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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-10-10 Board of Public Works Minutes October 10, 1978 Meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16, Municipal Building at 7: 30 P. M. Present were Chairman Dustin, Secretary Price, Board Mem- bers Russell , Cowell and Testa and Superintendent Louanis. It was moved, seconded and voted to accept the minutes of the meeting of October 2nd with correction and to accept the minutes of the meeting of October 5th as written. Meeting adjourned temporarily and the Board met as the Board of Survey reconvening as the Board of Public Works at 7:55 P. M. Read letter from Woodrow W. Baldwin, owner of property at 753 Pearl Street at the corner of Main Street, opposite Mill St. During a heavy rainstorm water flows downhill on Main Street and following the line of least resistance enters Pearl Street, passes in front of Mr. Baldwin' s home and eventually enters an empty lot on the opposite (south) side of the street. Mr. Baldwin would like to see this drainage problem resolved before the State re- surfaces Main Street (Route 28) and requests assistance from the Board. Following considerable discussion, it was moved, seconded and voted to direct the Superintendent to write to Commissioner Carroll of the State Department of Public Works, C. F. Mistretta District 4 Highway Engineer and to Representative Nordberg strongly urging the State to install drainage prior to resurfacing the high- way. The Superintendent was instructed to regrade Pearl Street to prevent surface water from Main Street entering Pearl Street and to include a design for drainage construction in the FY-80 program to take care of the water on Town property and to inform Mr. Bald- win of the Board' s action. Read letter from Wilmington West Associates of Allston, Massachusetts indicating that they have been designated as developer for 25 units of Housing on West Street in Wilmington adjacent to the Reading Town Line. The success of this development depends largely upon the availability of a sewer connection to the existing main in West Street, Reading and the developer requests an opportunity to discuss the situation with the Board. Mr. Cowell moved, it was seconded and voted to invite Wilmington West Associates to the meet- ing on October 26th and the Superintendent, because of the accept- ance of Federal Funds for installing the sewer and pumping station, is to ascertain whether the Town is under obligation to accept the flow of sewage from Wilmington. Read letter from Edmund J. Sheehan of 11 Balsam Road concern- ing flooding at his property. It was moved, seconded and voted to table this item until October 16th and the Superintendent was in- structed to investigate the complaint in the interim. Special Town Meeting recinded funds allocated for the develop- ment of Batchelder Field and in view of this action Superintendent Louanis recommended this property be returned to the control of the Selectmen as the Board is without funds to maintain the area. A lengthy discussion ensued. Mr. Price moved we leave Batchelder Field as it stands and advise 4-H that the Recreation Committee from now on, will schedule all events. There was no second and the motion was withdrawn. Superintendent Louanis suggested that an ad hoc committee be formed, members to be drawn from the following: T Town Meeting Member from each of the 8 Precincts, and 1 member from each of the following, Planning Board, Conserva- tion Commission, Finance Committee, Recreation Committee, School Committee, Board of Public Works and the Board of Selectmen, or a total of 15 members, for the purpose of developing a Park Plan. Mr. Russell suggested that the Board be kept informed by the Superintendent of scheduled activities and requests for assistance in maintaining the field by the 4-H and Mac Pac Horse associates and of any complaints received because of the activities. Mr. Cowell moved, it was seconded and voted to table further discussion until October 16, 1978. Superintendent reviewed the plan of Hopkins Street from Main Street to the Wakefield Town Line received from the Massachusetts State Engineers. Superintendent Louanis indicated that in some areas the roadway will be but 281 wide and that the street was en- ginneered in this manner to save as many trees as possible. It was accepted as a point of information. The Board signed the Bill Roll dated October 13th and the Pay ' Roll for the period ending October 6, 1978. Minutes - continued October 10, 1978 The Board reviewed report on the Olivetti Computer P-203 indicating the several service calls made in an effort to keep the computer in operation in order to complete the water billing that was to have been mailed on October 1 , 1978, The Board re- quested the Superintendent research available alternative methods of issuing the water bills for the Department. The next billing date is January 1 , 1979. Read memorandum from the Superintendent regarding the North- east Solid Waste Resource Recovery Project in North Andover wherein it is stated that only two communities have signed contract with Northeast although several others have evinced an interest. The State has made a decision to take the Amesbury landfill by eminent domain in connection with this project. Mr. Daniels of the Bureau of Solid Waste Disposal indicates that United Oil Products will build a facility but its size will be dictated by the number of participating communities and the cost per ton will , in turn, be governed by the size of the facility, the larger the facility the lower the cost per ton. Mr. Cowell suggested that an effort is being made to bring the matter to a head and obtain committments from various Towns to support the project, and that some considera- tion to a meeting as proposed by Mr. Daniels be held sometime be- tween now and the next Annual Town Meeting as long range planning is needed. It was suggested that members from the Finance Committee the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Health, Town Meeting Members and the Board of Public Works gather at a Public Hearing with December 7th, 1978 proposed as an opportune time. Read letter from William J. Hughes, Jr. , Chairman of the Dedication Committee for the David L. Castine Memorial Field commending the Department on the renovation of the aforementioned field and inviting a member of the Board to be present at the Dedication Ceremony to be conducted on October 14, 1978. Mr. Russell agreed to represent the Board. The Superintendent reported that Sunny Corner Farms had not complied with the approved plan for curb cuts on Main Street and had requested a thirty day trial of the curb cuts as they now exist, with the promise that if the Superintendent was unhappy with the arrangement the curb would be installed in accordance with the plan. Also, the Old Colony Bank curb cut onto Main Street to the north of the property already existed and the Superintendent feels it would be wise to contact the Town Counsel to determine I the best way to enforce the Boards will regarding access and entrance to Main Street in both cases. Meeting adjourned at 10:00 P. M. R ectfully Abmitted, ecretary I PAUL C. DUSTIN. CW . OFFICE OF JOAN W. PRICE. S..tm TOWN OF READING JORN R. RUSSELL DOUGLAS A. COWLLL BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS DAVID L. TMITA R. ROGER WUAMS. SYV.H.tm t MUNICIPAL BUILDING READING. MASS. 01897 MASSACHUSETTS COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss. The undersigned, Board of Public Works of the Town of Reading, in compliance with the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 80, as amended by Chapter 63 of the Acts of 1933, hereby Certify that the lists herewith con- tain the names of persons against whom we have made better- ment assessments together with the location of the land benefited by the improvement and the nature and amount of such betterment assessment. Sewer Frontage Supplemental $1 ,800.00 -, Sewer House Connection Supplemental 1 . 193.50 Total $2,993.50 Such list is certified to you for the purpose of committing the same to the Tax Collector, as provided by law. WITNESS our hands this twenty '.six : day of October A.D. 1978. See Committment Sheet For List es