HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-09-10 Board of Public Works Minutes September 10, 1979
Meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in Room 16
at 7:30 P. M.
Present were Chairman Price, Board Members DeHart and Wood
and Superintendent Louanis.
Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as submitted.
Chairman Price asked for an update on the situation concern-
ing the balance due on an invoice submitted by Weston and Sampson
Engineers, Inc. Superintendent Louanis stated he had talked to
Mr. Cohen (Town Counsel ) this afternoon and he has requested a
copy of minutes of a Board Meeting. The Superintendent also
stated he had been in contact with Mr. Blake of Weston and Sampson
and was informed that the E.P.A. has completed their audit of
Weston and Sampson Engineers, Inc, and Mr. DePalma indicated they
found no discrepancies and are now in process of reviewing the
entire situation. Final payment has been made to Fantoni Company
and Pitt Pipeline intends to file for arbitration. The Superin-
tendent had previously recommended that the sum of $46,416.96
be paid to Weston and Sampson, Inc. and Mr. Price asked if the
Superintendent would rescind his recommendation of August 27th.
The Superintendent wished to hold any decision on this in abeyance
until he has an opportunity to discuss the matter with Town Counsel .
Chairman Price requested that no bills be paid to Weston and Sampson
Engineers, Inc. until the Board approves them. The Superintendent
agreed to this arrangement.
The Board reviewed bids received on August 23d for cement
lined ductile iron pipe, class 50 - both 611 and 811, as follows:
Vendor Total bid
Atlantic States Cast Iron Pipe Co. $ 8,000.
Eureka Cement Lined Pipe Co. Inc. _ 8,224.
Griffin Pipe Products Co. 7,992.
Municipal Services, Inc. 8,000.
H. R. Prescott 8,000.
Public Works Supply Co. Inc. 8,400.
C. A. Turner Co. Inc. 8,008.
Water Works Supply Corp. 8,736.
It was moved, seconded and voted to award the contract for cement
lined ductile iron pipe, class 50 to Griffin Pipe Products Co.
for 800 feet of 81, pipe at a cost of $4,624.00 and 800 feet of
61, pipe at a cost of $3,368.00 for a combined total of $7,992.00.
Mr. Price requested that memoranda from the Engineering Division
indicate the budgeted figure for various items.
Read memorandum from the Engineering Division requesting that '
the Board reconsider the upset limit on the contract awarded to
E. B. Rotondi , Inc, on August 27,1979, and increase it from I
$5,430 to $13,000. At the recommendation of the Engineering Divi-
sion the Board voted on August 27 to reject the bid for Rubberized
Chip Seal in the amount of $26,750 as this was in excess of the
budgeted amount. The Engineering Division recommends that an addi-
tional 1 ,000 square yards be included in the Contract 79-17 - Re-
pair Bituminous Concrete Roadways and Sidewalks by Infra-Red Heater
Method for Woburn Street at a cost of $5,430 and an additional 400
square yards be allocated to Salem Street in the amount of $2, 172.
This would result in a total expenditure of $7,602 over the current
contract limit and $19, 148 under the intended rubberized chip seal
method. The Superintendent informed the Board that while this will
not accomplish all of the corrective work that the Rubberized Chip
Seal method would have done it will correct the most serious de-
fects in the roadway and if the work is not done, rapid deteriora-
tion of the new pavement surface will result. It was moved, ,
seconded and voted to reconsider the vote of August 27, 1979 wherein
Contract No-79-17 was awarded to E. B. Rotondi , Inc. in the amount
of $5,430. It was moved, seconded and voted to award the contract
for Repair of Bituminous Concrete Roadways and Sidewalks by Infra-
Red Heater Method to E. B. Rotondi , Inc. at the unit price of $5.43
per square yard the total amount of the contract not to exceed
$13,000.00.
Bids were received on August 30th on Contract 79-22, Asphalt
Pavement Reclamation, as follows:
Woodland Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 29,982. 20
.Bell- and Flynn. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49, 129.00
Midway Excavators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49;244.60
The Engineering Division investigated and learned that Woodland
Construction has satisfactorily completed a number of roadway
reclamation contracts in Eastern Massachusetts and in Rhode Island.
It was moved, seconded and voted to award the contract to Woodland
Construction subject to their ability to provide a performance bond ,
and receipt of a satisfactory Dunn and Bradstreet report.
Mr. DeHart read notice of public hearing regarding a proposed
water main easement on Margaret Road. Superintendent Louanis re-
vealed the events that led to the hearing, as follows: the Board
of Appeals granted a special permit for a house to be built upon
a lot between the end of Margaret Road and Mark Avenue. Donald
Johnston has built the house and although there is a well on the
property he is requesting the Town supply water to the lot. How-
ever, to fulfill the request necessitates the extention of the
water main from Parkman Road to Mark Avenue completing the loop in
the water main but to do this the property owner must give the Town
an easement. Although Mr. Johnston is willing to pay fifty per-
cent of the cost of the installation of the water main extension,
Superintendent Louanis suggested it might be beneficial to the
Town if the Board of Public Works negotiate with Mr. Johnston and
obtain a walk easement in order that children from the area could
come in off Lowell Street by way of Parkman Road, use the proposed
walk easement to Mark Avenue then to Grove Street onto Criterion
Street to Birch Meadow Drive to the educational and park complex.
Mrs. Wood moved, it was seconded and voted to close the hearing.
A discussion ensued. Mr. DeHart indicated he was in favor of ex-
tneding the water main as completing the loop would be an improve-
ment to the system. It was moved, seconded and voted to postpone
action on the water easement and to instruct the Superintendent to
negotiate with Mr. Johnston regarding a walk easement and report
to the Board.
Meeting adjourned temporarily and reconvened at 8: 30 P.M.
following a meeting as the Board of Survey.
The Chairman greeted Cyrus Linscott, representative from the
Finance Committee who expressed an interest in two of the Board of
Public Works budget items. First, the sum of $5, 100 on the Sani-
tary Landfill and secondly $25,000 on Snow and Ice. Superinten-
dent Louanis responded stating that he would investigate the $5, 100
on the Sanitary Landfill and that the $25,000 encumbered on the
Snow and Ice Account was for the purchase of 1 ,000 tons of salt
for snow and ice control , since we how have a salt storage shed
® provided us by the State of Massachusetts.
The Board read letter from the Finance Committee (copy
attached) . Chairman Price requested Superintendent Louanis con-
tact Mark Whel ton, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee, and tell him
that we must make a recommendation to the Finance Committee on
September 21st and input from him concerning future needs for
the park department is required. ,
The Board read letter from Irving C. Dickey, Superintendent
of Insect Pest Control . Chairman Price requested a five minute
recess in order that he could contact the Board of Selectmen and
invite them to the meeting to listen to Mr. Dickey ' s presentation.
Meeting reconvened at 8:55 P.M. Mr. Price reported that the
Board of Selectmen had a tight schedule and if possible would try
to join the Board. When questioned, Mr. Dickey stated that as
Superintendent of Insect Pest Control he was responsible to the
Board of Selectmen: otherwise, as supervisor, he is under the
direction of the Superintendent and the Board of Public Works.
(copy of Mr. Dickeys letter appended hereto) . To spray an area
to help slow down the Gypsy Moth infestation would cost $3,000
while the roadside spray would cost $4, 100. However, in order to
accomplish this work it will be necessary to acquire a new hydraulic
sprayer at a cost of $7,500. Mr. Dickey indicated that if a member
of the Board would make a presentation at the Special Town Meeting ,
in November he would have material to back up the need for the
proposed project. The Board instructed the Superintendent to work
out facts and figures with Mr. Dickey to be presented to the Board
in condensed form at the meeting of September 17th and at that time
the Board will determine whether they wish to go to the Finance
Committee, Town Meeting or both. Town Warrant closes on September
24th and proceeding in this manner the Superintendent will have a
week ' s time in which to prepare an Article. Mr. Dickey stated
that if legislation goes smoothly he will spray early in May.
The Board reviewed letter from Mr. and Mrs. Francis E. Sullivan
of 10 Brentwood Drive (copy attached) . Superintendent Louanis
reviewed the facts with the Board and recommended the sewer house
connection be made and that the $415.80 paid by the previous owner
of 10 Brentwood Drive, James V. Orlando, be abated in favor of the
new owners, Mr. and Mrs. Francis E. Sullivan. The Board directed
the Superintendent to write the Sullivans informing them it is
the Board' s pleasure to refund $415.80 and subject to the condition
that legal action will not be brought against the Town. Chairman
Price requested a copy of the letter be sent to him.
Minutes - continued September 10, 1979
The Board read petition from Mr. Joseph Estrella, Jr. re-
questing permission to have Robert A. Zanni connect a manhole
on his property at 157 Green Street to the Town' s storm drain
system. It was moved, seconded and voted to grant permission for
the connection subject to the installation of a check valve and
granting the Town a Waiver of Claim from Damages.
It was moved, seconded and voted that a letter be sent to
John W. Doucette thanking him for a job well done in the absence
of the supervisor of the Water and Sewer Division.
Memorandum from the Law Committee concerning policy in regard
to preliminary legal services. Chairman Price indicated that this
was merely to control the cost of legal counsel and the memorandum
was accepted as a point of information.
Read letter from Tyler- and Reynolds re: Contract 78-4 Clean-
ing and Painting Auburn Street Elevated Storage Tank. Superinten-
dent Louanis recommended that the Board give Tank Company the
opportunity to complete the work, advising them that we shall
drain the tank and give them a limited time in which to do the
work. Once the work is done negotiate and effect a settlement
with them. The Superintendent was directed to proceed with his
suggestion and contact Tank Company.
Superintendent Louanis informed the Board that the NESWC meet-
ing scheduled for September 6th has been postponed until next
Wednesday, September 12th, and suggested that the Board invite
RESCO in to the Board meeting of September 17th and advise the
Reading Chronicle we are meeting with RESCO at that time.
It was moved, seconded and voted to sign commitment letter
for Sewer House Connection Betterment at 133 Grove Street in the
amount of $352.00 they directing the Town Collector to recover
the charge.
The Board signed the Payroll for the period ending September
7th and the Bill Roll dated September 14th, 1979.
Meeting adjourned at 10:55 P. M.
Ref 11 tt941
® Secretor
JOHN W. PRICE, Chaim n
OFFICE OF DOUGLAS A. COWELL. S.ta,
TOWN OF READING DAmD L. TESTA
DON H. D HART
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS GAIL E. WOOD
E. ROGER LOUANIS, SupMntm t
Ei MUNICIPAL BUILDING
READING. MASS. OIBS7
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 House Connection Betterment $352.00
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 tenth day of September
A.D. 1979.
See Committment Sheet
For List