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Home My WebLink AboutSELECTMENminutes04302008-20080610115728 Town of Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 30, 2008 Present: Chairman Louis Amoruso, Vice Chairman Sandra Levine, Clerk Ann Baldwin, Selectman David McCarter, John D'Agostino, Town Manager The Board of Selectmen's meeting was called to order at 7:30pm followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Patrick Collins, Marshall Ave resident. He has experience with contract negotiations and would like to assist the town. Rick Mahoney, Cable Access Board of Directors member. He would be assisting in his capacity as a resident and as a Cable Board of Directors representative. Richard Gordon, West St. resident, retired life long resident interested in giving back to the community and has experience with being on a board. Selectman McCarter stated that being on this committee could be time consuming and asked the candidates if that would be an issue for them. All three replied no, they have sufficient time to service. Selectman Levine asked a couple of questions about what the candidates would like to see Verizon offer. Chairman Amoruso asked what direction they would like to see the contract and services go. All three of the gentlemen pretty much shared the same thoughts and ideas of what they would like to see in relation to the services that Verizon could provide. They all would at least like Verizon to match what Comcast is presently providing the town. An upgrade in the cable access studio and a van is an absolute necessity and perhaps Verizon would be able to assist with that. Chairman Amoruso asked how the candidates handle confrontation and negotiations. Fortunately all of the candidates have had experience with dealing with frustrating situations. Mr. D'Agostino stated that they needed an inventory of what possible capital items cable access would need for Atty. August. Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 30, 2008 Mr. Mahoney stated that the Cable Access Board of Directors has closed on the new Branch St. location and will be wrapping up their deal with Comcast soon. Selectman McCarter stated that although Mr. Healey was unable to attend this evening he has been before the board in the past and would like to appoint him as well as the others. Motion: Move to appoint Michael Healey, Rick Mahoney, Patrick Collins, Richard Gordon to the Cable Advisory Committee. (McCarter/Levine) 4:0 passes Mr. D'Agostino gave a brief overview of the additional cuts to the FY09 budget in order to come to a balance budget using the method recommended by the Finance Committee. Selectman McCarter stated that is he was at the last school committee meeting and while it was difficult for them to cut $300k out of their budget they did so. Both boards have worked diligently with the Town Manager in order to bring a balanced budget forward earlier than ever before in recent history. Selectman Levine had questions about the Quinn Bill. The town has not been giving new police hires this option and as the older force drops off the roles, the town will see savings. Motion: To accept the FY09 FinComm budget proposal as outlined in the April 16th meeting. (Baldwin/Levine) 4:0 passes Discussion: Andy Gazzolo, FinComm Chair was present and stated that he was glad that School Committee and the Board of Selectmen were able to come to consensus in bringing a balanced budget forward. However, next year will be even more difficult. The Town needs capital improvement items and we will have to work on finding solutions for funding them. Mr. D'Agostino stated that most of the town's debt is short term and will be coming off in the next ten years. That puts the town in a good position. Selectman Levine asked what we would have to do to reduce the amount of funds that is proposed to be taken from stabilization. Additional cuts from the budget would need to be made for this to happen. While Mr. D'Agostino is not in favor of using stabilization funds for general operating purposes, part of stabilizations purpose is to carry the town through tough economic times/unforeseen expenses. Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 30, 2008 2 Town Warrant Articles Article 1: tabled Article 2: tabled Article 3: (McCarter/Baldwin) 4:0 passes Article 4: (Levine/Baldwin) 4:0 passes Article 5: (Levine/Baldwin) 4:0 passes Article 6: (Levine/Baldwin) 4:0 passes Article 7: Discussion on whether new car is needed by parking attendant. The board would like to see the dept. use an existing fleet vehicle and save the money for future use. Table for further discussion Article 8: (Levine/Baldwin) 4:0 passes Article 9: (Levine/Baldwin) 4:0 passes Article 10: (Levine/McCarter) 4:0 passes Article 11: (McCarter/Baldwin) 4:0 passes Article 12: (Levine/Baldwin) 4:0 passes Article 13: tabled Article 14: withdrawn Article 27: (McCarter/Baldwin) 4:0 passes John Sullivan, Town Engineer and Robert Mangiaratti, Town Counsel gave an update on the progress with the Fairfield sewer project. Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 3D, 2008 3 The Town negotiated a restrictive covenant with Fairfield Green housing project on West St. in which they agreed that the owners of the housing project would permanently retain full responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the sewer line under the highway. The Town would still retain an easement and the covenant covering the project site was to be recorded with the Bristol County Northern District Registry of Deeds. Motion: To adjourn to executive session to discuss deployment of public personnel and continuing litigation. (Baldwin/Levine) 4:0 passes Roll call vote: Baldwin aye, Levine aye, McCarter aye, Amoruso aye. · The Great Mansfield Clean up is this Sat, May 3rd starting at 9am followed by the event at the Tweeter Center. There are over 1,200 volunteers participating in this project and it's a great show of community support. · Tentative meeting scheduled next week with the School Superintendent, staff and BOS Chairman to discuss salary and contract negotiations. · Road closure on Forbes Blvd. at Rt. 495 overpass from 8:30am to 4:30pm tomorrow, May 1st and Friday, May 2nd for a sewer line excavation. · The DEP Drinking Water Program is pleased to announce that the Mansfield Water Dept. has yet again achieved on the top scores in the 2008 program. · Warrant No. 44 in the amount of $2,746,422.18 Motion: To approve warrant No. 44 in the amount of $2,746,422.18 (Levine/Baldwin) (Mr. McCarter abstaining from check #401732) 4:0 passes · Meeting minutes of April 2,2008. Motion: To approve minutes of April 2, 2008 (Levine/Baldwin) 4:0 passes · Commercial Parking facility application from Tweeter Center. Motion: To approve application. (Levine/Baldwin) 4:0 passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 30, 2008 4 · Foxfield Hackney Carriage license for vehicle # 149, 150. Motion: To approve license. (Levine/Baldwin) 4:0 passes HELD for next week********* · Letter from Tim Richmond of Max Performance. On Sunday, August 17th the group will be holding a Triathlon that will run through Mansfield and are requesting use of certain roads. Motion: · Letter from MMAS Director, Ken Butler. They are requesting relocation of the Crocker Street sign to the corner of N. Main and Crocker Sts. The sign is currently more than 20 feet from the curb and not entirely visible. Motion: · Memo from Lorilee Fish, Recreation Director, requesting use of room 3 a/b on Wednesday, June 25t\ Tuesday, July 8th (rain date July 9th), July 30t\ August 6th and 20th. Motion: · Letter from Chief Boldrighini regarding outstanding ambulance collection fees. Motion: · Additional memo from Chief Boldrighini outlining the savings to the town if both fire engines were purchased this year. · Old business from Chairman Amoruso: None · Old business from Selectman Dentino: Not present · Old business for Selectman Levine: None · Old business from Selectman McCarter: None · New business from Selectman Baldwin: None · New business from Selectman McCarter:None Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 30, 2008 5 · New business from Selectman Dentino: Not present · New business from Selectman Levine: Send letter to Norton, Foxboro, Attleboro Police Dept's. for assisting in the bank robbery situation. Motion: To send letter of appreciation. (Levine/McCarter) 4:0 passes · New business from Chairman Amoruso: None Motion: To adjourn at 11:00PM (McCarter) 4-0 Passes /::erin- ~-t-an- Signature of Clerk ~7 2cff; 2~~~ Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 30, 2008 6