Town Council - Public Works Committee

MEMBERS Braintree Town Council Thomas Whalen, Chairman Charles Kokoros, Vice Chairman Committee On The Department of Public Works Stephen O’Brien, member One JFK Memorial Drive Braintree, Massachusetts 02184 April 30, 2018 MINUTES A meeting of the Committee on the Department of Public Works was held in Johnson Chambers, Braintree Town Hall, on Monday, April 30, 2018, at 6:30p.m. There was a moment of silence for all those serving in our armed services, past and present, and the meeting was opened with the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Councilor Kokoros was in the Chair. Clerk of the Council, Susan Cimino conducted the roll call. Present: Charles Kokoros, Vice-Chairman Stephen O’Brien, member Not Present: Thomas Whalen, Chairman Also Present: James Arsenault, DPW Director Barbara Kelleher, National Grid Representative APPROVAL OF MINUTES • February 28, 2018 Motion: by Councilor O’Brien to Approve Minutes of February 28, 2018 Second: by CouncilorWhalen (after stepping down from chair) Vote: For (2- O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (1- Kokoros), Abstain (0) NEW BUSINESS Councilor Kokoros, Vice-Chairman of the Committee on the Department of Public Works stated due to an email concern where BELD observed a contractor digging into a BELD line when advance notification was requested with the National Grid Petition final approval, a new procedure has been put in place and agreed upon with James Arsenault, DPW Director: Once National Grid Petitions are approved by Council they are put on the Town Council website. Moving forward ALL Contractors will be REQUIRED to go to the Town Clerk’s office for a CERTIFIED COPY (each page stamped: true copy attest/town seal) which will need to be attached to their permit before they receive approval by the highway staff. April 30, 2018 Department of Public Works Page 1 of 2  • 18 022 National Grid Petition: Grove Street or take up any action relative thereto Councilor O’Brien stated favorable recommendation to the full Council on the following motion with staff recommendations: To install and maintain approximately 500 feet of 4 inch gas main from Columbian Street easterly to the end of the main at #625 Grove Street. BELD: No underground electric utility conflicts or special requirements within the proposed scope of work. DPW: Grove Street is not under moratorium, but about half the length of the proposed extension is within the State Highway Layout and so will require MassDOT permission. We’d recommend that the petition be granted under the normal conditions, with emphasis on the requirements that the gas main be laid outside of the trench of the water mains in service and that the trench pavement not be left low for any length of time; We also recommend that the following requirement be added to the permit, if it is to be granted: “Neither National Grid nor any of its contractors is authorized to close any street or to close a direction of travel to facilitate their work without authorization from the Director of the Department of Public Works or the Highway Superintendent. The Chief of Police can also authorize a closure for a police or fire emergency. Construction zone traffic safety issues are to be addressed by using appropriate traffic control signs and devices and the use of police officers for traffic control to safely guide traffic through the work zone. If a closure is authorized by the DPW, it shall not be implemented until signs and police officers (where needed) are properly in place in conformity with the written plan prepared by the contractor’s engineer and approved by the DPW and Police Department.” Motion: by Councilor O’Brien for Favorable Recommendation to the full Council per Staff Recommendations. Second: by Councilor Kokoros Vote: For (2 – Kokoros, O’Brien), Against (0), Absent (1 – Whalen) OLD BUSINESS • NONE It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:59p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting • 18 022 National Grid Petition: Grove Street or take up any action relative thereto April 30, 2018 Department of Public Works Page 2 of 2