June 14 to June 20, 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 in June 2020.

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

Arrowhead Road - Bakers Hill Road to Bakers Hill Road - anticipate starting mid July, awaiting contractor's schedule;
Ash Street (mill and overlay) - Curbing work and casting work ongoing. Anticipate paving week of June 29;
October Lane - Bakers Hill Road to Conant Road - Anticipate starting July 2020 – awaiting contractor’s schedule;
Church Street (mill and overlay) – Conant Road to railroad - Curbing work and casting work ongoing. Anticipate paving week of June 29;
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 - schedule TBD;
Newton Street - #150 to South Avenue;
Spring Lane - Conant Road to end of roadway
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;

*Merriam Street (Sunset Road to Silver Hill Road) – Expect Merriam St. road closure & detours when the existing culvert is removed and the new one is installed. Work will include the water main replacement in the culvert area. The contractor will be responsible for all signage. Work is anticipated to take appx 8 weeks, though is weather dependent.

There are a lot of moving parts that need to be completed prior to the Merriam Street reconstruction taking place, including:

complete 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 - anticipated bid opening on June 19 and work commencing after July 1;
water gate replacements on Merriam Street at Cherry Brook Road - anticipated over the next several weeks;
sidewalk installation (southerly section between Westland Road and Sunset Road require easements) - shop drawing work underway;
Merriam Street (Sunset Road to Westland Road) paving – schedule TBD

ROAD CUTTING AFTER PAVING MORATORIUM - once paving is completed on any roadway in Weston, 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 and anticipate starting south side sidewalk work first week in July
Eversource started pulling cables between the newly installed manholes in Boston Post Road
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

1

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 - gas main replacement underway;
Webster Road - outstanding work is to connect services to properties
Wellesley Street (from 654 to 699) mill and overlay for permanent trench work on completed June 18-19

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 10 Stormwater Permits;
Currently issued 48 Stormwater permits which also requires construction inspection;
MS4 Stormwater Permit Annual Report –working on Year 2 requirements (ongoing). Updating minimum control measures that are required for MS4 – Year 2 and 3 with assistance from Conservation. Completed IDDE training for Year 2. Consultant working on development of the written phosphorus control Plan (PCP) – Phase 1;
Catch Basin Cleaning – to start July;
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 – Draft design and plans complete; waiting on easement; and plans review with Engineering;
- South Merriam Street – Draft design and plans completed; waiting on easement; and plans review with Engineering;
- Newton Street – Newton Street drainage design (Phase 3) and plan prep. in progress;
- Kings Grant Road - Draft design and plans complete; draft plans for review with Engineering;
- Pinecroft at Conant Road – Design and plan prep. plans reviewed with Engineering;
- Rolling Lane – Design and plan preparation in progress;
- 520 Glen Road – Survey complete; NOI to be submitted

1

Preventing Stormwater Pollution - Lawn Watering

Stormwater pollution is the fastest growing type of water pollution in the state and it is any natural or man-made contamination that finds its way into our natural water sources. The contamination of our streams, ponds, rivers, and groundwater is

a direct placement, such as leaves or grass clippings dumped near a creek edge or pool water drained into a storm drain
contaminants picked up by rain fall or snow melt that is carried into a water source, such as dog waste or lawn chemicals

Stormwater pollution negatively impacts water quality and flow, contaminates drinking water supplies, can destroy aquatic and wildlife habitat, and even cause flooding.

Warm temperatures and infrequent rainfall means irrigation systems are set and going. But does your lawn actually need the water? From May to October, grass lawns only need 1" of water per week before they go dormant for the winter. If you aren't measuring the amount of water being sprayed on your grass, you could be watering your lawn with money and creating additional stormwater runoff. Here are a few tips to help you keep some green in your wallet and be water and stormwater conscious:

Buy a rain gauge so you know what your lawn actually needs. Too much water creates insufficient root structure (and wastes money and resources)
Keep mower blades sharp and high to promote a deep & strong root system (water needs decrease and the higher grass stymies weed growth, too)
Water early in the morning to allow that water to seep deep into the ground
If you don't know what your irrigation output and timing is, place jars out and time how long it takes to get to 1” so you're not wasting water, which is money
Use grass clippings and mulched leaves as natural fertilizer (just be sure to sweep them off the sidewalk or road)

Everyone can do their part to reduce pollutants for clean water and a healthier environment.

Water Division

Completed approximately 75 DigSafes;
Performed weekly samples (3), monthly water samples at tanks, and station/tank inspections;
Conducted 3 final reads;
Continued water meter reading;
Replaced 1 water meter;
Inspected 1 new water service, relocated 1 water service, and shut off 1 water service and pulled out meter for demolition

Park and Cemetery Division

2 graves dug with casket interments;
Mowed and string trimmed around Linwood, Town Hall, Library, DPW, Police Station, South Cemetery, Farmers Cemetery, Pump House;
Cleaning and servicing equipment;
Planted 6 trees and 6 shrubs with Weston Nurseries;
Watered trees and shrubs;
Pruned Rhododendrons at Central Cemetery

Solid Waste and Recycling Division

Processed 1, 100-yard solid waste dumpster totaling 23.64 tons;
Picked up municipal office recycling – 700 lbs;
Picked up Town office solid waste – 840 lbs.;
Processed 2 cardboard containers – 8.87 tons;
Processed 1 container of plastic – 3.58 tons;
Ran 1 shuttle for grass/leaves – 10.25 tons;
Ran 3 shuttle for brush /logs – 14.46 tons;
Process 1 container of scrap wood – 3.70 tons;
Processed 5 cent deposit bottles and cans – 1,640 tons;
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;
Mowed around the Transfer Station;
Patched concrete pads near brush dumpsters;

2

Highway/Stormwater Divisions

General

COVID-19: Personnel and Equipment SOPs;
Respond to Misc. calls for Service – 21;
Traffic Detours Setup & Removals: Church @ Conant, Church @ North Avenue;
Cooks Pond Pump Station (drainage): 6/17 operating normally;
Message Board: Change message to reflect resurfacing schedules for Church and Ash Streets;
Cleaning and Servicing Equipment: 6/19 Trucks

Outside of Division

Assist Park/Cemetery/Transfer Station Division: compact dumpsters;
Assist Engineering: Inspect Doublet Hill – Final Trench Pave, Cherry Brook High Water, Conant Road-stream culvert conditions meeting;
Assist Police Department: ACA for Animal caging – sick hawk, open microphone issue;
Assist Paving Contractor (Lazaro) – 6/17 and 6/18 Church Street;
Assist Grounds/Facilities – Relocate Town Hall Employee picnic table;
Assist ConCom – 6/16 ConCom Zoom Meeting – VMP Permitting

Highway

Inspect Roadway Conditions: Church Street, Newton Street, Pigeon Hill;
Sign and Mailbox Repairs and Installations: Clear brush from signage – south / middle sections;
Assist Stormwater Division – Search high water cause – Cherry Brook;
Pavement Markings (temp) applied and/or removed: None;
Remove debris from roadway: Lexington Street, Wellesley Street;
Pothole Patching and Trench Patching: Pigeon Hill at Montvale, Longmeadow;
Wall Inspections and/or Repairs: Ware Street;
Repair Shoulder Erosion and/or Surface Degradation- Valley View;
Mowing and trimming Islands and Grass Strips: Middle and South Sections;
Flail Mowing: Summer, River, Ridgeway, and Park;
Inspect Tree Locations: North Avenue at Lexington, Summer, School Street, Coburn Road, Newton Street, BPR, Winter Street, and Lexington;
Tree and/or Branch Removals and Debris Cleanup: Hanger at BPR, Bogle Street;
Loam and Seed: Cliff Road, Wellesley Street

Stormwater

Assist Highway Division: Tree debris pickup, mowing and trimming islands/grass strips, flail mowing;
Check and Clear Waterways: Cherry Brook High water – beaver dam? Clear basins from regular list

Vehicle Maintenance Division

Performed routine maintenance (fluid services, tires and brakes, exhaust, steering and suspension, exterior trim work and electrical repairs) on 10 school buses, 10 DPW trucks and other equipment, and 2 school grounds vehicles, noting that the DPW Vehicle Maintenance Division is responsible for over 127 pieces of rolling stock for the Town;
Performed 4 major repairs on vehicles with Major/Significant maintenance activity: Bus #12 Radiator, Brake lines; H-22 Flail teeth replacement; W-4 Suspension work; T-21 Oil Plan Replacement;
Fuel island, weekly inspection performed;

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