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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes03192008-20080429141917 Town of Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 19, 2008 Present: Chairman Louis Amoruso, Vice Chairman Sandra Levine, Selectman David McCarter, Selectman George Dentino, John D'Agostino, Town Manager The Board of Selectmen's meeting was called to order at 7:30pm followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Jim Lazzara, Jack Goldberg and Jess Aptowitz from the FinComm were present. As it stands now the school budget has a significant deficit to close with the municipal side having a much smaller gap to close. They do anticipate changes in the budget as the house/senate budget evolves. Once the governors' budget comes out they will be making a recommendation to the board. School health insurance increase of 13'10 vs. a municipal health insurance increase of 6'10. Selectman Dentino asked what the difference is between the two health plans? More people on the school side utilize the PPO insurance plan (a more expensive plan that is going up more) vs. the HMO plan that is widely used on the municipal side. Selectman Dentino also has questions about salaries. The school side has a 9'10 increase in salary requests and the municipal side has a 13'10 increase request. However, since the school budget comprises 70'10 of the total budget their increase of 9'10 is much bigger in terms of dollar amount than that of the municipal side. Mr. D'Agostino stated that a 2 t override may be requested at town meeting, however it is pure speculation as to what will be needed until the budget numbers are set. As the municipal side of the budget is only 30'10 of the total budget the board needs to look at the school side as well to get the full picture of what comprises the budget. Mr. Lazzara added that even with a 2 t override this year to assist the budget, is a short term fix and one would be needed for the following years as well until the town's revenues rose to meet the asked for expenses. The FinComm feels that in order to fix the ongoing budget problems salaries/personnel need to be adjusted. Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 19, 2008 Ken Hackett, Frank O'Neill and Lee Azinheira from DPW were present. The EPA issued new regulations that apply to all municipal Industrial Pretreatment Programs. Known as the Pretreatment Streamlining Rule, the EPA rules contain thirteen mandatory requirements including standard language that all municipal use regulations must contain. The Town's consultants, Camp, Dresser & McKee (CDM) reviewed these and determined that Mansfield's IPP complies with the new regulations with one exception: . The town must change the language in the existing Sewer Use Regulations pertaining to significant non-compliance to bring the program into total compliance. This can be accomplished by deleting the existing Section 2.10, and inserting a new Section 2.10 in its place. Mr. Hackett and Mr. Azinheira are recommending this action to the board. Motion: To approve the amended regulations provided by CDM and wastewater staff. (Levine/McCarter) 4:0 passes Lee Azinheira and Mark Cook from DPW were present for discussion. Road improvements for FY09 Ware St. (East St. to Short St). Ware St. (Short St. to Essex St.) (pavement overlay only) and Essex Street. The improvements proposed are cold planing and 2 inch overlay unless otherwise noted. They streets are a priority as they are heavily travelled roads and pose higher safety hazards due to the higher traffic and speeds. For the damage to the roads due to water work they recommend that the water account and Chapter 90 funds split the cost of $606,000 50/50. Even with the above mentioned streets being a priority, the Town still has several other streets that are in need of work that are estimated to cost $772k. This is to be funded out of Chapter 90 funds. FY09 CIP request total $550k for catch basin repairs, street work, structural repairs and routine maintenance all over town. This roadway maintenance request is the Highway . Divisions first priority for CIP. The conditions of our road are quickly deteriorating and if the town does not invest more in roads very soon, the future costs to get them back in condition will be far more than maintenance. In addition they are many streets in need of repair but they do not have as high a volume of traffic so they will remain on the future projects list. Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 19, 2008 2 The Highway Division's second priority for CIP is the construction of a new Highway Garage Facility. A FY09 CIP request of 1.3 million for design funds and construction in FYll (20 million) have been submitted. The dept. met with MBC last year and they unanimously supported proceeding with the design and bidding of these facilities. Last year, Weston & Sampson prepared a cost analysis comparing the cost of a new Highway Storage Garage to the cost of storing our vehicles and equipment outdoors. In summary, over the 50 year expected life of the building, it will cost the Town an additional 10 million if the equipment continues to be stored outdoors versus in the proposed new garage. Several other issues were discussed such as the lack of adequate personnel and operating funds. The dept. is falling behind in addressing work orders and performing ongoing maintenance of infrastructure due to the lack of these needs. Waste Management has submitted a proposal to the town for the implementation of automated single stream recycling services. They would provide a 64 gallon wheeled cart to each current participant in the collection program. Carts will be collected on a weekly basis and will be for all co-mingled recyclables. The cost for providing this service will remain as contained in our current agreement for the provision of up to 6,600 carts. This would extend the town's contract with Waste Management for one additional year, through June 30, 2013. Motion: Move to support this new program. (McCarter/Levine) 4:0 passes Questions and Comments. Ryan Palardy, high school junior. He is concerned about the school budget and how to better balance it. He would like to assist the school/town in any way he can. He originally wanted to ask for an override but now realizes that would not fix the problem. Mr. Palardy asked the Town Manager and the BOS if they would favor an override. Both parties stated no and explained why they are generally not in favor of operational overrides. They will continue to meet with the School dept. and FinComm to determine the best way to solve the budget problems. Mr. D'Agostino and the entire BOS were impressed with Mr. Palardy's determination in coming to the meeting and expressing his interest in the town's finances and government Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 19, 2008 3 structure. They encouraged him to register to vote when he turns 18 years old and possibly run for the position of Selectman in the future. . The Light Dept. has installed additional security lighting along the Boston inbound side of the crossover as requested by Selectman Dentino. . The finance team and myself will meet with Superintendant Hodges on Tuesday, March 25th to review budget alternatives and develop strategies to close the budget gap. . The Town is in a slightly different position. It, however, has a much smaller budget gap to close. We have certain capital needs such as roads, sidewalks, highway barn and fire house that need to be met. As we also need to purchase 2 fire trucks we have to analyze and review various requests. . CIP will be meeting on March 25th at the Water Treatment facility on Rt. 106 at 6:30pm. The next CIP meeting will be April 1st at 6:30pm here in rm. 3a/b. . Next week staff will be asking the bos to write off $271,380 in uncollectable ambulance bills going back to 1999. There will be a handout from Chief Boldrighini. . The lost dog "Perky", that was announced at last weeks meeting, has been found and the elderly owner is very grateful to have her companion back at home with her. Weekly B . Warrant No. 38 in the amount of $2,578,642.04 Motion: To approve warrant No. 38 in the amount of $2,578,642.04 (Levine/McCarter) (Mr. McCarter abstaining from check #381289) 3:0:1 passes (Dentino abstains) . Proposed amendments to the commercial parking lot regulations. Motion: To accept amendments as written in paragraph 9. (McCarter/Levine) 4:0 passes Discussion: Put discussion of parking regs back on for next week. Selectman Dentino has questions about regs. . Meeting minutes of March 5th. Motion: To accept minutes. (Levine/McCarter) 4:0 passes . Folk fest license approved last week needs to be signed. Motion: To sign license. (McCarter/Levine) 4:0 passes . Boosters Club road race on May 18th. Motion: Approve. (Levine/McCarter) 4:0 passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 19, 2008 4 · Resignation from Sally Holm from the A WC. Motion: To accept resignation and send thank you letter with kittens. (Levine/McCarter) 4:0 passes. Opening will be put on website. · Request for legal services from Building Inspector Nick Riccio. Motion: To grant request. (Dentino/McCarter) 4:0 passes · Old business from Chairman Amoruso: None . Old business from Selectman Dentino: None · Old business for Selectman McCarter: None · Old business for Selectman Baldwin: Not present Id business for Selectman Levine: None · New business from Selectman Baldwin: None, Not present · New business for Selectman McCarter: Would like to invite school committee to future meeting to discuss budget. · New business from Selectman Dentino: Found earlier meeting with the Fincomm very helpful and educational. However he would like to hold immediate and additional budget meetings with dept. heads. With gasoline prices as high as they are Selectman Dentino would like to see better utilization of the vehicles purchased by the town/electric dept. Additionally he has found numerous vehicles that are being used for personal use. · New business from Selectman Levine: Update of Police Dept researching parking ticket machines. Mr. D'Agostino will follow up. · New business from Chairman Amoruso: None Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 19, 2008 5 Motion: To adjourn at lO:33PM (Levine) 5-0 Passes ~~~~e:($aUwm Signature of Clerk ~'/ ~ 2~~t!' Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 19, 2008 6