HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes06252008-20080729145317
Town of Mansfield
Board of Selectmen
Minutes of June 25, 2008
Present:
Chairman Sandra Levine, Vice Chairman Ann Baldwin, Clerk Kevin Moran,
Selectman George Dentino, Selectman Jess Aptowitz, John D'Agostino,
Town Manager
The Board of Selectmen's meeting was called to order at 8:00pm followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Brenda Hodges, School Superintendent, Ed Vozzella, Business Manager and Jean Miller,
school committee were present for discussion.
Chairman Levine gave a brief overview of the confusion that has arisen lately over the
schools commitment of constructing modular classrooms. The Board of Selectmen and the
School Committee some times do not use the same language and rules of operation so
unfortunately sometimes issues are misunderstood.
Mrs. Hodges and Mr. Vozzella further explained how the school has two contracts for the
school modular project. One for the design phase of the project and one for construction.
The construction of the modular classrooms had to start prior to the town's special
election for the debt exclusion in order to have the classrooms ready for the fall.
However since the misunderstanding of the construction contract was noticed by staff the
work on the project has been put on hold until funding is available.
Percussion Band
Peter Conti and band are present. Matt and Dave from the school staff are also present.
Many members of the high school band were present as well. The board wanted to
recognize the band for the championship award that they received over their most recent
semester. They will be moving up a division and competing again next April.
81 Highland Ave. Plan of petition to replace pole/tree guy.
Mike Braden, Engineer from nationalgrid made short presentation as to why they want
Board of Selectmen Minutes of June 25, 2008
to make changes to the pole. Neighbors are in favor of this change, in fact one of them
had requested the change to the pole.
Motion: To close public hearing. (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Motion: To approve pole replacement within one month. (Baldwin/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes
Constabl
Ronald Spear, 5 Concetta Drive. He is presently a process server and would like to broaden
his field of work by obtaining a license to be a constable.
Vice Chairman Baldwin asked how many constables the town currently has. We have 10
general constables. Selectmen would like to have the secretary call the constables to see
if they are actively working in town.
Motion: To appoint Ronald Spear as a constable for the Town of Mansfield.
(Aptowitz/ Moran) 5:0 passes
Letter of resignation from Jon Oppenheim.
Motion: To accept letter of resignation and send letter of thanks with regret.
(Aptowitz/Dentino) 5:0 passes
Both Selectmen Aptowitz and Moran disclosed that they had just run for the Board of
Selectmen with Mr. Goldman (who is now a candidate for FinComm)
All five gentlemen expressed their interest in serving on the FinComm and understand the
commitments that come with being on such a committee.
Karl Chambers, 33 Jewel St.
Bob Goldman, 7 Van Gemert Drive.
Michael Whitney, 7 Wexford Dr.
Thomas Ratliff, 12 Granada Circle.
Christopher D'Arpino, 24 County St.
Selectman Moran asked the candidates how they would prioritize the needs of the
town.
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Karl: Feels public safety and the schools are top priorities.
Bob: Conduct needs assessment.
Mike: Would research issues and compare the issues of other comparable towns to see who
is doing what well.
Tom: Make sure that all decisions are transparent so that everyone can see why the
decisions that were made (were made.)
Chris: Look at core values and needs of community to assess what the priorities are.
Selectman Moran: Question about their thoughts on stabilization funds and their use
of.
Chris: Sees the need for having and using a fund. Has experience from being on the Town
of Easton FinComm years ago.
Tom: Making using the funds as an exception instead of the rule.
Mike: Is it raining hard enough and a plan to replenish it.
Bob: Use the funds with caution and have a plan to replace funds.
Karl: Judicial use of fund expenditures.
Selectman Aptowitz: When do you think it is appropriate to support an override?
Tom: If a consensus with the town/schools depts. as a whole is arrived.
Mike: Once everything that has been cut has been cut. And then looked at again. Then you
ask for an override.
Bob: He is fiscally conservative. An override should be an issue of last resort.
Karl: Would support a debt exclusion for select purposes more than a permanent override.
Chris: Almost never. Cut, cut, cut before you ask the townspeople for more money. Look
for different avenues to conduct business.
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Selectman Aptowitz: School committee needs vs. municipal needs. How would you
handle this situation?
Mike: The most pressing needs would be met regardless of which side they come from.
Bob: Working collaboratively has worked better than the infighting of past years.
Karl: He has his priorities (public safety, etc) however he would look at the needs of all
depts.
Chris: The Town has had trouble with residents/employees taking sides in the past and
working together for one whole group with a give and take is not the easiest but the best
approach.
Selectman Dentino: Financial plan strategy (benefits and fixed costs make up 80'0 of
the town budget.)
Tom: Would have to study and analyze situation before developing a plan.
Chris: There is no one solution. However, there are many. Cut costs where possible and
work within your contracts however possible. Small savings in several areas add up.
Karl: Cuts, freezes and early review of contracts and future needs.
Bob: Employee/union concessions, freezes and higher employee contributions.
Mike: Creative dept. heads, the town manager and the board working together to make the
hard decisions.
Selectman Baldwin: Have you attended a FinComm meeting or spoken with FinComm
members?
Karl: No to meeting. Has spoken with members
Bob: Yes and has spoken with members
Mike: No. Has spoken with members.
Tom: No. Has spoken with members.
Chris: No he has not attended; he can't keep his mouth shut. He has spoken with past
members of FinComm and has been on a FinComm in Easton.
i
I__n _____
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Chairman Levine: do you have any municipal budgeting experience? Familiar with MA
General Laws?
Karl: No and No.
Bob: No and No.
Mike: No and No.
Tom: No and No.
Chris: Yes, of course.
Motion: To nominate Tom Ratliff to fill a three year term expiring 2010. (Baldwin)
Levine/Moran - 3:2 passes
Motion: To nominate Karl Chambers to fill a three year term expiring 2010. (Moran)
Baldwin/Levine - 3:2 passes
Motion: To nominate Mike Whitney to fill a three year term expiring 2010. (Dentino)
Motion: To nominate Christopher D'Arpino to fill a three year term expiring 2010.
(Aptowitz)
Motion: To nominate Bob Goldman to fill a three year term expiring 2010. (Dentino)
Aptowitz - 2:3 fails
Mr. Ratliff and Mr. Chambers are both appointed to serve out a three year term on the
Finance Committee until 2010.
Ann Foley Collins, 520 Fruit St.
Selectman Moran disclosed that he and Mrs. Collins worked together a few years back.
Shawn MacDonald, 196 oak St.
Don Cleary, 5 Helena Circle. Current alternate on the board.
Olivier Kozlowski, 22 Tracy Circle.
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Selectman Baldwin: The planning board appointment is five years and meets
frequently. Do you have any problems with this commitment?
Ann: No. I have been attending regularly since January.
Shawn: No, I just finished my degree so I have plenty of time.
Don: Is already on board as alternate. He would like to continue on as full member.
Olivier: No, has served on other boards but is not now so he has time.
Selectman Baldwin: What do you think the relationship between the ZBA and the
planning board should be? Selectman Dentino is also interested in asking this question.
Olivier: Clear communication between the two boards should alleviate a lot of the
dissension that sometimes occurs when they don't agree on a subject.
Don: The planning board makes recommendations to the ZBA but the ZBA is the one to
often make the decision.
Shawn: Once again, if the two boards can communicate on why they feel the way they do
on a decision or vote the town is best served.
Ann: They both should be guided by the master plan and what is best for the town.
It's all about the down town.
Motion: Move to continue meeting to 11:30pm (Baldwin/Moran) 5:0 passes
Selectman Moran: The standard "how do handle saying no".
Ann: I don't have a problem with it.
Shawn: After hearing and possibly seeing hardship, vote no if I feel it's not right for town.
Don: After reviewing the case merits if standards weren't met I would let applicant know.
Olivier: It's never easy but I've had to do it plenty over the years.
Chairman Levine: Can you read blueprints: all the candidates say yes
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Motion: To appoint Don Cleary to the full position for a term to expire Jan 2009.
(Aptowitz) 5:0 passes
Motion: To appoint Shawn MacDonald to an alternate seat expiring Jan 2009. (Baldwin)
Levine/Moran 3:2 passes
Motion: To appoint Ann Foley Collins to the alternate seat expiring Jan 2010 (Dentino)
Aptowitz 2:3 fails
Motion: To appoint Olivier Kozlowski to the alternate seat expiring Jan 2010 (Moran)
Levine/Baldwin 3:2 passes
· Parking line and crosswalks painting has started in the downtown area.
· Analysis of fuel usage and appropriations for FY08 & 09. Just over 19/'0 increase
from 08 to 09. This will be monitored and adjusted accordingly.
· Approval of Town Accountant job description.
Motion: To set up screening committee that consists of 2 bos, 1 FinComm, Nancy,
Bea, John, Roxanne (Baldwin/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes
Discussion: Selectman Dentino would like to see 3 bos, 2 FinComm, John.
Motion: Dentino, Aptowitz would like to be on screening committee (Baldwin/Moran)
5:0 passes
Motion: To accept job description for Town Accountant. (Baldwin/ Aptowitz) 5:0
passes
Motion: To extend meeting to U:45pm (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
. Ware and Essex Sts. reconstruction project should be starting around July 8th with
work hours from 6am to 6pm. Roads will only be open to local traffic.
. July 19th through August 3rd John on vacation.
. Women's Air Race Classic will be starting June 27th through the 29th. Approximately
70 women are participating in the annual race. This is the second time in 30 years
that the race has terminated in Massachusetts. On Saturday and Sunday there will
also be a craft fair, live bands, aircraft shows and a dinner dance.
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· Warrant No. 51 in the amount of $2,584,626.51
Motion: To approve warrant No. 51 in the amount of $2,584,626.51
(Baldwin/ Aptowitz) 4:0:1 passes (Dentino abstains)
· Warrant No. 52 in the amount of $1,862,299.84
Motion: To approve warrant No. 52 in the amount of $1,862,299.84
(Aptowitz/Baldwin) 4:0:1 passes (Dentino abstains) (Aptowitz abstains from
reimbursement check #255119)
· Minutes of May 7, 2008
Motion: Delayed to next meeting.
· Request for drainlayers license for A. DiMartino Construction.
Approval recommended by John Sullivan, Town Engineer.
Motion: To approve license. (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
. Request from MMAS for the arts festival this September 20th - 2pt 2008.
o Waive permit fees for tents on south common
o Permission to use the town water tap at town hall for filling tent
barrels.
o That DPW turn off south common sprinklers from September 18th
to 2pt to protect art work in tents.
o Use of town hall dumpster for refuse in trash barrels on common.
o Permission to place Arts Festival sign on the N. and S. Commons from
September 1st to 21st.
Motion: To approve requests as described. (Baldwin/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes
· Re-appointment application from Edward Tartufo to be on the Canoe River
Aquifer Advisory Committee. New term to run until January 2011.
Motion: (Baldwin/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes
· Resignation from Jon Oppenheim for Finance Committee.
Motion: To accept resignation and send letter of thanks.
· Resignation from Lou Andrews as a member of the Board of Registrars.
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Motion: To accept resignation and send letter of thanks. (Baldwin/Moran) 5:0
passes
· Email from resident on Winter Street regarding street work in front of her
neighbors house that has effected her property. DPW has been notified.
· Invitation from Kathy McDonald, Mansfield Air Race Chair to join them at the Air
Race Classic this weekend, June 28th and 29th.
· Email from resident regarding changes in the Mansfield green facility policies. His
concerns have been address by DPW.
· Letter from resident regarding summer schedule and the change in questions and
comments.
· Request from Sue Cuneo, Mansfield High Swim Team, to vote on a deviation from
the existing (GA TRA) bus route stop at the Mansfield train station and permit a
stop at the Mansfield High School for the purpose of transporting the swim team
to Wheaton College for the season. (Thanksgiving to March 2009).
Motion: To vote to send letter of deviation to GATRA. tabled to next meeting
· Proclamation for Women's Air Race Classic to be presented this weekend at the air
classic event.
Motion: To sign and send proclamation along with our best wishes for a successful
event.
· Conservation restriction for lot on Gilbert St. requested to be signed by board for
the Conservation Commission.
Motion: To sign conservation restriction in order to record deed.
(Baldwin/ Aptowitz) tabled to next meeting.
· Board signed and sent letter of thanks to Covidien for their generous donation of
equipment to the PD lab.
· Old business from Chairman Levine: None
· Old business from Selectman Dentino: None
· Old business for Selectman Moran: None
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· Old business from Selectman Baldwin: None
· Old business from Selectman Aptowitz: None
· New business from Selectman Baldwin: None
· New business from Selectman Aptowitz: None
· New business from Selectman Dentino: None
· New business from Selectman Moran: minutes for Executive Session next week.
· New business from Chairman Levine: None
Adjournment .
Motion: To adjourn at 11:50PM
(Baldwin) 5-0 Passes
Ker-in- ~-t-~
Signature of Clerk
~~ ~ 2t/t/~
Date of Approval
Board of Selectmen Minutes of June 25, 2008
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