HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-07-23 Board of Public Works Minutes July 23, 1979
Meeting of .the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16,
Municipal Building at 7:30 P. M.
Present were Chairman Price, Secretary Cowell , Board Mem-
bers Testa, Dellart and Wood, Superintendent Louanis and Assis-
tant Superintendent William Bergeron.
Minutes of the meeting of July 9th were accepted with
correction.
The Board reviewed the Rules and Regulations governing the
use of the Sanitary Landfill Area and memorandum recommending a
fee be charged for the use of the facility. (copy of the Rules
and Regulations and the memorandum appended hereto) Mr. Cowell
requested the words "five gallon cans, oil drums," be stricken
from Number 5 of the Rules and Regulations. A lengthy discussion
ensued and was followed by a motion from Mrs. Wood that, in the
interest of cost savings and in an effort to educate the public
toward this end the solid waste disposal area be open the first
Saturday only during the months of January, February, March,
April , July, August, September and December. It was seconded.
The vote was 2 in favor - 3 opposed. Mrs. Wood then moved that
the Sanitary Landfill Area be open to residents of the Town of
Reading the first and third Saturday of May, June, October and
November as opposed to every Saturday in an effort to reduce
costs. It was seconded: the vote 3 in favor and 2 opposed.
The Sanitary Landfill Area therefore will be open the first and
third Saturday of the month twelve months of the year. Mr. Cowell
indicated that a fee schedule should be established and moved as
follows: a) Residents of the Town, there be no fee; b) Commercial
establishments depositing acceptable materials $50.00 annually and
c) commercial rubbish disposal haulers depositing acceptable
material $150 annually. There was no second. Mr. Testa moved
the matter be tabled until the Superintendent can come up with
some alternatives. Mr. Cowell seconded and it was voted. Super-
intendent Louanis indicated it would be possible to have a fee
schedule prepared for the Board' s review at the meeting of August
6th.
Secretary Cowell read notice of public hearing at 9:00 P. M.
regarding the extension of the sewer main on Chute Street for
the purpose of connecting the residence at No. 45 to the main.
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Cressinger indicated their willingness to '
assume responsibility for the assessment that will be made on
the property in the event the Town extends the main. Their
septic system has been overflowing and the abutters have directed
an expression of displeasure to the Board of Health. Superinten-
dent Louanis indicated that Jiustino, Inc. , the present sewer
contractor, is unwilling to assume this additional work as it is
too remote from the area where he is working and would prove too
costly. Mrs. Wood moved the hearing be closed. It was seconded and
voted. Mr. Cowell moved we extend the sewer main on Chute Street
to a point where it would be possible to connect the residence at
No. 45 and assess betterments accordingly. It was seconded and
voted.
Superintendent Louanis reviewed his memorandum to the Board
(copy attached) concerning the need for reconsideration of the
transportation sharing concept in connection with the disposition
of solid waste. Mrs. Wood suggested the meeting be held on a
week night other than Monday to avoid conflict with other Board
meetings. After a discussion of the problems facing the Board
as outlined in the Superintendent ' s memorandum the Board suggested
the following schedule of hearings to deal with the solid waste
problem prior to the November Town Meeting as follows: (details
of which will be worked out with the Chairman of the Board, the
Boards representative to NESWC and the Superintendent)
09-10-79 A public hearing at which time NESWC will be asked
to make its full presentation to the public.
09-17-79 Meet with Charles George, Resco, C.E.A. , and the
Bureau of Solid Waste to review with them their pro-
posal for reuse of the Municipal Incinerator Site.
10-15-79 Advertised public meeting with NESWC to review legal
aspects of the proposed contract, and
10-29-79 Advertised public hearing to review the available
options to the Town for a solid waste disposal pro-
gram and propose recommendations to the Town Meeting.
Cliff Allen and Ernest Mello appeared before the Board to
express an appeal for a home for Pop Warner Football as they are
no longer able to use the field at Parker Junior High School ,
Considerable discussion ensued and Superintendent Louanis
suggested again as he had four years ago that they approach the
Minutes - continued July 23, 1979
Recreation Committee and find a home ground for their efforts in
working with the youngsters within the Town. It was agreed that
the David Castine Memorial Field would be available for Pop Warner
practice this Fall and in the event the area became unplayable
they could practice at Sturges Park and the lighted softball field
at Birch Meadow. It was also strongly urged that the Pop Warner
Program express their need to the ad hoc committee for parks and
playgrounds. The Superintendent pointed out that the field now
being used for athletic events within the park system are being
scheduled for activities beginning in April and ending in early
November and this leaves no time for any regrowth of the grass
area in the playground and in fact some programs will be over-
lapping one another such as the softball program. The Chairman
requested the Superintendent determine whether or not the soft-
ball program had been extended over last year and report to the
Board.
Read letter from Glenn H. Matthews concerning an article
that appeared in the newspaper entitled "Water Testing Gear on
the Way" . At the request of the Chairman Price a motion was made
to ask the Superintendent to write Mr. Matthews and answer his
questions concerning Reading' s water supply. The motion was
seconded and voted.
Meeting adjourned temporarily and following a meeting of the
Board of Survey reconvened at 11 : 15 P. M.
The Board reviewed correspondence and file on Contract 78-4
Cleaning and Painting Auburn Street Elevated Storage Tank, noting
that the letter from Robert L. Merithew, Inc, indicates that clean-
ing and painting work on the elevated tank is now approximately
85% done in accordance with specifications. Most recent correspon-
dence from Tankco, inc. , dated July 17, 1979 indicates they will
complete the project in no more than ten working days upon notifi-
cation of the date the tank is drained. Since Tank Co. , Inc. is
in receivership, Superintendent Louanis stated he thought the
Board should look to Town Counsel for direction as to which way
to go on this Contract. Mr. Cowell suggested the Superintendent
write to Town Counsel and bring him up-to-date on this issue.
The Board read letter from Albert J. Wall , Superintendent
of Public Works of the City of Woburn directed to the Chairman
of the Board of Selectmen in Reading requesting assistance from
the Town of Reading in furnishing water to Woburn as they have
lost two of their major water supply wells. The Board was unani-
mous in its vote to authorize Chairman Price to sign a letter
committing the Town of Reading to supply 3/4 of a million gallons
of water per day to the City of Woburn at off-peak times.
The Board reviewed letter from the State Department of Public
Works regarding bids received for the reconstruction of Hopkins
Street as follows:
Peter H. Arakelian & Sons, Inc. 156 Main St.
Groveland $115,575.00
J. Tropeano and Sons 43 Vine St.
Andover 116,517.+
A. R. Belli , Inc. et al 271 Nevada St.
Newtonville 117,321 .
Charles Contracting Co. Inc. 75 Rosedale Rd.
Watertown 125,499.
Early and Sons, Inc. 58 So. Kimball
Bradford, 135,748.50
Northeastern Const. Co. Inc. 21 Beaver Ct. ,
Framingham 147,962.00
The State recommended the Board award the contract to the low
bidder Peter H. Arakelian and Son, Inc. of 156 Main Street, Grove-
land, Massachusetts in the amount of $115,575.00. It was moved,
seconded and voted as recommended by the State.
The Board signed the following:
Payroll for the period ending July 20, 1979
Bill Roll dated July 27, 1979 and
Letter to Town Collector committing the following:
Sewer Frontage Betterment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 641 .72
Sewer House Connection Betterment. . . . . . . . . . . . 1 ,679.22
for collection.
Meeting adjourned at 11 :45 P. M.
Respectfully s mmi/tttedo,�/�
Secretary - ( Y
RULES AND REGULATIONS
for the use of the
SANITARY LANDFILL AREA
1 . Until subsequent change, and for the purpose of these rules
and regulations, the Sanitary Landfill Area located on John
Street is limited to Solid Waste generated within the Town
of Reading.
2. Residents of the Town of Reading will show proof of residency
upon request to any Police Officer, or Town Official , or any
employee of the Town supervising the area.
3. Commercial rubbish disposal haulers and commercial establish-
ments may purchase a permit from the Office of the Board of
Public Works and will show said permit upon request to any
Police Officer, Town Official or any emp loyee of the Town
supervising the area and vehicles must be registered from Reading_
4. No permit will be issued to commercial establishments or in-
dependent contractors having their place of business outside
the limits of the Town of Reading.
5. Materials which will be received from the residents of the
Town of Reading are limited to bulk items, residential in
nature, such as household furniture, appliances, tires, pipes,
swing sets, auto parts, lawn mowers, _... r ' G44
larg
drmm , scrap metal , mattresses, plastic, e plastic items
and yard Makings, brush and ashes from stoves and fireplaces
as examples, except for items in section 7 of these rules and
regulations.
6. Materials which will be received from commercial rubbish dis-
posal haulers and commercial establishments are limited to
solid waste generated withL'�he Town of Reading in the normal
operation of their business except for items in section 7 of
these rules and regulations.
7. The Town of Reading reserves the right to reject any materials
which it feels to be detrimental to the operation of the sani-
tary landfill . Materials considered detrimental would include,
but would not be limited to the following: rubbish of a large
bulky nature including tree stumps, rubbish which would occupy
substantial space, rubbish of a highly inflamable nature, rubbish
of a specialized industrial nature, a chemical waste such as
toxic, radioactive or otherwise hazardous material , pathological
waste, chemicals and other materials which cannot legally be
disposed of in properly operated sanitary landfill , liquid waste,
sewage, sludge, septic tank pumpings, or rubbish which would
require special handling.
a Decisions under this section shall be made forthe Board of
Public Works by the Superintendent.
B. Wood from trees and brush shall meet the following requirements:
a) Any stems or limbs two (2) inches in diameter or smaller
shall be considered brush.
b) All brush suitable for chipping will be deposited as direct-
ed in the brush pile.
c) Any stems or limbs larger than two (2) inches in diameter
and not greater than twenty (20) inches in diameter shall
be considered logs and must be cut into lengths no longer
than forty-eight (48) inches or chipped suitable for mulch-
ing purposes.
d) Any stems or limbs larger than twenty (20) inches in dia-
meter shall be cut into lengths no longer than (24) twenty-
four inches.
e) All diseased elm wood shall be placed in a special area in
the sanitary landfill .
9. The Sanitary Landfill Area will be open to commercial rubbish
disposal haulers and commercial establishments Monday through
Friday 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. and 1 :00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. except
for legal holidays.
10. The Sanitary Landfill Area will be open to residents of the
Town of Reading, each Saturday for the months of May, June,
October avid November and on the first and third Saturday for
the months of Januar , February, March, April , July, August
and Septembers rT"om 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. except for legal
holidays.
11 . All metals brought to the sanitary landfill for disposal will
be deposited as directed in the metal recycling pile.
12. Fee Schedule
a)- Residents of the Town •of Reading. . . . . ... . . . .Fee, .none.
b) Commercial establishments depositing accept-
able materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. .Fee $75 annually
c) Commercial rubbish disposal haulers deposit- Imo,
in rma erial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... ... . ...Fee $?5B annually,,
13. These Rules and Regulations are adopted under Article 7, Section
4 of the General By-Laws of the Town, and violations of these
Rules and Regulations are subject to Article 27, Section 1 of
the General By-Laws of the Town of Reading.
These Rules and Regulations become effective July 1 , 1979.
Board of Public Works
19
July 9, 1979
The rational behind charging for the rubbish disposed of
at the landfill is twofold.
1 . Residents now have the option of disposing of bulk items in
the normal rubbish collection pickup. If residents wish to
take advantage of this service it would be possible to get
rid of 52 bulk items per year. This should be enough to
dispose of most items and virtually eliminate the require-
ment for the landfill . People wishing to use the landfill
facility can do so but should pay the proposed fee.
2. Commercial Permit holders of which there are about 28 pay the
fee of $50.00 per year to use the facility and the two rubbish
haulers pay $100 per year.
The Department of Public Works started a sign in - locked
gate procedure on May 14, 1979 for normal commercial operations
during the week. The results of the 33 working days indicate
that 591 trips were made to the facility.
The two Commercial Haulers accounted for 267 trips during
the time indicated or 45.2% of the trips.
Reading Disposal , Inc. was highest with 208 trips and Jiffy
Disposal was second with 59 recorded trips.
The fee schedule should be implemented and the Town' s sub-
sidy of the permit holders especially the commercial haulers
should be ended.
The Town should also allow the use of the facility on an
as available basis and not be obligated to remain open.
The fee collection if implemented would be based upon actual
signed in trips for commercial permit holders that will be billed
on a monthly basis, failure to pay within a specified time will
result in a loss of the use of the facility.
The fee for residents would be via a ticket system each
ticket equal to one dollar. . . .to be obtained at the Town Hall
Complex.
i
ITEM N0. . . . . . . 13
July 9, 1979
Sanitary Landfill and Recycling
Salaries $ 31 ,460.00
Expenses 30,000.00
Equipment 7,740.00
Drain Relocation 18,850.00
Total Cost $ 88,050.00
Recycling Income $ 4,000.00
Permit Income 1 .600.00
Total Income $ 5,600.00
Net Cost $ 88,050.00 - $ 5,600.00 $ 82,450.00/yr
The present yearly usage of the sanitary landfill results in
approximately 10,100 tons of material being disposed of. The
commercial operation contributes approximately 3,000 tons per
year and the residents approximately 7, 100 tons per year.
The average cost per ton , $ 82,450.00/yr./. 10,100 ton/yr = $8. 16/ton
The average cost per cubic yard assuming an average weight of 250 lbs.
per cubic yard for uncompacted rubbish is as follows:
The average cost per cubic yard $8. 16/ton x ton/2000# x 250#/cy .$1 .02,6
Therefore, use $1 .00/c.y. to set fee schedule as determined last yr.
JOHN N. PRICE, Chairman
OFFICE OF DOUGLAS A. COWELL Sen M,
TOWN OF READING DAVID L. =A
DON B. DIHART
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS GAIL F. WOOD
E. ROGER LOUANIS, Supertut�t
MUNICIPAL BUILDING
READING. MASS, 01887
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
t such betterment assessment.
Sewer Frontage Betterment $ 641 .72
Sewer House Connection Betterment 1 ,037.50
Total $1 ,679.22
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 third day of
July A.D. 1979.
7
09
i
� r
See Committment Sheet
For List