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MEETING: BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
DATE:
July 13, 2010 - 05:00 PM |
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Agenda |
Minutes
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The Chairman, Daniel Burack, asked if anyone else in attendance was recording the meeting other than it being recorded for ELCAT. The answer was no.
Mr. Burack called the meeting to order at
5:00 p.m.
REVIEW MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS OF JUNE 29, 2010: The Board reviewed the minutes of the meeting. Mr. Maybury made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. Mr. Burack seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, the vote was taken, with two in favor of accepting the minutes and one abstention by Mr. Perkins as he did not attend the last meeting.
REVIEW EXECUTIVE MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS OF JUNE 29, 2010: The Board reviewed the Executive Minutes of the meeting.
Mr. Maybury made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. Mr. Burack seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, the vote was taken with two in favor of accepting the minutes and one abstention by Mr. Perkins as he did not attend the last meeting.
LETTER FROM BOARD OF SELECTMEN – REGARDING BIKE TRAIL (TABLED FROM PREVIOUS MEETING): Mr. Burack advised he would have to abstain and leave the room prior to any discussion as his property abuts the bike trail. He then left the room. Mr. Maybury stated that he owns land along the area but did not feel it would be a conflict of interest and remained for the discussion.
Mr. Maybury stated he had driven the property and on both sides it was clear from what he saw that there were varying degrees of encroachment by the different companies located along the trail. He stated that now that we are aware of the issues the next step would be for the Board of Selectmen and
Mr. Kelley to determine the problems based
on each location. A plan could then be developed that would ensure the corrections are performed and applied in the best way possible for the business in question.
Mr. Perkins questioned what the Board of Public Work’s authority would be as well as what action could be taken by the Board?
Mr. Maybury felt the Board could speak to issue relating to drainage, etc. but anything further would be under the purview of the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Kelley then passed out several pictures and diagrams for review showing the varying degrees of encroachment from minor to major. The Springfield Credit Union and Tudor House were two of the business which Mr. Kelley felt would need some immediate attention.
Mr. Maybury asked on these two locations what would be the next steps? Mr. Kelley then explained that Mass Highway will be putting in a catch basin in that area and explained what would be done in relationship to the catch basin. Mr. Kelley felt this would take care of the immediate issue due to the placement of the basin.
Mr. Perkins stated he felt it would be important that we remain sensitive to the businesses and work with them to take care of the problems in the best way possible.
It was agreed that a letter will be sent to the Board of Selectmen advising that the Board
of Public Works had reviewed their letter of June 24, 2010. The letter would suggest that both Boards meet on the site to walk the length of the area to physically view what the encroachments entail and at that time discuss what will need to be done, if anything, to bring the matter to a close. The letter would ask that they contact Mr. Gromaski directly and he will coordinate a day and time that works for both boards.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Strategic Technology Group, Inc. – Mr. Fenney passed out a handout from this company and advised the Board that he is working with them in an attempt to secure grant funds to purchase a Building Maintenance Automated Material System. He stated it would run around $300,000.
Mr. Burack questioned from whom, would the grant funds be obtained? Mr. Fenney stated there is State and Federal funding available. Mr. Fenney explained that obtaining grant funding for other companies is the business of Strategic Technology Group, Inc. He stated their fee is approximately $10,000.
Mr. Burack questioned what would occur should the company be engaged, we pay the fee and the funding is not obtained? Mr. Fenney explained that he did not have the answer to that question but this group has been very successful in obtaining grants. He stated he would get more in depth information and pass it onto the Board including their references and track record as it relates to obtaining grants.
Union Negotiations - Mr. Gromaski advised that a meeting would be held on Friday, July 16, 2010 with Labor Counsel as a “kick off’ meeting to discuss issues relating to negotiating the new contract with the Service Building Personnel.
Water Main – Holland Drive – Mr. Gromaski advised the Board that the main is being installed and the project is moving along and going well.
Water Consumption – Mr. Gromaski advised that the hot weather has driven up the water demand on the system. It is the most he has seen during his job tenure. He stated around four million gallons. He advised the Board that even with this high demand, everything has been fine.
Athletic Fields – Mr. Gromaski stated that with the heat the fields have begun to
“brown up”. He had received several phone calls from concerned residents regarding our watering of the fields. He explained to them that it is less expensive to water than to let the grass die and have to replace it.
Jaycees Carnival – Mr. Gromaski stated the annual Jaycees Carnival went well and the
field is in good condition with the exception of some brown areas. He stated the parade
went off without a hitch, everything went well.
Mr. Maybury said the parade route looked good before and after the parade. He extended his congratulations to the department for a job well done. He stated he had attended a
parade in Bristol Rhode Island and they had done something interesting. They had
attached trash bags to the telephone poles on the parade route and it had help in
keeping the route clean. He stated he had pictures to show the group what had been done. The group agreed this might be an idea for next year’s parade.
Heritage Park – Mr. Maybury stated due to several questions that had been asked of him
recently regarding Heritage Park, he asked if there had been any problems with vandalism? Mr. Gromaski stated an occasional occurrence but nothing of major note.
SCHEDULE NEXT MEETING: The next Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday July 27, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. at the Service Building, 84 Somers Road East Longmeadow, Ma.
Mr. Maybury made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:30 p.m. Mr. Perkins seconded the motion, there being no further discussion the vote was taken and was unanimous.
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