May 17 - May 23, 2020

The Weston Department of Public Works continued to fulfill its mission to construct and maintain the physical infrastructure that provides for the public's health and safety, to protect the environment, and to enhance the quality of life and ensure that Weston continues to be a desirable place in which to live and conduct business. The following is the weekly report, by division:

2020 Roadway Reconstruction Program

The Public Works team is well into its design and permitting work for this season's roadway reconstruction and utility work.

There is a great deal of planning and coordination that goes into the overall roadway schedule and the annual roadway construction activities that also involve associated drainage, culvert, water, sidewalk, and utilities (National Grid) work.

Depending on how well the coordination progresses, DPW is expecting to begin Round 1 of the roadway reconstruction work and utility work sometime in June 2020. Assuming FY21 funding appropriations are approved, residents can expect another aggressive construction season, which will be managed and balanced with the Town Center Project.

Roadways anticipated for the 2020 construction season (some are dependent upon the completion of water, drainage, and gas work):

Bogle Street (rubber chip seal) - Will probably not happen this construction season;
Conant Road (rubber chip seal) – Colchester to Brook Road - Will probably not happen this construction season;
Arrowhead Road - Bakers Hill Road to Bakers Hill Road - anticipate starting beginning of June;
Ash Street (mill and overlay) - anticipate starting beginning of June;
October Lane - Bakers Hill Road to Conant Road - anticipate starting beginning of June;
Church Street (mill and overlay) – Conant Road to railroad - anticipate starting beginning of June;
Kings Grant Road - Spruce Hill Road to cul de sac;
Spruce Hill Road - Kings Grant Road to cul de sac;
Bay State Road - Spruce Hill Road to end;
Indian Hill Road - Kings Grant Road to end;
Webster Road - Church Street to Church Street;
Buckskin Road - Route 20 to town line;
Warren Avenue - Boston Post Road to Gun Club Lane;
Merriam Street* - Silver Hill Road to Sunset Road;
Newton Street - #150 to South Avenue;
Spring Lane - Conant Road to end of roadway

Merriam Street (Sunset Road to Silver Hill Road) – a lot of moving parts remain and need to be completed prior to the roadway reconstruction taking place, including:

completing the roadway drainage work between Westland Road and house no. 189 +/-, Westland Road and house no. 217, and house no. 245 +/- to Hallet Hill Road;
Merriam Street Culvert Replacement over Cherry Brook;
water gate replacements on Merriam Street at Cherry Brook Road; and
sidewalk installation (southerly section between Westland Road and Sunset Road require easements)

ROAD OPENING NOTE - once paving is completed on a roadway, a five-year moratorium on pavement cutting is placed on that road. This is done to protect the investment made by taxpayers. A five-year schedule of anticipated roadway reconstruction is available on the DPW's web page under Capital Improvement Projects.

Town Center Improvement Project

Find construction updates - sign up for "Town Center Construction Project" email/text notifications Weston.org/StayInformed or visit project web page at Weston.org/TownCenter for three-week look ahead and project views.

Ongoing

Work in "Town Square" and Knox Park
Curbing and sidewalk work along north side of BPR
Businesses are open and parking is available, follow signage;

Additional Road Work Not Affiliated with the Town's Roadway Program

See updates in "State/Utility Project Work" for projects impacting roadways:
- National Grid gas main work
- Coordinated gas main replacement through DPW

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State/Utility Project Work

Continuing to coordinate with Eversource on a number of outstanding issues in Town including double poles, poles guyed into trees, leaning poles and pole guyed with rope (Merriam Street), Hazard trees at/near power lines, etc.;
National Grid has submitted several permits for repairing long-standing gas leak locations;

National Grid Gas Relay Projects

Proposed work for the 2020 Construction Season.

Sherburn Circle - permit under review;
Concord Road (1-81) - gas main replacement underway;
Tyler Road - permit under review;
292-352 Winter Street - permit under review;
74-147 Orchard Avenue (private road) - gas company mobilizing a crew to this area in the next couple of weeks;
4-54 Orchard Avenue (private road) - gas company mobilizing a crew to this area in the next couple of weeks;
Bay State Road - gas main replacement underway;
Indian Hill Road - waiting for crew to begin;
Webster Road - outstanding work is to connect services to properties

DPW employees installing a drainage pipe

Ongoing DPW Projects

Wireless Meter Reading - All contracts are in place (3), permits for collectors in progress, and installation of meters and radios to occur over the next several months, and then activation of the system. Coordination with town accounting hardware is also ongoing (MUNIS). Notices for meter work and scheduling will be going out soon. See Weston.org/WaterMeters for more information;
Newton Street Drainage (by church and Doublet Hill Area) - Town Engineer is working with several properties owners and others to secure easement rights for Phase II and Phase III drainage work;
Merriam Street Drainage work (at/about Westland Road: between Westland and Silver Hill Road) – Still drainage work needed on the Hallet Hill Road portion of Merriam Street. Town Engineering working with Town counsel;
Legacy Trail Project - anticipate work resuming this spring

Consultant Work Managed by DPW

Overseeing consultant work on Proposed Route 30 Roadway Reconstruction TIP Project - roadway, sidewalk, drainage improvements, intersection improvements, etc. Another meeting with Traffic & Sidewalk Committee & then anticipate being before the Select Board again to solicit comments prior to the formal 25% Submission to MassDOT. Project info at weston.org;
Overseeing consultant work on Proposed Route 20 Intersection Improvement TIP Project - (signal at Boston Post Road/Wellesley Street/Boston Post Road By-Pass) - 25% Plans submitted to MassDOT on March 16, 2020. Awaiting review comments, then a MassDOT Pubic Hearing will be scheduled. Project info at weston.org;
Overseeing Merriam Street sidewalk project - sidewalk project is advancing with anticipated construction this spring / summer;
Overseeing consultant design and permitting for Concord Road Culvert replacement which has impacts on the Warren Avenue and Merriam Street culverts - decision matrix tabling being evaluated. Engineering presented findings to Board of Selectmen and the Conservation Commission;
Overseeing consultant design and permitting for Ash Street Sidewalk Project - Design ongoing. Consultant to presented progress prints to Traffic and Sidewalk Committee, but drainage, length of crosswalk and curbing issues/comments from DPW Director need to be resolved. Town Engineer has outreached to MWRA about secure rights / easements to address previously mentioned concerns;
Overseeing consultant design and preparation of specification for Cemetery Tomb Restoration. Draft plans provided and comments provided back to consultant

Engineering

Currently reviewing 4 Stormwater Permits;
Currently issued 58 Stormwater permits which also requires construction inspection;
MS4 Stormwater Permit Annual Report –working on Year 2 requirements (ongoing). Consultant conducted dry weather screening last week. Sent SWMP and the IDDE to add to the Town website. A template is available for the (SWPPP and LTPPP) for the DPW and Transfer Station, possible for in-house. Using Fleet Maintenance and other training sessions for annual training requirements for IDDE Plan;
Catch Basin Cleaning – to start June;
Working with the Town’s Traffic and Sidewalk Committee on several items: Love Lane, Chestnut Street, Sunset Road, Wellesley Street at Route 30 signal, mirrors, stop sign requests, sidewalk requests, crosswalk requests, etc.;
Ongoing Engineering Drainage Designs:
- Hallet Hill at Merriam Street – Updates/revisions to add to plans based on review with Engineering; Wrap plans the week of 3/16/20;
- South Merriam Street – Plans reviewed with Engineering. Added two double CBs and updated details. Plans 90% complete and ready for Engineering review;
- Newton Street – Newton Street drainage design (Phase 3) and plan prep. in progress;
- Kings Grant Road - Site visits conducted. Drainage design completed. Plan preparation to be wrapped up next week;
- Pinecroft at Conant Road – Plans 95% complete. Existing utilities and details added to plans. Plans reviewed with Engineering;
- 12 Westerly Road – Pipe was video taped by contractor. Pipe appears to be in fair to poor condition but is a continuous connection; no junction or structures. Received letter from owners indicating that they agree to provide easement;
- Rolling Lane – Review existing conditions; Requested survey for the area
- 520 Glen Road – site visits and review of existing conditions. Preliminary drainage design; Wetland flagging and survey requested

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Prevent Stormwater Pollution

Environmentally-friendly Landscaping Practices

Stormwater pollution is the fastest growing type of water pollution in the state. Any natural or man-made contamination, such as dumped leaves and grass, dog waste or lawn fertilizers, that finds its way into our natural water sources (i.e. streams, ponds, rivers, groundwater) is stormwater pollution. Everyone can do their part to reduce pollutants for clean water and a healthier environment.

Right now is a good time to think about what you can do with your landscaping to help improve ecosystems, environmental practices, and reduce stormwater runoff from your yard. Consider speaking with your landscape company about their lawncare practices that can make your yard more environmentally-friendly.

Consider planting native groundcover plants or grass alternatives, rather than maintaining grass lawns
Use grass clippings and mulched leaves to naturally fertilize lawns and garden beds
adjust mower blades to 2" - 3" tall and keep the blades sharp
don't mow wet grass
If you have to water, water once a week and no more than 1"
Pick up dog waste and properly dispose of it

More lawncare tips are available at: ThinkBlueMassachusetts.org

underground installation of a water main

Water Division

Completed approximately 62 DigSafes;
Performed weekly samples (3), monthly water samples at tanks, and station/tank inspections;
Conducted 1 final read;
Continued water meter reading;
Inspected 2 new water services and turned water on;
Installed 2 new water meters;
Installed 2 temporary meters;

Park and Cemetery Division

Mowed and string trimmed around cemeteries, Town Hall, Scout House, Pumping Station, Fire Station HQ, Library, Art Center, Welcome of Weston signs (east and west entrance to BPR and Newton Street at Route 30, and Lamsom Park;
Mulched flower beds in Linwood, Police Station, Town Hall, and DPW;
Planted annuals at Linwood Cemetery, Town Hall, and Fiske Park;
Set 3 flush markers;
Dug and poured foundations for 2 monuments;
Cleaning and servicing equipment;
Gave new American flags to Veteran markers in cemeteries

Solid Waste and Recycling Division

Processed 1, 100-yard solid waste dumpster totaling 21.67 tons;
Picked up Weston Town office solid waste – 660 lbs.;
Processed 1 cardboard containers – 5.73 tons;
Ran 1 shuttle for grass/leaves – 12.04 tons;
Ran 4 shuttles for brush /logs – 21.66 tons;
Processed 1 metal container – 2.65 tons;
Process 2 container of scrap wood – 5.35 tons;
Swap Shed temporarily CLOSED;
Cleaned the trailer pit as needed;
Pick up litter and cleaned up around the site as needed;
Packed containers as needed to maximize loads;
Disinfected Solid Waste and Recycling areas daily;
Mulched flower beds;
Mowed around the Transfer Station;
Painted recycling areas;
Painted solid waste hoppers;
Fixed broken vents at old landfill.

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Highway/Stormwater Divisions

General

COVID-19: Personnel and Equipment SOPs;
Respond to Misc. calls for Service – 19;
Cooks Pond Pump Station (drainage): 5/18 restart pump, power outage; 5/22 operating normally;
DIGSafe Markouts & Permits Requested: Catch Basin @ Kings Grant;
Cleaning and Servicing Equipment: 5/18 start small trucks;

Outside Division

Assist Park/Cemetery/Transfer Station Division: 5/19 Compact dumpsters @ Transfer Station;
Assist Police Department: Tree call Summer at Farm;
Assist Tree Contractor with Removals – Country Drive;
Assist Paving Contractor (Lazaro) – Install erosion controls at October Lane and Arrowhead Road prep. for paving
Assist with/or Applying Pavement Markings – black out double yellow at Winter and 30;
Assist Drainage & Video /Jet Cleaning Contractor – 5/20 Kings Grant, Spruce Hill;
Assist Conservation Commission – 5/15 complete RDA for VMP;

Highway

Inspect Roadway Conditions: Kings Grant;
Sign and Mailbox Repairs and Installations: Willard Road, Lexington Street, Cliff Road, Fence Repair at Church Street, Old Coach Road;
Assist Stormwater Division – Loam basin area at Kings Grant Road, Erosion controls at October and Arrowhead;
Sidewalk Sweeping: 5/19 North section, 5/21 finish sidewalk sweeping;
Repair Shoulder Erosion and/or Surface Degradation- River Road, Kendal Green R&R Lot;
Mowing and trimming Islands and Grass Strips: Middle section;
Flail Mowing: Kendal Green Lot;
Inspect Tree Locations: Bullard Road, Corner of Corwood and Ridgeway;
Tree and/or Branch Removals and Debris Cleanup: Summer at Farm, Warren Avenue, remove stump at Wellesley Street;

Stormwater

DMH/CB Inspections & Roadway ID Markings: Hancock, Kings Grant, Cliff;
Street Sweeping: Middle section, Start North section;
Install/remove Erosion Controls: Arrowhead and October

Vehicle Maintenance Division

Performed routine maintenance (fluid services, tires and brakes, exhaust, steering and suspension, exterior trim work and electrical repairs) on 1 school bus, 6 police vehicles, and 13 DPW trucks and other equipment, noting that the DPW Vehicle Maintenance Division is responsible for over 127 pieces of rolling stock for the Town;
Performed 2 major repairs on vehicles with Major/Significant maintenance activity: S-14 Brakes, Bus 18 entrance step

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