The Works

Posted on February 5, 2020 | Comments Off on The Works

M E D F I E L D D E P A R T M E N T O F P U B L I C W O R K S ** The DPW presents “THE WORKS”, a quarterly newsletter to inform the residents of Medfield on the happenings of their Public Works Department including updates on projects, current events, and upcoming developments ** Water main breaks are a common occurrence during the year. You see them highlighted on the evening newscasts in mostly larger cities and towns as huge amounts of water buckles pavement and runs down the streets like a river. This also happens in Medfield but hopefully to a lesser degree. Older water main pipes sometimes develop cracks or leak at connections caused by age, frost heaves, ground shifting, other utilities in close proximity and sometimes contractor error. Depending on the time of year, these breaks could be very difficult to handle. Issues arise such as frigid temperatures, high ground water and mechanical breakdowns. Our Water Division staff is very well trained and proficient however there are times that mutual aid assistance from nearby towns are welcomed as in this instance with great help from our friends in Hopkinton, borrowing their vactor trailer to alleviate some of the soaked material around the pipe. They not only let us borrow their much needed equipment, they also got into the excavation trench to help any way they could. The large trench box was borrowed for safety from one of the local contractors along with their compressor to run a large drain pump. After the repair was made to the water main break, our Highway Division sent out a crew to make repairs to the roadway which included backfill, compaction and paving the large, disturbed area of the roadway. One special note is that each division of the DPW pitches in on projects when needed or called upon. Water Division 1 Misc. Events 1,2 Employee Spotlight 2 DPW Fun Facts 2 Inside this issue: The Works M E D F I E L D D P W ’ S Q U A R T E R LY N E W S L E T T E R Volume 1, Issue 6 January 2020 WATER DIVISION: Water Main Breaks MISC. EVENTS: Medfield Green Development The 40B Development on the backside of the Medfield DPW Garage property is moving along quickly. The weather has been cooperating so far this winter season for the construction. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 6 During this year’s Holiday Stroll celebration in early December, the temperatures were hovering around the freezing point. The Highway Division sent out our sanders to salt the areas around the center of town to ensure the safety of our visiting attendees of the event. There was also personnel that walked along the sidewalks and into the park spreading ice melt to eliminate any icy patches which occurred as the crowds grew. Meet Jean Ouelette, Heavy Equipment Operator of the Medfield DPW Transfer Station. Jean was born and raised in Medfield and has been employed by the town for the past 14 years. He has worked at the Transfer Station his entire career taking over the position from his brother Paul. Jean was a veteran of the U.S. Army and has been operating heavy equipment for as long as he can remember. He is a true professional as a facility operator and is highly respected amongst his peers and the residents of the community. His personal interests includes being a classic street rod enthusiast. He has restored and continues to maintain his own classic vehicle. We are extremely fortunate to have such a dedicated professional and skilled employee in Jean. Page 2 Employee Spotlight De-Icing around the Holiday Stroll A Tribute to a Fallen DPW Worker DPW SAFETY TIPS DID YOU KNOW?  When using mapping apps or navigation, set the home address in your smartphone, GPS, and other devices to an address near your home, but not to your actual home address.  Long periods of time without proper breaks can lead to a decrease in focus or alertness. This can possibly also cause a loss in productivity; make sure you are taking regular breaks within your work day. For more information or have questions, please contact our main office at (508) 906-3003 or visit our town website @ www.town.medfield.net MISC. EVENTS: Authorities identified a Lawrence Department of Public Works employee fatally shot while performing road work on Wednesday afternoon, January 15th. Officers responded to the shooting and found Marcos A. Ruiz- Rodriguez, 52, of Methuen, suffering from gunshot wounds which eventually took his life. A tribute was organized by the DPW community to recognize the fallen worker. Our Medfield DPW sent one of our vehicles to join the procession on Thursday January 23rd. There were hundreds of DPW vehicles and personnel on-site to pay their respects to the victim’s family.20200205-The Works January 2020_Page_2

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