November 18 - November 24, 2018

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:

DPW Programs

Annual Catch Basin Cleaning Program – The annual program began on Nov. 5th and will take approximately one month to complete

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.;
Continuing to coordinate with Eversource and MassDCR on the Rail Trail Project:
- No update from MassDCR's contractor regarding remaining post and rail work that was anticipated to be completed by November 2;
- Previous outstanding work (pending DCR update): post and railing installation, loaming, seeding, pavement markings, signs, and final cleanup including removing erosion controls;
- DPW Director worked with the Rail Trail Advisory Committee and consultant for proposed trail parking areas, etc. Preliminary Plans have been developed/modified based on abutters' comments
National Grid’s gas relay projects proposed for construction during the 2018 Construction Season, which is subject to ongoing labor dispute: Newton Street, Gail Road, Pembroke Road, Sherburn Circle, Wellesley Street (669-654), and Concord Road (1-81)

DPW employees installing a drainage pipe

Ongoing DPW Projects

Black Oak Pump Station – ongoing: Shop drawing submittals and review of construction sequence continues. National Grid has indicated a delay in extending gas service which is being appealed to the state Dept. of Public Utilities by the Town and its Representative;
Overseeing consultants’ work on the Southside Drainage Project - The necessary easements for Phase 2 of the project have been secured. The permitting will be conducted with construction anticipated for fall 2018. It is anticipated that the project will be before the Conservation Commission on a meeting in November / December for Phase II work;
Paines Hill Water Tank Improvement Project - Punchlist work remaining – electrical and plumbing. Bids for electrical work received Oct. 19th and Town is proceeding with award with work anticipated to started and completed over the next several weeks;
Cemetery Restoration Phase II - Headstone rehabilitation contract ongoing with work anticipated to begin next spring;
Newton Street Drainage - First piece of drainage work by Land's Sake is under construction – several structures installed this past week and roadway sawcut for main drainage line continues. One water quality unit left to install for Phase I;
Glen Road Drainage work (Shady Hill Road to Wellesley Street) – DPW anticipates this drainage work started the week of November 19. We anticipate this work will have a duration of approximately 5 weeks

a birds-eye view of the town center plan

Consultant Work Managed by DPW

Overseeing consultant work on Proposed Route 30 Roadway Reconstruction TIP Project - roadway, sidewalk, drainage improvements, intersection improvements, etc. Work has begun on the Functional Design Report (a MassDOT required submission). 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) - intersection improvements, etc. Survey work has continued and needs to confirm drainage inverts. Work has begun on the Function Design Report (a MassDOT required submission). Project info at weston.org;
Overseeing consultant design and permitting on Proposed Concord Road Spurs and Church Street Spur Rail Trail Parking Areas - preliminary plans developed, modified, and were presented to Rail Trail Advisory Committee. Chair will provide comments to consultant to incorporate into revised plan set. Desire is to have a permitted set of plans for a bid opening the end of February 2019;
Overseeing several sidewalk design projects - (Merriam Street and 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;
Overseeing consultant design work for drainage work for construction season 2016 (Newton Street and Merriam Street) - Continue to attempt to secure required easements on Newton Street. First piece of drainage work by Land's Sake is under construction – one water quality unit installation remaining for Phase I;
Overseeing consultant concept/design work for the Town Center Improvement Project - 100% Plan submission to the Town and comments from DPW provided to consultant. Bid opening on November 19. Anticipate project to be at Nov. 27 Special Town Meeting. Project info and plans can be found at weston.org/towncenter;
Overseeing consultant work on setting up RFPs for Wireless Meter Reading - meter replacements and meter installation (approximately 1700). Consultant preparing an RFP for Installation of AMI and meters;
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;
Overseeing consultant design and permitting for Water Distribution Master Plan. Consultant gathering data and setting up the calibration of the water system hydraulic model including. The vision for this plan is to lay out short term and long term capital plans relating to the water distribution system including water mains, gates, meters, water tanks, etc. Anticipate final report in December 2018;
Overseeing consultant design and preparation of specification for Cemetery Tomb Restoration. Draft plans provided and comments provided back to consultant

Engineering

Currently reviewing 20 Stormwater Permits;
Currently issued 58 Stormwater permits which also requires construction inspection;
Attempting to convince MassDOT to reconsider its decision to not lower the special speed zone on School Street between Brook School Apartments and Wellesley Street which a temporary regulation would need to be setup. Board of Selectmen approved temporary regulation at October 23rd meeting. Next action item is to get approval from MassDOT;
Working with the Town’s Procurement Officer, prepare an RFP for Traffic Engineering Consultant Services;
Submitted to the State to eliminate (get a waiver) one ADA parking stall at Kendal Green Parking Lot due to non-use;
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.

Water Division

Completed approximately 17 DigSafes;
Performed weekly samples (3), monthly water samples at tanks, and station/tank inspections;
Conducted 1 final read;
Continued reading water meters second round (i.e. summer reads);
Shut off 1 summer service and removed meter;
Fixed 1 leaking hydrant;
Flushed 1 hydrant at end of street to improve water quality

Park and Cemetery Division

1 grave dug with casket interment;
Clean and service equipment;
Cleared leaves and cut the grass in Linwood Cemetery and other park and cemetery locations;
Continued updating the cemetery spreadsheets for interments and lot owners

Solid Waste and Recycling Division

Processed 1, 100-yard solid waste dumpster totaling 25.95 tons;
Picked up municipal office recycling – 1,320 lbs;
Picked up Town office and select Town park solid waste – 900 lbs.;
Processed 1 cardboard container – 7.15 tons;
Ran 1 shuttle for grass/leaves – 9.30 tons;
Processed 1 metal container – 3.40 tons;
Process 1 container of scrap wood – 5.69 tons;
Assisted with the pickup of various donations including clothing, electronics, books and bikes –1,520 lbs;
Processed 1 rechargeable battery pickup – 25 lbs;
Organized and maintained order in swap shed;
Cleaned the trailer pit as needed;
Pick up litter and cleaned up around the site as needed;
Monitored and assisted resident at the Brush Dump (48 vehicles)

2

Highway/Stormwater Divisions

DPW and Highway and Stormwater Divisions mobilized over the last several weeks relating to record rainfalls over the last several months. According to Channel 5 News on 11/27/18 to date Boston is 10.5 inches above average for rainfall over the calendar year which ranks No. 4 historically (City of Worcester’s rainfall ranks 2^nd historically);
Hot patching potholes: various;
Respond to miscellaneous calls for service: roadside litter and objects in roadway, illegal sign removal;
Respond to flooding calls: Newton Street including pumping before roadway freezing, Loring Road;
Transport and setup rental variable message board: Newton at Ash and Ware;
Check and clear waterways: Division list, multiple calls for flooding, basins and drain manholes;
Clean and service equipment;
Clean and organize Brush Dump for resident drop-off;
Snow and ice mobilization: 2 spot deicing events;
Store delivered deicing materials;
Assist Parks and Cemetery Division: 1 man assigned to division

Vehicle Maintenance Division

Performed routine maintenance (fluid services, tires and brakes, exhaust, steering and suspension, exterior trim work and electrical repairs) on 12 school buses, 2 police vehicles, 8 DPW trucks and other equipment, and 2 school grounds vehicles, noting that the DPW Vehicle Maintenance Division is responsible for over 122 pieces of rolling stock for the Town;
Performed repairs on sanders/plows: S-10 sander chute repair, W-2 plow light harness replacement

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