Public Works Committee

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Apr 29 2022 10:57 am April 29, 2022 Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes A meeting of the Public Works Committee was held on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in person at 700 Main Street in the Legislative Building at 5:00 PM. Committee Members Present: Councilors Bernie Schultz (filling in for chair, Fleming), Sam Squailia, Sally Cragin. Commissioner Nicholas Erickson Superintendent Gary Withington Committee Members Absent: Councilor Marisa Fleming and Councilor Paul Beauchemin Other Participants: 1) Vote to approve minutes from previous meeting (3/29/22): Minutes were approved unanimously. 2) DPW Updates: Commissioner Nick Erickson gave the following updates. For the DPW we solicited bids for the street light contract and we’re currently working with the low bidder right now and once that’s done we’ll work on going through the very large back log of street light repairs. We’re also working on getting our traffic light contractor and line painting contractor on board so we can start work with them this next fiscal year. P.J. Albert is currently working on the Main Street 2-way conversion project. Their anticipated completion date is scheduled to be the end of June 2022 pending we don’t have any supply chain issues to push this date back a little. For the Water Department contractor KJS is currently working on the transmission main between the Falulah water storage tanks and the Falulah treatment center on Rindge Road. They’re nearing completion on this project and hopefully when it’s complete the plant will run more efficiently than it ever has. On the Wastewaster side we’re working on the combined sewer separation project with Polito & Sons Construction currently on Water St., Clarendon St., Walnut St., and Nashua St. areas which is nearing completion. Weston & Sampson is currently working on the design for the next combined sewer separation project, which will consist of the downtown area and northwest of the downtown area. Councilor Bernie Schultz asked about the completion date for the Main Street 2-way conversion project and Comm. Erickson said they’re still aiming for the end of June as long as they don’t have any delays with suppliers for the streetlights and traffic lights. Comm. Erickson also told him we’re working on the installation of a new water main on Cushing Street and the redevelopment of Cushing Street and Mill Street corridor into more pedestrian friendly areas. This part of the project is being led by Community Development. Councilor Squailia asked when the streetlight contractor might be able to start on the backlog and how long their contract is for. To this Comm. Erickson responded that he believes in a few weeks’ time and this contract is for a three year period. Councilor Squailia also inquired about the weekly reports to which Comm. Erickson replied he’s still trying to get caught up. Councilor Squailia also asked if the DPW has a list of proposed streets to be paved this year to share with constituents. Comm. Erickson replied that we’re working thru the list now with utilities to identify which ones we can move forward on and which ones will have to wait. He’s also working with the mayor’s office to figure out the funding. There is no more Chapter 90  money until July. He’s also working on getting an on call 3 year paving contract. Councilor Squailia asked Comm. Erickson when he thought Electric Ave. would be paved. He replied that there is still water main work to be performed on Electric Ave. Electric Ave. will not be getting re-paved any time soon. 3) Action was taken as follows on NEW petitions: a) 094-22. Councilor Marisa Fleming, on behalf of Tom Siart, to install a berm on the backside of 280 Arn How Farm Road to mitigate flooding in his yard from water running down Billings Road. (REFERRED from City Council on April 5, 2022) Discussion: Superintendent Gary Withington agreed that a berm needs to be installed. He does not have a definitive start time yet. Recommendation: The Committee voted 3-0 that the petition be APPROVED. b) 095-22. Councilor Marisa Fleming, on behalf of Cindy Cote, to install well constructed asphalt, stone or granite berm at 161 Marshall Road to reduce any further erosion to the front of property due to increased traffic during the summer months as well as winter plowing during the snowy months. (REFERRED from City Council on April 5, 2022) Discussion: Superintendent Gary Withington agreed that this berm was removed over the winter from a plow and that it needs to be replaced. He does not have a definitive start time yet. Recommendation: The Committee voted 3-0 that the petition be APPROVED. c) 096-22. Councilor Andrew Van Hazinga, to install a berm on the western side of Longwood Avenue approximately 86 feet north of its intersection with Pearl Street to prevent storm-water runoff from washing out the area along the street. (REFERRED from City Council on April 5, 2022) Discussion: Superintendent Gary Withington said that it has been filled with grindings in the past but it gets washed out. He agrees that it needs to be installed. He does not have a definitive start time yet. Recommendation: The Committee voted 3-0 that the petition be APPROVED. d) 097-22. Councilor Sam Squailia, to petition the city to repair and/or replace existing trash barrels, and add new trash barrels as required on Main Street between Moran Square and Academy Street. Trash cans should be placed one at each block and strategically located at busy pedestrian transition points. (REFERRED from City Council on April 5, 2022) Discussion: Comm. Nick Erickson said that he has spoken with Tom Skwierawski, at Community Development, and the mayor’s office in regards to this. He was told that these receptacles would be added under a grant obtained by Reimagine North of Main. Recommendation: The Committee voted 3-0 that the petition be APPROVED. 4) 4) HELD petitions for review. e) 089-20. Councilor Bernie Schultz and resident Alex Freeman to remove the “No Turn on Red” sign at the intersection of John T. Cetrino Memorial Drive and Water Street. (HELD on the 10/28/20 meeting and the 1/26/21 meeting and the 7/27/21 meeting and the 3/29/22). (Amended the spelling of Cetrino at the January 2021 meeting). Discussion: The committee voted 3-0 that the petition be HELD until a traffic study could be completed. Recommendation: The committee voted 3-0 that the petition be HELD.