HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-01-23 Board of Public Works Minutes January 23, 1978
Meeting of the Board of Public Works opened in Room 16,
Municipal Building at 7:30 P. M.
Present were Chairman Dustin, Secretary Price, Board Mem-
bers Blood, Russell and Cowell , Superintendent Louanis, Assistant
Superintendent Bergeron and Finance Committee Member Carl Beaulieu.
The Solid Waste Sub-Committee, i .e. Mr. Dustin, Mr. Cowell
and Mr. Price together with Superintendent Louanis agreed to
meet Thursday, January 26, 1978 at 7:30 P.M. in Room 16.
Mr. Price read Notice of Public Hearing regarding acceptance
of Track Road as a public way under the Betterment Act. Eleven
property owners attended the Preliminary Hearing. Chairman Dustin
introduced the members of the Board and the Superintendent and
indicated to those in attendance that another Hearing will take
place if the vote taken at this time indicates that the property
owners are in favor of the Town accepting Track Road as a public
' way. Assistant Superintendent Bergeron indicated that the Hear-
ing concerned the portion of Track Road between Line Road and
Harvest Road on the easterly side of Harvest. Following a ques-
tion and answer period Chairman Dustin indicated that questions
concerning individual lots could be answered by the Engineering
Division in Room 19. It was moved, seconded and voted to close
the Hearing.
Superintendent Louanis advised the Board that during the
past year the Department had negotiated sewer easements in
several locations and it was agreed that sewer frontage assess-
ments would be abated when placed against the properties involved.
In conjunction with this it was moved, seconded and voted to
abate the following:
Bill No. Name and Address Plat Lot Assessment
145 Emillo A. Guttadauro
1369 Main Street 225 27 480.00
112 Arthur and Mary Polychrones
30 Collins Avenue 223 20 592.36
153 Max and Joseph Sandler
25 Harnden Street 225 31 527.04
Superintendent Louanis indicated on a plan the proposed
location of a driveway entrance and exit on Ash Street re-
quested by Sambo's Restaurant. The Engineering Division ,
approved the layout with the exception of the curb, suggesting
that any curbing done within the right-of-way of Ash Street be
vertical granite type V and have a cross-section of at least
5-inches minimum width and thickness throughout and 17-inches
minimum depth and conform to the standard cross section. Too,
it is suggested that no signs be allowed on the Town 's side-
walk area and curbing not extend across the sidewalk area. It
was moved, seconded and voted to grant permission for the curb
subject to the modifications as outlined by the Engineering
Division.
The Superintendent read a memorandum that the Board of
Health wishes to have published in the Reading Chronicle con-
cerning sodium level in Reading 's drinking water. After con-
siderable discussion as to how this should be handled relative
to the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act it was agreed ,
that the Superintendent should look into the proper form for the
Board of Public Works to notify the public and to inform the
Reading Board of Health of these requirements. It was agreed
the Board of Public Works has no objections to the Board of
Health publishing its notice of the sodium level in the Reading
water if it so desires. It was further agreed the Chairman
would meet with the Board of Health on Tuesday January 31 to
explain the Board's position.
The Department has been successful in opening all the
streets and clearing the square as a result of the severe
snow storm that occurred on January 20 and 21st. However,
the task of opening sidewalks for the school children remains.
The Board reviewed the proposed sidewalk plow routes as prepared
by Assistant Superintendent McIntire with the aid of Ronald
Winslow, Assistant Superintendent of the School Department.
A lengthy discussion ensued and the Board determined the side- '
walks on the following streets be plowed: Haverhill , Lowell ,
West, Willow, Sale, , Woburn and Forest. Once this is done the I
Minutes — continued January 23, 1978
1� the Board directed Mr. McIntire to proceed with the plow route
in the following order:
Woburn Street School area
Highland School area
Barrows School area
Pearl Street School area
Killam School area
Birch Meadow School area
Joshua Eaton School area
Main Street as outlined
The Board discussed the recent storm and the funds that
will be required to cover the expenses incurred as a result
of the storm. It was moved, seconded and voted to ask the
Finance Committee for a Transfer of Funds in the amount of
$50,000.00 to cover the cost of this storm and if necessary
to go back for further funds when the need arises.
The Board approved the following for publication in the
local newspaper:
"The Board of Public Works wishes to thank the citizens for
their cooperation and understanding during the recent abnormally
high snow fall .
The Board would also like to offer the following suggestions
to help each citizen deal with the heavy snow fall in a more
efficient manner:
1 . Whenever you are shovelling, do so at a moderate rate
whether your physical condition is excellent or not.
2. Shovel your driveway from your garage out to the edge
of the sidewalk and wait until plowing operations have
ceased before completing the driveway. This will prevent
additional snow from being pushed into the driveway and
therefore it will be necessary for you to shovel it but
once.
3. Do not shovel snow into the public way or sidewalk area.
This snow will only be pushed back into your driveway
when the plow returns.
4. For those citizens hiring private plows to plow driveways
instruct them not to push the snow out into the public
way for this is a violation of the Town By—Law.
5. Telephone calls to the Department of Public Works are
welcome, but please remember your call is only one and
5, the Department is receiving hundreds. Therefore, call
only when you have an emergency situation. ,
6. The citizens are also reminded of the Town of Reading
Zoning By—Laws, Article 14, Section 4, which states : 1J
"No person shall move or remove snow or ice from
private lands upon any public street, sidewalk or common
land of the Town in such a manner as to obstruct or
impede the free passage of vehicular or pedestrian
traffic upon the street sidewalk or common land of
the Town unless he has first obtained a permit therefor
issued by the Board of Public Works. Any citizen fail—
ing to comply with this By—Law will be prosecuted.
7. Cooperation by the citizens is requested relative to
shovelling out hydrants near their homes."
The Board signed the Pay Roll for the period ending
January 20th and the Bill Roll dated January 27, 1978.
Meeting adjourned at 10: 15 P.M.
PAppectfully submitted,
VO go/W
ecretary