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 June 15, 2021 MINUTES A meeting of the Committee on the Department of Public Works was held in Johnson Chambers, Braintree Town Hall, on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 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 Ryan, Chairman was in the Chair. Clerk of the Council, Susan Cimino conducted the roll call. Present: Charles Ryan, Chairman Lawrence Mackin, Vice-Chairman (not present) Julia Flaherty, member Also Present: James Arsenault, DPW Director John Thompson, Assistant DPW Director/Town Engineer Mary Mulroney, National Grid Representative APPROVAL OF MINUTES • March 16, 2021 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to Approve the Minutes of March 16, 2021 Second: by Councilor Ryan Vote: For (2 – Flaherty, Ryan), Against (0), Absent (1 - Mackin), Abstain (0) • April 6, 2021 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to Approve the Minutes of April 6, 2021 Second: by Councilor Ryan Vote: For (2 – Flaherty, Ryan), Against (0), Absent (1 - Mackin), Abstain (0) • April 27, 2021 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to Approve the Minutes of April 27, 2021 Second: by Councilor Ryan Vote: For (2 – Flaherty, Ryan), Against (0), Absent (1 - Mackin), Abstain (0) June 15, 2021 Department of Public Works Page 1 of 3 OLD BUSINESS • None NEW BUSINESS • 21 025 National Grid Petition: Hawthorn Road or take up any action relative thereto Chairman Ryan stated we have a recommendation from the DPW stating Hawthorn Road is not under moratorium. The Engineering Division was planning on completing a sidewalk reconstruction project, along with a subsequent resurfacing of the roadway for the 2021 construction season. The recommendation is that the petition be granted as soon as possible. Motion was read by Councilor Flaherty with Staff Recommendations: MOTION: To Relay approximately 1040 feet of 2-inch, bare steel (1931) and approximately 1400 feet of 2-inch, plastic (1979) with approximately 2440 feet of 4-inch, plastic in Hawthorn Rd from the existing 2-inch, plastic at Washington St to the existing 2-inch, plastic at Elm Street with the following staff recommendations: BELD: BELD has No conflicts on this road DPW: The DPW has reviewed the subject petition and the accompanying sketch for the new gas main location and have the following recommendations: Hawthorn Road is not under the moratorium. The street was last resurfaced with a mill and overlay in 2008. The Engineering Division was planning on completing a sidewalk reconstruction project, along with a subsequent resurfacing of the roadway for the 2021 construction season. We would recommend that the petition be granted as soon as possible so that the gas main replacement can be completed ahead of the Town’s planned resurfacing work. It should be noted that given the late nature of National Grid’s request, the sidewalk and roadway reconstruction work will likely be rescheduled to the 2022 construction season to allow ample time for any utility trench settlement. The petition should be granted under the normal conditions, with emphasis on the requirements that the trench pavement not be left low for any length of time, and that the gas main shall not encroach on any town-owned utilities. We also recommend that the following requirements be added to the permit, if it is to be granted: “National Grid must arrange a pre-construction meeting with Braintree DPW, Braintree Police and BELD prior to any excavation to discuss utility corridor assignment and traffic management for the project.” “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 June 15, 2021 Department of Public Works Page 2 of 3 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 Flaherty to Approve Order 21 025 Second: by Councilor Ryan Vote: For (2 – Flaherty, Ryan), Against (0), Absent (1 - Mackin), Abstain (0) It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:16p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting • Minutes of March 16, 2021 • Minutes of April 6, 2021 • Minutes of April 27, 2021 • 21 025 National Grid Petition: Hawthorn Road or take up any action relative thereto June 15, 2021 Department of Public Works Page 3 of 3