Public Works Committee

Filed in the City Clerk’s Office: CITY OF FITCHBURG FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Feb 22 2024 4:06 pm PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES A meeting of the Public Works Committee was held on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, in person at the Legislative Building, 700 Main Street at 5:00 PM. Committee Members Present: Councilors Derrick Cruz (Chair), Paul Beauchemin, Marcus DiNatale, Marisa Fleming, and Bernie Schultz. Also in attendance was DPW Commissioner Nick Erickson. 1) Vote to approve minutes from previous meeting (October 26, 2023). Minutes were approved unanimously 5-0. 2) Vote to approve remaining meeting dates for 2024. Meeting dates were approved unanimously 5-0. 3) DPW Updates: Commissioner Erickson provided an overview of the snow and ice spending to date. He noted that they are approximately halfway through their average budget, which is roughly a million dollars per year. Typically, the first $500,000 is included with the fiscal year budget and an appropriation request for the remainder of the funds takes place about halfway through the season. He explained that they have a severe shortage of third party plow contractors this year averaging about fifteen pieces of equipment when typically they aim to have about thirty pieces. He noted that they are able to utilize about forty pieces of equipment between their in-house staff and third party contractors as long as there is staff to man the trucks and the equipment remains operational. Commissioner Erickson provided an overview to the committee members about the contractual obligations that must be followed with regards to how staff members are called in for storms and other terms that must be abided by within the current collection bargaining agreement. A question was asked about why we were unable to secure more third party contractors this year and whether our rates were competitive. He explained that our rates are competitive with surrounding towns and the lack of interest to contract with the City could be due to the rising costs for fuel, vehicle repairs and insurance rates. He noted that this trend is happening across the state and is not unique to Fitchburg and assured the committee members they have done their due diligence with reaching out to all the local contractors they know of asking them to contract with us with no success. He mentioned it’s not too late to apply to contract with the City and noted that the contract documents are available on the City’s website. 4) NEW petitions for review: a) 254-23. Councilors Squailia and Van Hazinga to install a berm at 405 Blossom St from the driveway to the existing storm drain to mitigate water intrusion into the landscaped area and sidewalk, approx 50'. Request DPW review height of Driveway Apron as may need to be raised up to direct water flow towards storm drain. (Referred from City Council on November 8, 2023) Discussion: Councilor Van Hazinga spoke in favor of the petition and noted that there are concerns with water coming down the hill and causing issues with ice. He stated that a berm installed in this location would help the guide the water to the storm drain further down the road. A question was raised to the Commissioner whether Blossom Street is included in the combined sewer separation project. Commissioner Erickson explained that it is and will most likely be part of phase 3 with anticipated construction being in 2025 or 2026. Councilors agreed that even though the road will be repaved in the future, they wanted to add it to the list. Recommendation: The Committee voted 5-0 that the petition be APPROVED  b) 255-23. Marisa Fleming on behalf of Dan Sarasin of 75 Klondike Ave to install a berm in front of his property to mitigate flooding from the higher ground across the street. (Referred from City Council on November 8, 2023) Discussion: Councilor Fleming explained that this property is at the entrance of Peirce Farm Road and the rainwater coming downhill enters this property. Commissioner Erickson noted this is a tough situation because in addition to being directly across from Pierce Farm Road, the property has a paved driveway with an approximately 110 foot wide curb cut which is over the zoning regulation for residential property. He suggested meeting with the property owner to discuss where he would like the berm to be installed because it was unclear as to their expectations. Recommendation: The Committee voted 5-0 that the petition be HELD c) 256-23. Andrew Couture on behalf of Brian Rufiange to request a berm to be placed from the intersection of Oak Hill to the storm drain just past 394 Franklin Rd. (Referred from City Council on November 8, 2023) Discussion: Commissioner Erickson stated that the catch basin is approximately 185 feet to the intersection of Oak Hill Road. He noted there didn’t appear to be heavy evidence of erosion or scouring, rather, some sediment deposition from natural runoff. He agreed that a berm would help the water flow from Oak Hill Road to this catch basin without interfering with the property owners front lawn, but noted, since Franklin Road is on their paving list for the next few years that he recommended a berm is placed in this location at that time. Recommendation: The Committee voted 5-0 that the petition be HELD d) 257-23. Councilor Sam Squailia to remove the large stump in front of 264 Elm St. This stump juts into the roadway and is often obscured due to weed overgrowth, causing damage to vehicles trying to park on the street. (Referred from City Council on November 8, 2023) Discussion: Commissioner Erickson stated that he agreed the stump should be removed because it is often time obscured by weeds growing around it and motorists attempting to park on this side could potentially damage their car. A question was asked about how the stump would be removed. Commissioner Erickson explained that recently they have rented a stump grinder through the Greening the Gateway Cities Program and his goal would be to utilize this program to get it removed and potentially a tree plant in its place, most likely in Lowe Park. Recommendation: The Committee voted 5-0 that the petition be APPROVED 5) HELD petitions for review: a) 193-23. City Councilor Andrew Couture, on behalf of Bev Hofer, to replace the berm in front of 466 Franklin Road to combat runoff from Oak Hill Road. (HELD at the 7/25/23 and 10/26/23 meetings) Discussion: Commissioner Erickson stated that the distance from 466 Franklin to Oak Hill Road is about 525 feet and that he agrees once the road is repaved that a berm should be considered here to make sure water flows to the catch basin. He noted that he was unsure if the resident’s intention was to install a berm all the way to the catch basin or whether they are just looking to have a driveway apron replaced. He explained that in the past there was a driveway apron installed and he agreed that replacing it would help mitigate the ponding at the end of the driveway. A motion to amend the petition to read “Replace the driveway apron in front of 466 Franklin Road” was approved 5-0. Recommendation: The Committee voted 5-0 that the amended petition be APPROVED 6) Any Other Business: None Councilor Cruz acknowledged former Chair Fleming for her hard work and support to the committee. Motion to adjourn by Councilor Fleming and seconded by Councilor Schultz.