HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-09-12 Board of Public Works Minutes September 12, 1977
Meeting of the Board of Public Works opened at 7:30 P.M. in
Room 16, Municipal Building.
Present were Chairman Dustin, Secretary Price, Board Members
Blood and Russell , Superintendent Louanis and Finance Committee
Member Douglas Cowell .
Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as written.
Read letter from Robert W. FitzGerald requesting the sewer
main on Colonial Drive be extended to service his property at the
corner of Colonial Drive and Brewer Lane. The Superintendent re—
viewed the many alternatives that could be employed to sewer Brewer
Lane and the approximate costs involved with each method. It was
determined that, at this point in time, the most economically
feasible connection could be made by extending the main in Colonial
Drive. It was then moved, seconded and voted to extend the main
in Colonial Drive thereby making the sewer available to the
FitzGerald property.
Members of the Planning Board along with Chairperson Maureen
O'Brien met with the Board briefly. Mrs. O'Brien introduced Mr.
Mayerson who has recently been appointed to fill the newly estab—
lished position of Town Planner. Mr. Mayerson requested that the
Board visit his office in Room 19 of the Community Center whenever
the possibility of a cooperative effort was evident.
Read letter from James R. Campbell requesting that members
of the Stablemates 4—H Horse Group in Reading meet with the Board
in the near future. The Superintendent was directed to write Mr.
Campbell advising him that the Board would be pleased to meet with
him and members of his organization, but prior to setting a date
for such a meeting, would appreciate receiving a written communica—
tion establishing their concerns.
The Board reviewed the Petition and Agreement for a Permanent
Type Sidewalk received from Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Anderson of 10
Wilson Street. The Andersons are having a new driveway installed
and felt it was an opportune time to have a sidewalk constructed.
Following a brief discussion, it was moved, seconded and voted to
allow the construction of a sidewalk by a private contractor and
the Board signed the Petition. ,
Read letter from George M. Richards, General Chairman of the
"1977 Olde Redding Fair Committee", First Congregational Church,
requesting permission to close off and occupy Sanborn Street,
between Lowell and Woburn Streets, on September 24th from 7:00
A.M. to 6:00 P.M. and to occupy the grounds surrounding the
Community Center. It was moved, seconded and voted to grant
permission to the Committee in order that the Church Fair may
be held as usual , subject to the following conditions:
1 . The area be closed off.
2. The area be policed and properly cleaned at the close of the
event.
3. No alcoholic beverages be served in the public way.
4. Proper liability insurance be obtained.
Following a review of the history of the performance of
Ralph Surianello as a Licensed Drain Layer, his failure to obtain
proper permits and disregard for construction specifications it ,
was moved, seconded and voted to revoke Mr. Surianello's license
to install sewer house connections in the Town of Reading and to
notify the agent for the bonding company of the Board's action.
The Superintendent requested that the Board establish a
policy with respect to the Street Acceptance- construction standards.
It was agreed that the Rules and Regulations Governing the Sub-
division of Land adopted by the Board in March 1975 should con-
tinue to apply to all new developments. However, in an instance
concerning an older established area the Board reaffirmed its
policy thereby allowing the construction of a roadway under the
old standards, thus relieving the Town of its portion of the
expense of sidewalks and curbing when abutters request the accept-
ance of a travelled way.
The Board reviewed the operation of the municipal incinerator
and the maintenance costs entailed. The Superintendent stated
that he would like to do some reorganizing of personnel in order ,
that a study could be made of the operation. He stated that he had
considered the possibility of a consultant but felt that Mr. Hall
was extremely well versed in the operation of the incinerator and
Minutes — continued September 12, 1977
' and if he could be relieved of its management for a time and per—
mitted to make the study the Town would gain considerably. The
Superintendent stated he would also like to transfer the rubbish
collection from the incinerator to the Highway Division under the
direction and control of Mr. MacBrien and have Mr. McCauley of the
Engineering Division assume the supervisory role at the Incinerator.
Following a considerable discussion the Board agreed to the plan
as outlined by the Superintendent.
Letter of appreciation from Superintendent John Pacino of
the Recreation Committee for cooperation by the Public Works De—
partment in making their programs possible was accepted as a
point of information.
Read memorandum from Mr. Agnew reminding the Board that
Articles for the November ( 14th) Town Meeting must be in to the
Selectmen by September 26th, and a second memorandum concerning
the rescheduled labor strategy meeting of the 26th of September
' together with comments pertinent to the latter by Assistant
Superintendent McIntire were accepted as points of information.
Read letter from Commissioner John J. Carroll (Office of
Transportation and Construction) stating that under Chapter 356
of the Acts of 1977 $30,329. will be made available to Reading
for Fiscal Years 1978 and 1979 for improvement projects or con—
struction on all approved public ways which qualify under the
State Aid Highway guidelines adopted by the Public Works Commission.
Requests for these funds should be made through the District High—
way Engineer. Funds are also available for bikeways and salt
storage sheds and requests for these funds should be directed
to Commissioner Carroll . Accepted as a point of information.
Mr. Blood retired from the meeting.
Read letter from Charles B. Pease, Chief of the Facilities
Grants Section, United States Environmental Protection Agency advising
the Board that payment of $175,300, will be made on Project C250401-01
in the near future.
The Board reviewed Five Year Summary of Proposed Capital Ex—
penditure Projects according to time of purchase or construction
as prepared by the Superintendent and requested supporting data be
forthcoming from the Superintendent.
Letter from the Conservation Commission outlining the program ,
they intend to initiate directed toward the education of the public
in the area of water conservation and inviting the participation
of the Public Works Department was read with interest.
Robert Zanni 's letter requesting that he be reinstated by the
Board as a Licensed Drain Layer was read and following a discussion
it was moved and seconded that the Board accept his application
and approve him as a Licensed Drain Layer with the provision that
he furnish a Street Opening Bond and pay the standard twenty-five
dollar fee. The vote was two in favor, Mr. Price opposed.
The Board sign the Pay Roll for the period ending September
9th and Bill Roll dated September 16th, 1977.
Meeting adjourned at 10. 10 P.M.
Res ectfull,y submitted
Secretary9/
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