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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes04092008-20080515120804 Town of Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 9, 2008 Present: Chairman Louis Amoruso, 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. Lou Massiello, W S Development. After a short presentation Mr. Massiello asked the board for a letter of support in their application to Mass Highway for tree trimming and thinning in the right of way along Rts. 140 and 495 to allow for visibility of the Mansfield Crossing pylon signs. Mr. Massiello has received letters of support from the Planning Board and the Tri- Town Chamber of Commerce. The Conservation Commission also did not have issue with this request. Lenard Flynn, NRT President also made a short presentation in opposition to having any trees pruned or thinned. He feels that the signs along the highway are nothing more than "branding" or advertising the presence of a retail center. They offer no direction to the shopping center in their present form. Ed Tartufo, Brookside Drive. He is a Director of the Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce and is representing the Chamber in their support of the tree thinning. It is a well thought out plan that was approved by the Planning Board. A representative from the Planning Board will also be present for the tree work to ensure the directives of the plan are followed. Mr. Tartufo has spoken with the merchants in Mansfield Crossing and they have expressed that they really need support in helping customers find the mall. As the mall entrance is on a side street, not on Rt. 140 as planned it can be difficult to find the entrance. Cheryl Collins, School St. As the mall does not have an entrance on Rt. 140 she doesn't see the need to have signs seen from Rt. 140. People don't pay attention to signs so she sees no need for additional signage or clearing trees to see the pylon signs as they don't have directions on them. Mrs. Collins stated it is more important to keep the scenic views that express Mansfield's rural character. Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 9, 2008 1 Mr. Massiello replied to Mr. Flynn and Mrs. Collins assertions that the Federal Highway Beautification Act and State Regulations that were quoted do not apply in this case as the signs are to advertise an adjacent property. The visibility of the signs is vital to the success of the mall and to the customers in finding them. Selectman Dentino asked Mr. Massiello how extensive the trimming or cutting would be. Along Rt. 495 they would only need to trim branches off of some trees. Along Rt. 140 they would need to cut out a few evergreen trees as they are too dense to adequately trim. Mass Highway usually requires a bond be put up to ensure the work will continue over the years within the scope of service. Selectman McCarter asked if the pruning would be balanced or if the area would look worse with partially pruned trees as opposed with trees that were just cut down. The developer has a plan that will address the aesthetics of the areas affected by trimming. Selectman Baldwin asked if any of the merchants want to put additional signs on School St. as the existing signs can't be seen that well. No, the merchants are waiting to see if the larger signs will be made more visible. Chairman Amoruso stated that he has seen the much larger signs that WS Development uses in other mall locations and is glad that Mansfield Crossing has agreed to use smaller, more esthetic signs. Perhaps a Mass Highway sign can be installed that says "mall this exit" like the use used on Rt. 495 for Wrentham Outlets. Ultimately the decision to grant a tree trimming permit is with Mass Highway however Mr. Massiello would appreciate the boards support in this endeavor. Motion: To support trimming as outlined in presentation under the supervision of the Planning Director. (Baldwin/Dentino) 4:0 passes Discussion: To have Mr. Massiello come back before the trimming work is to be done and review exact work to be done. Verizon Chairman Amoruso stated that this contract is the same as the one provided to Comcast. Selectman Dentino brought up the fact that Mansfield does not get HD service of Boston channels. He would like to see that language put into the contract. Motion: To accept draft Issuing Authority Report for Verizon. (McCarter/Dentino) 4:0 passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 9, 2008 2 Chrystal Fowkes, Mansfield Concerned Citizens member. Would like to see the town work together as a whole. There has been too much talk about a 70'Yo school /30'Yo town split. Kiera O'Neil, Mansfield Concerned Citizens member. They are aware of the fact that Mansfield is not the only town in fiscal crisis. They look forward to see our elected and appointed officials lead the town through these fiscally tough times. Ellen Whitney, Mansfield Concerned Citizens member. Some of the suggestions and ideas may not help for FY09 but could be used for FYlO as there will be a funding issue in coming years as well. Mr. D'Agostino stated that he will be talking at length about the budget and potential cuts at tomorrow's night meeting. Making the cuts will affect town services and we will still have problems with revenue again next year. Even with an override, the town may need additional revenue next year to provide level services. Mike Ferrari, Fruit St. He would like to know how much money has been budgeted toward lawsuits. Mr. D'Agostino explained that these funds come from the Electric Light Dept. It is not a budgeted item, however funds are held in a retained earnings account. Mr. Ferrari commented that there will be a 20'Yo increase to the electric rate payer next quarter. However, it was pointed out that this is due to spikes in generating electricity and increased fuel costs; not costs attributed to the lawsuits. . Suggestion for trash service to go to enterprise account or pay as you throw system in order to take off tax base and free that money up for school use. The board is not in favor of this proposal. · Many of the cuts and cost saving measures will be discussed at tomorrow nights budget meeting at the high school. Motion: Cut Human Resources Director position from budget. (Dentino/Baldwin) after a lengthy discussion this motion was tabled. · Warrant No. 41 in the amount of $2,523,541.32 Motion: To approve warrant No. 41 in the amount of $2,523,541.32 (McCarter/Baldwin) (Mr. McCarter abstaining from check #401103) Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 9, 2008 3 · Water installer license application from P. Beatty Excavation Motion: To approve. (McCarter/Baldwin) 3:0:1 passes · Hackney driver application from Thomas Salisbury, Cheryl Christie and Roy MacDonald. (The town manager recommends approval) Motion: To approve hackney driver application from Thomas Salisbury, Cheryl Christie and Roy MacDonald. (Baldwin/McCarter) 4:0 passes · Hackney carriage licenses for Sharon Taxi dba Mansfield Taxi. Vehicles have been inspected by Officer Lawson. Motion: To approve license. (McCarter/Baldwin) 4:0 passes . Fee waiver request from John Sullivan regarding phase IV School St. sewer extension work. Restricted water installers license from Kurt Gaffney for upcoming town work. Motion: McCarter/Baldwin 4:0 · Motion: Selectman Dentino would like letter sent to town counsel indicating that he is not in favor of pursuing legal action against Mr. Beliveau in regards to the latest MCAD filing. (McCarter/Baldwin) 4:0 passes · Letter from the Great Mansfield Clean Up Day group. Donations from Bull's Eye Communications, Hand On Montessori School and MMAS in the amount of $250 each. Motion: To send thank you letters from the board. (McCarter/Baldwin) 4:0 passes · Letter from the Airport Commission requesting a waiver of town permitting fees for the Air Race Classic event June 27th to 29th. Motion: To approve fee waiver request and notify them of such. (McCarter/Baldwin) 4:0 passes · Public Notice regarding water hydrant flushing. The spring flushing program will begin on Sunday March 30th and will continue through May I, 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). · Letter from Chief of Police Arthur O'Neill. He is requesting the board to amend the nine pm curfew on the downtown public parking lots to "no parking midnight to six am". Motion: No parking from lam to 6am. (Baldwin/Dentino) 4:0 passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 9, 2008 4 · Water Division notice: hydrant flushing in ongoing and will continue through May pt. A schedule of the areas to be flushed will be posted daily on cable access channel 15 in addition to being listed on the town website. www.mansfieldma.com · Several letters have been received from residents regarding their concern over the FY09 budget and the lack of revenue/anticipated expenditures. · Resignation letter from Constable Stephen Sheaff. He has accepted a new job that prohibits him from being a constable. Motion: To accept and send letter of thanks for service. (Baldwin/McCarter) 4:0 passes · Yearly appointment request of SRPEDD representatives. Motion: Send letter to see if reps are still interested from last year. (Baldwin/McCarter) 4:0 passes · Old business from Chairman Amoruso: None . Old business from Selectman Dentino: Referenced letter from resident about last weeks meeting. · Old business for Selectman Baldwin: None Id business for Selectman Levine: Not present · New business from Selectman Baldwin: Asked if Neal has contacted John about the Comstar issues. Would like to see Amante Restaurant owner in. · New business for Selectman McCarter: Questions about unemployment benefits the town has paid in the past two years. · New business from Selectman Dentino: Would like see out of state travel line items from the last two years. 1981 vehicle use policy is the only legal one since the town manager does not have the authority to update or amend policies without board approval. Motion: To have all changes and proposals since 1981 be thrown out. (Dentino) Motion fails due to lack of second. · New business from Selectman Levine: Not present. Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 9, 2008 5 · New business from Chairman Amoruso: None Motion: To adjourn at W:44PM (McCarter) 4-0 Passes ~'/#~~e::r $e:r-Mv-in- Signature of Clerk '/#7 I~ 2~~tff Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 9, 2008 6