HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-03-26 Board of Public Works Minutes March 26, 1979
' Meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in the audi-
torium of the Community Center at 7:30 P. M.
Present were Chairman Dustin, Secretary Price, Board Members
Russell , Cowell and Testa and Superintendent Louanis, Assistant
Superintendent Bergeron and William Redford of the Engineering
Division. The Finance Committee was represented by Jose Canto,
Paul Metcalf and Gail Wood.
It was moved, seconded and voted to accept the minutes of
the meeting of March 19th as written.
The Board reviewed and approved with: fiinor changes and addi-
tions the Superintendent' s Report and the Report of the Board of
Public Works to be published in the Annual Report. (copy appended
hereto) .
Secretary Price read notice of public hearing regarding in-
crease in the water and sewer rates to become effective on April 1 ,
1979. Copy of the notice which was advertised in the Reading
Chronicle and posted in three places is attached. Seven people
attended the hearing. Chairman Dustin greeted those who attended _
and stated it was the desire of the Board to acquaint everyone with
the reasons why the increase in the rates is necessary and then
turned the meeting over to Assistant Superintendent Bergeron who
stated:
"The Board of public Works, acting as. the:Water Commissioners
for the Town of Reading have the authority to establish just and
equitable prices and rates for the use thereof and shall prescribe
the time and manner and payment of such price and rates under Sec-
tion 39a of Chapter 40 of Massachusetts General Laws. Under Section
395 of Chapter 40 of. M.G.L.
"The income of the water works shall be appropriate to defray
all operating expenses, interest charges and payments on the prin-
cipal as they accrue upon any bonds or notes issued for the pur-
pose of a municipal water supply. The last rate change went into
effect on April 1 , 1976 and at the present time does not provide
sufficient funds to provide for the operation of the water depart-
ment. The last rate change went into effect on April 1 , 1976 and
at the present time does not provide sufficient funds to provide
for the operation of the water department. The reason for part
of the deficit is paradoxically due to the conservation measures
installed by General Tire. In 1976 their water bill was approxi-
mately $72,000 - the water cost for this year will be approximately
$16,000 or a net reduction of $56,000 or slightly more than 75% of
the total price a year. The reduction, while resulting in less
water being used and consequently being treated saves the Town money.
However, . the fixed costs do not reduce therefore the Town would
have to adjust its rates to compensate for the anticipated loss
of revenue. ,
"The Water Department income is made up of the following
charges:
I Water Rates 87.24%
II Hydrant rental fee 7.48'/
III Service Pipe Construction 3.860/
IV Service Pipe Maintenance 1 . 10%
V Sprinkler Service Fee 0.30%
VI Drinking Fountains 0.01%
99.99°/
"The new water rates will also provide an additional $100,000
for FY-80 to provide for various upgrading requirements as mandated
by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and to plan for the expan-
sion of the existing water treatment plant to provide for the Town' s
needs.
"The existing water treatment plant is only designed to pro-
vide an average daily capacity of 3.0 MGD and a maximum day demand
of 5.0 MGD. It is projected that the Town' s water needs will be
5.5 MGD for an average and 11 .0 MGD for a maximum by 2010. The exist-
ing treatment plant is currently undersieed to meet maximum daily
demands. The Town has been fortunate, during the last few years
in that a drought condition has not existed but toexpect this con-
dition to exist. for a prolonged period of time is unrealistic.
"The new water rate will increase to $1 .20/100 Ft.3 with a ,
discount of 10% if paid withig 45 days after issuance. The dis-
count amount of $1 .08/100 Ft. will in effect cost 14 per gallon.
The rates may on the surface seem high especially when compared to
other communities because many water departments rely heavily on
the tax rate for the cost of operation. For exa7le, Andover has
recently proposed a rate increase to 83t/100 Ft. to get to the
70% self-funding level . If it were 100% funding as Reading is
the actual cost per 100 Ft. 3 would be $1 . 19/Ft.3.
"It is therefore very difficult to compare water rates in
different communities because most are not 100% self-funding.
The deficitin many communities comes out of the tax rate.
"The rational behind the 10% discount option is simply to
get people to pay on time. In 1978 for example, approximately
$120,600 of the approximate $615,000 in water bills will have to
be collected by tax liens or approximately 19.61% of the department
water rate income. In 1977, there were approximately 1 ,000 sepa-
rate tax liens for the 6,635 meter services billed. Other Towns
with this type of discount system experience a tax lien rate of
something in the order of 6% and they end up actually paying
for the lost interest to the Town. The impact of the inflation,
also has taken its toll on the Water Department Revenue for
rates that were established three years ago. It has become
apparent that the practice of establishing rates for multiple '
years will not be able to be -done with the present inflation
rate.
"The Sewer Rates -. The Board of Public Works, acting as the
Sewer Commissioners also may set the just and equitable prices
and are required by the Environmental Protection Agency to imple-
ment a user charge system as outlined in the Federal Register
35.929-2 General Requirements for all user charge systems.
a) Initial basis for operation and maintenance charges for
the first year of operation, operation and maintenance
charges shall be based upon past experiences for the
existing treatment works or some other method that can
be demonstrated to be appropriate to the level and type
of services provided.
b) Annual review of operation and maintenance charges. The
grantee shall review annually the wastewater contribution
of users and user classes, the total cost of operation
and maintenance of the treatment works, and its approved
user charge system, and annually revise the charges for
users or user charges to accomplish the following.
1 . ) Maintain the proportional distribution of operation
and maintenance costs among users and user classes as
required herein:
2. ) Generate sufficient revenue to pay the total opera-
tion and maintenance costs necessary to the proper
operation and maintenance (includin'g replacement) of
the treatment works: etc.
"The policy before this E.P.A. requirement was that the sewer
rental fee, pay for the M.D.C. charge and provide some additional
money for maintenance but not It the 100% level . The new rate
will increase to $0.60/100 Ft, as based on actual water metered
with a 10% discount if paid within 45 days after issuance. The
discounted amount of $0.54/100 Ft.3 will in effect cost .07C per
gallon.
"Again the rational behind the 10% discount option is simply
to get the people to pay on time. In 1978 approximately $42,000
of the approximate $232,400 income will have to be collected by
tax liens or approximately 18% of the total income. In 1977 approxi-
mately 500 separate tax liens were made for the 4,800 connections
to the sewer system. The sewer rate proposed also shows the im-
pact that inflation has had over the past few years. The costs
also show the impact that servicing the harder areas of the Town
has had. Since 1974 six additional pumping stations have been
added to the three previous ones excluding the Willow Street Station
that was eliminated with the new trunk sewer to Woburn."
The Board answered questions from the floor concerning the
Board' s authority to establish rates and whether or not they were
in keeping with the budget guidelines and what could be done to reduce
costs to keep the rates lower; consideration being given to reduce
the cost for small business and a sliding scale to business in gen-
eral . The Chairman responded that the authority to set rates was
given to the Board under the General Laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and that the Board had checked with the state agency
responsible for rate increases and found that the municipal water
department did not come under their jurisdiction and any costs in-
curred by the Town to produce the water did not come under the
guidelines as there is no profit involved. The matter of a slid-
ing scale for business had been looked at in 1976 and the Board
made a decision to use a uniform rate feeling it was more fair to ,
all involved. One of the effects of this resulted in business re-
ducing their consumption by recycling water which is beneficial to
the Town as a whole. The Superintendent responded to the question
of an average water bill to the individual who had a high bill
suggesting there was no such thing as an average bill but his bill
was exceptionally high and suggested he call the office to see if
there was somethingthat could be determined as to why such was the
case. Mr. Metcalf of the Finance Committee stated the proposed in-
crease was brought up at Town Meeting saying it was said at that
time the rates would have to be increased to take care of increas-
ing costs. Mr. Price moved, it was seconded and voted to close
the hearing.
The Board returned to the Town Hall , Room 16, where the meet-
ing resumed as a meeting of the Board of Survey and reconvened at
8:30 P.M.
At the request of Mr. Symes, developer of lots on Parkview
Road, the Board signed a second copy of Release of Restrictions as
there was an error of omission on the original copy.
Letter from the Board of Selectmen stating: "That the tree
removal on the Hopkins Street project be left to the discretion of
the Board of Public Works and that the Selectmen ask that any tree
removal be done only to meet the minimum State requirements, and
that wherever possible trees are to be saved. They further ask
that if placing a sidewalk on only one side of the street meets
the minimum state requirement that this be done if trees can be
saved." This was accepted as a point of information.
Read letter from Barbara Taylor directed to the Board of
Selectmen requesting permission to use Batchelder Field for the
purpose of a mini. fair. Following a brief discussion it was moved,
seconded and voted to grant permission subject to the following
conditions:
1 . No alcoholic beverages be served within the area
2. The area be policed and properly cleaned at the conclu-
sion of the event
3. Proper liability insurance be obtained
J
Minutes - continued March 26, 1979
It was moved, seconded and voted to sign commitment letter
covering sewer house connection (letter attached) and assess better-
ments accordingly.
Letter from the Metropolitan District Commission concerning
User Charge indicating that correspondence should be directed to
George D. Gallagher, Industrial Cost Recovery Study was accepted
as a point of information.
Bids for Street Sweeping were received on March 22d and the
contract was awarded to Barrington Company, Inc. , 131 Hartwell
Avenue, Lexington, Ma. the low and only bidder for 300 hours at
$24.95, total cost not to exceed $7,485.00-.
The Board signed the Pay Roll for the period ending March
23d and the Bill Roll dated March 30, 1979.
Meeting adjourned at 10:00 P.M.
R pect/f�u�ljl/yy ssubmi tted,
ecretary
PAUL C DUSTIN, CAatrma
OFFICE OF JOHN W. PRICE, Semetary
TOWN OF READING JOHN R. RUSSELL
DOUGLAS A. COWELL
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS DAVID L. TESTA
^ Y E. ROGER LOUAMS, Sapvtntende t
MUNICIPAL BUILDING
�Ca READING, MASS. 01667
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.
i
� Sewer House Connection Betterment $517.44
/ 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 second day of April
A.D. 1979. j
I..
See Committment Sheet
For List
es
PAUL C. DUSTIN, CAabmn
OFFICE OF JOHN W. PRICE. Sm W,
TOWN OF READING JOHN H. RUSSELL
DOUGLAS A. COWELL
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS DAVID L. TESTA
t E. ROGER LOUAMS. Supe non t
'e MUNICIPAL BUILDING
� READING, MARS. OIH!]
.rr^�
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 named 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 House Connection Betterment $323.40
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 ninth day of April A.D.
1979•
See Commitment Sheet
For List
w
as
I
May Town Meeting
1979
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss. Town of Reading
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS ON THE LAYING OUT OF
C STREET
The Board of Public Works of the Town of Reading having de-
termined and adjudged that common convenience and necessity re-
quire the laying out of a town way under the provisions of law
authorizing the assessment of betterments, substantially in the
location hereinafter described, having complied with all require-
ments of law relating to notice to the owners of land thereof and
of a hearing thereon, and having met at the time and place appoint-
ed for such hearing and then and there heard all persons present
who desired to be heard, have laid out as a town way for the use
of the Town running in an easterly direction from Libby Avenue
a public way, substantially as and in the location of a private
way known as C Street. The boundaries and measurements of said
way as so laid out are as follows:
Beginning at a point on the easterly sideline of Libby
Avenue;
Thence N 760-23'-40" E, a distance of 368.65 feet to a
point;
Thence turning and running S 120-12'-10" W, a distance
of 44.43 feet to a point;
Thence Turning and running S 760-23'-40" W, a distance of
349. 31 feet to a point;
Thence turning and running N 130-361-20" W, a distance of
40.00 feet to the point of beginning of this description.
The above described lines being more fully described on a plan
entitled "Street Acceptance Plan - C Street", dated December 1978,
E. Roger Louanis, Superintendent, said plan being a part of this
description.
We determine that no damages will be sustained by any person
or persons in their property by reason B the taking to be made
for this improvement. All acts in connection with said laying
out are done under the provision of law authorizing the assessment
of betterments, and betterments are to be assessed therefor.
This laying out so made by us we hereby report to the Town ,
for acceptance and recommend that the said way shall thereafter
be known as a public town way and named C Street and that the
sum of fourteen thousand eight hundred ($14,800.00) dollars be
raised from the tax levy and appropriated for construction of
said way.
Chairman
/[�v - Secretary
May Town Meeting
1979
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss Town of Reading
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS ON THE LAYING OUT OF
COUNTRYSIDE LANE EXTENSION
The Board of Public Works of the Town of Reading having deter-
mined and adjudged that common convenience and necessity require
the laying out of a town way under the provisions of law authorizing
the assessment of betterments, substantially in the location herein-
after described, having complied with all requirements of law rela-
ting to notice to the owners of land thereof and of a hearing thereon
and having met at the time and place appointed for such hearing and
then and there heard all persons present who desired to be heard,
have laid out as a town way for the use of the town running in an
easterly direction from Countryside Lane, a public way, substantially
as And in the location of a private way known as Countryside Lane Ex-
tension. The boundaries and measurements of said way as so laid out
are as follows:
Beginning at a point on the northerly sideline of Country-
side Lane;
Thence by a curved line to the left, having a radius of
25.00 feet, a distance of 21 .03 feet to a point, said point
being a point of tangency;
Thence by a curved line to the right, having a radius of
50.00 feet, a distance of 241 . 19 feet to a point, said point
being a point of tangency;
Thence by a curved line to the left, having a radius of
25.00 feet, a distance of 21 .03 to a point, said point being on
the southerly sideline of Countryside Lane;
Thence S 790-39'-30" E, a distance of 35.20 feet along the
southerly sideline of Countryside Lane to a point;
Thence by a curved line to the left, having a radius of
50.00 feet, a distance of 52.36 feet to a point;
Thence N 790-39'-30" W, a distance of 35.20 feet along
the northerly sideline of Countryside Lane to a point, said
point being the point of beginning.
' The above described lines being more fully described on a plan
entitled "Street Acceptance Plan - Countryside Lane Extension",
dated December 1978, E. Roger Louanis, Superintendent, said plan be-
ing a part of this description.
We determine that no damages will be sustained by any person
or persons in their property by reason of the taking to be made '
for this improvement. All acts in connection with said laying
out are done under the provision of law authorizing the assess-
ment of betterments, and betterments are to be assessed therefor.
This laying out so made by us we hereby report to the Town
for acceptance and recommend that the said way shall thereafter
be known as a public town way and named Countryside Lane Extension
and that the sum of three hundred fifty-eight dollars and fifty-
nine cents ($358.59) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated
for construction of said way.
Chairman
Secretary
May Town Meeting
1979
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss Town of Reading
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS ON THE LAYING OUT OF
COUNTY ROAD EXTENSION
The Board of Public Works of the Town of Reading having deter-
mined and adjudged that common convenience and necessity require
the laying out of a town way under the provisions of law authoriz-
ing the assessment of betterments, substantially in the location
hereinafter described, having complied with all requirements of
law relating to notice to the owners of land thereof and of a hear-
ing thereon, and having met at the time and place appointed for such
hearing and then and there heard all persons present who desired to
be heard, have laid out as a town way for the use of the town running
in a northerly direction from County Road, a public way, substanti-
ally as and in the location of a private way known as County Road
Extension. The boundaries and measurements of said way as so laid
out are as follows:
Beginning at a point, said point being the northerly
terminus of the westerly sideline of the March 19, 1934 County
Road acceptance;
Thence N 140-141-50" W, a distance of 95.65 feet to a
point, said point being a point of curvature;
Thence by a curved line to the left, having a radius of
30.00 feet, a distance of 26.87 feet to a point, said point
being a point of tangency;
Thence by a curved line to the right having a radius of
50.00 feet, a distance of 246.64 feet to a point, said point
being a point of tangency;
Thence by a curved line to the left, having a radius of
30.00 feet, a distance of 26.87 feet to a point, said point
being a point of tangency;
Thence S 140-14'-50" E, a distance of 95.65 feet to a
point, said point being on the easterly sideline of County
Road;
Thence S 750-45'-10" W, a distance of 40.00 feet to a
point, said point being the point of beginning.
The above described lines being more fully described on a plan
entitled "Street Acceptance Plan - County Road Extension," dated
December 1978, E. Roger Louanis, Superintendent, said plan being
a part of this description. ,
We determine that no damages will be sustained by any person
or persons in their property by reason of the taking to be made
for this improvement. All acts in connection with said laying
out are done under the provision of law authorizing the assessment
of betterments, and betterments are to be assessed therefor.
This laying out so made by us, we hereby report to the Town
for acceptance and recommend that the said way shall thereafter be
known as a public town way and named County Road Extension and that
the sum of Four Hundred Sixty-eight Dollars and Seventy-eight Cents
($468.78) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated for the con-
struction of said way.
Chairman
Secretary
I
May Town Meeting
1979
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss. Town of Reading
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS ON THE LAYING OUT OF
PASTURE ROAD
The Board of Public Works of the Town of Reading having de-
termined and adjudged that common convenience and necessity re-
quire the laying out of a town way under the provisions of law
authorizing the assessment of betterments, substantially in the
location hereinafter described, having complied with all require-
ments of law relating to notice to the owners of land thereof and
of a hearing thereon, and having met at the time and place appoint-
ed for such hearing and then and there heard all persons present
who desired to be heard, have laid out as a town way for the use
of the Town running in a southeasterly direction from Franklin
Street a public way, substantially as and in the location of a
private way known as Pasture Road. The boundaries and measurements
of said way as so laid out are as follows:
Beginning at a point on the southeasterly sideline of
Franklin Street;
Thence by a curved line to the right, having a radius
of 30.00 feet, a distance of 47. 12 feet to a point, said point
being a point of tangency;
Thence S 520-58'-00" E, a distance of 227.00 feet, to a
point, said point being a point of curvature;
Thence by a curved line to the left, having a radius of
729.05 feet, a distance of 202.67 feet to a point, said
point being a point of tangency;
Thence S 680-53'-4111 E, a distance of 119.50 feet, to a
point, said point being a point of curvature;
Thence by a curved line to the left, having a radius of
702.31 feet, a distance of 139.51 feet, to a point, said point
being a point of tangency;
Thence S 800-161-33" E, a distance of 211 .40 feet to a
point, said point being a point of curvature;
Thence by a curved line to the right, having a radius
of 50.00 feet, a distance of 52.36 feet, to a point, said
point being a point of tangency;
Thence by a curved line to the left, having a radius
of 50.00 feet, a distance of 130.90 feet to a point, said
point being a point of tangency; ,
Thence N 90-43'-27" E, a distance of 50.00 feet, to a
point;
Thence N 800-16'-33" W, a distance of 348.00 feet, to
a point, said point being a point of curvature;
Thence by a curved line to the right, having a radius
of 652.31 feet, a distance of 129.57 feet, to a point, said
point being a point of tangency;
Thence N 680-53'-41 " W, a distance of 119.50 feet to a
point, said point being a point of curvature;
Thence by a curved line to the right, having a radius
of 679.05 feet, a distance of 188.77 feet, to a point, said
point being a point of tangency;
Thence N 520-58'-00" W, a distance of 227.00 feet to a
point, said point being a point of curvature;
Thence by a curved line to the right, having a radius
of 30.00 feet, a distance of 47. 12 feet to a point on the
southeasterly sideline of Franklin street, said point being
a point of tangency;
Thence S 370-02'-00W, a distance of 110.00 feet along
the southeasterly sideline to the point of beginning.
The above described lines being more fully described on a '
plan entitled "Street Acceptance Plan - Pasture Road" , dated
May 1977, E. Roger Louanis, Superintendent, said plan being a
part of this description.
We determine that no damages will be sustained by any person
or persons in their property by reason of the taking to be made
for this improvement. All acts in connection with said laying
out are done under the provision of law authorizing the assessment
of betterments, and betterments are to be assessed therefor.
This laying out so made by us we hereby report to the Town
for acceptance and recommend that the said way shall thereafter
be known as a public town way and named Pasture Road and that the
sum of two thousand two hundred seventy-two dollars and eighty-
eight cents ($2,272.88) be raised from the tax levy and appropriated
for construction of said way. 12
__R112tc Chairman
t Secretary
I
April 2, 1979
Meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16,
Municipal Building at 7:30 P. M.
Present were Chairman Dustin, Secretary Price and Board
Member Testa, Superintendent Louanis, Assistant Superintendent
Bergeron and William Redford of the Engineering Division. The
Finance Committee was represented by Gail Wood.
Mr. Price requested that the minutes of the meeting of
March 26th be tabled until the next meeting.
Superintendent Louanis reviewed bids received on March 19,
1979 for Drain Construction - Contract 79-5. The three low
bidders were as follows:
J. Tropeano . . . . . . . . . . . $ 24,840.50
DiFruscio . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25, 180.35
Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,662.00
The Engineering Division reported that Mr. Tropeano is a repeat
contractor having satisfactorily completed the reconstruction of
Grove Street from Lowell Street to Forest Street in 1975 and pre-
sently working on Francis Drive (Contract 78-5) in a satisfactory
fashion. It was moved, seconded and voted to award Contract 79-5
Drain Construction to J. Tropeano and Sons in the amount of
$24,840.50 subject to the provision that he provide aproper per-
formance bond.
The Board signed Contract 79-2 Sanitary Sewer Main, Sewer
Force Main and Sewer Lift Station as awarded on March 19, 1979
to C. J. Jiustino, Inc.
It was moved, seconded and voted to sign letter for sewer
house connection betterment assessments in the amount of $517.44
and commit same to the Tax Office for collection.
Leonard J. and Dorothea A. Ebert of 23 Spring Street requested
approval to connect a private drain into the Town ' s drainage system
and signed a Waiver of Claim from Damages. The Board viewed a plan
of the proposed drain and following a short discussion it was
moved, seconded and voted to approve the connection provided the
construction work meets with the approval of the Engineering Divi-
sion of the Board of Public Works.
The Superintendent requested that the Board members refer to
his memorandum to the Board concerning the proposed method of
1
selecting a consultant engineer to work on the expansion and
future development of the water treatment plant. Superinten-
dent Louanis reported that the following engineering firms have ,
worked for the Town as consultants in the past ten years, more
or less:
Whitman and Howard, Inc.
Metcalf and Eddy, Inc.
Camp, Dresser and McKee, Inc.
Weston and Sampson Engineers, Inc.
Black and Veatch
I.E. P. ( Interdisciplinary Environmental
Planning) -
Fay, Spofford and Thorndike, Inc.
and he felt that a "Request for Proposal for Consultant Engineers
for Water Treatment Plant Design and Engineering Services" toget-
her with an accompanying letter should be sent to these firms. Mr.
Testa suggested the "Request for Proposal , etc." be advertised in
May and selection of a consultant be made early in June in order
that a contract may be entered into by early July. The Superin-
tendent was instructed to draw up a proposal and prepare a draft
letter for the approval of the Board.
Mr. Price read Notice of Public Hearing at 8:00 P.M. regard- '
ing taking easements for drainage and sewerage purposes in Divi-
dence Road and Emerson Street. Approximately seventeen people
attended the hearing. Superintendent Louanis spoke to those in
attendance explaining that the Town must have an easement in these '
streets in order to install and maintain the sewer main scheduled
in this year ' s contract as each street is a private way. No ob-
jections were raised by the abutters. It was then moved, seconded
and voted to close the hearing. It was moved, seconded and voted to
take the easement for drainage and sewerage purposes in Dividence
Road and Emerson Street and assess betterments accordingly.
The Board met with Mr. Robert Hauser, Jr. , Assistant Direc-
tor of the Bureau of Solid Waste Disposal of the State of Massachu-
setts and his assistant, Jack Daniels to discuss the possibility
of using the 4.4 acre site located on John Street as a possible
transfer station in connection with the Northeast Solid Waste
Resource and Recovery Plan. Mr. Hauser indicated to the Board '
that the Bureau of Solid Waste Disposal had a strong interest in the
site and the building but not the incinerator. It would be in
the interest of the State to negotiate with the Town to acquire
I
The site for said purpose and the State would have two qualified
concerns appraise the site to determine the value to be paid to
the Town and the State would negotiate with the Town as to terms
and conditions of use and access to the site. Mr. Hauser indicated
he was willing to answer all questions regarding the Northeast
Solid Waste Resource and Recovery proposal . After a considerable
question and answer period between the Board and Mr. Hauser the
following items were indicated:
1 . The Bureau of Solid Waste Disposal is definitely interested
in the 4.4 acre site on John Street as a transfer station
whether or not the Northeast Solid Waste disposal proposal is
accepted.
2. The Northeast Solid Waste Committee is not an authority nor
does it have any power except those granted to it by the mem-
ber communities.
3. The Town of Reading should it decide to enter into a contract
for disposal of its solid waste over a twenty (20) year period
will enter into a contract with United Oil Products (UOP) and
not the Northeast Solid Waste Committee.
4. The State of Massachusetts will purchase the site from the
Town of Reading and pay a fair market value to the Town and
negotiate other terms and conditions as may be of import to the
Town of Reading.
5. Mr. Hauser indicated that the State would pay the Town of
Reading tax for the land based on a tax rate of approximately
$66 per thousand which is an average of the tax rate across
the State. The building however, would not be taxable. Mr.
Hauser indicated the State was willing to sit down with the
Town and negotiate terms for acquiring the site as soon as
the Town was able to do so. Chairman Dustin thanked Mr. Hauser
and Mr. Daniels for coming and discussing the problem with the
Board.
The Board signed the Pay Roll for the period ending March 30th,
and the Bill Roll dated April 6, 1979.
Meeting adjourned at 9:50 P.M.
Rectfullmitted,
S1
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