Public Works Committee

February 26, 2020 Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes A meeting of the Public Works Committee was held on Tuesday, February 25, 2020, at DPW Headquarters, 301 Broad Street, at 5:00 PM. Committee Members Present: Councilors Marissa Fleming (chair), Paul Beauchemin, Andrew Couture, Bernard Shultz, Andrew Van Hazinga. Commissioner Nicolas Bosonetto Superintendent Gary Withington Committee Members Absent: none Other Participants: Councilor Samantha Squailia Nicholas Erickson, Civil Engineer DPW 1) Minutes from 1/28/2020 meeting were approved. 2) Action was taken as follows on NEW petitions: 046-20. Councillors Marisa Fleming and Marcus DiNatale to declare Ethier Street a Public Way. (REFERRED from City Council on 2/4/2020 to Property Committee, Planning Board, and Public Works Committee) Discussion: Commissioner Bosonetto explained that this project dated from 2011 when it was approved by the Planning Board with 28 conditions. These conditions included constructing a stormwater detention basin and paying $500 per lot maintenance fee totaling $4,500 (#11) and also providing inflow and infiltration (I&I) work per DPW direction estimated at about $9,600 based on $1.20/gal and 2:1 rate of 8,000 gallons (#17). The Planning Board is still holding a $25,000 performance guarantee from the developer. The improvements have been built and inspected, but there are some outstanding issues, namely: 1. The developer has to convey fee title in the roadway and detention basin lot to the city in order to accept the roadway and basin. Until such time the developer and/or homeowners are responsible for maintenance; 2. The cul-de-sac landscaping would not be maintained by DPW. This would still be the responsibility of the homeowners; 3. The detention basin has not been maintained in years and is becoming overgrown;  4. Only one street light was installed in the project and it is unclear if additional lighting was supposed to be installed. Councilor Fleming commented that the original developer has had recent health issues and perhaps that is the reason why the appropriate conveyances have not been completed. Councilors Van Hazinga and Beauchemin discussed the proper method for the city to accept the roadway and drainage improvements. Overall, the Committee felt that it was clearly the developer’s responsibility to convey the deeds and appropriately file for acceptance of these improvements. Until such time, the roadway/detention basin are private infrastructure that needs to be maintained by the developer. Recommendation: The Committee voted 5-0 that the petition be HELD. 3) Previously HELD petitions for review: 209-18. Multiple citizens, to repair McTaggart's Dam to refill pond and restore wildlife population. (HELD during June, September, & October 2019, and January 2020 meetings) Discussion: Nicholas Erickson, Civil Engineer with DPW presented the findings of the Alternative Analysis Report conducted by our consultants. The city obtained ownership of McTaggart’s in the mid-90’s through tax title. The dam is currently rated as unsafe by the Massachusetts’s Office of Dam Safety. The report found that the dam provides no flood control attenuation and negatively affects the ecology of the natural environment by preventing the flow of the stream and warming the waters. The dam provides limited recreational use to abutters in the form of swimming, fishing and canoeing. The alternatives included rehabilitating the dam at a cost of $3.4 million, lowering the dam height, or removing the dam at a cost of $1.4 to $1.9 million depending on extents. Commissioner Bosonetto explained that the city currently owns and maintains 24 dams and DPW does not have the staff or resources to maintain them. In addition to all of the other infrastructure the city is responsible for, removal of this dam would lessen the burden on our infrastructure budgets. Councilor Couture advocated for the rehabilitation of the dam stating that many people from Ward 3 and from around the city use the pond for recreation including fishing and boating. He inquired whether Moran Field could be expanded to make the area a recreational waterfront park. Councilor Couture also expressed concerns that the abutting homeowners could see a decrease in property values. Nicholas Erickson explained that the pond has limited ecological value and that once it is removed, the stream would revert back to a natural state and fish would actually thrive better due to cooler temperatures. The pond area would likely revert back to a meadow type upland area and the recreational fishing and natural beauty of the area would benefit abutting landowners. He also explained that the funding for the dam removal would come from grant funds and that the state currently favors dam removals. Recommendation: The Committee voted 4-1 that the petition be given leave to WITHDRAW. 2/26/20 City of Fitchburg, Massachusetts 01420 Page 2 of 3 www.fitchburgma.gov  126-19. Councilor Joel Kaddy, to correct water problem at 15 Thurston Place. (HELD during June, September, & October 2019, and January 2020 meetings) Discussion: Nicholas Erickson and Superintendent Withington have been monitoring the drainage situation but have not witnessed runoff events. DPW will await the next heavy rainfall event and inspect. Recommendation: The Committee voted 5-0 that the petition be HELD. 252-19. Councillor Paul Beauchemin, that Boulder Drive from Putnam Street be closed to traffic, for pedestrian use only. (HELD during October 2019, and January 2020 meetings) Discussion: Councilor Beauchemin made a motion to withdraw his petition, but wanted to go on record that he is concerned that the 2-way conversion of Boulder Drive will cause speeding due to the wide, straight and flat alignment of the roadway. He hopes that some traffic calming measures will be incorporated into the design. Recommendation: The Committee voted 5-0 that the petition be given leave to WITHDRAW. 4) Any Other Business: No other business was addressed. NICOLAS BOSONETTO, COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS Name and title of person submitting minutes 2/26/20 City of Fitchburg, Massachusetts 01420 Page 3 of 3 www.fitchburgma.gov