Present were Edward Melanson, Chairman, Harvey Nasuti, Vice-Chairman, Jack Hathaway, Member.
Mr. Melanson called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. at the Town Hall in Room 124.
Mr. Melanson began with the Open Public Forum portion of the meeting and deferred to the next item on the agenda since no one from the public was in attendance.
A motion was made by Mr. Nasuti to approve the Meeting Minutes of October 12, 2005, Mr. Hathaway seconded, and it was so voted.
Mr. Melanson continued the meeting with the items noted for discussion and decision: DPW organizational structure, interim positions and contracts, meter replacement program and security grants. The Board agreed to defer discussion of organizational structure until the December 21, 2005 meeting when a full board would be present.
Mr. Vito continued the discussion regarding the interim positions stating that he had attended a Personnel Board and as a result of their discussion, a letter was requested from the Board of Public Works to extend interim positions, the Interim Director of Public Works and the Interim Superintendent of Public Works through June 30, 2006 allowing a step increase for each of those positions. Mr. Vito elaborated stating there was some confusion with the Executive Assistant’s position which required clarification. The position was originally appointed as interim. It was his understanding that the intent was to create a new position with in the Department of Public Works not to reclassify the employee. This issue would need to be resolved and the employee’s grade, step and anniversary date finalized. Mr.
Hathaway agreed to look into it further. Mr. Vito also noted the administrative assistant position had been filled.
Mr. Melanson continued with a discussion of the meter replacement program deferring to Mr. Vito who attended a seminar on a new wireless meter system with Harvey Nasuti and Russell Tierney our consultant from Whitewater. A propagation study has also been submitted to the vendor for review, to determine whether or not a wireless system isa viable option for the Town. Russell will also be attending a seminar next week scheduled by different vendor. We are currently replacing meters as needed with Sensus meters. These meters are multiuse meters allowing the Town options when a new meter system is selected.
Mr. Melanson continued with a discussion on Security Grant information he received expressing his interest in pursuing these funds. Mr. Vito commented that the Department currently coordinates securing grant funds with the Emergency Management Director.
The meeting continued with a report from the Director of Public Works: Town Center Project punch list for completion; staging area at the Federated Church will be graded off for an expanded parking area, complete railings at the front steps and landscaping will be completed by December: curbing will be corrected at the Country Crossing building on Main Street at the sidewalk; the irrigation system will be repaired between the Wayside Building and Country Crossing by December and the parking lot will be paved next spring. Bourques and the Credit Union lot will be infra-red and finished with a sealcoating; the Post Office driveway apron at the sidewalk will be repaired by December; landscaping at #220 Main Street will be completed in the spring. The Town Hill clock is scheduled for installation in December and
the brick walkway project has begun on Town Hill.
Mr. Vito continued with an update of the Road Program Projects: Liberty Lane and Independence Drive has been completed; Noonhill Avenue leveling course will be completed in the spring; Pennacook Street drainage has been completed; TIP Project Engineering is entering the 75% phase and will continue through the spring; Rockwood Road and Cleveland Street to be completed in the fall with previously approved chapter 90 funds; Cleveland Street and Seekonk Street Intersection Project we are beginning the process with the Planning Board, tree clearing is to begin this winter; Boardman Street and Lawrence Street engineering has been held off; Medway Street Sidewalk Project: the tree list was revised after the walk-through with the Planning Board, shoulder work is scheduled for this winter, we will be submitting pole relocation requests to Verizon. The area is also being reviewed for a water loop - there is no water main on Medway Branch.
Mr. Melanson continued with a review of the packet items; a letter from Senator Scott Brown regarding the need for sidewalks on King Street. Mr. Hathaway commented that he did respond to Senator Brown on behalf of the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Hathaway elaborated stating that there are Planning Board funds available, but the accounts need to be reconciled; also when new developments are established, the Town requires sidewalks on both sides of the street. The developer has the option of installing one sidewalk and setting aside funds for future sidewalk development. Originally the Planning Board would earmark funds for specific locations until recently. The sidewalk funds submitted from developers are now deposited as a general sidewalk expansion fund. We need to determine how much of the funding in the account has
been earmarked for specific locations. A priority for the Town is to construct sidewalks on King Street and with the Town defeating the Sidewalk Override at Spring Town Meeting it created funding problems for sidewalk expansion. There are safety issues at several locations town wide that need to be addressed.
Mr. Melanson continued informing the Board of the upcoming joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen to interview the four prospective candidates for the vacant Board of Public Works positions, noting that they as a Board should review potential questions for the group prior the meeting. Two positions would be filled immediately as a joint effort between the two Boards, the third position will be appointed by the Board of Selectmen at a later date.
Mr. Melanson continued the meeting requesting an update on the hydrant inspection program. Mr. Vito informed the Board that residents had been notified with sufficient notice and the inspection process was moving forward without issue. Three hydrants require replacement, there are four to five hydrants requiring repairs noting that the work would be completed before the winter. The hydrant flushing program is scheduled for the spring.
Mr. Vito informed the Board that it was necessary to revise the snow contractor rate schedule to include a CDL rate which affects three pieces of equipment that the department utilizes. Mr. Vito addressed the Board’s concerns noting surrounding communities had been surveyed and that the CDL rate was defined by a specific GVW greater than 26,001.
Mr. Melanson continued the meeting with a discussion on the results of Wireless RFP reviewing all of the bids. Only one bidder met the minimum threshold set in the proposal. Mr. Hathaway suggested discussing the Town’s options with Town Counsel before moving forward. Mr. Vito will contact Town Counsel and report back to the Board.
At 7:30 p.m. Harvey Nasuti moved to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the appraisal and negotiation strategies for current and future water resources and to discuss the contract for the DPW Director and will not return to our regular meeting; the meeting will adjourn at the end of Executive Session. Jack Hathaway seconded. A roll call vote was taken; Jack Hathaway, aye; Ed Melanson, aye; Harvey Nasuti, aye; and it was so voted.
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