Town Council - Public Works Committee

MEMBERS Braintree Town Council Charles Ryan, Chairman Lawrence Mackin, Vice Chairman Committee On The Department of Public Works Julia Flaherty, member One JFK Memorial Drive Braintree, Massachusetts 02184 April 14, 2020 MINUTES A meeting of the Committee on the Department of Public Works was held in Remote via Zoom webinar, on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 5:30p.m. Councilor Charles Ryan, Chairman was in the Chair. Clerk of the Council, Susan Cimino conducted the roll call. Due to remote participation all votes are taken by roll call vote. Present: Charles Ryan, Chairman Lawrence Mackin, Vice-Chairman Julia Flaherty, member Also Present: James Arsenault, DPW Director Robert Campbell, Town Engineer Dave Flewelling, Comcast representative Mary Mulroney, National Grid representative APPROVAL OF MINUTES  October 15, 2019 Motion: by Councilor Mackin to Approve Minutes of October 15, 2019 Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (3 – Flaherty, Mackin, Ryan), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) OLD BUSINESS  None April 14, 2020 Department of Public Works Page 1 of 8 NEW BUSINESS  20 018 Comcast Petition: 262 Forbes Road or take up any action relative thereto MOTION: To service 262 Forbes Road, install and maintain approximately 482 feet of communications cable in 1 - 4” PVC concrete encased conduit 24 inches deep, from an existing vault across from #222 Forbes Road to a new 3’ X 3’ manhole at the driveway into 262 Forbes Road with staff recommendations: BELD: Please see attached underground utilities map, contractor to follow Dig safe procedures. Comcast to notify BELD of any utility conflicts or scope of work changes. DPW: This section of Forbes Road is not under the moratorium. The DPW recommends that the permit be granted with the normal conditions imposed by the DPW Highway Division plus that: 1. Forbes Road was not built under the Town’s supervision and so the presence and locations of drainage pipes and other utilities are not definitively known. Visible evidence reveals the presence of water lines a drainage system within the scope of this proposed work. Care must be taken to support and not damage existing utilities, and a plan of the details of the conduit system installed as-built shall be submitted to the DPW Engineering Division and shall include sizes, materials and locations of all utilities encountered during the construction. 2. 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 and including fully ADA compliant curb ramps where required; 3. The Traffic Management Plan sheets shall reference the 2009 MUTCD rather than the 2003 edition noted. Also, the advance warning signs on the northeast-bound approach must be extended further southwest due to the serious sight line constraint posed by the vertical curve in the roadway. 4. The required trench repair is to have the trench width temporary paved with two 3” courses of binder, and then for the permanent repair, mill off the first 1-1/2 inches depth of the trench width plus one foot on each side, then clean, tack and repave the trench with 1-1/2 inches of top. 5. The drawing refers to plates. If they are to be used (as for in curing the concrete encasement) it should be for not more than one overnight, with asphalt ramps at all edges in the traffic area and signs warning of their presence. 6. All matches with existing surfaces be smooth, safe, properly surfaced and satisfactory to the Town; 7. The conduit shall be installed outside of the trenches of the water, sewer and drain lines and other utilities in service and that the trench pavement not be left low for any length of time; 8. The DPW shall be notified when the construction conflicts with Town utilities so the resolution can be mutually agreeable; 9. The construction portion of the permit period shall not exceed two months from the start of construction and the entire permit period shall 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: April 14, 2020 Department of Public Works Page 2 of 8  “Neither Comcast 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 Mackin for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 20 018 with staff recommendations Second: by Councilor Flaherty Roll Call Vote: For (3 – Flaherty, Mackin, Ryan), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0)  20 023 National Grid Petition: Liberty Street or take up any action relative thereto MOTION: Install and maintain approximately 3145 feet of 6 inch 60 psig plastic gas main in Liberty Street from the existing 6 inch 60 psig plastic service at 1024 Liberty Street to the existing 6 inch 60 psig main at Christina Drive and including a 4 inch 60 psig connection at Peach Street, a 3 inch 60 psig connection at Forest Street and a 2 inch 60 psig connection plus test station and anodes at Sycamore Road, and also to install and maintain 1420 feet of 2 inch 60 psig plastic gas main in Proctor Road, all to replace older mains and service the users along the route with staff recommendations: BELD: There are no underground electric utility conflicts or special requirements within the proposed scope of work. DPW: Neither Liberty Street nor Proctor Road is under the moratorium, these sections of Liberty Street having been reconstructed in 2003 and 2005 and Proctor Road having been reconstructed in 2003, but both are in fairly good condition. Both of these sections are on the draft Roadway and Infrastructure Program for pavement preservation, Proctor Road in 2021 and Liberty Street in 2023. Since neither street is under the moratorium, I recommend that the petition be granted under the normal conditions with emphasis on the following: 1. That the work be done expeditiously so not to interfere with the planned Town work; 2. That the new mains not occupy any part of the trenches now occupied by the existing water or sewer mains; 3. that after maintaining the 4” minimum* pavement depth temporary trenches from both the installations and the removals through one winter, but within one year of placement of the temporary trench repair, that the permanent repair be a grind and inlay with a minimum 1 foot overlap of the adjacent pavement 1 ½ inches deep of both trenches and of each service trench within the limits of the gas work; April 14, 2020 Department of Public Works Page 3 of 8 4. That any curbs or sidewalks or other features disturbed shall be repaired to the satisfaction of the DPW; “Neither National Grid nor any contractor 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 trained traffic control personnel to safely guide traffic through the work zone. If a closure is authorized by the DPW, it shall not be implemented until signs and traffic control 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 the Police Department.” * 4” depth is to be constructed at all locations where the existing pavement depth is 4” or less. At all other locations the thickness of the pavement depth placed shall match the existing pavement thickness. Pavement shall be placed and compacted in courses not to exceed 2 ½ inches. Motion: by Councilor Mackin for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 20 018 with staff recommendations Second: by Councilor Flaherty Roll Call Vote: For (3 – Flaherty, Mackin, Ryan), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) During the meeting our Town Engineer requested a staff recommendation include that the mains to be abandoned be removed; but National Grid representative stated this is not what they typically do. This will be discussed further with the Town and National Grid. It was stated that the plans from National Grid include where a main has been abandoned for future reference. Otherwise, all mains are treated as live and work is required to stop until National Grid shows up to the work site and verifies any abandoned main in question. April 14, 2020 Department of Public Works Page 4 of 8  20 024 National Grid Petition: Stonewood Lane or take up any action relative thereto (to be Withdrawn per NG) National Grid Representative, Mary Mulroney stated this item is being WITHDRAWN by National Grid due to streets being under the moratorium. No further action required. MOTION: Install and maintain approximately 210 feet of 2 inch 60 psig plastic gas main in Birchcroft Road from the existing 2 inch plastic to the end of main at house #59, and to install and maintain approximately 540 feet of 2 inch 60 psig plastic gas main in Stonewood Lane from the new 2 inch in Birchcroft Road to the end of main at #11 to replace older mains and service the users along the route with staff recommendations: BELD: The proposed plan and scope of work does not impact existing BELD electric or communication utilities within this site. The Engineering Department has no objection for approval being granted to this permit. DPW: Both Birchcroft Road and Stonewood Lane are under the moratorium enacted by the Town in 2015 having been shimmed and microsurfaced in 2017. For longitudinal trenches in a road resurfaced as these roads were the moratorium is 10 years. Road openings may be made after 2027 without waiving the ordinance. Since the street is under the moratorium, I recommend that the petition not be granted. However, if the Council finds extenuating circumstances and there is no viable option to safely maintain gas utility service, I would recommend that the petition for this road opening only be granted under the normal conditions, with emphasis on the new main not occupying any part of the trench now occupied by the existing water mains, and also on the following conditions: 1. That the main and services be placed lower than normal in the Birchcroft / Stonewood intersection area and that the repair paving be deeper to accommodate a future lowering of the roadway (to offset the effects of a previous overlay by Algonquin which residents complain has caused short term puddles to form where their driveways and walkways meet the roadside.) 2. That the existing mains being replaced be removed; 3. that after maintaining the temporary trench through one winter but within one year of placement of the temporary trench repair, the permanent repair be full-width mill and overlay of both roadways within the limits of the gas work with deeper milling in the intersection area, depths to be determined by the DPW Engineering Division. 4. That any curbs or sidewalks or other features disturbed shall be repaired to the satisfaction of the DPW; “Neither National Grid nor any contractor 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 trained traffic control personnel to safely guide traffic through the work zone. If a closure is authorized by the DPW, it shall not be implemented until signs and traffic control 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 the Police Department.” Order 20 024 National Grid Petition: Stonewood Lane or take up any action relative thereto has been WITHDRAWN by National Grid. April 14, 2020 Department of Public Works Page 5 of 8  20 025 National Grid Petition: Wynot Road or take up any action relative thereto (to be Withdrawn per NG) National Grid Representative, Mary Mulroney stated this item is being WITHDRAWN by National Grid due to streets being under the moratorium. No further action required. MOTION: To Install and maintain approximately 570 feet of 2 inch 60 psig plastic gas main in Wynot Road from the existing 2 inch plastic to the end of main at house #49 to replace an older main and service the users along the route with staff recommendations. BELD: The proposed plan and scope of work does not impact existing BELD electric or communication utilities within this site. The Engineering Department has no objection for approval being granted to this permit. DPW: Wynot Road is under the former moratorium having been shimmed and microsurfaced in 2015. For longitudinal trenches in a road resurfaced as this road was the moratorium is 5 years. Road openings may be made after 2020 without waiving the ordinance. Since the street is under the moratorium, I recommend that the petition not be granted. However, if the Council finds extenuating circumstances and there is no viable option to safely maintain gas utility service, I would recommend that the petition for this road opening only be granted under the normal conditions, with emphasis on: 1. That the new main not occupy any part of the trench now occupied by the existing water or sewer mains; 2. that the main to be abandoned be removed; 3. that after maintaining the 4” minimum pavement depth temporary trenches from both the installation and the removal through one winter, but within one year of placement of the temporary trench repair, the permanent repair be a grind and inlay with a minimum 1 foot overlap of the adjacent pavement 1 ½ inches deep of both trenches and of each service trench within the limits of the gas work; 4. That any curbs or sidewalks or other features disturbed shall be repaired to the satisfaction of the DPW; “Neither National Grid nor any contractor 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 trained traffic control personnel to safely guide traffic through the work zone. If a closure is authorized by the DPW, it shall not be implemented until signs and traffic control 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 the Police Department.” Order 20 025 National Grid Petition: Wynot Road or take up any action relative thereto has been WITHDRAWN by National Grid. April 14, 2020 Department of Public Works Page 6 of 8  20 026 National Grid Petition: Elm Street or take up any action relative thereto MOTION: To install and maintain approximately 1465 feet of 8 inch 60 psig plastic gas main in Elm Street from the existing 1 inch plastic service at Service Road to the existing 6 inch 60 psig main at Middle Street and including an 8 inch 60 psig connection at Church Street and 2 inch 60 psig connections at Vinton Ave, Elm Ter, Lowell St and Cedar St, and also to install and maintain 490 feet of 2 inch 60 psig plastic gas main in Charles Street, all to replace older mains and service the users along the routewith staff recommendations. BELD: Please note, BELD has a 115,000 volt oil filled transmission line located at the corner of Elm/Middle Street. BELD Engineering should be notified in advance of any excavation to be performed in close proximity to this line. BELD will provide onsite support and safety personnel at no cost to the project. BELD also has a 13,800 volt underground system on Elm and Middle St. This is a concrete encased duct bank to be identified through the Dig safe process. Please see attached drawing of the locations of services. DPW: Neither Elm Street nor Charles Street is under the moratorium, Elm Street having been reconstructed in 2000 and Charles Street having been reconstructed in 2013, but both are in good condition. Since neither street is under the moratorium, I recommend that the petition be granted under the normal conditions with emphasis on the following conditions: 1. The plan incorrectly shows the existing roadway conditions at the Elm Street / Church Street / Elm Terrace intersection, ignoring the wall running through the intersection separating the collector and local traffic. The plan must be modified to show only one (perpendicular) crossing of the wall and detailing how it is to be accomplished to the satisfaction of the DPW; 2. That the new mains not occupy any part of the trenches now occupied by the existing water or sewer mains; 3. that after maintaining the 4” minimum* pavement depth temporary trenches from both the installations and the removals through one winter, but within one year of placement of the temporary trench repair, that the permanent repair be a grind and inlay with a minimum 1 foot overlap of the adjacent pavement 1 ½ inches deep of both trenches and of each service trench within the limits of the gas work; 4. That any curbs or sidewalks or other features disturbed shall be repaired to the satisfaction of the DPW; “Neither National Grid nor any contractor 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 trained traffic control personnel to safely guide traffic through the work zone. If a closure is authorized by the DPW, it shall not be implemented until signs and traffic control 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 the Police Department.” April 14, 2020 Department of Public Works Page 7 of 8 * 4” depth is to be constructed at all locations where the existing pavement depth is 4” or less. At all other locations the thickness of the pavement depth placed shall match the existing pavement thickness. Pavement shall be placed and compacted in courses not to exceed 2 ½ inches. Motion: by Councilor Mackin for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 20 026 with staff recommendations Second: by Councilor Flaherty Roll Call Vote: For (3 – Flaherty, Mackin, Ryan), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) During the meeting our Town Engineer requested a staff recommendation include that the mains to be abandoned be removed; but National Grid representative stated this is not what they typically do. This will be discussed further with the Town and National Grid. It was stated that the plans from National Grid include where a main has been abandoned for future reference. Otherwise, all mains are treated as live and work is required to stop until National Grid shows up to the work site and verifies any abandoned main in question. It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:35p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting  Minutes October 15, 2019  20 018 Comcast Petition: 262 Forbes Road or take up any action relative thereto  20 023 National Grid Petition: Liberty Street or take up any action relative thereto  20 024 National Grid Petition: Stonewood Lane or take up any action relative thereto (to be Withdrawn)  20 025 National Grid Petition: Wynot Road or take up any action relative thereto (to be Withdrawn)  20 026 National Grid Petition: Elm Street or take up any action relative thereto April 14, 2020 Department of Public Works Page 8 of 8