Special Board of Aldermen 03-28-2022 Page 2
Chairman Dowd
Do any of the Alderman have questions for Mr. Hudson on this legislation? Seeing one, I'll open it up to the public
hearing.
TESTIMONY IN FAVOR
Laurie Ortolano
Laurie Ortolano, 41 Berkeley Street. So | have a couple of questions and | might have missed this because | was
trying to get my computer uploaded here. What areas of the city does this cover? | know that they are going to
repave our street. | believe they were doing site work to repave it and do gas lines, but | believe there is a fair number
of sewer pipe problems over there as well. Is it being looked at in the North End neighborhoods? And how are we
addressing that, I’m just curious?
Chairman Dowd
Mr. Hudson?
Dan Hudson, City Engineer
So yes the funding covers all areas of the City, but we are focusing our inspection efforts on the
oldest parts of the City. The sewer system was built out over time in the downtown to the outskirts. So the
downtown has most of the older pipes. As | said, there are pipes that are like unreinforced concrete pipes that
are problematic in the past, so we'll look at those. Right now we are looking at pipes typically older than the
1940's. As we progress the system, we'll start looking at newer and newer pipes until we get to pipes that meet
current standards and are in good condition.
We do this work hand-in-hand with the paving program. So whenever we are going to pave a street, we reach out
to all the utility companies - gas, water to screen the streets but we do the same thing internally. We video the
pipes on that street if there are pipes as noted in that condition that is potentially something that would be
concerned about. Certainly if there is any sewer issues, please forward those to the DPW. If there any sewer
issues that anyone is aware of, let us know and we'll take those very seriously.
Laurie Ortolano
Okay could | just follow on it for a quick second? So yes | will send an e-mail over to DPW because if they’re
going to pave the street and gas company came around and knocked on all the doors and said they were going to
do the gas pipes and then repave. It’s a neighborhood where the piping would be around 160 years old from the
1870’s homes up to 1900-1925. There’s definitely some interesting smells when you walk your dog through the
neighborhood. So | think there is some need, but it ought to be looked at. | just don’t want them to pave the road
and then find out there were piping problems. That's all. It just came to mind when | saw this but I’m in favor of it
and obviously we’ve got a lot of work to do and you guys are doing good work. Thank you.
Chairman Dowd
I’m sure DPW and the rest of the City would not want the streets dug up after we paved it. Any other testimony in
favor?
TESTIMONY IN OPPOSITION - None
TESTIMONY IN FAVOR - None
TESTIMONY IN OPPOSITION - None
Alderman Cathey
| apologize. | did just have one question if | may for Mr. Hudson. Mr. Hudson are you aware if any new pavement
would have to be ripped up and if so would that be covered by either the bonds or the paving program budget?
