HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes10152008-20081201134916
Town of Mansfield
Board of Selectmen
Minutes of October 15, 2008
Present:
Chairman Sandra Levine, Vice Chairman Ann Baldwin, Clerk Kevin Moran,
Selectman George Dentino, Selectman Jess Aptowitz,
John D'Agostino, Town Manager
John Sullivan, Town Engineer and Lee Azinheira, DPW Director were present for
discussion.
Mr. Sullivan gave a brief recap of the major engineering projects that are going on in town.
. School Street Sewer Interceptor Project: The phase II & III portion of the
School Street project was extended from School St. up Old School St., under Rt.
495 and tunneled under the AMTRAK railroad to Forbes Blvd, which eliminated the
Plymouth St, sewer pump station.
Phase IV is the last phase of the School St. project and is expected to be
completed by next spring. The work in this phase will eliminate the Hampden Road
sewer pump station.
. Kingman Pond Dam reconstruction: Construction started in September and includes
the rehab of the approx. 600 ft. earthen dam in addition to new spillways and
improvements. The majority of the construction is expected to be completed this
year.
. Rt. 106 railroad underpass project: Mass Highway has awarded this project to
Aetna Bridge Co. for 4.3 million dollars to be paid through Federal and State
funding. The contractor will start soon and should be completed in June 2010.
. Rt. 140/495 South bound on ramp: Design completion is expected from Mass
Highway by the end of the year. They expect to advertise the project in the
spring of 2009 and construction is expected to take 12 months.
. Canoe River Campground Dam: The town is under state mandate to repair this dam
by November 2009.
· EAP/DEP stormwater permit compliance: As required by our existing stormwater
permit, all 500 drainage outfalls have been located and recorded this past summer.
Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 15, 2008
1
Inspection and water quality testing of outfalls will eventually be needed under the
permit.
· Sewer inflow and infiltration: We are working with Weston & Sampson Engineers
on the next construction repair of sewer manholes and lines to address the
problem areas remaining from our last repair in 2004.
· Dam inspection and repairs to Fulton Pond Dam: An inspection will be conducted
soon to meet the two year inspection schedule and we will update our emergency
action plan at that time.
· Plain Street bridge inspection: The most recent inspection of this bridge shows it
is in fair condition but is deteriorating and will be monitored.
· West Street bridge over Wading River: Temporary repairs have been made and
Mass Highway is preparing new repairs plans soon.
. Otis Street bridge/Sweet Pond Dam: Mass Highway had submitted 251'0 plans in
2004 however work has stalled since that time.
. School Street/rt. 140 signals: The signals were recently adjusted to meet the
Mansfield Crossing permitting requirements.
. Route 106/Hope Street to Eastman Street: Mass Highway has now completed this
project, which includes the Canoe River bridge.
. Rt. 106/Eastman St.: Intersection improvements will include turning lanes and
flashing lights but not roundabouts.
· Rt. 106/North Main St. to Rt. 140: A project notification form was approved by
Mass Highway in May 2008 and a conceptual plan will be developed. However the
solution to the traffic congestion on this stretch will most likely involve significant
land takings.
Jack Voltaggio, ZBA Chairman and ZBA member Kevin Mackey were present.
· Adult assisted living project going forward on Branch St.
· Expansion of Willow Crossing development on Cobb St.
· Affordable housing requests (40B) are down as the town has reached its 101'0 limit.
· The board still is reviewing small home additions, renovations, decks, etc as usual.
Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 15, 2008
2
Paul Mordarski, Chairman of the Recreation Commission and Lorilee Fish, Recreation
Director were present.
· The Commission is interested in getting youth sports speakers to come and meet
with the youth leaders and Commissioners.
· Exploration of forming separate committee to oversee and advise youth sports
programming with all groups in town. They will approach the High School athletics
dept. to participate in this program.
. The Commission is still attempting to develop the fields on Plymouth St; There is a
great need for field space and while there is still space that can be developed, it is
a large project that will unfortunately take time and money.
Carol Atwill, 95 York Road, applicant for the Beautification Committee.
She volunteered at the Great Mansfield Clean Up day and decided to volunteer for the
Beautification Committee in order to help keep Mansfield the beautiful town it is.
Nancy Wall, 78 West St., applicant for the Beautification Committee. Mrs. Wall has
always lived down town and was most impressed when the rails to trails project was
completed. She has also volunteered at the Great Mansfield Clean Up day and would like
to continue with that line of volunteer work.
The board members each thanked Mrs. Wall and Mrs. Atwill for volunteering their time
and welcomed them aboard.
Motion: To appoint Carol Atwill and Nancy Wall to the Beautification Committee for one
year term to end December 31st. (Baldwin/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes
Motion: To appoint Carol Atwill and Nancy Wall to the Beautification Committee for three
year term starting January 1, 2009. (Baldwin/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes
Robert Reid, 44 Oak St., applicant for the Mansfield Housing Corporation Board of
Directors. He and his dearly departed mother have always loved Mansfield and he wants
to give back some time to the town by volunteering on a town board or committee. He is
primarily interested in being on the Mansfield Housing Corp. Board of Directors while he
may also apply to be on the Cultural Counsel in the future.
The board members each thanked Mr. Reid for expressing the love and dedication that he
has for the town and for volunteering.
Motion: To appoint Mr. Reid to the Mansfield Housing Corporation Board of Directors.
(Dentino/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes
Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 15, 2008
3
Lindsay Hawes, 3 Leonard Circle, applicant for Animal Welfare Committee. Mrs. Hawes is a
new resident to town and has been volunteering at the animal shelter. As there is a
vacancy on the committee she would like to volunteer on that as well.
The board members each thanked Mrs. Hawes for her interested and welcomed her to the
Animal Welfare Committee.
Motion: To appoint Lindsey Hawes to the Animal Welfare Committee for a term to expire
January 1, 2010. (Baldwin/Moran) 5:0 passes
· Last week a summary of expenditures for conferences and travel for the town was
submitted as per Selectman Dentino's request.
· We are close to completing the value cost summary of take home vehicles for town
employees. This should be available next week.
. The Senior Safety luncheon at the COA is on October 3pt.
. COA coffee hour with TM is scheduled for Thursday, October 23rd at lOam.
. Halloween parade is slated for October 26th to begin at the South Common at 2pm.
Also on the same day is the Firefighters memorial at lOam.
· A few minor changes have been proposed for the TM Executive Secretary position.
This is a non union position.
Motion: To accept the amended Town Managers Secretary position description.
(Baldwin/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes
. There are still traffic issues at Rt. 140 & School St. intersection going to Mansfield
Crossing. Mass Highway has been notified and will be addressing the situation with
the town.
· Follow up on Selectman Dentino's questions regarding the use of municipal cell
phones.
. Warrant No. 14B in the amount of $1,759,432.94 (vendor warrant)
Motion: To approve warrant No. 14B in the amount of $1,759,432.94.
(Aptowitz/ Baldwin) 5:0 passes
. Warrant No. 15A in the amount of $281,133.72 (payroll warrant)
Motion: To approve warrant No. 15A in the amount of $281,133.72
(Aptowitz/ Baldwin) 5:0 passes
· Warrant No. 15B in the amount of $2,341,536.60 (vendor warrant)
Motion: To approve warrant # 15B in the amount of $2,341,536.60.
(Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 15, 2008
4
· Warrant No. 16A in the amount of $1,514,133.99 (payroll warrant)
Motion: To approve warrant # 16A in the amount of $1,514,133.99
(Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
· Minutes of September 17, 200S meeting
Motion: To approve with changes from the board. (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 4:0:1 passes
(Levine abstain)
. Election warrants for November 4th to be voted and signed.
Motion: To approve warrants for November 4th federal election and sign.
(Baldwin/Moran) 5:0 passes
· Parade permit for MHS band to march October lSth from 1-2pm
Motion: To approve. Aptowitz/Baldwin 5:0 passes
. Parade permit for Forest Park Halloween walk on October 3pt from 4:30pm to 5pm
Motion: To approve. Aptowitz/Baldwin 5:0 passes
· Hackney License application from Michael Hilario to work for Sharon Taxi.
Motion: To approve hackney license for Michael Hilario. (Moran/Baldwin) 4:1 passes
Dentino nay.
. Letter from Neil Rhein requesting permission to install a neighborhood sign in the
median strip on Autumn Lane. Letter referred to Nick Riccio for review.
· Letter from Boy Scout of America troop leader Michael Souza regarding permission
to set up the annual Christmas tree sale area next to the police dept. They will set
up lot on November 22nd and stay until December 2pt.
Motion: Permission granted to set up the annual Christmas tree sale area next to
the police dept and waive electric hook up fee. (Baldwin/Moran) 5:0 passes
· Email from resident regarding the use of resident vs. non resident train station
parking spaces.
· Invitation to Bristol County Agricultural High School Fall Show preview on
Thursday, October 16th from 7-Spm.
· Invitation to SE Regional School's 2Sth annual open house from 11am to 3pm on
Saturday, October lSth.
Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 15, 2008
5
· Possible dates for special town meeting are Monday, November 17th or Tuesday the
18th. Motion: To open warrant for special town meeting on October 15,2008
(Aptowitz/ Moran) 5:0 passes
Motion: To close warrant on October 22, 2008 (Aptowitz/Moran) 5:0 passes
Motion: To hold special town meeting on November 18, 2008 (Moran/Dentino) 3:2
fails. Dentino/ Aptowitz/Baldwin nay; Levine/Moran yea.
A long and protracted discussion followed on the value of TIFfs and on the
companies that are interested in moving to/expanding in Mansfield that may not be
able to wait to the spring town meeting for possible TIF approval.
Motion: To reconsider the vote to not hold town meeting. (Aptowitz/Dentino) 4:1
passes (Baldwin nay)
Motion: To hold special town meeting on December 2, 2008.
Motion amended to November 18th (Dentino/ Aptowitz) 4:1 passes (Baldwin nay)
· Pam Gagnon, Gladiola Terrace, would like to know if independent counsel has been
selected to review the town managers contract. Chairman Levine stated that this
will be addressed during bos old and new.
· Julie Novio, Plowshare Drive. As a member of the CCM she would like to set up a
financial forum this spring like last year.
· Old business from Chairman Levine: She is not in favor of an audit committee as
by Charter the Board of Selectmen are charged with budget decisions. She feels
it would need a charter change in order for this to go forward.
· Old business from Selectman Dentino: Would like a break down of which personnel
in DPW and the police dept have blue tooth devices. What possible use do these
people have for them? He would also like to know who has cell phones in the police
dept as well.
· Additional questions from Selectman Dentino regarding the amount of sick and
vacation time/buyback employees can have.
· Who authorized Atty. Mangiaratti to draft a RFP for the process of hiring
independent counsel? Chairman Levine stated she did. Selectman Dentino stated
he does not feel that the Chair has this right to do this and in addition he does
not feel it was necessary.
Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 15, 2008
6
Chairman Levine responded that no one on the board knew how to write up a scope
of service request so that Atty. Mangiaratti was asked to assist with providing
the board with direction in accomplishing this task.
· Motion: To extend the meeting to 11:15pm. (Baldwin/Moran) 5:0 passes
· Old business for Selectman Moran: Although he did not vote for the hiring of
special counsel he is in favor of moving forward with the process. However he will
not be the one to push forward this issue as he did not vote for it.
· Old business from Selectman Aptowitz: Please thank Mark and Lee for one way
arrows painted on Park Row. People have been going the wrong way on Park Rowand
this should help.
Would like to have financial discussion in the next meeting or so to review the
budget for possible cuts. He would like to also coordinate this with the schools.
He is definitely not in favor of another override. Cuts in non essential services
would have to be made to make the budget.
Motion: To establish an audit committee. (Aptowitz/Dentino)
Amendment: Pending legal review. 4:1 passes (Levine nay)
Discussion: Selectman Aptowitz suggested one Selectman, one FinComm member,
one school committee member; two at large seats (who do not serve on any other
board or committee and who are not employed by the town.) should be on the
committee. This part will not be finalized unless legal review by town counsel.
· Old business from Selectman Baldwin: None
· New business from Selectman Baldwin: Vehicle use policy to be discussed at the
October 29th meeting. Information will be available for October 22nd meeting.
Chief Boldrighini will be presenting the ambulance receipts overview soon.
· New business from Selectman Aptowitz: None
· New business from Selectman Dentino:
· Motion: To get itemized break out from Atty. Kesten's office for charges.
(Dentino/ Aptowitz) 3:0:1 passes
Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 15, 2008
7
· New business from Selectman Moran: How would the increase of parking fees at
the MBT A lots affect Mansfield? The lots in Mansfield would increase to $4 a
day as the MBT A as indicated.
· New business from Chairman Levine: Change "non resident" parking on cable scroll
to "general" parking.
Animal Celebration will be now held October 18th instead of Sept. 27th due to
forecasted inclement weather.
Motion: To adjourn at 11:22 PM
(Aptowitz) 5-0 Passes
^erm ~-t-~
'/tore-m-k 25; 2tJtJ~
Signature of Clerk
Date of Approval
Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 15, 2008
8