioner,
the anticipated cost of which is $2,400.
Mr. Blood reported on the findings of the Personnel Sub-
Committee indicating that the 27 classifications have been re-
duced to 12 in number and noted the status of each of the non-
union employees. It was accepted as a point of information and '
was moved, seconded and voted to accept the recommendation of
the Superintendent and inform the Personnel Board.
Minutes — continued April 4, 1977
' The Board of Public Works advertised inviting proposals
for Street Sweeping stating bids would be opened on March 24,
1977• J. K. Municipal Services, Inc. , bid $5.45 per mile per
sweeper and since this figure is approximately one—sixth the
cost of previous years and was the only bid received it was
moved, seconded and voted to reject all bids in the best interest
of the Town.
It was then moved, seconded and voted to instruct the Super—
intendent to readvertise for bids on Street Sweeping.
It was moved, seconded and voted to approve the following as
Licensed Drain Layers:
Ernest G. Babcock, Babcock Equipment Rentals, Reading, Ma.
Aurele Cormier, Parkwood Construction Corp. , Burlington, Ma.
John P. DiTonno, Inc. , Wakefield, Ma.
The Board signed the Payroll for the period ending April 1 ,
and the Bill Roll dated April 8, 1977.
1 Meeting adjourned at 10:30 P. M.
Res�ful/�Cljy��subed,
Secretary
PROGRESS REPORT ON READING WATER SUPPLY STUDY
Existing System
The Town of Reading obtains its water supply from
groundwater sources located in the northwest section of
the Town. The sources consist of two well fields known
as (1. The Hundred Acre Well Field and (2. The Revay Well
Field. Water from the hundred acre wells is treated at the
100 Acres Water Purification Plant for the removal of iron -
and manganese before being pumped into the distribution system.
The Revay Wells have been pumping water directly into the
-
system but are presently being converted to pump water to
the 100 Acres Plant for iron and manganese removal prior
to entering the system.
Basic data relative to the existing supplies is as
follows:
Pumping capacities
Supply Mil. Gals./bay
Hundred Acre Well Field
Hundred Acre Well #2
Hundred Acre Well #3
Tubular Well 1.44*
B-Line 1.50
Hundred Acre Well #13 1.00
Hundred Acre Well #15 1.08
Hundred Acre Well #66-8 0.72
Subtotal 5,74
*Capacity of the Hundred Acre Well #2, #3, and the tubular well. `
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WESTON&SAMPSON
Reyay Well Field
Revay Well #1 0.86
Revay Well #2 0_36
Subtotal 1. 22
Total Supply 6.69
The Hundred Acre Water Purification Plant was
originally constructed in 1935-36 for iron removal. The
design flow was 1.75 million gallons per day (mgd) and
treatment consisted of spray aerators, coke contact aerators ',
and slow sand filtration. The plant was expanded in 1962
to handle an average daily flow of 3.0 mgd and the treatment
process renovated to consist of spray aeration, flocculation,
sedimentation, rapid sand filtration and a 155,000 gallon
clear well. In 1967, a new. clear well with a capacity of
500,000 gallons was added and in 1971, sludge removing
equipment was added to the sedimentation operation.
Chemicals added for treatment are ferric chloride for
coagulation, caustic soda for pH adjustment and chlorine gas
for oxidation of iron and disinfection. Sodium fluoride
is added to the water for purposes of dental protection.
The plant runs 8 to 24 hours, depending on the demand
lkin the system. Presently, the plant operates at an average
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WESTON&SAMPSON
daily flow of around 4.5 mgd with a maximum day flow of up to
5 mgd.
It is pointed out that the recommended limits for iron
and manganese are 0.3 mg/1 and 0.05 mg/1 respectively.
Results of analysis indicate that when the plant is
operated at rates above the design rate (3.0 mgd) ,
the concentrations of iron and manganese remaining in the
treated water exceed the above recommended limits. Although
iron and manganese constituents are directly related to the
aesthetic significance of a water supply rather than the
health significance, concentrations of these constituents
exceeding the recommended limits can be a nuisance inasmuch
as they can cause stainingof clothes and plumbing fixtures,
create colored water compa�ints and, through deposition,
decrease the carrying capacity of mains.
In addition to the iron and manganese problems,
water entering the Reading distribution system contains
a concentration of sodium which exceeds the recommended
limit of 20 mg/1. Unlike iron and manganese, sodium has
a direct health significance to those customers who suffer
from a heart condition. The concentration of sodium from -
3 WESTON&SAMPSON
the Revay Wells has ranged from 30 to 100 mg/1. Such
concentration, no doubt, is the result of stock piling of
road salt by the Massachusetts Highway Department some 2000
ft. upstream of the Revay Wells. The concentration of sodium
from the 100 Acre Well Field is on the order of 20 mg/l. However,
after treatment for iron and manganese removal, the sodium
concentration is increased to around 40 to 50 mg/l. This
increase in sodium concentration during the treatment process
can be attributed to the high '(80 mg/1)dosage of caustic
t^ soda required during treatment to remove the iron and manganese.
The removal of iron and manganeseto acceptable' levels bye,
water treatment is generally accomplished by converting
soluble ferrous and manganous compounds tc insoluble ferric
and manganic compounds through use of oxidizing agents.
The oxygeneration rate for iron is most efficient when the
pH of the water is between 7 to 9. However, the oxygeneration
rate for manganese is most efficient with a pH range of 8 to 9.
Unforturnately the natural pH of the water coming into the
plant is on the order of 6.6 and contains a carbon dioxide
content of around 80 mg/l. Although the aerators reduce the
CO2 content to 40 mg/l, the CO2 acts as a buffer resultin in
4 WESTON&SAMPSON
a large dosage of caustic soda needed to raise the pH of the water
to a level where efficient oxygeneration of the iron and
manganese can take place. Because caustic soda contains .by
weight 58 percent sodium, it becomes obvious as to the
cause for the sodium increase during the treatment process.
Population
The past population of Reading as reported by the U.S.
Census Bureau is as follows:
YEAR POPULATION
1900 4, 969
1910 5, 818 ,
1920 7,439
1930 8,693
1940 10,866
1950 14,006
1960 _ 19, 259
1970 22,539
1975* 23,696
As indicated by the above figures, the population in
Reading during the twenty year period from 1940 to 1960
almost doubled (average annual rate equal to about 4%) .
This increase reflects, no doubt, the overall population
boom subsequent to World War II, and the continued
general migration of people towards the Route 128 belt,
*From the Massachusetts Decennial Census
5 WESTON&SAMPSON
seeking industrial jobs. During the ten year period from
1960 to 1970, the rate of growth in population decreased to
about 2% per year. The 1975 population of 23,696 from the
State decennial census shows a continued decline in growth
rate during the last five years to about one percent per year.
This decline in growth rate during the last fifteen years
could be attributed to the relationship between population
growth and the availability of developable land. In general,
as buildable land within a community is developed, the population
growth within that community begins to decline. It is also
reasonable to assume that the general trend towards
smaller families, especially during these past few years,
has contributed to this decline in population growth.
In view of the above, our projections of future population
for the Town of Reading to the year 2020 are .shown below.
ESTIMATED POPULATION
YEAR Maximum Minimum
1977 23, 900 23,700
1980 25,400 24, 800
1990 29, 100 27,000
2000 32, 100 29, 200
2010 33,400 30,600
2020 33, 800 30,900
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WESTON&SAMPSON
The above projections are based on present zoning require-
ments and the avAilability of developable land as indicated
by zoning maps. Based on this data, it appears that
saturation population for the Town would be on the order of
45,000 to 50, 000 people. Of course, when this saturation
population will occur is difficult to predict, as there are
many factors which could alter any preciction. However, based
on population growth rates that have occured during the
past few years, it is reasonable to assume that saturation
population would not occur until into the middle of the
next century. On Figure 1, we have shown graphically past
populations together with our projection of future populations.
Various population projections through the turn of the
century were made for the Town during the sixties and
early seventies. Such projections are much higher than ours
and no doubt reflect the much higher growth rates that were
experienced during the forties and fifties. For comparison,
the population projections developed by other reports have
also been shown on Figure 1.
7 WESTON&SAMPSON
45
42
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INIMUM
27
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1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
YEAR
FIG. I POPULATION PROJECTIONS
Per Capita Usage
Based on Town records, the total average day water con-
sumption for the seventeen year period, 1960 to 1976, is
shown below:
Total Water Total Water
Year Consumption, mqd Year Consumption, mqd
1960 1.43 1969 2. 22
1961 1.67 1970 2.34
1962 1.67 1971 2.69
1963 1.84 1972 2.76
- 1964 2.07 1973 2.91
1965 2.04 1974 2.69
1966 2.01 1975 3. 26
1967 2.09 1976 2.85
1968 2. 18
Total consumption includes domestic, commercial and in-
dustrial usage together with unaccounted for water.
in determing past per capita usage, industrial usage
has been separated from the total. Because industrial usage
is not directly related to the population within a town,
as is domestic and other usages, it is our opinion that
such usage should be analyzed separately. Although the
Town does not have any records that wouldXndicate the exact
industrial usage, a 1972 analyses of billings by the Public
Works Department indicated that approximately 9 percent of
isthe total consumption could be attributed to industrial usage.
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WESTON&SAMPSON
Based on Public Works Department officials knowledge of industrial
development in Reading during thelast seventeen years, it is
reasonable to assume that the relationAp between total and
industrial usage has not changed significantly during this
period.
To compute past per capita usage shown below, the total
usage minus industrial usage is divided by the estimated
population served. For this tabulation, the population
served is considered as 100% of the total population.
WATER CONSUMPTION, MGD
AWL
Population Per Capita
Year Total Industrial Residential Served (est. ) Usage
1960 1.43 0.13 1.30 19, 259 68
1961 1.67 0.15 1.52 19,600 78
1962 1.67 0.15 1.52 20,000 76
1963 1.84 0.17 1.67 20,400 82
1964 2.07 0.19 1.88 20, 800 90
1965 2.04 0.18 1.86 21, 188 88
1966 2.01 0.18 1.83 21, 500 85
1967 2.09 0.19 1.90 21,700 88
1968 2.18 0.20 1.98 22,000 90
1969 2.22 0. 20 2.02 22,300 91
1970 2.34 0.21 2.13 22,539 95
1971 2.69 0.24 - 2.45 22,800 107
1072 2.76 0.25 2.51 23,000 109
1973 2.91 0.26 2.65 23, 200 114
1974 2.69 0.24 2.45 23, 500 104
1975 3. 26 0. 29 2.97 23,696 125
1976 2.85 0. 26 2.59 23,900 108
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W ESTON&SAMPSON
r
The above tabulation demostrates a definite increase in
per capita usage during the last seventeen years from 68
gcd in 1960 up to 125 gcd in 1975. Since 1970, the average
annual per capita usage has been on the order of 109 gcd.
Various authorities indicate that the tendency in
the United States has been for per capita water use to
increase at a rate of about 2% per year. This increase
in demand for water is due, to a large degree, to the
greater use of water consuming household applicances, more �.
extensive plumbing, the increase in the acreage of new lawns,
the growth trend toward the construction of multi-bath
homes and swimming pools, and a greater overall use of water.
The increase in per capita water use will level off as the
use of additional large water-consuming appliances becomes
stabilized.
i
Using the above analyses and the average per capita
usage of 109 gcd would result in an annual per capita water
increase of about 2 gcd. From 1960 to 1976 the per capita
usage has increased at an annual average rate of about 2.3 gcd.
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WESTON&SAMPSON
In our projections of water usage, we have started with a
per capita usage of 109 gcd in 1977 and increased this usage
by 2 gcd until 1990. To allow for sane leveling off in
water use during the period from 1990 to 2000, the annual
rate of increase in per capita usage has been reduced to 1
gpcd. After the year 2000, the annual rate has arbitrarily
been reduced to 1/2 gpcd.
The relationship of industrial usage to total usage
has been estimated at 9 percent. various studies on
industrial water usage have determined that such usage can
range anywhere from as little as 500 gpd per acre for the
so-called dry industries to well over 5,000 gpd per acre for
wet industries. In view of this together with the availability
of land zoned for industrial development, as indicated by present
zoning maps, it is our opinion that a relationship of
i
industrial usage to total usage equal to 10 percent would
not be unreasonable for Reading through the turn of the
century.
Future Average Daily Usage
Based on the previously developed future population
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WESTON&SAMPSON
to be served, per capita and industrial usage, our esti-
mates of average daily water usage are as follows:
Population Per Capita Average Daily Usage, mqd
Year Served Usage (qcd) Residential Industrial Total
1977 23, 900 109 2.6 .3 2.9
1980 25,400 115 2.9 .3 3.2
1985 27,400 125 3.4 .3 3.7
1990 29, 100 135 3.9 .4 4.3
2000 32, 100 145 4.6 .4 5.0
2010 33,400 150 5.0 .5 5.5
Maximum One-Day Demand
Maximum one-day demand is the highest 24-hour demand
during the year and is commonly expressed as a percentage
of the daily usage. This is particularly important for a
town such as Reading where supply is from well sources.
Unlike a reservoir, a well has no storage capacity from
which higher yields can be withdrawn for purposes of meeting
these short term demands.
Records for the last seventeen years, as shown below
indicate that the maximum one-day demand has varied from
151 percent to 216 percent over the average daily usage
for the same period.
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WESTON&SAMPSON
Average Day Maximum Day
Year Demand, mqd Demand, mqd Ratio
1960 1.43 3.09 216
1961 1.67 3.19 191
1962 1.67 3.37 202
1963 1.84 3.86 210
1964 2.07 3.39 164
1965 2.04 3.63 178
1966 2.01 2.95 147
1967 2.09 4.03 193
1968_ - 2.18 3.52 161
1969 2.22 3.91 176
1970 2.34 3.91 167
1971 2.69 4.55 169
1972 2.76 4.12 151
1973 2.91 4.82 166
1974 2.69 4.30 160
1975 3. 26 4.91 148
1976 2.85 4.97 174
Based on these figures, the average ratio between
maximum and average day demands is 172 percent. To provide
somewhat of a conservative estimate, a maximum average
daily usage of 200 percent was used. This ratio has only
been exceeded three times in the past seventeen years and
not once in the past ten years. Based on such a ratio, the
estimated future maximum and minimum day usage is shown
below:
Average Day Maximum Day
Year Demand, mqd Demand, mqd
1977 2.9 5.8
1980 3. 2 6.4
1985 3.7 7.4
14 WESTON a SAMPSON
Average Day Maximum Day
Year Demand, mod Demand, mad
1990 4.3 8.6
2000 5.0 10.0
2010 5.5 11.0
Peak Hourly Demands
Peak hourly demands are the highest demands that occurs
during a 24-hour period and generally occurs in conjunction
with the maximum one-day use.
Because peak hourly demands can vary anywhere from j
1.5 to 6 times the maximum day usage, it is our opinion
that such demands should be met from distribution storage
i,
rather than size supply facilities, to meet these demands .
Consequently such demands will be considered when determing
adequate storage capacity for the Town.
9
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W ESTON&SAMPSON