2000 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Roger Hill retired as D.P.W. Director on September 22, 2000, after serving in that position since January 29, 1996.

The closure of the landfill on Prospect Street proved to be the largest project ever undertaken by the D.P.W. personnel. The majority of the Highway Division personnel were involved with the task of spreading and shaping thousands of yards of cover material over the 22 acre site.

Unfortunately, the estimated cost of this project, $1,800,000, was expended before completion. Town Meeting approved another $1,235,000 to cover the cost of the entire capping project to be done by a third party. SEA Consultants were hired to re-design the closure plan, prepare plans and specifications and provide inspection services for a contractor to complete this project in 2001.

The Engineering Division designed and inspected the installation of over 6000 feet of new sidewalk on Randall Street from the High School entrance to Bay Road. The Engineering Division is continuing in the use of the new Global Positioning Satellite survey equipment by locating the approximately 160 systematically located points throughout the community to determine their coordinates to tie in with the aerial photography mapping and the state plan coordinates system.

Paul O’Neill, a 26-year employee of the Tree Division, was appointed Tree Warden on July 1, 2000.

The Forests and Parks Division maintains over 50 athletic fields; cemeteries; parks; playgrounds and town owned properties.

The Central Maintenance Division has been busy maintaining the 100+ heating and air conditioning systems in all the schools and town buildings, many of which are outdated and in need of replacement. A large capital replacement program will be necessary to bring them up to today’s standards.

The Water Division inspected the installation of 960 feet of new 12” ductile iron water main on Turnpike Street from the intersection of Depot Street north to the West Bridgewater town line and 1726 feet of 12” water main on Foundry Street from the intersection of Turnpike Street east to the West Bridgewater town line. Both locations replaced old 6” cast iron water mains installed in 1915. The trench on Foundry Street will be re-surfaced with a finish patch in the spring of 2001. The section of roadway on Turnpike Street was rebuilt and re-surfaced.

All D.P.W. Divisions assisted with the installation of five new tennis courts at the High School and two new courts at the Unionville Playground.

The D.P.W. personnel deserve much credit for all the extra hours worked during snow plowing and sanding operations, maintaining the 350 streets in the community with over 120 miles of roadway.

We are in desperate need of updating our fleet and maintaining a continuous capital replacement program.

I would like to extend my appreciation for the support I have received from all department heads and their staff. The D.P.W. supervisors, Peter Huie, Richard Hayes, Edward Jacobson and Paul O’Neill, the D.P.W. administration staff, Jan Jacobson, Pamela Almeida and Maurice Goulet. I am very proud of all the 42 professional employees of the D.P.W. who have worked diligently throughout the year.

Respectively Submitted,

Wayne P. Southworth, Director