Present was Edward Melanson, Chairman, Harvey Nasuti, Vice-Chairman, Jack Hathaway, Member, Ellen Friedman, Member, and Dan Winslow, Member
Ed Melanson called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. at the Town Hall in Room 124 and began with an announcement that Jack Hathaway would be officially resigning from the Board of Public Works as of December 31, 2005 he will however remain as an Ex-Offico member.
Mr. Melanson continued with the Open Public Forum portion of the meeting by recognizing Mr. John Olivieri, who wanted to welcome the new Board Members.
Mr. Melanson continued the meeting with the items noted for discussion and decision beginning with the revised Board of Public Works meeting schedule for January 2006 through March 2006, which was finalized.
The discussion was then directed to Mr. Vito to report the result of his discussion with Town Counsel regarding the award of the RFP for Wireless Communication Sites. Mr. Vito began by stating that the recommendation from Town Counsel was to award to Cingular Wireless at $28,100.00 and reject the bids submitted below the recommended threshold of $28,000.00. Mr. Vito also noted that Town Counsel suggested that the Board vote to submit a letter to Bell Atlantic-Verizon Wireless to remove the generator clause from their proposal which would bring them within the threshold amount, if they so choose and to reject the proposal from Nextel Communications because they did not meet the threshold amount. It was noted that we have the option of accepting more than one carrier and the premium location would be available to highest bidder.
The Town also has the option of re-bidding the same locations in the future.
Mr. Melanson continued with comments on the letter submitted by Evergreen Wireless Group withdrawing their proposal for the Pond Street site, which was contingent upon the interest of the other three wireless carriers. Mr. Melanson questioned returning the bid security since the bid was withdrawn after the bid opening. Mr. Vito will contact Town Counsel and report back to the Board.
Ed Melanson made a motion to award the RFP for Wireless Communication Sites to Cingular Wireless as submitted and to Bell Atlantic - Verizon Wireless contingent upon removal of the generator clause from their bid and to reject the bid submitted by Nextel Communications. Dan Winslow seconded and it was so voted.
Harvey Nasuti expressed his concerns regarding the ability to retain the revenues generated from the leasing process within the Department of Public Works and Water Programs. Mr. Vito responded noting that the thought was to retain the funds within the Department of Public Works in general, - calculate the cost for maintenance at the tank site with residual funds to be used in a vehicle maintenance program for in the Department of Public Works, the Department is in need of vehicles. Mr. Hathaway noted that there is duel ownership at the Webber Tank Site between the Town and the Water Department and he would research whether the Water Department did purchase the land from the Town and if, Town Meeting vote was necessary to divide and disperse the revenues. It was also agreed that a meeting would be set up with the Board of
Selectmen to discuss this matter.
The meeting continued with Mr. Vito requesting approval from the Board, for a street light installation, which was requested by a resident on Hill Street some time ago, approved by the Road Safety Committee and approved the Board of Selectmen but was lost and never submitted to NStar. We would like the Board to sign the approval for the installation of a light near #6 Hill Street at pole #4. Mr. Vito continued noting that in the early 1990’s there was in a process of removing lights to conserve energy and since that time, the Road Safety Committee has been looking at the light issue Town wide and has designated street light locations at a minimum, at intersections, dangerous curves and dead ends. When a new light is requested it is the responsibility of the Road Safety Committee or the Department of Public Works to
justify the new installation. This request was submitted over a year ago. The resident recently contacted the Department to inquire when the light would be installed. Also noting that the Department has just assumed the responsibility of street light maintenance this year and thought it was appropriate to bring this request before the Board for review and signature approval.
Harvey Nasuti made a motion to accept the recommendation made by the Director of Public Works with regards to the installation of the street light at pole #4 near #6 Hill Street, Dan Winslow seconded amending the motion to allow the Chairman to sign the document on behalf of the Board members and it was so voted.
The next item Mr. Vito brought before the Board was the Recycling/Transfer Station Holiday Hours. Mr. Vito noted that the hours were originally approved by the Board in March of 2005 however; a resident contacted the Department with concerns about the hours. Mr. Melanson and Mr. Winslow expressed concern that the facility would be closed consecutive Saturday’s. After a brief discussion it was agreed the facility would be closed Saturday December 24th and Mr. Vito would discuss opening the facility on Saturday, December 31st with the Solid Waste Foreman, Sonny Kelly and inform the Board of the final schedule.
Dan Winslow inquired as to how a resident would contact the Department of Public Works if there was a road safety issue or a need for service. Mr. Vito noted the office telephone number - 508-528-4990 and that there is an answering machine which would direct residents to the police department after hours for emergencies. Mr. Winslow also suggested issuing a release to the local papers informing residents of the DPW contact information.
Mr. Melanson continued the meeting noting a resident’s concern which was brought up at the last meeting with regard to detention ponds. Mr. Vito responded noting the Town has easements to access properties for the purpose maintaining the detention pond areas. If a resident expresses concerns that a specific detention pond location is not operating properly, arrangements can be made to inspect the area. He also noted that once the drainage inventory if complete it will become mandatory to perform periodic inspections annually and we will create a list of areas that require repair.
The subject of guardrail repair and maintenance was also brought up. Mr. Vito noted that we did have a guard rail account at one time but it was necessary to cut it from the budget. With new roadway construction we are creating the shoulder areas to eliminate guard rails because of the long term maintenance. If a guardrail is damaged as a result of an accident we enlist the services of an insurance recovery program. The vendor performs the repair and bills the insurance company directly.
Jack Hathaway, at the request of the Board of Selectmen circulated a letter from a resident offering a gift of land to the Town. After a brief discussion, the Board decided that this was an issue for the Board of Selectmen.
Jack Hathaway inquired about the activity on Cypress Lane and questioned whether the Department had a Street Opening Permit on file for that location. Mr. Vito noted that he had the permit on his desk for review and would contact Mr. Hathaway to discuss the application. Mr. Vito informed the Board that there is a five year moratorium on all new pavement and all street excavation is suspended from November 15th to April 15th unless a hardship is deemed.
At 8:20 p.m. Ed Melanson moved to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel contracting and would not return to the regular meeting and would adjourn the meeting from there. Jack Hathaway seconded. A roll call vote was taken.
Jack Hathaway, aye; Ed Melanson, aye; Harvey Nasuti, aye; Dan Winslow, aye; Ellen Friedman, aye, and it was so voted.
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