April 30, 2023 - May 6, 2023

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:

2023 Roadway Reconstruction Program

Utility work needs to be appropriately coordinated and completed, the following roads are expected to be worked on this construction season. Also note the gas main work being completed by National Grid in the utility work section below:

1.) Round 1 (April/May/June timeframe)

Ridgeway Road (portion)
Chiltern Road
Old Colony Road
Ferndale Road
Columbine Road
Dean Road

2.) Round 2 (August/September timeframe)

Bittersweet Road;
Stillmeadow Road
Black Oak Road
Nobscot Road
Hickory Road
Briar Road

3.) On the radar depending on how the season goes:

Willard Road – drainage work;
Bemis Road – drainage work;
Walnut Road (public section);
Linwood Avenue
Elliston Road

Candidates for Rubber Chipstone:

Hobbs Brook Road
Forest Ridge Road
Drabbington Way
Sunset Road
Crescent Street
Hillcrest Road
Colonial Way
Beech Street

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 Ongoing Work

Outstanding work – Remaining punchlist items ongoing.

1

State/Utility Project Work

Continuing to coordinate with Eversource on a number of outstanding issues in Town including double poles (North Avenue & Winter Street by Rivers School), poles guyed into trees, leaning poles and poles guyed with rope, 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:

Church Street – (at/about Pigeon Hill Road) Work completed with the exception of the crossing over the MBTA/Rail Trail – Draft of revised proposal of bridge crossing provided to DPW for review and comments
Winter Street (Brown to Radcliffe Road) – Select Board grant of location held on 3/8/22 and GOL approved that evening with conditions. NGrid is indicating will be pushed to next construction season.
~~Wellesley Street (649 to Glen Road) – Gas main and service work completed…..Final Trench Paving work will occur next Spring (2023);~~
Whitney Tavern – Gas main replacement ongoing…anticipate construction continuing thru end of May….service replacements ongoing;
Overlook Drive – Gas Main Replacement ongoing…anticipate construction continuing thru end of May….service replacements ongoing;
Irving Road – Gas Main Replacement ongoing. Anticipate construction to be completed the week of May 15^th;
~~Westcliff Road – Gas main and service work completed.~~
Bakers Hill Road – Anticipate the crew on Irving Road moving over to Bakers Hill Road once completed. Site walk completed week of May 8^th .
Gas Main Replacements next up on the NGrid Capital Plan are: Radcliffe Road….. Shady Hill Road, Autumn Road, Woodridge Circle, Legion Road, and Audubon Road (FY 2025 noting that we are attempting to have the gas main replacement at least one year ahead of any Roadway Reconstruction work). The planning meeting resulted in Bakers Hill Road and Radcliffe Road being the gas replacements next in line for replacement.

Merriam Street Bridge over the MBTA (owned and maintained by MassDOT)

Town is attempting to work with MassDOT on more permanent solution to bridge carrying capacity. MassDOT has requested that the Town be invited to a bridge consultant scoping session. The MassDOT expeditors were aware of the comments from the DPW (Cullen) to the State Bridge Engineer. Additional items discussed were potential detour routes, hours of operations including nightwork during critical bridge erection tasks, Water/Other Utilities including lighting fixtures, guardrail at the approaches and bridge railings, lighting, etc. We also encouraged the State about holding a pre-25% discussion with the Town prior to the design public hearing, a “neighborhood meeting”. Anticipate seeing the consultant’s survey crews mobilizing over the next several weeks as they gather existing information to begin the preliminary design.

Eversource Utility Pole and Infrastructure Upgrades on 117/North Ave & Winter Street (from Natick Town line to just north of Bogle Street)

Eversource crew indicated that all their overhead infrastructure is completed and the remaining work is the transfers for others (~~Crown Castle~~, Verizon, Comcast and ~~Town Fiber~~). The remaining double poles can be removed. Transfer of overhead lines NOT completed despite consistent pushing by DPW Director to the various utilities.

MassDOT Newton-Weston bridge replacements and rehabilitations at I-90/I-95 – Visit MassDOT website for project information.

DPW employees installing a drainage pipe

Ongoing DPW Projects & Consultant Work

Drainage and Culvert

Southside Drainage – Phase III – design and permitting work completed. Neighborhood meeting occurred with one (1) participant. Next action items are affirming easement rights. Anticipate project startup Spring 2023 assuming Engineering can finalize all necessary easements;
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 Select Board and the Conservation Commission.
~~Sherburn Circle Culvert replacement – Construction substantially complete. Final planting work to occur next construction season.~~

State TIP (Overseeing Consultant Work On)

Proposed Route 30 Roadway Reconstruction TIP Project (roadway, sidewalk, drainage improvements, intersection improvements, etc.) - approval of 25% plan submission was approved by the Board at a September 24, 2020 meeting. Formal 25% Submission to MassDOT October 2020. MassDOT 25% Design Public Hearing which was held on September 22, 2022 at 6:30 pm (Virtual). Town and consultant working with MassDOT to advance to a 75% Design including responding to comments and/or concerns heard at the 25% design public hearing. Town working towards getting this project included in the TIP which is programed for FY 2026 in the MPO plan; Project info at https://www.westonma.gov/1274/Route-30-Reconstruction;
Under a Transportation Bond bill signed into law by the Governor in 2021, The Municipal Pavement Program seeks to improve the condition of municipally owned state numbered routes, with an emphasis on National Highway System (NHS) roadways, and to find opportunities to improve safety and accessibility for all modes. Projects are selected by MassDOT each fiscal year based on pavement condition data, the proportion of state numbered routes in poor condition in a municipality, and geographic equity. MassDOT works closely with selected communities to develop a scope of work for each roadway segment. All work is conducted by MassDOT contractors in coordination with the municipality. As such, no funds are provided directly to the municipality. See the following link to said Program: https://www.mass.gov/municipal-pavement-program
Working with our partners at MassDOT and their consultant, OUR Route 30 (South Avenue) was chosen as a candidate eligible under this program and the Town is advancing a Mill and Overlay Project that if all goes well will be completed by the Fall of 2023.
This work also ties in nicely with our Proposed Transportation Improvement Project (TIP) for the Route 30 Roadway Reconstruction. The Municipal Paving Program address the roadway pavement portion of the Route 30 Project, it does not address the other features of that Proposed Project such as the Shared Use Path, new pedestrian and pre-emptive signal at Route 30/Ash Street/Fire Station, drainage extensions, wall work, tree removals and/or replacements, etc. that is still currently programmed on the TIP for Fiscal Year 2026. With this pavement work scheduled this year (Calendar Year 2023) and based on current proposed schedule for the TIP Project to start puts the project completion approximately 6 plus years from now which would result in the TIP project conducting some form of surface pavement preservation project at that time.
- Proposed Route 20 Intersection Improvement TIP Project - (signal at Boston Post Road/Wellesley Street/Boston Post Road By-Pass) - Project info at weston.org. Next action item: addressing comments received at the Public Hearing and then submission of 75% Highway Submission. Town will continue to work towards getting this project included in the TIP which is programed for FY 2026 in the MPO plan. Project info at https://www.westonma.gov/727/Route-20-Intersection-Improvement
- Talking with the State about a Sidewalk Extension project on Wellesley Street that connects to this proposed project but without sacrificing project schedules or funding.
- Proposed Intersection Improvements at Highland Street and Route 20 (potential TIP Project) – Town Engineer and Traffic and Sidewalk Committee working with consultant on data gather aspect of this proposed project. Anticipate a draft report and a Traffic and Sidewalk Committee evaluation of said report over the next several weeks.
  Sidewalk
  - Ash Street Sidewalk Project – Engineering working on the design to advance to the May 2023 Town Meeting.
  - Warren Avenue – Funding secured for the work; culvert replacement and drainage work needs to take place; sidewalk project needs to be coordinated with roadway work. Warren Avenue sidewalk project has been shelved due to varying opinions on the design of the sidewalk and placement.
  - Conant Road (from Church Street to 155 Conant Road) – This is the proposed FY 2023 Sidewalk Resurfacing project. Activity with Engineering Division to determine accessibility related issues before resurfacing will be undertaken.
  - Additional
    - Wireless Meter Reading- See Weston.org/WaterMeters for more project information.
      1. Meter Upgrades at DPW completed and operating on new system – Approximately 85% operational (3126 customers). Meter supply shortage the issue…currently taking in excess of 4 months to get an order of water meters.
    - Paines Hill Tank Replacement Design – Zoning By-Law change did not pass at May 2022 Town Meeting. Preliminary work started for Article 97 process including survey, deed research, etc. Project Info. and other information concerning water distribution system: https://www.westonma.gov/1743/Water-System-Master-Plan-Upgrades-Replac Anticipate three meetings to take place to address the ~~Explaining Hydraulics (February 2023)~~, ~~Siting and Article 97 Process (March 2023)~~, and ~~Monies/Funding/Wrap Up (April 2023).~~ Consultant has completed preliminary consult with MEPA and deed research. Next steps will be field meeting with stakeholders, completing MEPA process, starting design process…..
    - Coordinating with Developer on Park Road and Riverside Road Development – Including but not limited to roadway modifications on Park Road which is in the permitting phase, water main replacement/upgrade which is completed (but not internal to the site). There is also electrical work and gas main replacement work apparently needed on Riverside Road.
    - Coordinating with Public Tree RFP – Participate in process relating to public tree RFP thru the Town Planner’s office. Contract is being managed by the Town Planner.
    - MWRA Metropolitan Water Tunnel Program – Participating in update meetings with the MWRA and its consultant as they work towards the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) which is anticipated in the October / November 2022 timeframe. DPW Director has provided some preliminary comments and/or concerns. Anticipate that after the DEIR is published that the MWRA will provide a presentation to the Select Board. Visit the MWRA website for more information: https://www.mwra.com/mwtp/program.html An MWRA presentation on January 10, 2023 at the Select Board.
    - I-90 / I -95 (Route 128) Bridge Replacement projects – Scheduled Design Public Hearing (virtual) on 8/18/22. Visit MassDOT website for hearing information: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-the-newton-weston-bridge-replacement-and-rehabilitation-at-i-90i-95
    - Route 128/I-95 Land Use & Transportation Study – Visit MassDOT website for information: https://www.mass.gov/route-128i-95-study
    - Route 30 over I-95/Route 128 Bridge Deck Replacement – The State outreached to the Town and was invited to a scoping session between the State and their selected consultant, HSH. More to come at a future update once we know more.

engineering drawings for stormwater drainage

Engineering Division

Currently reviewing 17 Stormwater Permits;
Approved 58 projects currently under construction;
MS4 Stormwater Permit Annual Report –
1. The latest public educational and outreach messages prepared for the Spring season are being sent out in the tax bills that are mailed out. These messages will be credited on the MS4 Annual Report for Year-5 for the Town. The message for the spring season include information about proper disposal of grass clipping, spring yard landscape practices, composting, etc. The maintenance of septic systems will also be included and proper pet waste cleanup and disposal.
2. A proposal to provide support services for Year-5 (Fiscal Year 2023) of the MS4 Permit to the Town from consultant has been submitted. The scope of services provided will focus on the MCM-3, Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) for Year-5 of the MS4 Permit.
3. The Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) have been completed for the Weston DPW and the Transfer Station.
4. Schedule for the Rain Barrel Program is set.
Working with the Town’s Traffic and Sidewalk Committee on several items: Chestnut Street, Sunset Road, stop sign requests, sidewalk requests, crosswalk requests, etc.;
Engineering Drainage Designs Ongoing / Construction Bid Documents advertised:
1. Hickory Road Drainage – A survey is being scheduled for the second phase of the drainage construction in Hickory Road between Driftwood Lane and Briar Lane and from Briar Lane to Shady Hill Road.
2. 520 Glen Road – Drainage construction anticipated for 2022;
3. Brook Road – Survey has been conducted and a preliminary drainage design for 2-3 roadway sections.
4. Ash Street – drainage design in progress;
5. Winter Street – Culverts and drainage conditions investigated;

1

Weston 2023 Rain Barrel Program

The climate crisis is intensifying the water cycle, making wet periods wetter and dry periods drier. Severe droughts can make both rainfall and flash flooding more severe, creating weather whiplash events. When heavy rain falls over drought-stricken soil — which is often hard and cracked — it cannot soak into the ground and becomes runoff. Rain Barrels can be part of the solution.

Reasons Why You Should Buy a Rain Barrel:

Decreases your water bill by up to 40%.
It is an alternate source of water during droughts.
Rain water is a healthy, chlorine and chemical-free water source for plants and gardens.
Improves residential storm management.
Rain barrels slow pollution from runoff.
Lower municipal water demands.
easy to order: Weston Rain Barrel

Water Division

Completed approximately 43 DigSafes;
Performed weekly samples (3), monthly water samples at tanks, and station/tank inspections;
Conducted 5 final read(s);
Continued to upgrade meters and work on high water bill complaints;
Continued hydrant flushing program;
Installed 2 new water meters in pits and turned water on;
Replaced leaking water main tee and gate at the intersection of Aberdeen Road and Fox Chase Lane;
Responded to 0 low (no water call) pressure call(s);
Responded to 0 water quality call(s).

Weston Water Tank Project: Why We Need It

The Town of Weston is in need of replacing their water tanks. Environmental Engineering Firm Wright-Pierce teamed up with Weston's Select Board Member Laurie Bent, Fire Chief Justin Woodside adn DPW Director Tom Cullen to provide a detailed explanation as to why Weston needs to move ahead with this important project.

click here to view the video

Park and Cemetery Division

1 cremation interments;
0 grave dug with casket interments;
Set 1 flush markers;
Dug and poured foundation for 2 monument(s);
Seasonal cleanup in Linwood Cemetery, Children’s Park, Main Library, and Case Park;
Serviced equipment;

Solid Waste and Recycling Division

Processed 1 - 100-yard solid waste dumpster(s) totaling 10.82 tons;
Picked up municipal office recycling – 580 lbs;
Picked up Town office and select town park solid waste – 1420 lbs;
Processed 1 cardboard container – 4.48 tons;
Processed 1 glass container – 3.88 lbs;
Processed 0 container of plastic – 0 tons;
Processed 0 bulky plastic container – 0 lbs;
Processed 0 newspaper container – 0 tons;
Ran 1 shuttles for grass/leaves – 4.66 tons;
Ran 1 shuttles for brush /logs – 4.41 tons;
Processed 1 metal container – 4.86 tons;
Process 1 container of scrap wood – 4.41 tons;
Assisted with the pickup of various donations including clothing, electronics, books and bikes – 1.72 tons;
Assisted with pickup of Weston textiles – 1320 lbs;
Electronics and appliances w/Freon – 0 lbs;
Processed the pickup of CRT electronics – 0 lbs;
Processed 5 cent deposit bottles and cans – 1780 tons;
Processed 1 rechargeable battery pickup – 0 lbs;
Processed pickup of medical sharps – 0 lbs;
Processed pickup of light bulbs – 0 lbs;
Assisted with the pick-up of propane tanks – (0 lbs);
Processed pickup of mattresses – 0 lbs;
Pickup auto batteries and wire recycling – 0 lbs;
Swap Shed open on a volunteer basis;
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;
Seasonal cleanup around the Transfer Station;
Food Composting – 2320 lbs.

2

Highway/Stormwater Divisions

General:

COVID-19: Personnel and Equipment SOPs;
Respond to Misc. calls for Service – 0;
Traffic Detours Setup & Removals: 5/1, 5/3, 5/4 drainage work on Black Oak Road and Nobscot Road and water service repair;
Inspect Roadway/Driveway Conditions: None;
Employee In/Out of House Training: None;
Cooks Pond Pump Station (drainage): 5/1 pump operating normally.
DIGSafe Markouts & Permits Requested: None;
Message Board: DPW;
Deer Removal / Dead Animal Removal: None;
Cleaning and Servicing Equipment: As needed;

Outside of Division:

Assist Water Division: 5/3 Water service repair Aberdeen Road;
Assist Park/Cemetery/Transfer Station Division: None;
Assist Fleet Maintenance: None;
Assist Engineering: None;
Assist Police Department: None;
Assist Fire Department – None;
Assist Tree Contractor with Removals – None;
Assist Paving Contractor (PJ Albert) – None;
Assist Hydroseeding Contractor: None;
Assist Loaming Crew: None;
Assist with/or Applying Pavement Markings: None;
Assist Drainage & Video /Jet Cleaning Contractor: None;
Assist Grounds/Facilities: None;
Assist Conservation Commission – None;
Assist Recreation Department – None;
Assist MassDOT: None;
Assist Rubber Chip Stone Contractor: None
Assist VMP Contractor: None;
Assist Crack Sealing Contractor: None.

Highway:

Inspect Roadway Conditions: Various
Screen and Remove waste gravel material from Upper Yard: None
Sign and Mailbox Repairs and Installations and fence repairs: Sign repairs Newton Street, Wellesley Street at Maple and Meadowbrook Road Intersection, Maple at School Street;
Assist Stormwater Division – 5/1, 5/4 drainage repairs;
Pavement Markings (temp) applied and/or removed: None;
Remove debris from roadway: Tree debris;
Skin Overlay: 5/5;
Pothole Patching and Trench Patching: 5/4, 5/5 Chiltern Road, Applecrest Road, Deer Path, North Avenue, and Wellesley Road;
Wall Inspections and/or Repairs: None;
Sidewalk & Island Leaf Cleanup: None;
Street Sweeping: None;
Repair Shoulder Erosion and/or Surface Degradation: 5/5 246 Highland Street;
Mowing and trimming Islands and Grass Strips: None;
Flail Mowing: None;
Inspect Tree Locations: 58 Sherburn Circle;
Tree and/or Branch Removals and Debris Cleanup: Byron Road, Gun Club Lane, Shady Hill Road;
Tree Canopy Raising and Trimming: None;
Cleanup Stump Grindings, backfill with Loam and grade: None;
Loam and Seed: None;

Stormwater:

Drain Line/Pipe Repairs: 5/1, 5/4 Nobscot Road;
DMH/CB Inspections & Roadway ID Markings: None;
Catch Basin Cleaning: None;
Assist Highway Division: None;
Street Sweeping: None;
Check and Clear Waterways: 5/2;
Respond flooding calls: None;
Jet Cleaning Drainage (DPW): None;
Catch Basin Inspection, DMH rebuild: CB rebuild 5/4 Nobscot Road;
Install/remove Erosion Controls: None.

Winter Operations (winter is gone!)

Sand Barrels: None;
Yard Loader for Material Storage: None;
Deicing Operations: None;
General Plowing: None;
Sidewalk Plowing: None;
Install and Prep Plow and/or Deicing Equipment: None;
Remove Plows: None;
Snow Removal: None

Vehicle Maintenance Division

Performed routine maintenance (fluid services, tires and brakes, exhaust, steering and suspension, exterior trim work and electrical repairs) on
1. 10 school buses
2. 3 police vehicle
3. 7 DPW trucks and other equipment
4. 0 recreation vehicles
5. 1 school grounds vehicles
6. noting that the DPW Vehicle Maintenance Division is responsible for over 133 pieces of rolling stock for the Town;
  - Performed 1 major repair(s) on vehicles with Major/Significant maintenance activity: Bus #30 exhaust;
  - Fuel island, weekly inspection performed;
  - Fuel tanks (4000) gallons gasoline delivered; (5000) diesel delivered;
  - Facility tanks (0) gallons pumped, waste oil (0) gallons, Waste antifreeze (0) gallons; tight tanks (2000) gallons;
  - Inspections: 10 bus inspections;
  - Road Call: None;
  - Recalls: None;
  - Division Assistance: None;
  - Wash Bay Maintenance: Reclaim system in process of transition;
  - Performed 0 repairs on sanders and plows: None