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Home My WebLink AboutSELECTMENminutes04232008-20080610115633 Town of Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 23, 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. Discussion postponed to next week. As there was a budget meeting last night and the school committee was not ready with their piece of the budget proposal Mr. D'Agostino only gave a brief update of last nights discussion. Selectman Dentino stated that he was under the impression that they weren't going to meet as the school committee wasn't ready. The other board members stated that was not the case and they all were there. A short disagreement of the facts ensued and Selectman Baldwin reprimanded Selectman Dentino for talking down to her and the other members. She further stated that if he communicated with the rest of the members he would have known and been there last night. MB Bill Moore, Chairman was present and asked that the board not completely eliminate the secretary position. They are still an active group meeting once a month and require staff assistance. The secretary keeps the committee informed of incoming information and takes minutes of their meetings. Current projects include the modular work at the High School, the highway dept. garage and other CIP priorities. Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 23, 2008 1 Chairman Amoruso asked how many hours the secretary works. Mr. D'Agostino stated that she currently works 13 hours a week. Selectman Dentino stated that he expected the committee to come and request that the secretary not be cut. He further stated that current MBC work is minimal and he does not see the value in retaining a staff position at this time. Mr. D'Agostino also feels that the secretary position is important to the work of the committee and should not be eliminated. Selectman Levine would like to keep the money for a secretary in the budget and not use it until needed. If it goes unused the funds will be returned to the general fund. Ken Butler, MMAS Chair. He provided a brief update on where their capital/marketing plan. He also stated that the MMAS has been anxiously awaiting a RFP to be released so they can start the process. Chairman Amoruso and Selectman McCarter stated that the RFP process has stalled with the board as they have not been able to come to a consensus on how to proceed. Chairman Amoruso suggested that the new board can take it up again later this year after town meeting. · OFS parking questions from last week were addressed. MTBA assessments are required to be in general fund line items. · Review of line item reductions and contractual increases. · Two Thursday night FinComm meetings with dept. heads are scheduled instead of the all day Saturday schedule. This Thursday and next Thursday are the designated dates. Selectman Dentino is not happy that he was unaware of this change as it conflicts with his schedule. · Update of Great Mansfield Clean Up on May 3rd. Waste Management has donated $500 and DPW staff have donated their time. The clean up volunteer response has been overwhelming. There are over 1000 people signed up. · Response to Selectman Dentino's request for more information on town vehicle use. · Short discussion on memo from Mike Ahern regarding DPW staff. · Rebuttal statement in reference to Mr. Dentino's biting letter given out at the Concerned Citizens budget meeting last week. In summary, Mr. Dentino's divisiveness has resulted in misstatements and incorrect budget numbers being circulated. The only thing that this has achieved is pitting the Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 23, 2008 2 taxpayer against the town employees. Mr. D'Agostino also did not appreciate the personal attack on him that Mr. Dentino's letter closed with. Motion: To move onto weekly business (Levine/Baldwin) 4:1 passes Discussion: Selectman Dentino wanted to rebut the preceding statement line by line. However, after a short discussion the board in its entirety disagreed with Mr. Dentino's request for rebuttal as they felt that they where blindsided by the distribution of his letter last week. · Warrant No. 43 in the amount of $797,695.40 Motion: To approve warrant No. 43 in the amount of $797,695.40 (Levine/Baldwin) (Mr. McCarter abstaining from check #401379) 4:0:1 passes (Dentino abstains) . Meeting minutes of March 12th, 19th, 26th Motion: To approve minutes of March 12, 2008 (McCarter/Levine) 4:0:1 passes (Baldwin on vacation) Motion: To approve minutes of March 19,2008 (Levine/McCarter) 4:0:1 (Baldwin on vacation) passes Motion: To approve minutes of March 26, 2008 (Levine/McCarter) 5:0 passes · Board appointments to SRPEDD. Both Christopher McGowan and Leonard Flynn would like to be renewed to their posts. Motion: To appoint both Christopher McGowan and Leonard Flynn as representatives of the board to SRPEDD. (McCarter/Baldwin) 5:0 passes · Application for parade permit from police and fire honor guard for May 18th. Motion: Approved (McCarter/Levine) 5:0 passes · Letter from Edward Vozzella regarding waiver of building permit fees for modular classroom project. Motion: Waiver of town fees approved. (McCarter/Baldwin) 5:0 passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 23, 2008 3 · Letter from Girl Scouts announcing the annual Gold and Silver Award recipients. The board has previously met with the Gold Award winner Kelly Ann Brown. However, the organization is requesting certificates for all the Silver Award winners by May 1st. Motion: To create certificates for Silver award winners for next week. (Levine/Baldwin) 5:0 passes · Letter from Leo MacDonald asking if the town was interested in buying property on Mill St. · Letter from Boy Scout Troop 51 announcing Matthew McCue, Daniel Dalton, James Strickland, Jay Thornton and Ethan Beise have attained the rank of Eagle Scout. They would like to invite the board to the ceremony on May 18 at 2pm (Jordan Jackson School). They also would like to have certificates made. · Old business from Chairman Amoruso: None · Old business from Selectman Dentino: A few suggestions for additional cuts are listed below. All out of state travel unless by contract/license. He recommends Professional Development cuts as well. Motion: No new hires or increase in hours FY09. (Dentino) Chairman Amoruso suggested that the board hold off on this discussion until the cuts from the school committee have been discussed. Selectman Dentino would like to make these cuts regardless of what the school committee does. Motion fails, no second. Police: Out of 28 officers 1 position is not funded. Continuing not to fund this position could potentially save the town nearly $100k. Fire: Additional cuts in staffing/services. NIMS span of control issues. Mr. D'Agostino consulted with the Fire Chief and has been assured that the numbers presented are correct. Additional questions about ISO ratings. Vehicles: Mr. Dentino still does not believe that the board voted to allow car allowances in certain job descriptions in 1999 and again in 2004. Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 23, 2008 4 Old business for Selectman Baldwin: Update on ambulance receipts from Comstar? Mr. D'Agostino will flu will the chief and get back to them. · Old business for Selectman Levine: Progress on parking lot ticket machines? Mr. D'Agostino will check with Steve Simmonds and the Police Chief. · Old business from Selectman McCarter: Update on resident request regarding DPW work. Mr. Azinheira has been in contact with the resident and will resolve the issue. · New business from Selectman Baldwin: None · New business from Selectman McCarter: None · New business from Selectman Dentino: The Town Manager is seeking employment in another town and hasn't mentioned it. Mr. D'Agostino confirmed that he is. · New business from Selectman Levine: Concerns about Waste Management's proposal to provide single stream recycling. She would like to tour plant and see how it operates. Lights on High School track are on quite a bit and must be using a great amount of electricity. · New business from Chairman Amoruso: Requested side road sign for Perkins St. Mr. D'Agostino will follow up with DPW on that as well. Motion: To adjourn at !0:00PM (Levine) 5-0 Passes ^erm ~-t-~ Signature of Clerk ;1?17 2~ 2~~tY Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 23,2008 5