August 20, 2023 - August 26, 2023The 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:
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2023 Roadway Reconstruction ProgramUtility 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 (June/July timeframe) - Black Oak Road – Loaming is ongoing. Next action item will be seeding (TBD);
- Nobscot Road – Next action item will be seeding (TBD);
- Middle Way – Next action item is seeding (TBD);
- Bittersweet Road – Next action item is seeding;
- Stillmeadow Road – Next action item is seeding;
- Route 30 (Natick Town Line to MassDOT Layout by Cutters Bluff) – Milling operations completed….Paving operations ongoing…..signal loop detectors at Park Road and Newton Street still need final connections to the controller, after paving is completed then pavement markings installation will follow, and miscellaneous tasks….the desire is to complete paving operations by Labor Day weekend.
2.) Round 2 (August/September timeframe) - Stony Brook Road – Final pavement course installation anticipated 8/28/23 because of weather delays…Action items to follow will be pave driveway aprons, loaming and then seeding;
- Roundhill Road – Final pavement course installation anticipated 8/28/23 because of weather delays…. Action items to follow will be pave driveway aprons, loaming and then seeding…followed by installation of necessary pavement markings;
- Linwood Avenue – Final pavement course installation tentatively scheduled for week of August 28th………. Action items to follow will be pave driveway aprons, loaming and then seeding….followed by installation of necessary pavement markings;
- Hickory Road (Blueberry Hill Road to just west of Driftwood Lane) – Final pavement course installation tentatively scheduled week of August 28th …..Action items to follow will be pave driveway aprons, loaming and then seeding.
3.) On the radar depending on how the season goes: - Willard Road – drainage work;
- Bemis Road – drainage work;
- Walnut Road (public section);
- Elliston Road
Candidates for Rubber Chipstone: Hobbs Brook Road – completed Forest Ridge Road – completed Drabbington Way – completed
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 punch list items ongoing.
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 Weston/MassDot Rte 30- Milling Operations Photo: DPW Director Tom Cullen
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 Weston/MassDot Rte 30- Milling Operations Photo: DPW Director Tom Cullen
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 Weston/MassDot Rte 30- Milling Operations Photo: DPW Director Tom Cullen
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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) – Permanent Trench Paving completed week of July 17th Whitney Tavern – Gas main and services completed;Overlook Drive – Gas Main and services completed;Irving Road – Completed;Westcliff Road – Gas main and service work completed.Bakers Hill Road – Gas main and service work completed; Radcliffe Road – Gas main replacement completed;Riverside Road – Completed;- Merriam Street (Bridge to Route 117) including Granison Road – Gas main replacement ongoing.
- Doublet Hill Road (private roadway) – Gas main replacement ongoing.
- Derby Road (private roadway)
- Meadowbrook Road (private roadway)
- Gas Main Replacements next up on the NGrid Capital Plan are: 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).
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 noting getting on the schedule to survey along the railroad has been challenging for the consultant. 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.
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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 is ongoing with pavement installation anticipated to be completed before labor day 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. The 75% Submission Plan were delivered to MassDOT this past week. 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 reviewed options and recommended alternative will be provided to the Select Board to advance the design on.
Sidewalk - Ash Street Sidewalk Project – Engineering working on the design to advance to the Special Town Meeting 2023.
- 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.
- Wellesley Street Sidewalk Extension Project (from 18 Wellesley Street to Route 20 TIP Project) – Funding for this design was approved at the May 2023 Town Meeting…..Survey work has been completed. Concept of sidewalk must be vetted through T&SC, Planning Board, Select Board, etc. Concept was presented to T&SC…..will follow-up with other boards and commissions to vet further until submission to Select Board.
Additional - Wireless Meter Reading- See Weston.org/WaterMeters for more project information.
- Meter Upgrades at DPW completed and operating on new system – Approximately 87% operational (3190 customers).
Water Tank Replacements 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 scheduled for May 31st and June 7th, completing MEPA process, starting design process…..Field Meetings at Doublet Hill Water Tank and Paines Hill Water Tank held on May 31st . Field meeting at Cat Rock Water Tank held on June 7th . Additional field meeting held at Cat Rock Water Tank held on June 28th . Consultant working on alternatives discussed at field meetings with desire to provide which alternative will be presented in the MEPA documents for preferred alternative. - 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 Design / Build contractor has been selected by MassDOT.
- 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.
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Engineering Division- Currently reviewing 13 Stormwater Permits;
- Approved 55 projects currently under construction;
- MS4 Stormwater Permit Annual Report –
- The Rain Barrel distribution was completed during the last week of June. 45 rain barrels were sold and one barrel was raffled off during the Celebrate Weston Day.
- The Town’s MS4 consultant has completed four days of field investigations for the Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) plan. The investigations included screening and taking samples at the drainage discharge outfall locations. Two locations had higher levels of bacteria than the normal range, so these areas will be investigated further. Also the mapping of any interconnections of drainage was started and IDDE catchments investigations were done. The outfall screening will be prepared in memorandum and submitted to the DPW.
- The public educational and outreach messages for the summer season which include information about proper disposal of grass clipping and composting were posted on social media. These messages will be credited on the MS4 Annual Report for Year 5 which is due September 2023.
- Working with the Town’s Traffic and Sidewalk Committee on several items: stop sign requests, sidewalk requests, crosswalk requests, etc.;
- Engineering Drainage Designs Ongoing / Construction Bid Documents advertised:
- Hickory Road Drainage – The section of Hickory Road where drainage needs to be installed between Driftwood Lane and Briar Lane will be paved after drainage is installed.
- 520 Glen Road – Drainage construction anticipated for 2022;
- Brook Road – A drainage design for Brook Road is in progress.
- Ash Street – drainage design in progress;
- Winter Street – Culverts and drainage conditions investigated;
- Willard Road – The design is in the queue;
- Bemis Road – The design in in the queue.
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Septic Sense The wastewater leaving your house carries solids, grease, dirt, chemicals, bacteria and viruses and requires some level of treatment. The Town of Weston does not have a public sanitary sewer system and all wastewater from residences is discharged into private wastewater treatment systems known as septic systems. When a septic system fails, inadequately treated household wastewater is released into the environment. A septic system consists of a septic tank and a drainfield. Wastewater flows from the house to the septic tank where natural bacteria begin to break down the solid materials. In your septic tank, the solids settle to the bottom (sludge) and the grease floats to the top (scum). The partially clarified water moves from the tank into the drainfield where it leaches through a layer of soil before it reaches the underground water table. The soil and the microbes and bacteria living in it help to purify the wastewater. Older systems, often called cesspools, do not have a leaching facility and are considered inadequate treatment. Routine septic maintenance is the key to ensuring a long life for your septic system. Failing septic systems are expensive to repair or replace and can pollute the environment. Have your tank pumped out and system inspected every 3 to 5 years. Also, be aware of any signs that your system is failing such as unpleasant odors and soggy lawns in the area of your septic system.
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Water Division- Completed approximately 42 DigSafes;
- Performed weekly samples (3), monthly water samples at tanks, and station/tank inspections;
- Conducted 1 final read(s);
- Continued to upgrade meters;
- Worked on Lead and Copper sampling sites to confirm;
- Fixed on water main leak;
- Attended water meter AMI training;
- Responded to 0 low (no water call) pressure call(s);
- Responded to 0 water quality call(s).
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Park and Cemetery Division - 1 cremation interments;
- 2 grave dug with casket interments;
- Set 2 flush markers;
- Dug and poured foundation for 2 monument(s);
- Seasonal cleanup and mowing in Linwood Cemetery, Central Cemetery, Town Green, Main Library, and AIC;
- Watered newly planted trees and annuals – not necessary this week;
- Serviced equipment;
- Added stone dust to Town Center seating area.
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Solid Waste and Recycling Division- Processed solid waste dumpster(s) totaling 12.04 tons;
- Picked up municipal office recycling – 340 lbs;
- Picked up Town office and select town park solid waste – 1160 lbs;
- Processed 1 cardboard container – 2.89 tons;
- Processed 0 glass container – 0 lbs;
- Processed 1 container of plastic – 0 tons;
- Processed 1 bulky plastic container – 2.34 lbs;
- Processed 1 mixed newspaper container – 3.23 tons;
- Ran 1 shuttles for grass/leaves – 7.32 tons;
- Ran 1 shuttles for brush /logs – 2.97 tons;
- Processed 1 metal container – 3.87 tons;
- Process 1 container of scrap wood – 3.88 tons;
- Assisted with the pickup of various donations including clothing, electronics, books and bikes – 1360 lbs;
- Assisted with pickup of Weston textiles – 1180 lbs;
- Electronics and appliances w/Freon – 0 lbs;
- Processed the pickup of CRT electronics – 0 lbs;
- Processed 5 cent deposit bottles and cans – 0 lbs;
- Processed 1 rechargeable battery pickup – 20 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 – 1440 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 – 2260 lbs.
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Highway/Stormwater Divisions
General: - COVID-19: Personnel and Equipment SOPs;
- Respond to Misc. calls for Service – 10;
- Traffic Detours Setup & Removals: 8/23 Glen Road water leak;
- Inspect Roadway/Driveway Conditions: None;
- Employee In/Out of House Training: None;
- Cooks Pond Pump Station (drainage): All week for Maintenance and second pump hook up to keep up with the pond.
- DIGSafe Markouts & Permits Requested: None;
- Message Board: Transfer Station;
- Deer Removal / Dead Animal Removal: None;
- Cleaning and Servicing Equipment: As needed;
Outside of Division: - Assist Water Division: 8/23 repair water leak on Glen Road;
- Assist Park/Cemetery/Transfer Station Division: 8/22 Town Center island maintenance;
- Assist Fleet Maintenance: None;
- Assist Engineering: None;
- Assist Police Department: Down Tree / Branched removals;
- Assist Fire Department – None;
- Assist Tree Contractor with Removals – None;
- Assist Paving Contractor (PJ Albert) – 8/22, 8/23, 8/24 loam crew;
- 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: None;
- Assist Stormwater Division – Clear catch basin tops;
- Pavement Markings (temp) applied and/or removed: None;
- Remove debris from roadway: Tree debris and loose gravel;
- Skin Overlay: None;
- Pothole Patching and Trench Patching: Patching at #4 Deer Path;
- Wall Inspections and/or Repairs: Wall repaired at 78 Oak Street;
- Sidewalk & Island Leaf Cleanup: None;
- Street Sweeping: None;
- Repair Shoulder Erosion and/or Surface Degradation: 8/20, 8/22, 8/25 Various;
- Mowing and trimming Islands and Grass Strips: None;
- Flail Mowing: 8/22, 8/24;
- Inspect Tree Locations: None;
- Tree and/or Branch Removals and Debris Cleanup: 8/20, 8/22, 8/25 Lexington Street, School Street, Old Road, Wellesley Street;
- Tree Canopy Raising and Trimming: around signs all sections;
- Cleanup Stump Grindings, backfill with Loam and grade: None;
- Loam and Seed: Assist loam contractor Black Oak, Nobscot Road, Middle Way;
Stormwater: - Drain Line/Pipe Repairs: None;
- DMH/CB Inspections & Roadway ID Markings: Inspections and drainage arrows marking 8/23;
- Catch Basin Cleaning: None;
- Assist Highway Division: downed limbs pickup, repair shoulder erosions;
- Street Sweeping: None;
- Check and Clear Waterways: 8/24, 8/25 all sections;
- Respond flooding calls: None;
- Jet Cleaning Drainage (DPW): None;
- Catch Basin Inspection, DMH rebuild: None;
- Install/remove Erosion Controls: None.
Winter Operations (Winter is coming!) - 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
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Vehicle Maintenance Division
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Upcoming ProjectsThere is a significant number of projects contemplated in the southeast corner of the Town of Weston that will impact the community for the next 10-20 years: - MassDOT – The I-95 / I-90 Bridge Replacements (several bridges);
- MassDOT – The Route 30 over the Charles River Bridge Rehabilitation (+/-) with a shared use path proposed (SUP);
- MassDOT – The Route 30 over I-95/Route 128 Bridge Rehabilitation;
- MassDOT – The Route 30 / I-95 Interchange Project with a proposed SUP connection from Weston to Newton;
- Town of Weston – Route 30 Roadway Reconstruction with SUP from Town of Natick to the MassDOT Route 30/I-95 Interchange Project that may involve the mill and overlay of Route 30 from the Natick Town Line to just east of Cutters Bluff this construction season (2023);
- Town of Newton – Commonwealth Avenue Roadway Reconstruction with a proposed SUP;
- Town of Weston – Redevelopment Riverside Road Property (new biotech campus) including offsite mitigation on Park Road (Town of Weston and MassDOT layouts);
- Town of Newton / Mark Development / MassDOT – Riverside Station / Grove Street Interchange Reconstruction including Recreation Road impacts;
- DCR – Bridge Rehabilitation of bridge connection Riverside Park to Newton;
- MWRA – The MWRA Metropolitan Water Tunnel Program in which the DEIR Impact Report has been filed and subsurface exploration is ongoing;
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