PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

OCTOBER 23, 2006

COUNCIL CHAMBER

Convened: 5:35 p.m.

Adjourned: 6:55 p.m.

 

Present were:       Chairperson Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr.

                             Councilor Joffrey A. Smith

                             Councilor Philip P. Palmieri

 

Also:                    DPWP Commissioner Robert L. Moylan, Jr.

                             DPWP Staff Paul Moosey

                             DPWP Staff Matthew Labovites

                             DPWP Staff David Martin

                             State Representative John Fresolo

                             City Clerk David J. Rushford, clerk

 

 

ITEMS RELATIVE TO OCTOBER 2005 FLOODING

 

Communications of the City Manager

 

1.      Transmitting informational communication and the final report prepared by the independent consultants, Stearns and Wheeler, with the results of their evaluation of the Dunkirk Avenue pumping station.

#5A CM June 20, 2006

In Committee July 11, 2006 – Held

Recommend File

 

2.       Transmitting informational communication relative to Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance for Property Owners as a Result of the October, 2005 Rain Event.

#37A CM August 29, 2006

Recommend File

 

3.       Transmitting informational communication relative to City Council’s Request for City Manager to Provide a Report Detailing what Cities and Towns across the Commonwealth have Paid Damages as a Result of Sewage Back-up into Private Properties.

#37C CM August 29, 2006

Recommend File

 

4.       Transmitting informational communication relative to the Back Flow Valve Program.

#12C CM September 12, 2006

Recommend File

 

5.       Transmitting informational communication relative to the DPW’s Responses to Additional Questions Posed by the Residents of the Dunkirk Avenue Area Concerning the October 2005 Rain Event and Subsequent Flooding.

#11A CM October 3, 2006

Recommend File

 

6.       Transmitting communication in response to City Council Order to File Legislation with the General Court which would Authorize Tax Abatements for Individuals who Suffered Property Damage during the Rain Event of October, 2005.

#28A CM October 3, 2005

 

Recommend Accept the Communication and Adopt the accompanying Order requesting the City Manager to file legislation (enclosed) with the Great and General Court to grant tax abatements to individuals who suffered property damage in the October 15, 2005 rain event.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager consider investigating the feasibility of dredging Broad Meadow Brook to improve flow through the entire area.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager request the City Assessor to report to the City Council whether or not real estate tax abatements could be honored if special legislation is passed during calendar 2007 authorizing tax abatements to individuals who suffered property damage as a result of the October 15, 2005 rain event.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks report to the City Council concerning the request to remove grate at the beginning of the Broad Meadow Brook culvert.

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager request the City Solicitor provide the City Council with a copy of the 1873 Massachusetts statute that states a municipality may not pay for property damages due to water or sewer damages.

 

 MISCELLANEUOUS - Petitions

 

7.       Jay Toupin & Lou Fisch request an explanation why Delmont Ave., scheduled for resurfacing in calendar year 2005, has not been accomplished, and is not scheduled until a future uncertain date.

# 41 CC August 29, 2006

Recommend File

 

8.       Emad Yousef request to install parking curbs in front of 63 Hamilton Street.

# 44 CC August 29, 2006

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks during the installation of the sidewalk on north side of Hamilton Street between Plantation Street and Almont Avenue include neck downs for creation of angled parking.

 

9.       Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. request repair of asphalt curbing in the vicinity of 24 Vincent Circle.

# 14c CC September 12, 2006

Recommend Approval

 

10.     Susan Vinacco-Cummings, Property Manager for Executive House Condominiums, request repair of fire lane entrance curbing at 80 Salisbury St. and make it handicap accessible.

# 15 CC October 3, 2006

Recommend Leave to Withdraw (previously approved)

 

11.     Ernest S. & Barbara J. Melanson et al request to extend municipal services to include 35 through 41 Chiltern Hill Drive North, specifically trash pickup, snowplowing and leaf sweeping.

#10 CC June 15, 2004

In Committee November 29, 2004 - Held

In Committee November 16, 2005 – Held

Recommend File

 

12.     Vincent Sasso et al request fire hydrant repair on corner of Thenius St. and Stebbins St. as two side caps are missing.

#7 CC February 7, 2006

Recommend Leave to Withdraw (work completed)

 

13.     Americo Paul Ursoleo request to put up a fence in front of the Grafton Street sidewalk across from the Sunoco gas station.

#22 CC April 25, 2006

Recommend Deny

 

14.     Stephen Patton on behalf of Worcester Common Ground, Inc. request trash receptacle provided by the City at 300 Pleasant St. be moved to a location away from the building.

#23 CC August 29, 2006

Recommend Leave to Withdraw (work completed)

 

15.     Jeanne Phung request to remove dead tree at 12 Taunton St.

#7 CC September 26, 2006

Recommend File

 

16.     Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. on behalf of Ronald Pilski request asphalt apron repair at 28 Arbutus St.

#3CC July 18, 2006

Recommend Hold

 

MISCELLANEOUS - Communications of the City Manager

 

17.     Relative to an update on the Quinsigamond Avenue Gateway I Project.

#11B CM May 16, 2006

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide the City Council with most recent recommendations for the Quinsigamond Avenue Gateway 1 Project.

 

Lloyd Bristol, consultant to the DPWP, appeared and made a presentation concerning the Quinsigamond/Southbridge Street Gateway path.

 

18.     Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the SRF (State Revolving Fund) Program and Upper Blackstone Water Pollution Abatement District (UBWPAD).

#11C CM August 29, 2006

Recommend File