HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-04-03 Board of Public Works Minutes April 3, 1978
Meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16,
Municipal Building.
Present were Chairman Dustin, Secretary Price, Board Mem-
bers Blood, Russell and Cowell , Assistant Superintendent-Opera-
tions McIntire, Assistant Superintendent-Engineering Bergeron,
Assistant, Engineer William Redford and Finance Committee Member
Jose Canto.
Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as written.
Chairman Dustin read letter from Gail Woods wherein she
expressed concern for the health standards of the people in the
Eaton Street area because of surcharging and overflowing manholes
in the sewer system. Chairman Dustin assured the residents pre-
sent that the Board of Public Works was well aware of the gravity
of the situation. The Chairman advised those present that the
sewer system suffers from infiltration when the water table is
' high: residents do in fact pump water that accumulates in base-
ments into the sewer system but the Department has no way of
knowing what people do within their homes: the M. D. C. is pump-
ing at its greatest capacity: the Willow Street Interceptor is
expected to be in force in approximately two months thereby re-
lieving the Brook Street Pumping Station of thirty-six percent
of the flow directed to it at this time and it is hoped this
will alleviate the problem in the Eaton and Elm Street area.
The residents directed questions to the Board and it was pointed
out that there was no immediate cure for the problem and the sur-
charging would have to subside before TV cameras could be used to
check the system. Chairman Dustin requested the exact location of
the problems: they are; the intersection of Elm and Eaton; Smith
Avenue at Eaton Street; •and the end of Elm Street. Mr. Russell
requested that Assistant Superintendent McIntire ditch and plate
' the areas to prevent raw sewage from running on the pavement:
continue to chlorinate: check the rear yard at No. 5 Elm Street
owned by Mario Kurowski : check the field that has been flooded
and Richard Morley's property at 84 Eaton Street where flooding
was reported. Nancy Blanchard of 25 Lakeview Avenue volunteered
to be spokesman for the group and the Board agreed to report to
her as events transpired. '
Chairman Dustin reported that in general the Finance Com-
mittee had voted the Board of Public Works Budget as presented.
However, the following cuts were made:
Page 8 Equipment Maintenance $ 270.00 Rounding off
Page 10 Forestry Division 940.00 Expenses
Page 12 Sanitary Landfill & Recycling 6,075.00 Expenses
Page 12 Sanitary Landfill & Recycling 9,3$2.00 Salaries
A discussion ensued and it was suggested that the Board should
respond to the cuts made with regard to the Forestry Division
and the Sanitary Landfill when the Finance Committee meets on
next Tuesday.
The Board agreed to future meetings ds follows:
April 11 , 1978 - Main objective, reorganization of the Board
April 17, 1978 - Discussion of Water System Study and Computer
Data Study
April 24, 1978 - Sewer Hearing for next year 's sewer program, etc.
The Board reviewed the vote received on the request for '
acceptance of Track Road as a public way. It was moved, seconded
and voted to recommend to Town Meeting the acceptance of Track
Road from Harvest Road to the Bridge as a public way and assess
betterments accordingly.
Assistant Superintendent Bergeron indicated on a plan the
location of proposed chain link fencing along the perimeter of
Birch Meadow Park adjacent to land on Woodland Street owned by
Elbridge Grover and Stuart Bowers, estimating that it would cost the
Town approximately $2,600. Following a short discussion it was
moved, seconded and voted to have a fence erected along the two
lots, funds to come from FY-78 funds budgeted for the Birch
Meadow Park area. The vote 4-in favor and 1-opposed. Mr. Blood
requested that a letter be sent to Mr. Grover and Mr. Bowers
advising them of the Board 's action.
Read letter from Maureen T. O'Brien regarding a joint meet-
ing of the Planning Board and the Board of Public Works to dis-
cuss the Planning Board's study of Reading Center. It was
suggested that Mrs. O'Brien be contacted and informed that it
I
Minutes - continued April 3, 1978
' be May or possibly June before such a meeting could take place.
Mr. Price requested that Mr. Dustin read a notice concerning
a meeting of commercial rubbish dealers to be held at 8:00 P.M.
at the Community Center on April 13th. Point of information.
The Board signed the Pay Roll for the period ending March
31st and the Bill Roll dated April 7, 1978.
The Chairman requested that the Board go into Executive
Session for the purpose of discussing labor negotiations not
to reconvene in open session. Roll Call vote was taken as
follows:
Mr. Price - in favor
Mr. Blood - in favor
Mr. Russell - in favor
Mr. Cowell - in favor
Mr. Dustin - in favor
Meeting adjourned at 10:30 P.M.
' R ectfully submitted,
ecretary
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