October 6 to October 12, 2019

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:

2019 Roadway Reconstruction Program

Bogle Street - National Grid will permanent trench pave trenches before November 26. Anticipate any other pavement deficiencies will be address next spring before the Rubber Chip Seal Treatment is installed;
Pigeon Hill Road – Reclaiming work and binder pavement installation. Pending work – berm work, first layer of driveway aprons pavement installation, sidewalk excavation and grading and binder installation, then final roadway pavement installation, driveway apron and sidewalk work, then loaming and seeding and final cleanup. Anticipate final roadway paving work starting on October 24, weather dependent;
Hilltop Road – See Pigeon Hill Road timeline;
Old Road – See Pigeon Hill Road timelines;
Gail Road – See Pigeon Hill Road timelines;
Pembroke Road - See Pigeon Hill Road timelines;
Merriam Street (Sunset Road to Silver Hill Road) – There are a lot of moving parts that need to be completed prior to the roadway reconstruction taking place, including:
- complete 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;
- Water gate replacements on Merriam Street at Cherry Brook Road (holding utility pole is required);
- sidewalk (southerly section between Westland Road and Sunset Road which require easements)

Completed Roadways

Cherry Brook Road;
Pollywog Lane;
Sylvan Road (entire length);
Glen Road (Wellesley Street to Shady Hill Road)
Cliff Road and Brown Street - Rubber chip seal;
Wellesley Street at School Street Intersection;
Newton Street (from Wellesley Street to approximately #150 Newton)

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
- Verizon manhole/vault installation continues between Church St. and Town House Rd;
- Conduit installation continues north on Church St.;
- Water service work easterly; water work at BPR & Concord Rd.
- Traffic Management Plans - modified daily to maximize available parking for the businesses

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
See updates in "Ongoing DPW Projects" for water/drainage, etc. work at:
- Newton Street
- Legacy Trail
- Water main/drainage projects
See updates in "Consultant Work" for larger projects at:
- Rt. 20 and Rt. 30 TIP projects
- Ash Street sidewalk

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.;
Rail Trail Projects:
- Eversource and DCR Rail Trail Project – DONE: Grand Opening Celebration on October 19;
- Conant Road Underpass Project (DCR) – DONE;
- Concord Road Spurs and Church Street Spurs Parking Areas (Town) – Working on punchlist work as well as benches and bike racks, etc;
National Grid gas relay projects construction during the 2019 Construction Season:
- Church Street (at/about Pigeon Hill Road) - work completed with the exception of the crossing over the MBTA/rail trail;
- Newton Street - work is ongoing
- Wellesley Street (669-654) - work is ongoing;
- Sherburn Circle and Concord Road (1-81) - schedule is unknown
- Kings Grant Road - work is ongoing;
- Arrowhead Road, in support of the Town's planned roadway reconstruction schedule, could possibly start this season
National Grid has submitted several permits for repairing long-standing gas leak locations.

DPW employees installing a drainage pipe

Ongoing DPW Projects

Wireless Meter Reading - All contracts are in place (3) 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;
Overseeing consultants’ work on the Southside Drainage Project - Work continuing on the pipe work at or about Pond Brook Circle and said properties. Anticipate completing work the end of October / beginning of November;
Cemetery Restoration Phase II - headstone rehabilitation contract ongoing;
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 (between Westland Road and Cherry Brook Road) – Drainage work still needed on the Hallet Hill Road portion of Merriam Street. Town Engineering working with Town Counsel;
Legacy Trail Project - construction ongoing;
Water: Lead Link Removals (over 60 locations +/-) – Final trench paving work outstanding;
Water: Lantern Lane and Old Coach Road – Temporary Main installed and temporary service connections being made. Work continues. Anticipate new main being completed with 45 days

Completed Projects

Black Oak Pump Station
Paines Hill Water Tank Improvement Project
Loring Road Drainage work (by #83)

Consultant Work Managed by DPW

Overseeing consultant work on Proposed Route 30 Roadway Reconstruction TIP Project - roadway, sidewalk, drainage improvements, intersection improvements, etc. A brief summary of the progress to date was provided to the Board of Selectmen on July 30. Anticipate being before the Board again, possibly pushed to December, to solicit comments prior to the formal 25% Submission to MassDOT in the Winter of 2019. Another Traffic & Sidewalk Committee meeting will be held. 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) - Presented to the Board of Selectmen September 10 meeting to solicit comments prior to the formal 25% Submission to MassDOT in the Winter of 2019. Town Engineer trying to set up a neighborhood meeting with Winsor Way. Project info at weston.org;
Overseeing several sidewalk design projects - (Merriam Street and Warren Avenue) – Funding secured for the work; culvert replacement and drainage work on Merriam needs to take place; sidewalk project needs to be coordinated with roadway work. Warren Ave on hold;
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 permitting for Water Distribution Master Plan. Presented at the Board of Selectmen on July 30 to discuss recommendations of the report. Action item is to prepare Article for December 2019 Special Town Meeting;
Overseeing consultant design and preparation of specification for Cemetery Tomb Restoration. Draft plans provided and comments provided back to consultant

Engineering

Currently reviewing 6 Stormwater Permits;
Currently issued 59 Stormwater permits which also requires construction inspection;
MS4 Permit Annual submitted on 9/30/19
Set up a temporary special speed zone on School Street between Brook School Apartments and Wellesley Street to 30 mph and perform speed study;
Traffic Engineering Consultant Services - two assignments issued;
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 – created hydrologic model and investigated existing drainage system;
- Pinecroft at Conant Road – preliminary layout of proposed drainage in the roadway has been completed;
- Merriam Street - southerly end drainage (just north of Fox Chase Road) – finalize layout for 2 catch basins and water quality unit

1

Stormwater Education

Stormwater pollution is the fastest growing type of water pollution in Massachusetts. It fouls our lakes, rivers, and streams, which is bad for our water supplies and outdoor activities -- and also for the fish and wildlife that live there.

We need resident to do their part for clean and healthy waterways. The following tips will help prevent stormwater pollution from your home.

Yard Waste - Rake 'em, Bag 'em, Compost 'em

A lot of people think that because grass clippings, brush, and other yard waste are ‘natural’ it is okay to dump piles of them in the woods or wetlands. Dumped yard waste actually destroys the underlying vegetation and wildlife habitat. Leaf dumping near water bodies often results in flooding problems upstream and when too many decomposing leaves get in our streams, unnaturally high levels of nutrients can harm aquatic wildlife.

In the fall, bag your leaves and bring them to the Transfer Station or the Brush Dump on Merriam Street. Don't dump them in a brook or storm drain, and don't leave them on the sidewalk. The Merriam Street Brush Dump opens for six consecutive Saturdays starting Oct. 19th and is open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Consider composting leaves to make a natural fertilizer or winter protection for your garden. Or mulch them to feed your lawn over the winter.

Water Division

Completed approximately 35 DigSafes;
Performed weekly samples (3), monthly water samples at tanks, and station/tank inspections;
Conducted 2 final reads;
Began reading meters;
Work on water billing complaints;
Witnessed 1 fire flow test;
Worked 2 nights with contractor for the Town Center shutting down and turning on water mains so new gates could be installed;
Began annual leak detection program

Park and Cemetery Division

3 cremation interments;
Cut and trimmed grass at Linwood Cemetery and other park and cemetery locations;
Trimmed some branches along the tree line perimeter of the cemetery.
Cleaned and serviced equipment;
Continued updating the cemetery spreadsheets for interments and lot owners

Solid Waste and Recycling Division

Processed 1, 100-yard solid waste dumpster totaling 22.11 tons;
Picked up municipal office recycling – 1,060 lbs;
Picked up Town office and select town park solid waste – 980 lbs.;
Processed 1 cardboard container – 5.80 tons;
Processed 1 container of plastic – 3.67 tons
Ran 1 shuttle for grass/leaves – 12.41 tons;
Ran 1 shuttle for brush /logs – 7.56 tons;
Assisted with the pickup of various donations including clothing, electronics, books and bikes – 905 lbs;
Assisted with pickup of Weston textiles – 1,100 lbs;
Electronics and appliances w/Freon – 1.64 tons;
Processed the pickup of CRT electronics – 1.70 tons;
Organized and maintained order in swap shed;
Cleaned the trailer pit as needed;
Pick up litter and cleaned up around the site as needed;
Cut and trimmed the grass around the property;
Monitored cars for new permits as needed

2

Highway/Stormwater Divisions

Skin Overlay degraded roadway surfaces: Overlook, Hallet Hill, Brook, Valley View;
Respond to Misc. calls for service: 17;
Fallen tree / branch removal from roadway and/or culverts: 2-South Avenue, Concord Road, Merriam Street, Summer Street;
Traffic signage and maintenance repairs: Wellesley, South and Westerly;
Set up Detour for: Old Road, Pigeon Hill Road, Hilltop Road, Sunset (block party), Gail, and Pembroke;
Inspect miscellaneous tree locations for possible action: Warren Ave., Legion Road, Sunset Road, Concord, Sudbury, Old, Pigeon Hill;
Repair/Clean/Inspect drain manhole / catch basin: DMH at Gail Road dead end;
Clean and service equipment: Large plow tryout, cleaning, and painting;
Cooks Pond Pump Station: Pumping normally;
Assist Paving Contractor: Old Road, Hilltop Road, Pigeon Hill Road, Gail, and Pembroke;
Street Sweeping: Valley View, Brook, Viles, Overlook;
Assist Cemetery Parks Division with burial;
Distribute Roadway Reconstruction Notices: Gail Road, Pembroke Street

Vehicle Maintenance Division

Performed routine maintenance (fluid services, tires and brakes, exhaust, steering and suspension, exterior trim work and electrical repairs) on 11 school buses, 2 police vehicles, 7 DPW trucks and other equipment, and 1 school grounds vehicle, noting that the DPW Vehicle Maintenance Division is responsible for over 122 pieces of rolling stock for the Town;
Performed 1 major repair on vehicle with Major/Significant maintenance activity: T-21 rotary cutter gear box;
Performed 1 repair on sanders/plows: H-14 sander prep

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