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Home My Public Portal About2018-05-22 Loan Order- Street and Sidewalk 2018Michael J. Driscoll Town Manager TOWN OF WATERTOWN Office of the Town Manager Administration Building 149 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472 Phone: 617-972-6465 www.watertown-ma.gov townmgr@watertown-ma.gov To: Honorable Town Council From: Michael J. Driscoll, Town Manager Date: May 17, 2018 RE: Agenda Item - Proposed Loan Order On March 16, 2017, the Honorable Town Council adopted conceptual recommendations on the Fiscal Year 2018-2022 CIP. Conceptual recommendation #16 is as follows: • Refer to the Public Works Committee, for policy guidance, the plan for the FY18 $2,500,000 loan order (CIP Lines 272, 277) for local road construction projects in early 2018, in accordance with Resolution 2013-76 Watertown's Ongoing Capital Project Budget Guidelines. On November 14, 2017, the Honorable Town Council approved the list of streets to be included in the Fiscal Year 2018 Road Program (see attached excerpt from the November 14, 2017 Town Council Minutes and Committee on Public Works Report). On March 15, 2018, the Honorable Town Council adopted twenty-seven (27) conceptual recommendations on the Fiscal Year 2019-2023 CIP. Conceptual recommendation #13 is as follows: • Proceed with the FY18 proposed loan order for $2,500,000 Street & Sidewalk projects for summer 2018 in accordance with the Public Works Committee report approved by the Town Council on November 14, 2017. Therefore, given all of the above, I respectfully request the attached Proposed Loan Order of $2,500,000 be placed on the May 22, 2018 Town Council Agenda as a First Reading. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. cc: Gerald S. Mee, Jr., Superintendent of Public Works Matthew Shuman, Town Engineer Dennis J. Sheehan, Director of Administration and Finance, Department of Public Works Steven Magoon, Director of Community Development and Planning/Assistant Town Manager Thomas J. Tracy, Town Auditor/Assistant Town Manager for Finance Nancy J. Heffernan, Treasurer/Collector Locke Lord 111 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02199 Telephone: 617-239-0100 Fax: 617-227-4420 www.lockelord.com Kara K. Adams Direct Telephone: 617-239-0387 Direct Fax: 866-644-8575 kara.adams@lockelord.corn May 11, 2018 Peter B. Frazier, Managing Director Hilltop Securities, Inc. Municipal Advisory Group 54 Canal Street, Suite 320 Boston, Massachusetts 02114 Dear Peter: (Town of Watertown — Suggested Loan Order) As requested I suggest the following form of loan order to approve the borrowing of funds to pay costs of street and sidewalk work and duct or conduit improvements: Ordered: that $2,500,000 is appropriated to pay costs of street and sidewalk work, including if necessary, convenient or desirable, underground duct or conduit improvements, and the payment of all other costs incidental and related thereto, and that to raise this appropriation the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Town Manager, is authorized to borrow $2,500,000 under M.G.L. c. 44, §7(1), or any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor. Any premium received by the Town upon the sale of any bonds or notes approved by this vote, less any such premium applied to the payment of the costs of issuance of such bonds or notes, may be applied to the payment of costs approved by this vote in accordance with Chapter 44, Section 20 of the General Laws, thereby reducing the amount authorized to be borrowed to pay such costs by a like amount. The order must be published at least 5 days prior to the holding of a public hearing with respect to the order and its final passage and requires at least a two-thirds vote of all members of the Town Council, as in the case of any other loan order for bonds. Please call me if there are any questions about the suggested proceedings. Yours 'r thfully, ara K. Adams AM 68292426.1 Atlanta 1 Austin 1 Boston 1 Chicago 1 Cincinnati 1 Dallas 1 Hartford l Hong Kong 1 Houston 1 London l Los Angeles Miami I Morristown 1 Now Orloans 1 Now York 1 Providence 1 San Franck= 1 Staniford 1 Washington DC 1 Weal Palm Buach Excerpt from November 14, 2017 Town Council Minutes Committee on Public Works Report Regarding the 2018 Roads Program — Aaron P. Dushku, Chair ACTION ITEM: That the Town Council Approve the Proposed 2018 Roads Program Which Includes Full -Depth Reconstruction of Arden Road, Edgecliff Road, Everett Avenue (from Lower End of Bartlett, Uphill to Palfrey), Malden Street, Priest Road, Westland Road and Woodleigh Road Councilor Dushku read the Committee report. Councilor Piccirilli moved to accept the report; Councilor Dattoli seconded the motion. The motion was adopted unanimously on a voice vote. Councilor Piccirilli moved that the Town Council approve the proposed 2018 Roads Program which includes the full -depth reconstruction of Arden Road, Edgecliff Road, Everett Avenue (from lower end of Bartlett, uphill to Palfrey), Malden Street, Priest Road, Westland Road, and Woodleigh Road; Councilor Dattoli seconded the motion. The motion was adopted unanimously on a voice vote. Town Council Town of Watertown Committee on Public Works Meeting October 18, 2017 REPORT: November 14, 2017 The Committee met at 6:30 pm in the Town Council Chamber. Present were Committee members Aaron Dushku, Chair, Anthony Palomba, Vice -chair Susan Falkoff Secretary; Councilors Kounelis, Piccirilli and Feltner; Public Works Staff Gerry Mee, Dennis Sheehan and Matt Shuman, residents Holly Johnson, Michael Hatfield and Carleen Loveday; and Watertownmanews.com editor Charlie Breitrose. The purpose of the meeting was to roll out the 2018 Roads Program from DPW. Before beginning the slideshow (http://ma-watertown3.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/23525), Councilor Palomba inquired about the various ways we fund road projects. $2.5 million each year is bonded. Additional money comes from Chapter 90 (MA), and the State Transportation Improvement Program (`TIP': Federal funds administered by the State). The DPW is also considering the use of Water/Sewer Enterprise fund monies more to repair streets that are opened for related utility work and we may see more of this where applicable. In addition, sidewalk repairs and road patches are included in the town's `streets and sidewalks' operating budget. The slides are thorough and self-explanatory. Mr. Shuman discussed some of the intricacies of decision -making based on a number of factors including planned and unplanned utility work. The roads proposed for repair next year are: Arden Road, Edgecliff Road, Everett Avenue (from lower end of Bartlett, uphill to Palfrey), Malden Street, Priest Road, Westland Road, Woodleigh Road. Some points of discussion were: • Street widths. Our average residential width is 25' and our code of ordinances lists minimum travel and parking lane requirements for different classes of roads with a variety of parking configurations (attached). Some streets slated for work in FY18 may result in a 23' width. There was considerable discussion about how this will be handled. Committee members were surprised that a street designed to be 23' wide does not automatically trigger a Traffic Commission referral. Sometimes, DPW can make adjustments to the sidewalk or planting strips to achieve the required lane widths and preserve parking on both sides. If such adjustments are infeasible for these roads, DPW will go to the Traffic Commission to discuss and implement parking changes consistent with the ordinance. • Priest Road and Cushman Street will have a binder this year; curbs and sidewalks will be added in 2018. • Arden Road came up sooner than would be expected based on road condition but sewer and drain reconstruction to remove sources of cross -contamination required digging up the street. • A resident asked about the deplorable condition of Bellevue St. between Channing and Common. DPW is well aware of this problem but did not prioritize this street due to late season water work and because work on lower Common Street, Katherine Road, and Orchard Street Extension is also planned next year which could disrupt travel in the vicinity. • Councilor Dushku asked about manhole covers (castings) that sit above or below the level of a completed street. PW is aware of the problem and can require the contractors to make adjustments. Inspections are typically conducted by the design contractor as part of their contract. Councilor Dushku thanked PW staff for the well thought-out presentation. Councilor Falkoff thanked Councilor Dushku for his leadership in developing a schedule for early decision -making about the roads program. Councilor Palomba stated he would like to see even more money spent on road repairs. Councilor Dushku wants to move forward with the Community Path Project with funding from the street and sidewalk operating budget. A candidate has accepted the Project Engineer position. A MassDOT contract for grant funding of a Complete Streets prioritization plan was delivered to the town today. Upon completion of the plan (next year), the town can apply for grant funding from MassDOT for the selected projects. The Complete Streets Working Group will be convening soon and the prioritization plan will be developed in a public process run by a consulting firm called Alta Planning and Design. The Transportation Committee recently toured the MBTA bus yard and learned about an electric bus pilot project. When the catenary wires for the current buses are disassembled during the Mt. Auburn Street Project, it would be more convenient for DPW if they never came back. The electric bus system being discussed at the MBTA could be a way to keep low -emissions vehicles on the route without replacing the catenary system. All agreed that we should monitor this MBTA pilot project. Everyone was happy and the committee voted 3-0 to recommend that the Town Council approve the roads program as presented. The meeting adjourned at 8:45. Respectfully submitted, Susan Falkoff, Secretary Edited, Aaron Dushku, Chair Page 2 of 2 ELECTED OFFICIALS: Mark S. Sideris, Council President Stephen P. Corbett, Councilor At Large John A. Donohue, Councilor At Large Susan G. Falkoff, Councilor At Large Anthony Paiomba, Councilor At Large Angeline B. Kounelis, District A Councilor Cecilia Lenk, District B Councilor Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., District C Councilor John J. Lawn, Jr., District D Councilor Watertown Town Council Administration Building 149 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472 Phone: 617-972-6470 ORDINANCE # 2010- 6 AN ORDINANCE GOVERNING THE GENERAL STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR CURBS AND SIDEWALKS WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works together with the Curb Committee, find that standards of design and requirements for the construction and/or reconstruction of curbs and sidewalks shall be established in accordance with the MassHighway guidelines; and WHEREAS, a clear demarcation between where cars travel and where pedestrians travel is essential for public safety; and WHEREAS, the design and requirements will conform to the Americans Disability Act (ADA) and Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB) Guidelines, NOW THEEFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, that the Town Council for the city known as the Town of Watertown does hereby amend the 2006 Revised Watertown Ordinances by adding a new Section 55, Curbs and Sidewalks as follows: INSERT the following new Section 55, Curbs and Sidewalks Section 55.01, Cubing Requirements (a) All materials for curb installation shall conform to the following standards to provide a barrier between the roadway and pedestrian sidewalk and its adjacent planting strip. In areas where curbing is installed, parking on any portion of the sidewalk or planting strip will not be permitted. All curbing hereinafter installed for full depth reconstruction roadway projects shall consist of granite curbing, unless otherwise directed by the Superintendent of Public Works wider• section 55.01 (d) 3. (2) Curbing for roadway resurfacing projects not included in subsection (1) shall consist of asphalt "bread loaf" curb with a vertical face and non -mountable, except that sections of the curb at intersections and adjacent to handicap ramps and sections of existing granite curb shall be granite, unless otherwise directed by the Superintendent of Public Works under section 55.01 (d) 3, When roadway hnproventent projects extend for less than a full block, the installation of new curbing will be at the discretion of the Superintendent of Public Works under section 55.01 (d) 3. (1) (3) (b) Curbing will be installed when adequate lane width is available for each roadway component based on roadway classification. Roadway classification shall consist of the following: Arterials are roadways that "service statewide travel as well as major traffic movements within urbanized areas or between suburban centers" or "link cities and towns in rural areas and interconnect major arterials within urban areas".' Arterials have high or moderate mobility and limited points of access Collectors are roadways that "link arterial roadways and provide connections between cities and towns" or "connect local roads to major collectors and arterials".1. Collectors have moderate mobility and moderate to high access. Local Streets are roadways with low speeds and a high degree of local circulation and access and are not intended for regional connectivity.1 The following table contains a partial listing of Watertown roadways and their functional classification. Roadways that are not listed are assumed to be local roads, For purposes of this Ordinance, the Mass Highway classification shall be used, except as noted, Changes to the listed classifications shall be considered based upon the classification criteria and will be brought before the DPW subcommittee of the Council with a recommendation from the Superintendent of Public Works, Table 1 Functional Classification of Watertown Streets Road Arsenal Street Belmont Street Galen Street Greenough Blvd MDC Main Street Mount Auburn Street North Beacon Street Pleasant Street Watertown Street Arlington Street Charles River Rd MDC Common Street Coolidge Avenue Howard Street Irving Street DPW Classification Arterial Arterial Arterial Arterial Arterial Arterial Arterial Arterial Arterial Connector Connector Connector Connector Connector Connector AASHTO Classification* Minor Arterial Minor Arterial Principal Arterial Minor Arterial Principal Arterial Principal Arterial Principal Arterial Collector Principal Arterial Collector Collector Minor Arterial Collector Collector Local ' Mass Highway , Project Development and Design Guide, p. 3-8 MassHighway Classification Principal Arterial Principal Arterial Principal Arterial Principal Arterial Principal Arterial Principal Arterial Principal Arterial Principal Arterial Principal Arterial Minor Arterial Minor ;Arterial Minor Arterial Minor Arterial Minor Arterial Minor Arterial Road Lexington Street Nonantum — MDC School Street Waverley Avenue Acton Street Bigelow Avenue California Street Church Street Coolidge Hill Road Dexter Avenue DPW Classification Connector Connector Connector ConnectorPrimary___. Primary Primary Primacy Primary Primacy AASHTO Classification* Collector Minor Arterial Collector Collector Local Local Collector Collector Local Collector Local Local Collector Minor Arterial Local MassHighway Classification Minor Arterial Minor Arterial Minor Arterial Minor Arterial Local Local Collector Collector Collector Collector Collector CollectorCollector Grove Street Primacy Highland Avenue Primary Nichols Avenue Primary Primary Primary Primary Collector Collector Sycamore Street Walnut Street Waltham Street Primary Collector Collector Primary Collector Collector Primary Collector Collector . Warren Street Primary _. Local Collector *Source: MassGIS Data (1) Adequate travel lane width is deemed to be 11 feet on principal and minor arterials, 10 feet on collectors and on local roads. Adequate parking lane width is deemed to be 7 feet in residential areas along all classes of roads and 8 feet in width within commercial areas. (2) A principal or minor arterial, or a collector, with two way traffic must have a minimum of two separate travel lanes, (3) Local Roads, which are considered roads not having the DPW Classification of Arterial, Connector, or Primary, may have a single shared travel lane for two way traffic, provided there are periodic opportunities for passing. (4) A minimum street width of 18 feet curb to curb shall be adequate for the following roadway configurations: (i) A one-way street with one travel lane and with one side on -street parking, (ii) A two way local street with one travel lane and one side of on -street parking with provision for periodic spaces of restricted parking at least every 100 feet for vehicles to pull over to the side, (iii)A two-way collector or local road with two travel lanes and no on -street parking, (5) The curb -to -curb pavement width will then determine if there is adequate room for on street parking on one side or both sides of a street. Resulting parking issues shall be referred to the Traffic Commission for consideration. Orchard Street Spring Street Summer Street Collector. Collector (c) In cases where curbing is proposed, but no curbing currently exists, and where the resulting street width is not great enough to allow both adequate travel lanes and parking shoulder widths per subsection (b), every effort should be made to accommodate a defined curb. (d) Curb Installation Requirements: I, Whenever the owner of a parcel abutting a public way desires that curbing be installed abutting such parcel, the property owner may pay for and install granite curbing at their full expense, subject to the approval of the Superintendent of Public Works and subject to the conditions as herein defined. Such installation shall also include appropriate transition to adjoining curbing and walkways, including handicapped ramps and access as required. 2. Any new development project shall include the installation of granite curbing and concrete sidewalk with planting strip across the entire project's public street frontage at the property owner's expense, subject to the approval of the Superintendent of Public Works and subject to the conditions as herein defined, including the rules and regulations promulgated by the Superintendent of Public Works. Such installation shall also include appropriate transition to adjoining curbing and walkways, including handicapped ramps and access as required. As used in this section, "new development project" shall mean any project where there is a new building foundation, either because there was no pre-existing building or the previous foundation has been removed. 3. No curbing shall be installed under this section at those locations where the Superintendent of Public Works determines that the installation of curbing is not feasible due to public safety, site constraints, budget constraints, or conflicts with future plans for the area. In such cases the Superintendent of Public Works shall receive the concurrence of the Town Manager and written notice to the Council. 4. The Superintendent of Public Works is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations, consistent with the Curb and Sidewalks Ordinance, which shall implement the provisions of this Ordinance. 5. All curb installations shall comply with the rules and regulations of the Superintendent of Public Works in addition to the provisions, of this Ordinance. Section 55.02, Sidewalk Requirements a) All materials for sidewalk construction or repair shall consist of concrete unless exempted under subsection (b, c and e) below. b) The material used at street tree locations may include the use of asphalt in order to address tree root issues in accordance with DPW regulations. c) The material used as a temporary utility repair, where deemed necessary by the Superintendent of Public Works, may include asphalt. Temporary repairs shall be permanently replaced with concrete in accordance with the DPW regulations. d) Sidewalks which are constructed hereinafter may extend the full length of the public way at the discretion of the Superintendent of Public Works and shall have a preferred clear walking surface of 5 feet not including curbing with a minimum of 4 feet, and shall conform to Americans Disability Act (ADA) and Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB) Guidelines, unless otherwise exempted under subsection (e). A minimum clearance of 3 feet shall be provided around obstructions in the sidewalk such as utility poles, street trees, and hydrants. In residential areas the sidewalk width shall be a maximum of 5 feet, A minimum width of two feet shall be provided as a planting strip. Whenever the owner of a parcel abutting a public way desires that a sidewalk be installed abutting such parcel, the property owner may pay for and install concrete sidewalk at their full expense, subject to the approval of the Superintendent of Public Works and subject to the conditions as herein defined and in compliance with other DPW regulations. Such installation shall also include appropriate transition to adjoining curbing and walkways, including handicapped ramps and access as required. . e) No sidewalks shall be installed under this section at those locations where the Superintendent of Public Works determines that the installation of sidewalks is not feasible due to public safety, site constraints, budget constraints, or conflicts with future plans for the area. In such cases the Superintendent of Public Works shall receive the concurrence of the Town Manager and written notice to the Council. f) Any new development project shall include the installation of granite curbing and concrete sidewalk with planting strip across the entire project's public street frontage at the property owner's expense, subject to the approval of the Superintendent of Public Works and subject to the conditions as herein defined, including the rules and regulations promulgated by the Superintendent of Public Works. Such installation shall also include appropriate transition to adjoining curbing and walkways, including handicapped ramps and access as required. As used in this section, the term "new development project" shall mean any project where there is a new building foundation, either because there was no pre-existing foundation or the previous foundation has been removed. g) The Superintendent of Public Works is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations, consistent with the Curb and Sidewalks Ordinance, which shall implement the provisions of this Ordinance. It) All sidewalk installations shall comply with the rule a td regulati j s of the Superintendent of Public Works in addition to the provisions of this Ordinance, � -..... % ��— C.� ..—"douncil Memljet/ I hereby certify that at a regular meeting of the Town Council for which a quorum was present, the Above Ordinanc DVS adopted by a roll call vote of'7 for, 0 against, 0 presets on Febru9ry,9, 2010.. ValerietP-apes ark S. Sideeris Council Clerk Council President