Board of Public Works Meeting - October 23, 2025
Board of Public Works Meeting - October 23, 2025
The Board of Public Works convened on October 23, 2025, to review amendments to the agenda, approve various contracts regarding wastewater, streets, fleet, and engineering projects, and address personnel matters. The meeting proceeded with a vote on the amended agenda, approval of minutes from the September 30th session, and multiple unanimous votes on financial motions totaling over two million dollars. No public comments were received. The session included a closed personnel meeting before adjournment.
Consent Calendar
- Motion passed to approve the agenda as amended, including updates under Wastewater (removal of Motion C), Solid Waste (addition of Motion B), and Fleet (addition of a bond purchase for Motion A).
- Motion passed to approve the minutes from the Board of Public Works meeting held on September 30, 2025.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Public Comment: No members of the public were present to address the agenda items.
Discussion Items
Wastewater Department
- Gas Monitoring Equipment: Dave Boucher, Wastewater Superintendent, explained that the gas monitoring system in multi-level buildings at the treatment facility is at the end of its life expectancy. The proposal involves purchasing new controllers, sensors, and alarms, including installation costs, funded by the Department 169 Wastewater Fund.
- Sewer Service Permits and Fees: Commissioner Speedia moved to approve the submitted permits and fees.
Street Department
- Winter Road Salt: Johnny Barrett, Street Department Superintendent, reported that the city is awarding the annual rock salt purchase to Granite State Minerals and Eastern Minerals Incorporated, piggybacking on a state bid to facilitate the purchase of $545,000 worth of salt.
- Tinker Road Guard Rail: Dan Hudson, City Engineer, discussed the installation of guardrails on Tinker Road (near number 360) to address a history of serious crashes, including a fatal incident. He noted the location requires permanent treatment beyond temporary Jersey barriers. The contract was awarded to CWS Fence and Guardrail.
- Kinsley Street Safety: Commissioner Speedia expressed strong support for the upcoming installation of traffic calming measures (ballards) on Kinsley Street, noting community concerns about vehicles exceeding speed limits.
Solid Waste Department
- Landfill Gas Collection: Jeff LaFleur, Solid Waste Superintendent, presented the project to expand the gas collection system at the landfill to capture methane and mitigate odors. The contract for construction was awarded to Jay Bates and Sons LLC.
- PFAS Pilot Program: LaFleur introduced the contract with Sanborn, Bornhead, and Associates for engineering oversight of the PFAS removal pilot test at Four Hills Landfill, noting the firm's expertise.
- Budget Context: LaFleur explained the budgeting process for the creation of a new assistant position to meet state litter pickup requirements.
Fleet Department
- Wheeled Loader Purchase: Michael Rush, Fleet Superintendent, presented the purchase of a 624 P Tier John Deere Wheeled Loader ($399,800) to replace a 2016 Caterpillar loader. The purchase includes snowfighter packages and is funded through a bond. A trade-in of an older loader was part of the transaction.
- Park Department Trucks: Commissioner Gregg inquired about the specifications and potential trade-ins for the new 2026 Ford F-350 trucks ($91,436 each). Rush clarified that the trucks feature mechanic service bodies (not lift gates) equipped with inverters for tools. He confirmed the old units could not be traded in due to lack of value to the vendor and would be moved to the back line after auctioning off other infeasible vehicles. Rush also noted that 70% of snowplow equipment is currently ready, with three technicians missing from the shop to meet demand.
Engineering Department
- Greeley Park Stonehouse Improvements: Commissioner Gregg detailed a series of change orders required for the restoration, including plumbing, electrical, and roof repairs. Commissioner Shay expressed support but requested a review of exterior lighting to ensure it minimizes light pollution and potential uplighting issues.
- Sewer Replacement Project: Commissioner Shay moved to approve Change Order No. 3, extending the contract with Crisp Contracting by $1 million. Crisp has been performing well, conducting CCTV, pipelining, manhole adjustments, and emergency repairs. Funding is derived from sewer bonds paid through user rates.
Administration and Personnel
- Directors Report: Michael Mantle provided updates on RWC drainage work, Greeley Park and Cobb Hill renovations, park landscaping, and community events including the successful Boo Bash. The Parks Department announced two group trips: one to see the Celtics and a holiday trip to NYC.
- Hazardous Waste & Landfill Updates: The last household hazardous waste collection is scheduled for November 8th. The Four Hills Landfill will be closed for Veterans Day (Nov 11) and Thanksgiving (Nov 27), with curbside collections delayed accordingly.
- Community Safety Concerns: Commissioner Gregg relayed concerns from approximately 15 residents regarding the barrier design at the playground on Sergeant Savage near Holman Stadium, which they feel poses a risk for children running into traffic. Commissioner Speedia agreed to review the design.
Key Outcomes
- Approval of Contracts: Unanimous approval granted for:
- Wastewater gas monitoring equipment ($400,879 with TC Control Group).
- Winter road salt purchase ($545,000 with Granite State Minerals & Eastern Minerals).
- Landfill gas collection expansion ($30,379,120 with Jay Bates and Sons LLC).
- PFAS pilot engineering ($324,100 with Sanborn, Bornhead, and Associates).
- Fleet purchase: 1 John Deere Wheeled Loader ($399,800) and 2 Ford F-350 trucks ($182,872).
- Tinker Road guard rail installation ($27,350 with CWS Fence and Guardrail).
- Greeley Park Stonehouse Change Order No. 4 ($14,592.48).
- Sewer Replacement Change Order No. 3 ($1,000,000 with Crisp Contracting).
- Personnel Actions:
- Unsealed minutes for personnel from September 30th.
- Approved the creation of a second Solid Waste Assistant position (hourly wage $24.94).
- Accepted the retirement of Jeff Courier, effective October 31, 2025.
- Sealed minutes from the non-public personnel session.
- Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 4:48 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
All right, we're gonna call the meeting of the Board of Public Works to order on October 23rd, 2025. Um Ms. Edwards, would you please call a roll? Uh Commissioner Greg? Here Commissioner Speedia? Here, Mayor Donchus? Here. And we're missing uh Commissioner Shea and Commissioner Lemon is out tonight. Okay. And we have uh Alderman O'Brien and German McDowell here. All right. Um first item is item two. Uh Commissioner Gregg. I was just gonna point out what the changes are, why it's a golden rod agenda. Okay, go ahead. Um so I I just I wanted to draw your attention to uh a couple of changes, and that's why you have a golden rod uh agenda under wastewater. Motion C was removed. We still have some work to do on that contract. Um we've added uh motion B under solid waste, and um also uh under the fleet department on motion A. We've just added um a bond to this because this is uh we'll define it through a bond. So I just want to bring that to your attention. All right, so we're looking at the um the new agenda. Correct. So you saw uh Claire gave you a new agenda that you should follow. Yes, Commissioner Gregg. Uh so would I say the agenda is submitted just because it's a new one when I motion to approve it? Yeah, yeah. Okay. So I motion to approve the agenda as amended and submitted. All right, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Motion passes. Um next item three, commit commissioner Speedia. Move to approve the minutes of the Board of Public Works meeting of September 30th, 2025. All those in favor of the motion say aye. Aye. Motion passes. We have public comment. Is there any member of the public who would like to address any of the items on today's agenda? No one is here. Uh so we'll move to wastewater. Uh commission item A, Commissioner Gregg. I motion to approve the user warrants as presented. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Motion passes. We have item B. Uh, Commissioner Speedia. Move to approve the contract with TC control group of Oxford, Massachusetts for the purchase and installation of gas monitoring safety equipment through wastewater treatment facility in an amount not to exceed 400,879.
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