September 10, 2023 - September 16, 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:
|
|
|
|
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 - CompletedNobscot Road – CompletedMiddle Way – CompletedBittersweet Road – Completed Stillmeadow Road – Completed - Route 30 (Natick Town Line to MassDOT Layout by Cutters Bluff) – Pavement Markings installation remaining action item, and miscellaneous tasks….punchlist work after all that
2.) Round 2 (August/September timeframe) Stony Brook Road – Completed;Roundhill Road – Substantially completed with exceptio0n of necessary pavement markings….also anticipate NGrid doing some pavement restoration work on North Avenue at intersection (tentative schedule 9/13/23);Linwood Avenue – Substantially completed with exception of necessary pavement markings;Hickory Road (Blueberry Hill Road to just west of Driftwood Lane) – Completed.
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.
|
|
|
|
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) – Gas main replacement ongoing
- Meadowbrook Road (private roadway) – Although private roadway, we have asked NGrid for a site walk.
- 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.
|
|
|
|
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. Pavement marking installations anticipated week of September 11th 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 (3193 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.
|
|
|
|
|
Stormwater Education MessageDog waste left in our yards, forest areas and parks can have many adverse effects on the environment. It’s full of harmful bacteria and excess nutrients. Rainfall and snowmelt in the Town of Weston goes untreated into our stormwater system, then directly into local streams, ponds, rivers and lakes. As it flows, stormwater picks up contaminants and pollutants in its path. When dog waste is washed into lakes or streams, the waste decays, uses up oxygen in the water, and sometimes releases ammonia. This can kill fish. Dog waste also contains nutrients that encourage weed and algae growth. Too much of these nutrients turn water cloudy and green. That’s why it’s important to make sure that dog waste and its pollutants do not end up in the storm drains. Individual actions can result in significant water quality improvements when carried out by many people. Unlike some forms of stormwater pollutants, individual people can easily and economically manage dog waste and help keep our waters safe and aesthetically pleasing. BRING IT – Always bring a plastic bag when you walk your dog. BAG IT – Use the bag as a glove to pick up the dog waste. Scoop it up and turn the bag inside out around the waste. DISPOSE IT – Properly dispose of dog waste by putting it in a trash can. Never throw dog waste down a storm drain. AND REMEMBER • Pick up after your pet in your yard. • Only bring your dog where dogs are allowed.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Water Division- Completed approximately 45 DigSafes;
- Performed weekly samples (3), monthly water samples at tanks, and station/tank inspections;
- Conducted 1 final read(s);
- Continued to upgrade meters;
- Collected water samples for Lead and Copper Program;
- Installed 1 temporary meter and disconnected 1 temporary meter
- Fixed one curb stop;
- Responded to 0 low (no water call) pressure call(s);
- Responded to 0 water quality call(s).
|
|
|
|
Park and Cemetery Division - 1 cremation interments;
- 0 grave dug with casket interments;
- Set 0 flush markers;
- Dug and poured foundation for 0 monument(s);
- Seasonal cleanup and mowing in Linwood Cemetery, Town Center, Fire Station 2, Newton Street, Farmers Cemetery, Fisk Park;
- Watered newly planted trees and annuals – not needed;
- Prune trees in Town Center;
- Serviced equipment;
|
|
|
|
Solid Waste and Recycling Division- Processed solid waste dumpster(s) totaling 14.95 tons;
- Picked up municipal office recycling – 560 lbs;
- Picked up Town office and select town park solid waste – 1060 lbs;
- Processed 1 cardboard container – 3.76 tons;
- Processed 1 glass container – 3.17 lbs;
- Processed 0 container of plastic – 0 tons;
- Processed 0 bulky plastic container – 0 lbs;
- Processed 1 mixed newspaper container – 3.51 tons;
- Ran 0 shuttles for grass/leaves – 0 tons;
- Ran 1 shuttles for brush /logs – 3.96 tons;
- Processed 0 metal container – 0 tons;
- Process 0 container of scrap wood – 0 tons;
- Assisted with the pickup of various donations including clothing, electronics, books and bikes – 1.72 tons;
- Assisted with pickup of Weston textiles – 1020 lbs;
- Electronics and appliances w/Freon – 0 lbs;
- Processed the pickup of CRT electronics – 0 lbs;
- Processed 5 cent deposit bottles and cans – 0 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 – 2380 lbs.
|
|
|
|
Highway/Stormwater Divisions
General: - COVID-19: Personnel and Equipment SOPs;
- Respond to Misc. calls for Service – 20;
- Traffic Detours Setup & Removals: 9/11 Sudbury Road for Police Department;
- 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: Front of DPW and Transfer Station;
- Deer Removal / Dead Animal Removal: None;
- Cleaning and Servicing Equipment: As needed;
Outside of Division: - Assist Water Division: 9/14 Water service repair;
- Assist Park/Cemetery/Transfer Station Division: None;
- Assist Fleet Maintenance: None;
- Assist Engineering: None;
- Assist Police Department: Calls downed trees/branches blocking roads, road close setup at Sudbury Road;
- 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: 9/11, 9/12 Stony Brook Road, Round Hill Road, Linwood Lane, and Hickory Road;
- Assist Drainage & Video /Jet Cleaning Contractor: 9/15 Cooks Pond, 311 South Avenue and 85 Buckskin Drive;
- 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: Highland Street at Route 20;
- Assist Stormwater Division – catch basin rebuild 15 Rockport Road, Clear catch basins/outfalls;
- 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: 9/15 various locations;
- Wall Inspections and/or Repairs: None;
- Sidewalk & Island Leaf Cleanup: None;
- Street Sweeping: None;
- Repair Shoulder Erosion and/or Surface Degradation: None;
- Mowing and trimming Islands and Grass Strips: None;
- Flail Mowing: 9/13, 9/14 north section, Glen Road, Wellesley Street;
- Inspect Tree Locations: 9/12 96 Brown Street;
- Tree and/or Branch Removals and Debris Cleanup: 9/11, 9/12, 9/13, 9/16 multiple locations;
- Tree Canopy Raising and Trimming: around signs all sections;
- Cleanup Stump Grindings, backfill with Loam and grade: None;
- Loam and Seed: See previous;
Stormwater: - Drain Line/Pipe Repairs: None;
- DMH/CB Inspections & Roadway ID Markings: None;
- Catch Basin Cleaning: None;
- Assist Highway Division: downed limbs/trees pickup;
- Street Sweeping: 9/12;
- Check and Clear Waterways: 9/11, 9/12 all locations;
- Respond flooding calls: None;
- Jet Cleaning Drainage (DPW): None;
- Catch Basin Inspection, DMH rebuild: Catch basin rebuild 15 Rockport Road;
- 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
|
|
|
|
Vehicle Maintenance Division
|
|
|
|
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;
|
|
|
|
|
Want more?Don't miss another weekly update. Easily subscribe today at www.westonma.gov/list.aspx
Comments/Suggestions: contact webmaster@westonma.gov
|
|
|
|
|
|