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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSelect Board 12/11/2019Select Board Meeting Minutes Y December 11, 2019 /) Present: Mr. less Aptowitz, Chairman; Mr. Michael Trowbridge, Vice -Chairman; Mr. Neil Rhein, Clerk; and Mr. Steve Schoonveld. Mr. Kevin Dumas, Town Manager was also present. n r,"CF IVED Mr. Frank DelVecchio was not present at the start of the meeting.'' Ci_ C��C OFFICE 1. Call To Order Select Board Meeting - Pledge of Allegiance 1U20 FEB-] A q: S 1 Chairman Aptowitz called the meeting to order at 6:05PM. He reminded everyone' at;th +r�npe�ting was being l,�II broadcast live and taped for future broadcast on Mansfield Cable. He asked if tjigt(;, VRretar�yp_T"ers of the audience recording, to which there was no response. 2. Consideration for the Placement of Signs at Various Town Entrance Points Recognizing the Mansfield High School Football Teams Chairman Aptowitz stated that the Mansfield Football team had a 41-0 win over Lincoln -Sudbury. He then congratulated the team, all their coaches and everyone involved. Motion: To approve the installation of 2019 Mansfield Hornets Division 2 State Champion signs no larger than 3'x3' with locations to be determined by Lee Azinheira and Kevin Dumas. (Rhein/Schoonveld) Mr. Trowbridge confirmed this was done back in 2013 and the same template can be used, but for a new year. Mr. Rhein asked why other teams are not recognized and asked how long the sign would be up for. Chairman Aptowitz answered it would be up for a year and agreed that something should be figured out to recognize all the different groups and teams. Chairman Aptowitz called for a vote. Passes 4:0 3. Parking Study Workshop Mr. Dumas invited Mr. Matt Smith from Nelson Nygaard to come forward. He stated this is a follow up from the report and the focus will be on the signage and the switch from two hour to four hour parking. He stated that switching to four hour parking would allow flexibility to those coming downtown and allow them to do multiple things and visit more than one business and not need to move their vehicle. As for signage Mr. Smith stated that signs need to be consistent, eye catching and clear. These topics were discussed in greater detail and he provided a slideshow presentation and went over details of where to place which types of signs. Mr. Frank DelVecchio arrived at 6:18PM. Deputy Chief Ellsworth commented that he was concerned with the amount of people parking all day including employees of the Downtown businesses. Mr. Smith agreed that initially it will require ticketing to change the behaviors. He stated that at first warnings are issued and then tickets and moving from a two hour to four parking will allow for less monitoring. Chief Sellon stated that his department doesn't have manpower to develop an enforcement plan and operation. Mr. Smith stated that generally there is not a parking problem Downtown and enforcement is key and adopt the suggestions that he knows has worked in other communities. Mr. Smith also stated that initially it will require more hours spent enforcing and then over time it will only require spot checking. Mr. DelVecchio stated that money was spent on hiring Mr. Smith to complete the parking study and that it was important for him to push back because he was the expert and if this was common sense the Town would not have hired an expert. Mr. Smith stated that the goal is to work on getting people to stay Downtown more than two hours and it is necessary to consider all types of users. Ultimately it is up to the community to decide, but the four hour time limit is what is recommended for Mansfield based on the surveys that were done. He added that he would not recommend multiple time limits on spots because that is confusing for users. Mr. Smith also stated that the two hour limit isn't working. Select Board Meeting Minutes December 11, 2019 The group in attendance then discussed the wayfinding signage and using blue for those signs. This concept was well received and it was noted that it would stand out instead of the Mansfield green. He was confident that the public parking lots need to be a four hour parking limit even if the on -street parking stays two hours. It was also discussed to use stencils and paint on the road versus using signs. Mr. Smith stated that it is less expensive, but does require to be repainted as it will wear easily. However it is easily seen and users cannot say they didn't see the sign when it is clearly marked on the roadway. Mr. Trowbridge asked for Mr. Burke's professional opinion and he also agreed with the blue signage, he then commented that Mr. Smith's report had lots of great information and this will lead the Town in the right direction. He agreed with changing parking to a four hour time limit as well as Downtown employees should be parking on the side roads and not in front of the businesses they work in. He agreed that some of the recommendations seem counterintuitive, but recognize this is the public realm and that parking spots are for everyone and there is going to be pushback the moment implementation and enforcement is done. The Board then discussed the next steps and Mr. Dumas summarized that the next steps would be to have another internal staff meeting, an additional workshop and then lastly another meeting with business owners and affected residents. 4. Any items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting There were no additional items. 5. Enter into Executive Session and Not Return to Open Session under Exemption No. 2, M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21- • To discuss strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non -union personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non -union personnel. Motion: To Enter into Executive Session and Not Return to Open Session under Exemption No. 2, M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21-To discuss strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non -union personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non -union personnel at 733PM. (Rhein/Schoonveld) Roll Call Vote: Mr. DelVecchio-Yes Mr. Rhein -Aye Passes 5:0 Signature Mr. Schoonveld-Yes Mr. Trowbridge -Aye Chairman Aptowitz-Aye Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne f�aa Iaoao Date Select Board Meeting Minutes December 11, 2019