2004 ANNUAL REPORT OF

THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

 

I would like to recognize Kenneth Martin for his thirty-five years of service to the Department of Public Works, serving in both the Tree Division and the Building and Grounds Division, and Margaret Hannigan for her ten years of service in the Water Division.  Their dedication and hard work will be greatly missed at the D.P.W.

 

The Town Administrator, Martha White, and I have met with representatives of the towns of Raynham, West Bridgewater and the city of Taunton forming a committee with a representative of the Southeast Regional Services Group (SERSG) to deal with the proposed installation of a 20” water main through our communities to supply water to the city of Brockton from a new desalinization plant in Dighton to be built by Aquaria.  Our efforts are to ensure equal protection and compensation to each community along the pipeline route.  Negotiations with Aquaria have provided funding for us to hire an independent engineering firm, Dufresne & Henry, to review and comment on the proposed pipeline route, installation, and traffic management plan.  Construction is proposed for 2005.

 

Dr. Green and I have spent much time attending meetings held every two weeks at the High School and numerous on-site meetings during the day with the architect, project manager and contractor to ensure the High School remains operational during the renovation project.

 

During the past year we have had very few issues at the closed landfill.  The computerized active gas flare has operated very well.  Camp Dresser and McKee Inc. of Cambridge has provided us with technical oversight and provided ground water monitoring and air quality tests as required by the MA Department of Environmental Protection.  Mowing of the top and side slopes of the twenty acre site was provided by a sub contractor.

 

Plans for the 100% design of a portion of Depot Street from the Five Corners to Fox Ridge Road were presented to MA Highway as part of the Federal and State Transportation Improvement Program with a cost of 1.3 million dollars.  The project has been advertised by the State and we are hopeful that work will begin in the spring of 2005.

 

We conducted a public hearing with our consulting traffic engineers, Vanasse Hagen Brustlin Inc., for the 25% submission of plans for the reconstruction of Foundry Street from Eastman Street to the Norton town line to include sidewalks and drainage.  This project will be funded through the State and Federal Transportation Improvement Program with an estimated value of three million dollars.  Work may begin in 2007, depending on the funding.

 

 MA Highway conducted a public hearing on the 25% submission of plans for the replacement of the Central Street bridge over the Queset Brook  The estimated cost for this project is $820,000 which would include the bridge repair, a five foot sidewalk to route 138 and road improvements.  The bridge would be closed during construction with traffic detoured to Depot Street.  Work on this project is scheduled for 2007, depending on funding.

 

The D.P.W. was very busy with public events during 2004:

  • The Building and Grounds Division celebrated Arbor Day on April 30, 2004 by planting a tree in front of the D.P.W. at 130 Center Street and conducting a ceremony in memory of former employee, Joe Cardoza.  Over fifty people were in attendance.
  • The Water Division hosted their Annual Open House and Poster Contest on May 1, 2004 with over 100 attendees, celebrating National Drinking Water Week.
  • The Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day was held on May 8, 2004.  Five hundred sixty-five residents participated in this event, funded by the Water Division at a cost of approximately $20,000 for the one day collection, removing hazardous chemicals safely and helping to protect our water supplies.  The Lions Club worked with us collecting household items providing residents a means for disposing of larger items.
  • The Canoe River Aquifer Advisory Committee held their Annual Awareness Day at the Wheaton Farm pumping station on May 15, 2004.  Superintendent, John Marsh, gave a tour of the new ultraviolet light disinfection technology.

 

The D.P.W. personnel responded to twenty-one sanding and ten snow plowing operations during 2004.  There are 408 streets in Easton covering 128.98 miles.

 

Major Construction Projects Completed in 2004

Roadway Paving:

                                                                                                Linear Feet                                            Miles

Massapoag Avenue                                                            11,502

Elm Street                                                                                5,200

Bay Road                                                                               12,280

                                                Total                                       28,982                                                     5.49

 

Cement Sidewalk Construction:

                                                                                                Linear Feet                                            Miles

Elm Street                                                                              5,200

Day Street                                                                             2,100

Williams Street                                                                        400

                                                Total                                       7,700                                                       1.46

 

Drainage Installation:

                                                                                                Linear Feet                                            Miles

Elm Street                                                                              1,800

Judith Road                                                                              600

                                                Total                                       2,400                                                       0.46

 

Traffic Marking: (Linepainting)

                                                                                                Linear Feet                                            Miles

                                                Total                                       255,088                                                   48.31

 

Crack-Sealing Roadways:

                                                                                                Linear Feet                                            Miles

Main Street                                                                           10,625

Turnpike Street                                                                       7,430

Bay Road                                                                               18,850

                                                Total                                       36,905                                                     6.99

 

Roadway Pot-Hole Patching:

 

                                                                                                                                                                Tons

                                                Total                                                                                                       200

I would like to thank all of the D.P.W. employees for their cooperation and commitment in dealing with the multitude of daily challenges that they accomplished very effectively.  The office staff, Shirley Tufts, Jan Jacobson and Peggy Hannigan demonstrated excellent public relation skills.  The D.P.W. managers, Jack Marsh, John Fresh, Jr., James Luke, Paul O’Neill and Maurice Goulet, have provided outstanding leadership skills in each of their divisions during a very difficult year.  “Thank you”

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Wayne P. Southworth, D.P.W. Director

508-230-0850

wsouthworth@easton.ma.us