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 August 4, 2020 MINUTES A meeting of the Committee on the Department of Public Works was held in Remote via Zoom webinar, on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at 6:30p.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 John Thompson, Assistant DPW Director/Town Engineer Mary Mulroney, National Grid Representative APPROVAL OF MINUTES • April 14,2020 Motion: by Councilor Mackin to Approve Minutes of April 14, 2020 Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (3 – Flaherty, Mackin, Ryan), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) OLD BUSINESS • None August 4, 2020 Department of Public Works Page 1 of 4 NEW BUSINESS John Thompson, Assistant Director/Town Engineer stated both of these petitions are to replace gas lines where the Town is looking to replace water lines so National Grid is doing this work at our request to assist in coordinating the projects. Councilor Ryan asked if DPW has inspected the sewer lines in these roads and are they in good condition. James Arsenault, DPW Director stated through the I&I inspections the sewer lines get inspected. Councilor Ryan asked if someone could look into the last time these streets sewer lines were inspected and what the rating was. Director Arsenault stated I agree with you. There have been instances where we have done the road and then there were issues with the sewer lines. Councilor Flaherty asked what the plan is to notify residents their street will be worked on. Director Arsenault stated with National Grid we reiterate numerous times for them to notify residents which they do initially and then right before the work begins. We will try to improve the Town’s notification to residents when road work and paving happens. Councilor Ryan stated when we have our 5 year plan we want National Grid to coordinate with us. We want utility coordination. Mary Mulroney, National Grid representative asked for a copy of the 5 year plan. Director Arsenault stated he will make sure this information gets forwarded to Ms. Mulroney. • 20 051 National Grid Petition: Argyle Road or take up any action relative thereto. MOTION read by Councilor Makin for favorable recommendation to the full Council: To install and maintain approximately 735 feet of 2 inch gas main at three separate locations between Audubon Ave and Gordon Rd. Total main installation 735 FT with staff recommendations: BELD: There are no underground electric utility conflicts or special requirements within the proposed scope of work. DPW: This section of Argyle Road is not under the moratorium. The street has not been resurfaced in several years. Argyle Road is scheduled to have a new water main installed and we would recommend that the petition for this section be granted as soon as possible so that both the water main and gas main projects can be coordinated and completed in a timely manner. The petition should be granted under the normal conditions, with emphasis on the requirements that the gas main be laid outside of the new water main trenches 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: August 4, 2020 Department of Public Works Page 2 of 4  “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 Mackin for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 20 051 with staff recommendations Second: by Councilor Flaherty Roll Call Vote: For (3 – Flaherty, Mackin, Ryan), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) • 20 052 National Grid Petition: River Street, Railroad Street and Hooker Street or take up any action relative thereto MOTION read by Councilor Mackin for favorable recommendation to the full Council: To install and maintain approximately 885 feet of 2 inch gas main in River St., Railroad St. and Hooker St. from Washington St. to the end of the main. Total main installation 885 FT with staff recommendations: BELD: Please note, BELD has a 115,000-volt oil filled transmission line located on River Street to Washington Street. BELD Engineering should be notified in advance of any excavation to be performed near this line. BELD will provide onsite support and safety personnel at no cost to the project. Please see attached drawing of the locations of services. DPW: These sections of River St., Railroad St. and Hooker St. are not under the moratorium. The streets have not been resurfaced in several years. All three streets are scheduled to have new water mains installed and we would recommend that the petition for these streets be granted as soon as possible so that both the water main and gas main projects can be coordinated and completed in a timely manner. The petition should be granted under the normal conditions, with emphasis on the requirements that the gas main be laid outside of the new water main trenches 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 August 4, 2020 Department of Public Works Page 3 of 4  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 20 052 with staff recommendations Second: by Councilor Flaherty Roll Call Vote: For (3 – Flaherty, Mackin, Ryan), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:51p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting • Minutes August 14, 2020 • 20 051 National Grid Petition: Argyle Road. • 20 052 National Grid Petition: River Street, Railroad Street and Hooker Street August 4, 2020 Department of Public Works Page 4 of 4