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 August 13, 2019 MINUTES A meeting of the Committee on the Department of Public Works was held in Johnson Chambers, Braintree Town Hall, on Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 7:00p.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 Charles Kokoros, Vice-Chairman 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: Robert Campbell, Town Engineer Ben Hulke, DPW Mary Mulroney, National Grid representative APPROVAL OF MINUTES • July 16, 2019 Motion: by Councilor O’Brien to Approve Minutes of July 16, 2019 Second: by Councilor Kokoros Vote: For (2 – Kokoros, O’Brien), Against (0), Absent (1 - Whalen), Abstain (0) August 13, 2019 Department of Public Works Page 1 of 4 NEW BUSINESS • 19 023 National Grid Petition: Harbor Villa Avenue or take up any action relative thereto Discussion on this petition included this street is not under moratorium therefore the recommendation from DPW is the petition be granted. MOTION read by Councilor O’Brien for favorable recommendation to the full Council: To Install and maintain approximately 475 feet of 2 inch gas main from Quincy Avenue northeasterly to the end of the main at #37 Harbor Villa Avenue. Harbor Villa Avenue was shimmed and micro-surfaced in 2010 and is not under moratorium. The DPW recommends that the permit be granted with the normal conditions imposed by the DPW Highway Division plus staff recommendations: BELD: BELD also has a 13,800 volt underground system on Quincy Ave in sidewalk toward Harbor Villa Ave. DPW: 1. If sidewalk surfaces are disturbed the surface is to be replaced in kind, at ADA compliant slopes and for the full width of the sidewalk; 2. all matches with existing surfaces be smooth, safe, properly surfaced and satisfactory to the Town; 3. the work be coordinated with the abutters to ensure that the properties are accessible at all times, including ADA compliant pedestrian access; 4. the conduit be installed outside of the trenches of the water and sewer mains and other utilities in service and that the trench pavement not be left low for any length of time; 5. the DPW be notified when the construction conflicts with Town utilities so the resolution can be mutually agreeable; 6. as-built plans be prepared and submitted satisfactory to the Department of Public Works; 7. the construction portion of the permit period not exceed two months from the start of construction and that the entire permit period be set at one year beginning at the date of Council approval. 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 with Staff Recommendations. Second: by Councilor Kokoros Vote: For (2 – Kokoros, O’Brien), Against (0), Absent (1 - Whalen), Abstain (0) August 13, 2019 Department of Public Works Page 2 of 4 • 19 024 National Grid Petition: Hawthorn Road or take up any action relative thereto Discussion on this petition included this street is not under moratorium therefore the recommendation from DPW is the petition be granted. MOTION read by Councilor O’Brien for favorable recommendation to the full Council: To Install and maintain approximately 1040 feet of 2 inch gas main from Washington Street southeasterly to the existing gas main in Home Park Road. with staff recommendations: BELD: BELD has no underground electric utility conflicts or special requirements within the proposed scope of work. DPW: Hawthorn Road was milled and overlaid in 2008 and is not under moratorium. The DPW recommends that the permit be granted with the normal conditions imposed by the DPW Highway Division plus staff recommendations: 1. If sidewalk surfaces are disturbed the surface is to be replaced in kind, at ADA compliant slopes and for the full width of the sidewalk; 2. all matches with existing surfaces be smooth, safe, properly surfaced and satisfactory to the Town; 3. the work be coordinated with the abutters to ensure that the properties are accessible at all times, including ADA compliant pedestrian access; 4. the conduit be installed outside of the trenches of the water and sewer mains and other utilities in service and that the trench pavement not be left low for any length of time; 5. the DPW be notified when the construction conflicts with Town utilities so the resolution can be mutually agreeable; 6. as-built plans be prepared and submitted satisfactory to the Department of Public Works; 7. the construction portion of the permit period not exceed two months from the start of construction and that the entire permit period be set at one year beginning at the date of Council approval. 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 with Staff Recommendations. Second: by Councilor Kokoros Vote: For (2 – Kokoros, O’Brien), Against (0), Absent (1 - Whalen), Abstain (0) August 13, 2019 Department of Public Works Page 3 of 4 OLD BUSINESS • NONE It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:09p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting • Minutes July 16, 2019 • 19 023 National Grid Petition: Harbor Villa Avenue or take up any action relative thereto • 19 024 National Grid Petition: Hawthorn Road or take up any action relative thereto August 13, 2019 Department of Public Works Page 4 of 4