HomeMy Public PortalAbout2-14-2012 Public Works Report Town Council
Town of Watertown
Committee on Public Works, Meeting February 7, 2012
Report: February 14, 2012
The Committee met February 7 at 5:00 pm in the Council Chambers. Present were: Cecilia
Lenk, Chair; Stephen Corbett, Vice-chair; Vincent Piccirilli, Secretary; DPW Superintendent
Gerald Mee; DPW Clerk Mary Haley; Director of Community Development & Planning Steven
Magoon; Town Auditor Thomas Tracy; and Councilors Kenneth Woodland and Susan Falkoff.
1. Hour of operation for parking meters
The report of January 11, 2012 was re-referred to the Committee because of additional
questions on the actual hours of operations which needed to be answered before new labels
were ordered for the meters.
Councilor Piccirilli researched the Traffic Rules and Orders (TROs), adopted as amended
February 26, 1992, plus all amendments issued to date. The original TROs showed street
meters from 8am to 6pm, and municipal parking areas 24 hours, excluding Sundays and
holidays. However, in an amendment dated July 22, 1997, the hours of operation for all
municipal parking areas was changed to be 7am to 6pm, excluding Sundays and holidays
(copies attached).
There was discussion of the possibility of changing meter hours of operation as related to the
impact on local businesses and the goal of stimulating economic development in Watertown, but
it was agreed that this issue was more properly discussed during the development of the
upcoming Comprehensive Plan.
The Committee voted unanimously to recommend that the Town Council request the following
actions from the Town Manager for the Watertown Traffic Rules and Orders (TROs):
1. Keep the hours of operations as they currently exist in the amended TROs, and have
meter labels installed as follows:
a. Street meters "Hours of Operation 8 AM to 6 PM Excluding Sundays and
Holidays"
b. Municipal parkina areas "Hours of Operation 7 AM to 6 PM Excluding Sundays
and Holidays"
2. Task the Public Safety Subcommittee to oversee efforts by the Police Department to
update and re-issue the 1992 TROs to include all amendments voted by the Traffic
Commission as well as incorporating all traffic changes in road construction projects
since 1992, including MassDOT Traffic Control Agreements.
3. Have the Department of Community Development and Planning examine the hours of
operation for all meters as part of the Comprehensive Plan.
Page 1 of 2
Committee on Public Works Report—February 14, 2012
2. Fire Sprinkler Service Charge
As a follow up to the actions in the Committee report dated April 26, 2011, Mr. Mee presented
the results of the DPW's survey of all fire service connections. There were 167 connections
identified, but the DPW still has not been able to gain access at five locations to confirm the pipe
size.
The Committee voted unanimously to recommend that the Town Council request the Town
Manager have the DPW develop, as part of its annual analysis of water and sewer rates, a
tiered fire service charge based upon the survey of service pipe sizes, with total revenues not
less than what is currently received under the flat rate, and to present its proposal to the Town
Council in the water-sewer rate public hearing in May, with the new rate structure to be effective
July 1, 2012.
3. Adopt-an-Island Program
Councilor Woodland, who brought this item forward, spoke about the benefits that Watertown
could see for implementing such a program (see attached with City of Lowell example). The
Committee reviewed the program material from other municipalities, and discussed how the
program could be implemented in Watertown. There was consensus among committee
members that, depending on the location, a two-tiered approach would work best, with either
volunteer groups doing the work, or for businesses to hire a landscape contractor to do the
work.
Mr. Mee said he was in favor of such a program, with the condition that for safety reasons, work
on islands in high-traffic areas be limited to licensed and insured landscape contractors instead
of volunteers. He would also like to exclude key areas such as the Watertown Square delta
from the program.
The Committee voted unanimously to recommend that the Town Council request that
Watertown institute an Adopt-an-Island program, and request the Town Manager have the DPW
develop a draft program, including identifying potential locations, for additional review by the
Committee.
The meeting adjourned at 6:15 pm.
Report prepared by: Vincent Piccirilli
Page 2 of 2
Town of W
Raffic
Rules and O
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Issued by the Town Manager under authority of
Section 22 and 22A of Chapter 40 of the General
Laws, Chapter 90 of the General Laws, and
Section 7 of Chapter XI of the Watertown
Ordinances.
Adopted May 7, 1991
With Amendments to February 26, 1992
j 5fC(kcliv 6&Ick Roe,k V,
Section 5: No All Night Parking
No person shall allow, permit or suffer any vehicle registered
in his/her name, other than one acting in an emergency, to be
parked on any street for a period of time longer than one (1)
hour between the hours of one A.M. and six A.M. of any day.
Section 6: Parking Locations and Prohibitions
Parking is prohibited, restricted or limited as time, space and
streets, or municipal off street parking areas, in accordance
with a schedule of streets designated as Schedule No. 1, here-
unto appended to which reference is made and which Schedule
No. 1 is specifically incorporated in this section. No operator
shall park a vehicle in the designated prohibited locations or in
the restricted locations for a period longer than is designated in
Schedule No. 1, except as otherwise provided in this Schedule,
or where there is a time limit as to parking.
Section 6: Parking Meter Locations and
Regulations
A. Parking is restricted or limited as to time, space, streets
and municipal off street parking areas on the streets and
municipal off street parking areas designated as Schedule
1-A hereto appended to which reference is made and
which Schedule 1-A is specifically incorporated in this
Section. No person shall park a vehicle for a period of
time longer than two hours between the hours of eight
A.M. and six P.M. on any on street parking area. The
hours for parking in any municipal off street parking area
hereinafter designated in Section 2 of Schedule 1-A or as
may hereafter be fixed by amendment. This restriction r
shall not apply on Sundays or during the hours of legal
holidays during which business establishments are
required by law to remain closed.
In accordance with the foregoing; parking meter zones
are hereby established in the streets, parts of streets or
municipal off street parking areas listed Jr, Schedule i-A.
B. The Town Treasurer is hereby empowered, with the
approval of the Town Manager to contract, in accordance
with the provisions of Chapter 40 of the General Laws for
the acquisition and installation of parking meters pro-
vided for by this regulation and to maintain said meters in
good workable condition.
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T O W N O F W A T E R T Q W N
Office of the Town Manager
Michael J. DriscoIl
In accordance with the provisions of Chapter X1, of the
Ordinances of the City known as the Town of Watertown, entitled
Traffic Commission Regulations, Section 7, vesting in the Town
Manager the authority to amend the Traffic Rules and orders, now
therefore be it ordered:
(1) That the "Hours of Meter Operation" designated in
Article V, Section 2, Off Street Parking Meter Zones, of Schedule
1-A is hereby amended to read:
Monday thru Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
This restriction shall not apply on Sundays
and legal holidays,
(2) That the Superintendent of Streets, as authorized in
Article III, Section 4 (a) , shall place and maintain or cause to
be placed and maintained at the Spring Street *Parking Area new
informational signs reflecting the revised parking regulations,
and shall further erect an informational sign on Spring Street to
direct motorists to said municipal parking lot.
Promulgated on this 22nd day of July 1997.
Joseph A. DiVito, Jr.
f Acting Town Manager
Town of Watertown Administration Building Watertown,Massachusetts 02172 Phone 617 972-6465 FAX 617 972-6404
Printed on recycled paper
ADOPT-A-SPOT: WATERTOWN
• Partial List of Communities w/ similar programs: (22 total)
Newton, Cambridge, Reading, Somerville, Boston,New Bedford, Barnstable,
Attleboro, Marlborough, Mansfield, Braintree, Revere, Boxford, Westwood,
Fitchburg, Ipswich, Holyoke, Randolph, Peabody, South Hadley, Lowell, Danvers
• Purposes: Beautification, environmental,public/private joint collaboration,
materials cost reduction, labor cost reduction
• Concept: Town enters into contractual relationship with private organizations in
which participants agree to plant/maintain an identified plot of land(mostly
islands) for a fixed period of time and in return receive standardized advertising
on site (criteria of which decided by Town Council/DPW).
• Attached: 1) City of Lowell contract copy
2) Town of Ipswich
3) South Hadley-memorandum of understanding
4) Longmeadow (most comprehensive example)
The City of Lowell
City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell,MA 01852
P:978.446.7200 • F:978.970.4007
www.LowelIMA.gov
City of Lowell
Adopt an Island Program
Guidelines
The City of Lowell's Adopt an Island Program provides opportunities for companies, civic
groups, institutions and individuals to adopt a traffic island or other public space and create
attractive, welcoming "oases"throughout the City. The program provides two options as
noted below for those interested in participating.
For both options, the City of Lowell maintains a list of islands available for adoption and assigns
spaces on a first-come, first-served basis with prior year participants given first right to "re-
adopt"the same space. Agreements for both options will be for three years.
Contact Henri Marchand, Assistant to the City Manager at (978) 970-4000 or
hmarchand(4lowellma.2ov to review options, discuss ideas and submit an application.
Option 1
Option 1 provides Adopters the opportunity for hands-on beautification. This could range from
basic mowing, weeding and litter control to more extensive efforts such as the planting of
flowers. Once adopted, sponsors agree to create a simple landscape plan, monitor their public
space and maintain it throughout the season as outlined below. Plantings need not be elaborate
but should create an appealing natural element. Participants are encouraged to utilize high
impact/low maintenance plants wherever possible.
Under Option 1, Adopters will:
■ Identify a traffic island or roadside area from the list of available sites that they wish
to enhance and consider the type of improvements they want to propose.
■ Purchase the plants and install according to plan or contract with landscape company
to do so.
■ Install any plantings by the third week in May, maintain the bed until the first frost in
October and clean up for overwintering.
■ Utilize only natural materials; plastic, silk or other imitation plants, flowers or
materials will be removed.
■ Check for watering, litter removal and plant replacement as needed.
■ Maintenance includes mowing, trash removal, weeding, watering, spreading of mulch
where applicable and revitalizing and replenishing throughout the season.
■ Where they might interfere with traffic safety,plants cannot exceed 24 inches in
height or spread onto the roadway as they grow, or in any way obscure the visibility
of passing drivers or pedestrians.
In return the City of Lowell will:
■ Provide and install an"Adopt and Island" sign recognizing the Adopter's efforts (no
other signs or signage will be allowed on an island or close cluster of islands).
■ Provide loam and mulch at the Public Works Department for pickup by Adopters.
Adopters must show certificate of program participation at time of pickup.
■ Provide pickup of yard waste bags for end of season cleanup.
The City of tOWEtt Alive. Unique. Inspiring.
Option 2
Option 2 provides Adopters who are unable to commit to maintaining an island with the
opportunity to contribute to the beautification of the City's neighborhoods by contributing to the
Adopt an Island Fund.
Under Option 2 Adopters will:
■ Pay a yearly fee of$250, $500 or $1,000 depending on the size of the island.
In return the City will:
■ Maintain the site by regular mowing, litter removal and tree and shrub maintenance as
needed.
■ Provide and install an"Adopt and Island" sign recognizing the Adopter's support (no
other signs or signage will be allowed on an island or close cluster of islands).
4 4K • '
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The City of Lowell
City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell,MA 01852
P:978.446.7200 • F:978.970.4007
www.LowelIMA.gov
City of Lowell
Adopt an Island Program
Option 1 Application Form
Date:
Name:
Organization:
Address:
Phone Number: E-Mail:
Project Point Person(if different from above)
Name:
Address:
Phone Number: E-Mail:
Please use the space provided below to identify which island you would like to adopt and why. If
you do not know the name of the island,please write its address or location.
What enhancements do you propose to make to this island?
Will the work be done by you or contracted out to private landscape company?
If contracted out, please provide name of company.
What would you like to be written on the Adopt-an-Island sign?
Please attach plan if applicable and fill out Agreement on reverse side and mail to:
Henri Marchand, Asst. to the City Manager
City Manager's Office
375 Merrimack Street
Lowell, MA 01852
The City of LOWELL Alive. Unique. Inspiring.
The City of Lowell
City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell,MA 01852
P:978.446.7200 • F:978.970.4007
www.LowelIMA.gov
City of Lowell
Adopt an Island Program
Option 2 Application Form
Date:
Name:
Organization:
Phone Number:
Address:
E-Mail:
Fees for adopting an island under Option 2 are $250, $500 and $1,000 depending on the size of
the island.
Please review the listing of available islands and fees and use the space provided below to
identify which island you would like to adopt and its fee.
What would you like written on the Adopt-an-Island sign?
Please also fill out agreement on riverside side and mail your check,payable to City of Lowell,
along with this form to:
Henri Marchand, Asst. to the City Manager
City Manager's Office
375 Merrimack Street
Lowell, MA 01852
The City of LOWELL Alive. Unique. Inspiring.
The City of Lowell
City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell,MA 01852
P:978.446.7200 • F:978.970.4007
www.LowelIMA.gov
City of Lowell
Adopt an Island Program
Option 1 Agreement
This document serves as an agreement between and
the City of Lowell.
I, agree to maintain the traffic island located at
for three (3)years or until I am no longer able to
perform this duty. If I am unable to continue my duties as an Island Adopter, I will notify the
City Manager's Office.
I further agree that the island will be maintained aesthetically and in accordance with all known
safety regulations. In exchange for this service,the City of Lowell agrees to provide:
■ An"Adopt and Island" sign recognizing my efforts
■ Mulch for pickup by Adopters at the Department of Public Works, 1365 Middlesex
Street. Adopters must show certificate of program participation at time of pickup.
■ Pickup of yard waste bags for end of season cleanup
I understand that I will be given first option to re-adopt this island. I further understand that
failure to properly maintain the above mentioned traffic island as agreed will result in my
forfeiture of the island and removal of any sign bearing my name or the name of my business or
organization.
Signature: Date:
Mulch Pickup Record
Date Reason (initial cover, refresher)
The City of LOWELL Alive. Unique. Inspiring.
The City of Lowell
City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell,MA 01852
P:978.446.7200 • F:978.970.4007
www.LowelIMA.gov
City of Lowell
Adopt an Island Program
Option 2 Agreement
This document serves as an agreement between and the
City of Lowell.
I, agree to participate in the Adopt an Island
Program by adopting the traffic island located at for
three (3)years. I agree to provide an annual contribution of$ to do so.
In exchange for this service,the City of Lowell agrees to provide a sign bearing my or my
organization's name, and to maintain the island by regular mowing, trash removal and tree and
shrub maintenance as needed.
I understand that I will be given first option to re-adopt this island and billed annually for
participation. Should I decide not to continue as agreed I will forfeit my island and the City will
remove any sign bearing my name or the name of my business or organization.
Signature: Date:
The City of LOWELL Alive. Unique. Inspiring.
The City of Lowell
City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell,MA 01852
P:978.446.7200 • F:978.970.4007
www.LowelIMA.gov
City of Lowell
Adopt an Island Program
Mulch Pickup Protocol
The Adopt an Island Program provides mulch for Option I Adopters who plant and maintain
their island in accordance with their agreement.
Adopters must pick up whatever mulch they need at the Public Works Department, 1365
Middlesex Street.
Access to mulch will be provided as follows:
I. Adopters must present their Agreement to staff at each facility
2. Staff will keep a record of Adopter's name and date of pickup and note pickup date on
Adopter's agreement
3. Adopters will be directed to the store pile of mulch and will fill bags, barrels or back of
pickup with mulch adequate for their island's needs
4. No vehicles larger than a pickup will be allowed to take on mulch
The City of LOWELL Alive. Unique. Inspiring.