HomeMy Public PortalAbout03-24-2015 PublicWorks_Minutes_021715_201503191036301784 Town of Watertown
Committee on Public Works
Report of the Meeting of February 17,2015
Report Date: March 24,2015
The Committee on Public Works convened on February 17 at 6 pm in the Mastrangelo Council Chambers.
Attending: Cecilia Lenk,Chair;Steve Corbett,Vice Chair;Tony Palomba,Secretary; Councilors Ken Woodward and
Vincent Piccirilli; Matt Shuman,Town Engineer; Dennis Sheehan, DPW Director of Finance and Administration;
Tom Tracey,Assistant Town Manager and Auditor;Steven Magoon,Assistant Town Manager and Director of
Community Development and Planning; Ms.Jean Humez;and reporters from Watertown News,Watertown TAB,
and the BU News Service.The purpose of the meeting was: update from the Department of Public Works(DPW)on
completed and ongoing street and road repairs; presentation and decision on the Road Improvement Program the
2015 construction season; and update on future construction projects.
1. 2014 Street and Road Repairs
The following roads received mill and overlay with some full depth patching: Orchard Street,School Street and
Arlington Street(ongoing). In addition National Grid began their program of replacing gas mains.
2. Proposed Road and Street Repairs for the 2015 Construction Season
Mr.Shuman presented the 2015 Road Improvement Program:full depth reconstruction for Lowell Avenue, Fifield
and Waltham Streets; raised tables on the Church Street at the Palfrey/Fayette intersection (see attached
document,Annual Road Improvement Program and Planning and Construction Projects,dated February 17, 2015).
DPW will continue its program of preventive mill and overlay repairs throughout the Town. National Grid has
committed to gas main replacements on the streets and roads listed on the Preliminary Lists of Streets and Roads
(attached). The Committee and DPW noted the need for significant pothole repairs given the severe winter
weather.
Members of the Committee had the following questions:
• Why National Grid did not complete the planned 2014 gas main replacements? Mr.Shuman explained that
National Grid crews were reassigned to address the Morse Street and Galen Street project. Mr. Magoon
noted that DPW was meeting regularly with National Grid to monitor progress and anticipates more
replacements will be completed in 2015.
• Whether the roads National Grid completed were the roads originally selected for repair in 2014? Mr.
Sheehan will prepare a chart outlining National Grid's projects and the status of the roads proposed for repair
in 2014 and 2015. DPW will forward this chart to the Council.
• Is full depth reconstruction and new sidewalks/curbing required on all streets/roads proposed for 2015 given
the costs? Mr.Shuman explained that the proposed roadways required full depth reconstruction and anything
less would be not be cost effective.
The Committee voted 3-0 to recommend to the Town Council that the streets and roads as presented by the
Department of Public Works be repaired as proposed during the 2015 construction season.
3. Future Street and Road Construction Projects
Mr.Shuman presented the major construction projects that are currently being planned, including the Common
Street,Orchard Street Extension and Columbia Street area; and Mount Auburn Street(see attached document,
Annual Road Improvement Program and Planning and Construction Projects,dated February 17,2015 for
additional details).A meeting of the Committee will be scheduled for an informational presentation on the
Common/Orchard/Columbia Streets and Mt Auburn Street projects.
The Committee had additional discussion on the following:
• DPW will be updating the 2011 Pavement Management Program this year.
1
• Mr.Shuman noted that State Chapter 90 local transportation and aid funding for FY15 was increased with
Watertown receiving an additional$737,470.
• Councilor Palomba asked about the repair of Marion Road. Mr.Shuman said it is a high priority. Councilor
Lenk suggested that DPW create a plan for addressing streets and roads like Marion Road where continual
repaving has resulted in the road surface being higher than the sidewalks.
The meeting adjourned at 8 pm.
Submitted by
Cecilia Lenk,Chair
2
Town of Watertown "DRAFT`
February 17,2015
Annual Road Improvement Program
IproJect Limits Notes I
(Raised Tables Church Street at Palfrey&Fayette Traffic calming and safety measures.
I Lowell Ave. Hovey to WaverleY Gas main to be installed so<n¢2015. I
IFifield Street Irviryt to Perkins School Gas main to be installed spring 2015. I
(Waltham Street Bri ¢e Street to Waltham T.L. Utility work is complete. I
Planning and Construction Protects
IProiect Limits Description Horizon I
Common Street,Orchard Street Extension, Mount Auburn Street to Orchard Street. This project includes full reconstruction of Common Street Short
Columbia Street from Mt.Auburn Street to Orchard Street,reconstruction of
Orchard Street Extension,and reconstruction of Columbia
Street. Traffic calming and safety improvements are
proposed at Orchard Street,Spring Street,and Columbia
Street,
Main Street Myrtle Street to Town Hall Upgrades to traffic signals at the intersection of Main Street Short
and Myrtle Street,Installation of new conduit and street
lighting on Main Street from Myrtle Street to Town Hall.
Streetscape improvements including sidewalk replacements,
upgrades to wheel chair ramps with a focus on increasing
pedestrian safety. Extension of bike lanes on Main Street to
Town Hall. Upgrades to signal equipment on Main Street at
Cross Street.
Church Street Church Street from Palfrey Street to Upgrades to traffic signals at the intersection of Church Street Medium
Church Place;Summer Streetfrom Pearl and Summer Street to improve vehicularturn movements,
Street W Church Street comply with ADA requirements and increase pedestrian
safety. Vertical alignment improvements on Summer Street
between Pearl Street and Church Street. Reconstruction of
Church Street from Palfrey Street to Church Place.
Mt.Auburn Street Patten Street to Cambridge Line Implementation of a"road diet"on Mt.Auburn Street, Long
including increased pedestrian and bicycle accommodation.
IGrove Street(Ar insmm Street Intersection Grove Street at Arlington Street Signalization of the intersection. Long
(Nichols Ave. Boylston Street to Arlington Street Road reconstruction including pedestrian and streetscape Long
enhancements.
2015 Gas Main Replacements
Preliminary List
Irma Avenue
Bellevue Road
Lowell Avenue
Avon Road
Fifield Street
Priest Street
Cushman Street
Chester Street
Bates Road
Common Street
Orchard St. Extension
Main Street at Myrtle Street--Regulator Pit Relocation
2016: Tentative start for Mt.Auburn Street gas work, multi-year program
2015 Water Main Streets
Hovey Street
Edenfield Avenue
r