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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes05072008-20080813111015 Town of Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 7, 2008 Present: Chairman Louis Amoruso, Vice Chairman Sandra Levine, Clerk Ann Baldwin, Selectman Dentino, 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. Selectman Amoruso read the public hearing notice into record. Motion: Open electric light rate hearing and postpone hearing 10 minutes. (Levine/ Amoruso) 4:0 passes Motion: To reopen electric light rate hearing. (Levine/Amoruso) 4:0 passes Light Dept Director Gary Babin and Frank O'Corn, ADM Cocca were present for discussion. 1 million kilowatts used per month by ADM's plant. They are actually generating energy as well. Selectman Dentino thanked Mr. Babin for his time going over the rate plan as he had been having a difficult time understanding it and now he feels he has a better handle on it. Motion: To close public hearing. (Amoruso/Levine) 5:0 passes Motion: To approve rate discussed. (Amoruso/Levine) 5:0 passes Motion: To close Light Commissioners meeting. (Baldwin/Levine) 5:0 passes Thanked the board, the town manager and the FinComm members for all pulling together and helping to assist the school committee in closing their budget gap. While Mrs. Hodges has been in public education for many years this is her first year as Superintendent and she is extremely grateful for all the help and support the town has given her and the school system. Selectman McCarter echoed the superintendent's sentiments and was glad to have worked with her and the school committee. Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 7,2008 1 Fire Chief Neil Boldrighini was present for discussion. He recapped the previous meeting the board had in March to address the situation of writing off old ambulance debt. Selectman Dentino has not been in favor of this in the past but knows that it is something that needs to be addressed. Although the fire dept. and Comstar have done better in getting collections he still wonders if only going back one year is prudent. Selectman McCarter also expressed interest in finding a company that would be interested in getting some of our ambulance receipts debt back. Chairman Amoruso and Selectman Baldwin are both in the medical field and expressed that it is very difficult to get one year old receipts back never mind over a year. Town Manager D'Agostino suggested that the board develop a write off policy that can be followed in the future so the issue of unaddressed debt collecting over years doesn't happen again. Motion: To have Chief Boldrighini write off old debt in the amount of $285,295.57 (Baldwin/Levine) 5:0 passes Motion: To review ambulance collections every year before annual town meeting. (Dentino/Levine) 5:0 passes Discussion: To have Comstar provide quarterly reports on collection activity. Amendment to motion: Have Comstar provide above said report. NIMS span of control: National Information Management Systems (NIMS) This system in one form or another has been used in the fire dept. since the 1980's. These requirements have become even more stringent since 2005. Chief Boldrighini understands that the town cannot properly fund these requirements this year or possible years to come. However, the board should be aware that not complying with these requirements could effect state/federal funding of grants and programs. Ambulance runs and activity have increased dramatically over the past couple of years and with the new mall and a growing population the demand on the fire dept. will only get greater. Selectman Dentino and Chief Boldrighini debated back and forth on the value or use of ICS and NIMS. Chief Boldrighini stated that the Fire Dept. is presently NIMS compliant Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 7,2008 2 but is on the verge of not being. More fire staff is needed and with that staff comes an increase in NIMS standing. Selectman Dentino disagreed with this statement. Finance Committee Chairman Gazzolo, members Mr. Goldman and Mr. Aptowitz were present. An overview of CIP articles and the possibility of a charter change were discussed. The Finance Committee has not voted on any of the articles but will by Monday. Selectman Dentino had a few questions in relation to long term debt. He is concerned that incurring more debt (via a debt exclusion) would hurt the town's bond rating. FinComm Chairman Gazzolo and Town Manager D'Agostino stated that would not be the case. The town has an excellent bond rating that hasn't changed in the past few years and existing long term debt will begin to fall off soon. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the use of long term debt and stabilization funds to balance the budget/provide capital projects every year. CIP will meet on Monday and hopefully have their recommendations for the board by next meeting. Article 29: In building radio communications specifications by-law. Motion: To support. (Baldwin/Levine) 5:0 passes Article 30: Board of Selectmen trenching appointment. Motion: To support. (Levine/McCarter) 5:0 passes Article 31: Water and Sewer Commisioners for regional sewer district commission. Motion: To support. (Dentino/Baldwin) 5:0 passes Article 32: To amend current water and sewer agreement. Motion: To support. (Dentino/Baldwin) 5:0 passes Article 33: Motion: To support. (Levine/McCarter) 5:0 passes Article 34: To clarify information needed by the Planning Board for site plans. Discussion: Hold for clarification by Nick Riccio. Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 7,2008 3 Special Town Meeting warrant articles Hold for next week. Moving speech from Mr. D'Agostino regarding the long time of public service that Chairman Amoruso and Selectman McCarter have given to the Town of Mansfield. Both gentlemen are unsung hero's and have given themselves freely to the community. They will be sorely missed on the board and their contributions to the town will not be forgotten. Mr. D'Agostino gave both gentlemen a citation that proclaimed May 12th "Dave and Lou" Day. Selectman McCarter gave a few words regarding his career as a Selectman. He started serving on the board nearly ten years ago and is still learning to this day. Over the good and not so good times he has persevered and will miss being a part of the board. Mr. McCarter continued to state that he could not have gotten through the years without the support of his friends and family. In particular he thanks his wonderful wife Eleanor. Chairman Amoruso also gave a few words regarding his time on the board. Thanks to all the past and present board members that he has have the pleasure to serve with. Special thanks to State Rep. Betty Poirier, Lauren Barnes, Karen Doucette and Town Manager D'Agostino. And of course the biggest and most special thank you to his children and wife Shirley. Best wishes to the incoming board members and best of luck to you all. More TM Report · Today the Mansfield water and sewer dept. received water awards at the State House. This makes ten consecutive years that the town has received this award. As only a few communities in the Commonwealth have achieved this status, it is quite a honor. This is all due to the dedication of the Water Superintendent Kurt Gaffney and all the highly trained staff of the dept. · Recap of highlights of the great clean up this past Saturday. Even though it was a cold and damp day over 1000 volunteers showed up and cleaned the town right up. A picnic reception was then held at the Tweeter Center for the participants. Board of Selectmen Minutes of May?, 2008 4 · Mansfield Beautification Committee. Group idea came from clean up day effort. This committee will operate all year to identify areas of need in town and will run the clean up effort every year. · Annual May breakfast at townhall made over $150 and was donated to the West Side Benevolent Society. . Canoe River awareness day is Sat, May 10th. · Warrant No. 45 in the amount of $2,899,777.93 Motion: To approve warrant No. 45 in the amount of $2,899,777.93 (Levine/McCarter) (Mr. McCarter abstaining from check #402109) 4:0:1 passes · Letter from Kurt Gaffney, Water Operations Manager requesting Phase I water restrictions 2008. Effective dates Julyl, 2008 through September 15,2008. Motion: To approve. (Levine/McCarter) 5:0 passes · 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: Approval subject to public safety approval (Levine/McCarter) 5:0 passes · 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. · Memo from Lorilee Fish, Recreation Director, requesting use of room 3 a/b on Wednesday, June 25th, Tuesday, July 8th (rain date July 9th), July 23th, August 6th and 20th. Motion: Hold for summer schedule to be set. · Letter from Chief Boldrighini regarding outstanding ambulance collection fees. · Letter from John Dellorusso, Mansfield Town Taxi, requesting a rate increase on taxi fares. The present rate is $3 for the first mile and $2.50 for each additional mile. The new proposed rate is $4.00 for the first mile and $3.50 for each additional mile. Motion: Move to approve. (McCarter/Levine) Withdrawn. Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 7,2008 5 Send letter for taxi owners to come in next meeting to discuss before voting. · Request for Carriage House Lane block party. Requesting street closure on June 28th from 2-8pm. Motion: Hold for public safety approval. · Once again, the Mansfield Water Dept. has been awarded a top score for 2007 by DEP and will be honored at the State House on May 7, 2008. · Alleged violation letter from Chief O'Neill regarding Casey O'Conor's. . The MA Office on Disability will be hosting a meeting about emergency preparedness for people with disabilities. June 19th at the Senior Center in Bellingham. · Letter from residents Ross & Christine Itzkowitz regarding their concern over budget cuts. Selectman Dentino requested that the letter be read in its entirety. . Old business from Chairman Amoruso: None · Old business from Selectman Dentino: None · Old business for Selectman Levine: None . Old business from Selectman McCarter: None · New business from Selectman Baldwin: Thanked Mr. McCarter and Amoruso for all of their help and support with being a Selectman. · New business from Selectman McCarter:None · New business from Selectman Dentino: Thank you for your years of service to the town. Best wishes for the future. Selectman Dentino would like professional development funds to be put into an interest bearing account and anything that is not used for a certification or license will go towards stabilization. Police, Fire and Electric use the most professional development funds. Motion: To have professional development line items pay for all training, certification, licenses that are job requirements/union requirement. The Town Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 7,2008 6 Manager would approve all requests. Any extra funds would go towards stabilization. (Dentino/Levine) Second withdrawn. Motion: To extend meeting to 11:15pm. (Dentino/Baldwin) 5:0 passes Motion: To keep and track funded but not used police position in line item budget. (Dentino/Baldwin) not voted. Questions about the fire dept. budget. Selectman Dentino would like to make additional cuts in the fire budget. Chairman Amoruso stated that the budget is now balanced and additional cuts are not warranted. · New business from Selectman Levine: Would like to have Mr. McCourt notified of letter from residents (Regarding town beautification efforts.) MMAS Selectmen meeting on Wednesday, June 4th in Raynham. Possibility of moving meeting or not having one that week. Selectman Levine will also greatly miss her fellow board members, Mr. McCarter and Mr. Amoruso. Thank you very much for your assistance. · New business from Chairman Amoruso: Announcement from Health Dept. about disposal of mercury containing products such as certain light bulbs and thermostats. Thank you Mansfield. Motion: To adjourn at 11:15PM (McCarter) 5-0 Passes I:~ ~-t-~ Signature of Clerk au,~6', 2~~~ Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 7, 2008 7