Town of Newbury
Capital Planning Committee Meeting
Thursday August 16, 2012, 7:15AM Town Hall
Meeting Summary
Members present: Bob Connors (Chair), Kathleen Pearson, Frank Visconti and Tracy Blais, (Town
Administrator)
1. June 14, 2012 meeting summary: (No July meeting was held)
Minutes unanimously approved as written.
2. Town Administrator’s report:
The committee has received a project request (see attachments) regarding a flood control project
located in the general area of Middle Road regarding past and current flooding conditions identified as:
Proposed Weir Project, Middle Road, Newbury, MA.
Pursuant to CPC manual, the committee has reviewed, complied and evaluated this project request
using the 6 criteria established within the CPC manual for project requests.
a. Does the requested project contribute to the achievement of existing town goals, policies,
plans and work programs?
Yes, the requested project is necessitated under Public Safety to address flooding downstream
of the project site. In addition, the ongoing flooding conditions of the Middle Road area over the
last 2 years has resulted in road closure, increased response time for police and Fire, temporary
installation of jersey barriers to narrow road to one way status keeping traffic and pedestrians
away from flooded and degraded shoulders.
Mass Department of Transportation has provided high capacity pumps and permission to use
state drains that flow to Little River requiring around the clock operation during extreme storm
events.
b. What are the general benefits of the project?
The proposed Weir project will provide improved flood control measures within the Middle
Road area. The proposed improvements will consist of a new 3 foot wide by 5.5 foot high by 22
foot long precast concrete box culvert. Rip rap stone is proposed at the upstream and
downstream ends of the box culvert to help prevent scour and erosion of the surrounding soils.
c. What is its total cost (both capital and annual operating and maintenance expenses,
including replacements); and what is its effect on the tax rate?
The anticipated cost of this project is $40,000.00. The annual operating and maintenance
expenses are negligible, useful life of project is 50 years. CPC anticipates the project funding
source to be certified free cash as determined by DOR with no impact on the tax rate.
d. Is the project acceptable to the public?
Yes, as stated above, this proposed flood control project will improve drainage within Middle
Road area, improve traffic flow and police and fire response times and extend the useful life of
the roadway.
Newbury Capital Planning Committee, Page 2
e. Are there legal requirements that must be met?
Temporary Construction Easement
The installation of a weir structure is located on private land adjacent to roadway on Middle
Road. CPC recommends the Town of Newbury obtain Temporary Construction Easement over
the Property granting to the town, its agents, invitees, contractors, successors and assigns, a
temporary, exclusive construction easement and right-of-way, on, over, and across the
Construction Easement Area delineated on a Plan of land (to be recorded) for access, ingress,
egress, and use as is necessary for town’s construction activities associated with the Weir flood
control project.
Permanent Access/Maintenance Easement
CPC recommends the Town of Newbury obtain Permanent Access/Maintenance Easement over
the Property granting the Town of Newbury, along with its agents, invitees, contractors,
successors and assigns, a permanent right-of-passage and a right to engage in activities
associated with the monitoring, maintaining and improving the above-mentioned flood control
project.
CPC further recommends Town Counsel review all project documents, permits and approvals for
compliance with local, state and federal regulation and deemed in the best interest of the Town
of Newbury.
f. Can the project be effectively managed and maintained with existing staff once
implemented?
The proposed improvements will consist of a new 3 foot wide by 5.5 foot high by 22 foot
long precast concrete box culvert with Rip rap stone proposed at the upstream and downstream
ends of the box culvert to help prevent scour and erosion of the surrounding soils. The useful
life span of precast concrete box culvert is 50 years. Minor maintenance can be anticipated
removing flotsam/jetsam accumulating at the entrance to the box culvert.
No extensive staffing or special training is required and current DPW staff is currently trained to
performed typical tasks associated with box culvert maintenance.
The committee based upon the above findings, moved by motion of Frank Visconti to recommend the
project, seconded by Kathleen Pearson, voted to accept and recommends scope of work as identified.
Chair, Bob Connors recused himself from the vote.
3. Review capital facilities & equipment inventory list;
The committee reviewed the current status DPW fleet, Superintend, Tim Leonard notified the
committee of an upcoming vehicle request pursuant to current “DPW Equipment Inventory” see Exhibit
III, CPC Report 2012 presented at Town Meeting, May 22, 2012.
Line item #7 identifies 2004 Ten Wheel dump truck currently used for daily DPW operations and snow
plowing. Due to current fiscal constraints, change in DPW program needs, this aging vehicle no longer
meets the needs of the community, is expensive to operate, maintain and requires specialized skills to
operate. The existing roadway infrastructure is better suited to smaller more efficient vehicles such as a
six wheel style dump truck which is more maneuverable, efficient to operate. The proposed vehicle
would be outfitted with snow fighting equipment (plow, sander, wing blade) optimizing its use during
Newbury Capital Planning Committee, Page 3
winter conditions and reducing the need for outside contracting during the winter season further
reducing DPW costs.
No formal request was presented, no action was taken. It is anticipated that a formal request will be
presented at the next regular meeting of CPC.
4. Review status of previously approved projects;
No action required at this time.
5. Review current capital project requests for equipment or facility improvements:
No action required at this time.
6. Review “Project Priority list”;
No action required at this time
7. Update of Approved Projects by Town Administrator/department head;
No update or action required at this time
8. Review CIP Planning Schedule;
No action required at this time
9. Review current Debt Policies for CPC projects;
BOS has been presented with current draft of II &III and has taken this matter under advisement
pending review.
9. Other Business;
no action required at this time
10. Next meeting date;
Due to conflicts, next meeting is scheduled for September 20, 2012
11. Adjourned
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Connors,
Middle Road Emergency
Friday 10/08/10: Pearson hauls in jersey barriers to narrow road to one way status keeping traffic and
pedestrians away from flooded and degraded shoulders. 7 hrs $875.00
Thursday 10/14/10: 0800hrs. Call to Mass Dot (Larry Glazebrook) to meet on Middle Road to get
permission to pump water into state drain near Rt. 1.
0815hrs: Mass Dot arrives (Larry Glaze Brook). Permission granted to use state drains that flow to Little
River. Assistance offered. Assistance accepted.
0900hrs: One 3000gpm pump set up and pumping. One 1500gpm pump set up and pumping. Pumping
4000gpm at this time. Pumping 240,000 per hour. Director Leonard and Lt. Lucey set up command post
for around the clock operation. Leonard , Lucey remain on duty with pumps until 0700 Friday until
relieved for short break.
Friday 10/15/10: 0700hrs Mass Dot brings in another 3000gpm pump. 1500 gpm pump taken out and
3000 gpm now pumping 6000 gpm. Mass Dot brings in Vac Truck to clean all drains in the area for more
flow. Director Leonard, Lt. Lucey work to keep water flowing to pumps and keep pumps fueled and
running around the clock.
Saturday 10/16/10: 0001hrs Director Leonard, Lt. Lucey on watch keeping operation running. Volunteers
from Fire Dept. on hand throughout the day to help out. FF. Robert Bishop, FF Kevin Ladd. FF. Steven
Dash. 1800hrs Joe Story and Howie Tolman relieve us for dinner break. 1900hrs. Leonard , Lucey back
for the night.
Sunday 10/17/10: 0100hrs water receding. I direct and illuminate Lt. Lucey where to dig swale deeper to
keep water flowing to pumps. 0500hrs Director Leonard, Lt. Lucey make decision to start break down of
operation and open road to two way traffic. 0600hrs Leonard calls in two DPW men (Sarette, Stanley) to
move jersey barriers back and take down all signage to open road. 1100hrs road open all hands are done
for the day.
Monday 10/18/10: 0700hrs start paper work and plan for installation of drainage system. Still pumping
with one 3,000 gpm pump 8hrs.
Tuesday 10/19/10: 0700-0800hrs: receive emergency certificate from conservation commission for DPW
to dig swale on property of Andrew MacDonald 19 Middle Rd. 0830hrs receive permission letter from the
MacDonald’s to enter upon their property to construct drainage swale.
Essex County mosquito control starts constructing swale. 1330hrs pipe plugs put in at Tolman driveway to
drain trench. Pearson starts prepping trench for culvert pipe with DPW crew. Ordered 360’ of 12” ADS
N-12 culvert Pipe from JAF Industries (emergency status on order) $5.60 lf= $2,016.00
Wednesday 10/20/10: 0700hrs: DPW crew installing two catch basins. Pearson prepping trench with
stone.
Thursday 10/21/10 0700hrs: Pick up 60’ of 12” ADS N-12 from a supplier in Ipswich so crews can install
culvert across the Middle Road because ordered pipe has not arrived yet. 1200hrs catch basins are
completed and Middle Road crossing culvert is installed.1300hrs Emergency culvert pipe arrives. 1500hrs
all pipe is installed in trench. I make the decision to work overtime to backfill trench to alleviate danger of
vehicle driving into trench causing injury to both operator and pipe. 1800hrs all hands are done for the
evening.
Friday 10/22/10: 0700hrs. DPW crew and Pearson filling in emergency dug drain swale that fed pumping
operation and dressing off the rest of the construction area. 0830hrs pipe plug pulled from pipe in east side
of catch basin and water is now flowing into new drainage system. 0900hrs second pipe plug is pulled
from west side of pipe and is flowing with no restriction. Water is dropping approximately 1” every 4 hrs.
Saturday 10/23/10: 0800hrs water flowing with no restrictions. Bench mark shows water has dropped 4”.
Sunday 10/24/10 0900hrs water sill dropping, flowing OK.
Monday 10/25/10 0700hrs: Remove all of the jersey barriers on Middle Road.
Tuesday 10/26/10 0700hrs: Clean swale on the west side of Tolmans driveway. Water running better.
1400hrs still running. Install French drain into most easterly basin at the request of Mr. Thomas Bashaw.
Remove dead trees on the edge of the roadway.
Wednesday 10/27/10 0700hrs: Dressing off work area with loam. 0800hrs meet with Doug Packer to
discuss installing more drainage pipe and structure on west side of Tolman driveway. This will build
suitable shoulder and make travel safer. 0900hrs no more construction without filing Notice of Intent.
Only slight shoulder work allowed under the emergency cert.
Thursday 10/28/10 0700hrs: dress off work area with loam.
Tuesday 11/09/10 0700hrs: Road flooded again. Beavers or muskrats have plugged up new drain line.
Close Middle Road with jersey barriers. Keep closed until water is gone. Possibly for the winter season.
Lt. Lucey notified School and bus co. Tim Leonard notified Chuck Kostro and Fire Dept.
11/08, 11/09, 11/10/2010 : Mass DOT pumping water 3000gpm from new drains. Highfield Road now
under water.
11/09- 11/22/10: Mass DOT continues to pump water Mon thru Fri.
Monday 11/22/ 10 : Edward Parker 18 Penn Brook Ave, Georgetown, Ma. 01833 is hired to trap beavers
on Middle Road. Cost: $100.00 per trap set and $100.00 per beaver trapped.
Tuesday 11/23/10: Checked trap at 0500hrs and nothing trapped. Ed said he will set the trap down further
at pipe going under Middle Road and one on Highfield Rd.
12/13/10 Monday: Ed Parker sends bill for trapping beaver $900.00.
Pearson Landscaping bill: Meterials for Middle Road repair: $1086.00
| 
