Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-11-06 Board of Public Works Minutes November 6, 1978 1Meeting 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 and Testa and Superintendent Louanis. The Finance Committee was represented by Paul Metcalf and Gail Wood. Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted with correc- tion. It was agreed to table Item No. 3 - Meeting with represen- tative of the Old Colony Bank, until Mr. Cowell arrived. The Board reviewed Petition for Joint Pole Relocation from the N. E. Telephone and Telegraph Company and the Town of Reading Municipal Light Department wherein they request permission to re- locate Pole 19/2 on the Easterly side of Eaton Street approximately six feet northerly of its present location and abandoning the pre- sent pole location. The Superintendent stated that the request was initiated by the property owner at 6 Eaton Street in order 1 that he might have better clearance for his existing driveway. It was moved, seconded and voted to grant permission to the utility companies to move the pole as outlined in the Petition. Mr. Cowell joined the meeting at 7:35 P. M. The Board met with Bernard P. Murphy, Executive Vice President and Treasurer of the Old Colony Bank and Peter Ogren of the firm of Hayes Engineering. Mr. Ogren stated he wished to review the plan and the traffic pattern that would be established once the bank was in operation and request that the Board reconsider its vote of October 2d to deny the curb cut on Main Street at the northerly side of the property. A letter to the Board from Mr. Murphy dated November 6, 1978 was presented to the Board (attached hereto) . The subject of traffic on Main Street was discussed at length. Mr. Ogren stated there were traffic lights on Main Street to the north and south of the bank, the distance between being approximately eight hundred and fifty feet, and he felt that this should slow the traffic down considerably as well as create intermittent breaks in the traffic pattern, thereby allowing safe admittance to the Bank' s proposed entrance. A lengthy discussion ensued. It was moved, and seconded to reconsider the vote of 1 October 2, 1978 regarding the curb cuts. A roll call vote was taken, as follows: John Price - In favor , David Testa - In favor Douglas Cowell - In favor John Russell - In favor Paul Dustin - In favor A further discussion followed with Mr. Russell stating his pre- vious objection was predicated on his concern that there would be a backup of traffic on Main Street and urging that an effort be made by the Bank to direct traffic in from Ash Street. The Superintendent suggested that perhaps the Police Department could post signs prohibiting double parking .along Main Street. It was then moved by Mr. Russell that the curb cuts proposed for the Old Colony Bank as shown on a plan dated June 2, 1976 entitled, "Site Improvement Plan Old Colony Bank, Reading Office, Main Street, Reading, Massachusetts" be approved subject to the following provisions: A. The six (6) items included in the letter from the Old. Colony Bank dated November 6, 1978, listed as follows: 1 . Affix a sign to the building adjacent to the drive-up ' window requesting customers to use the Ash Street en- trance. 2. The word "entrance" to be added in bold letters to the proposed sign at the Ash Street entrance/exit. 3• Brochures to encourage the use of Ash Street as an en- trance be included as statement stuffers. This program would continue for a period of six months and it would be repeated as required. 4. The extensive pre-opening publicity campaign to feature illustrations highlighting the use of Ash Street. 5. Bank employees, couriers and supply and service vehicles will be directed to use Ash Street for entrance and exit. 6. The Bank has designed its property so that the area will be completely enclosed, with gates open only during normal business hours. B. in addition to the items listed under "All it will be necessary to comply with the following: 1 . If the Board of Public Works feels there is a traffic problem on Main Street the Old Colony Bank agrees to close the curb cut. 2. Town Counsel must concur that this action by the Board is a legal one. 3. In addition to the six items in Mr. Murphy' s letter, the Bank shall post two signs, one on each side of the northerly driveway at Main Street indicating the entrance for the driveup window is on Ash Street. Minutes - continued November 6, 1978 4. The Bank shall open both driveup windows in an effort to hasten service thereby lessening the probability of traffic backup on Main Street. 5. A letter shall be forthcoming from the Old Colony Bank containing these stipulations and stating their willingness to comply. The motion was seconded and voted 5-0. Secretary Price read Notice of Public Hearing re preliminary plans for the widening of a section of the travelled way on Pearl Street. Chairman Dustin stated the Board of Public Works had re- ceived a Petition from twenty-five residents of the area request- ing the street be widened and because of that the Board was now holding a Hearing. The Chairman then turned the meeting over to the Superintendent who indicated on a plan how the Engineering Division proposed to widen the curve and improve the sight distance thereby providing the residents with a wider and safer travelled way. The Superintendent indicated it would be. necessary to make a land taking of approximately 476 square feet from the owner of the property at 87 Franklin Street in order to accomplish the improvement to the roadway. A show of hands indicated there were five (5) opposed to the land taking as the owner of the property involved has just recently purchased the property. One resident indicated he felt the Town owned sufficient land at the curve to widen the street without making a taking. The Superintendent stated that as a Highway Engineer he could not recommend to the Board that a widening as suggested by the residents be made, as the area owned by the Town was not suitable to provide the proper slope and site distance. The property owners stated that two way traffic was not possible at one point as the paved area of the street did not permit it and that perhaps for safety reasons the street should be a one way street. The Board informed the resi- dents that they should approach the Board of Selectmen regarding the issue of a one way street and if there are any trees they wished removed they should contact the Tree Warden. It was moved, seconded and voted to close the Hearing. The Superintendent was instructed to have a representative of the Department contact the owner of the property at 87 Franklin Street and ascertain his willingness regarding land taking and to investigate further the possibility 1 of widening within the Town owned land and present the cost of both options to the Board. The Board met with John Gregorio, owner of Greg' s Cleaners, , together with an engineer from the firm of DeFrancesco and Baker Associates, Inc. , 77 Washington Street North, Boston, Mass. 02114 who reviewed Plan L-1 for Greg' s Retail Stores dated November 2, 1978. The engineer indicated that the driveway off Chute Street at the rear of the building will be used for delivery purposes only for the three stores and Hr. Gregorio requests a curb cut for the driveway and permission to connect to the storm drain system as indicated on the plan. Following a brief discussion it was moved, seconded and voted to grant permission for the curb cut on Chute Street as indicated on Plan L-1 and to grant permission as outlined on the same plan to connect to the storm drain system provided the latter work be covered by a proper performance bond. It was moved, seconded and voted to accept letter from Gail Wood as a point of information. It was moved and seconded to proceed with roadway reconstruc- tion of Grove Street from Forest Street to Franklin Street giving ' special attention to the effect on the property on the south side of Grove Street; to the severe drainage problem at Spruce Road and Grove Street; also, investigating the possibility of including side- walks if funds are available at no cost to the abutters; to keep the abutters informed and invite them to an informal meeting prior to construction. It was voted 5-0. It was moved, seconded and voted to proceed with roadway re- construction on Hopkins Street from Main Street westerly to Walnut Street. It was moved, seconded and voted to notify the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that we would like to proceed with the plans as outlined at the meeting of October 30th with reference to Hopkins Street easterly from Main Street (Route 28) to the Wakefield Line informing the State that we are in favor of the sidewalks and pre- fer they be constructed of concrete. Superintendent Louanis reported that on October 30, 1978 it was discovered that the Highway Garage Truck Storage Building and ' Incinerator were broken into sometime between 4:30 P. M. on the 28th and 7:00 A.M. on the 30th and that Detective John Green of Minutes - continued November 6, 1978 the Reading Police Department was investigating the break-in. The total estimated cost for repairs and replacements due to the van- dalism exceeds $6,000.00 and the insurance representative advised the Superintendent that the Town is covered only for a window broken in the survey crew' s Van, this amount being $52.92. The Board directed the Superintendent to put the Selectmen on notice regarding the loss, notifying them of the lack of insurance cover- age, and asking Chairman Smith to contact the insurance company and review the Towns coverage. Mr. Price suggested that some sort of an alarm system be set up at the garage as the breaks are too frequent. Mr. Cowell suggested that if the stolen articles are not recovered the Board petition the Finance Committee for a transfer of funds in order to replace the loss. At the request of the Board, Superintendent Louanis contacted Mr. McSheehy of 14 Harvard Street regarding his septic system and was informed that the cess pool has been pumped out two or three times in the past three or four years. They do have problems with the system during the spring and fall and when they have guests, and because of this would like to be connected to the sanitary sewer system. It was moved, seconded and voted to instruct the Superin- tendent to add the name of George McSheehy, 14 Harvard Street at the bottom of the sewer house connection list and to make the connec- tion at no cost to Mr. McSheehy due to his generosity in giving an easement through his property to the Town. Read letter from C. F. Mistretta, District Highway Engineer for the State Department of Public Works alerting the Board that a public meeting will be held at 7:30 P.M. November 29th in the Auditorium of the Reading Community Center to inform the public of proposed plans for improvements to Route 28 from the Stoneham-Reading Town Line northerly to the North Reading-Andover Town Line. Super- intendent Louanis stated he planned to attend and would call attention to the need for traffic lights at South Street and Summer Avenue where they intersect Main Street and to the drainage situation at Pearl Street (opposite Mill Street) and Main Street. The Board signed the Pay Roll for the period ending November 3, 1978 and the Bill Roll dated November 10, 1978. Meeting adjourned at 10: 50 P. M. ' e e tfully_ s fitted, O1 S cretary ///