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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes03262008-20080429142010 Town of Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 26, 2008 Present: Chairman Louis Amoruso, Vice Chairman Sandra Levine, Clerk Ann Baldwin, 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. Superintendent Lopes gave an overview of the FY09 approved budget. The 09 budget of $22,636,533 includes an increase in local assessments of approx. $2.5 million over FY08. The Town of Mansfield only has 42 students enrolled in SE Regional this year as opposed to 51 from last year. As such the preliminary FY09 contribution to the school is $352,750. Linda Falk is a new resident and looking to get involved in town. She is an environmental consultant in addition to being a Licensed Site Professional working in town. Derek House has lived in town for a while and would also like to get involved in helping the community. Mr. House is a licensed construction supervisor and has considerable knowledge for fire, electric and plumbing codes. He has also read up on the conservation regulations and has attended past meetings of the Conservation Commission (ConComm). Selectman Baldwin asked the candidates if they have been to a ConComm meeting and they have. She also asked what the candidates might bring to the table. As Mr. House has extensive regulatory and scientific knowledge in relations to the wetlands protection act he would be able to assist the commission. Ms. Falk is an environmental consultant in addition to being a Licensed Site Professional so she is well versed in conservation law. Selectman McCarter asked if the candidates would have an issues or conflicts with being on the ConComm. Neither of the candidates felt this would be an issue for them. Selectman Levine asked the candidates if they have any ideas they can contribute to the environmental master plan that is under revision right now. Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 26, 2008 Selectman Dentino thanked the candidates for applying and asked them how they would handle having to say no to applicants. They both have experience with having to turn clients down or not do work that was requested but not within regulatory guidelines. Chairman Amoruso asked the candidates if they have a preference in term length. There is one term up in 2010 and the other in 2012. Motion: To appoint Derek House to the 2012 term. (Baldwin/McCarter) 3:2 passes Motion: To appoint Linda Falk to the 2010 term. (Levine/Baldwin) 4:0 passes Animal welfare applic Karen Prevett has volunteered at the animal shelter for many years and would like to volunteer on the committee as well. Selectman Levine asked if being on the committee would affect the amount of time she dedicates to the shelter. No, Ms. Prevett feels that both are important. Selectman McCarter thanked Ms. Prevett for volunteering at the shelter and now on the committee. Selectman Baldwin asked if there are any changes that she would recommend. Other than the building she wouldn't change a thing. All the volunteers are great and love the animals. Chairman Amoruso also thanked Ms. Prevett for her dedicated service to the animals in town. He then asked if she was a member of PET A. She is not. Motion: To appoint Ms. Prevett to the animal welfare committee for a term expiring 2010. (Baldwin/Levine) 4:0 passes Ellen Whitney, Wexford Drive. Member of new group, Concerned Citizens of Mansfield. Their first meeting was this past Monday and over 200 people attended. They have met with school staff and Mr. D'Agostino to better inform themselves on the issues. The group is looking to the Board of Selectmen and the Superintendent of Schools for guidance. Selectman McCarter congratulated Mrs. Whitney on her impressive efforts and will put forward his best effort in helping the town bring a balanced budget to town meeting. Selectman Dentino attended the meeting this past Monday. He believes that in this economy that the town/school should not be hiring any new personnel. The town Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 26, 2008 2 administration should be focusing on retaining the staff we presently have. He does not believe in mortgaging the future of the town in these uncertain times. Mr. D'Agostino agrees with Selectman Dentino and is working with Superintendent Hodges on retaining staff and balancing the budget. However, while we are in a difficult economy the needs of the towns are still present. Selectman Dentino stated the root of the problem always goes back to salaries and benefits. Ryan Palardy, Mansfield High School student. He was a part of a group of high school students that went to the meeting on Monday. Mr. Palardy then read a prepared statement from the groups' desire to have greater involvement in the schools and the town at large. He will be publicizing their desire to be involved and what they would like to see or do on school cable shows and around town. He then lobbied for saving each and every teacher as they are important not only to the students but to the entire educational system. If the residents must pay higher taxes, then so be it. Karen Amaral, Stearns Ave. Their family has two children in the school system. She proposed that minimal fee increases in popular programs such as CHAMPS, school sports and school lunch programs would add up to a considerable amount of money that could be used to help offset the budget deficit. Mrs. Amaral stated that her family would be more than willing to pay a little more in order to keep up excellence in the schools. She has many ideas and is looking forward to working with the school and municipal staff. Chairman Amoruso stated that while the schools and definitely the children are important they have to operate within a given amount of revenue. Unfortunately the revenues aren't keeping up with the expenses so cuts/sacrifices must be made. As this is a hot button issue and obviously important to the board and the residents alike, he would like to schedule another meeting with the School Committee and FinComm to continue this discussion. . The Town Manager and the finance team will continue to review budgets in the context of necessary cuts to balance the town budget. Although cuts are being made, there are significant capital needs that the town must address: infrastructure, sidewalks, fire station and apparatus needs, DPW Garage, COA or library facility. Our intent will be to either house the library or the COA at the Hope St. building and construct a new facility for one of them as the current building is shared and cramped. Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 26, 2008 3 We have the potential to reach our budget and provide for the requested police cruisers. We also expect to increase the MIS budget by no more than lOera. In addition, I would like to add an administrative position for a Director of Personnel for the Town. This is a position that has been sorely needed for years and is critical to the operation of the town. This position could be shared with the School dept. to suit their personnel needs as well. . Question from Selectman Dentino about the amount of people (baby boomers) that will be utilizing the COA and senior services. He does not believe that Mansfield has or will have a large number of seniors to support in the near future. . On March 31st there will be an IMA meeting at 5:30pm in rm. 3a/b. . We will be meeting with Supt. Hodges to assist with their budget and to narrow our focus on revenue options. The possibility of an override is still out there. . On April 14th there will be an Electric Light meeting at 7:00pm in rm. 3a/b. . On April 29th the town will be involved in a life science symposium at the Holiday Inn starting at 8am to lO:30am. We estimate about 150 attendees from local businesses in the bio-tech industry. . The Town of Mansfield Police Dept. has been selected as the Gold Award recipient in the Law Enforcement Challenge. Many thanks go out to the department for their fine work. . Warrant No. 40 in the amount of $3,078,371.77 Motion: To approve warrant No. 40 in the amount of $3,078,371.77 (Levine/McCarter) (Mr. McCarter abstaining from check #400744) 4:0:1 passes (Dentino abstains) . Water installer license for Cat Alley Farm. Motion: Approve water installer license for Cat Alley Farm (Levine/Baldwin) 5:0 passes . One day beer and wine license for Tri County Beagle Club. Motion: Approve license. (Levine/McCarter) 5:0 passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 26, 2008 4 · Draft version of Verizon Issuing Authority Report. Will be reviewed for next meeting. . Sign warrant for special Town Meeting on May 21st. Motion: To sign warrant. (Levine/Baldwin) 5:0 passes . Letter from Mansfield Elks requesting special permit for the fireworks display at their spring carnival May 1_4th 2008. They also request a waiver of any and all fees associated with such carnival and permission to display the carnival banner at Chauncy St. and N. Main Sts from April1? through May 4th. Motion: To waive town portion of fees, hang carnival banner and allow fireworks display. (Levine/Baldwin) . Request to hang sign over route 106 May 19th through June 2, 2008 for the Black Doll Collectors Convention. Motion: To approve banner request. (Levine/Baldwin) 5:0 passes . Letters from former Mansfield residents looking for more affordable housing options in Mansfield. . Letter from the state lottery commission promoting their new game, KENO to go. . Public Notice regarding water hydrant flushing. The spring flushing program will begin on Sunday March 30th and will continue through May 1, 2008. A schedule of the areas to be flushed will be posted on cable access channel 15 and on www.mansfieldma.com (click town notices). . Donation of $250 from Axeda Corp. for the Great Clean Up in May. Motion: To accept donation and send thanks (Levine/McCarter) 5:0 passes . Donation of old Mansfield history map book to the town from William Whalen's family. Motion: Accept and thank. (Levine/Baldwin) 5:0 passes . Review of Commercial parking lot regulations revisions. Selectman Dentino does not agree with some of the regulations but will approve it. Motion: To approve commercial parking lot regulation revisions as proposed. (Dentino/Baldwin) 5:0 passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 26, 2008 5 Selectme · Old business from Chairman Amoruso: Have Bruce come in next week for Tweeter Center license. · Old business from Selectman Dentino: He noticed that a light was added near the train station walkway that he requested. He will check to see if it is sufficient. Downtown grants: What is the progress of this project? A memo regarding this was just received by the Town Manager this afternoon and he read it to the board. Questions about travel expenses. He would like to see an excel spreadsheet detailing the amount of money that has been expended on travel. He knows for a fact that staff has taken several out of state trips. There are still lingering questions about meeting budget numbers and the possibility of going back to unions for renegotiations to aid budget deficits. Salaries and benefits need to be reduced in order to control costs. . Old business for Selectman McCarter: Questions about bridge repair. Mr. D'Agostino will follow up with Engineering for construction completion schedule. . Old business for Selectman Baldwin: Has anyone heard from Amante's? No, not yet. Id business for Selectman Levine: None . New business from Selectman Baldwin: Would like to see 2 hr. parking near House of Pizza changed to 30 minutes. Selectman McCarter does not feel that this is the appropriate way to encourage downtown business. Selectman Dentino suggests that the businesses in that area utilize parking in the rear of the buildings. . New business for Selectman McCarter: None · New business from Selectman Dentino: None · New business from Selectman Levine: None · New business from Chairman Amoruso: None Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 26, 2008 6 Motion: To adjourn at W:25PM (Levine) 5-0 Passes ~??1~~e:r $a-Uu,m Signature of Clerk ~;/ ~ 2~~~ Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 26, 2008 7