HomeMy WebLinkAboutSelect Board 6/22/20Select Board Meeting Minutes
June 22, 2020
Present: The members of the Select Board all participated remotely via using GoToWebinar: Mr. Jess Aptowitz, Chair;
Mr. Michael Trowbridge, Vice -Chair; Mr. Neil Rhein, Clerk; Mr. Frank DelVecchio and Mr. Steve Schoonveld. Mr.
Kevin Dumas, Town Manager was also.
Mr. Schoonveld was on the webinar, but not able to be heard at the start of the meeting.
1. Call To Order Select Board Meeting -Pledge of Allegiance
Chairman Aptowitz called the meeting to order at 5:30PM. He then asked those present to state the Pledge of
Allegiance. He reminded everyone that the meeting was being broadcast live and taped for 'future:brbadcast on
Mansfield Cable. The public was not allowed to be present in Town Hall and he read a statement explaining how the
meeting was being recorded and made available to the public to satisfy the open meeting law during Governor
Baker's State of Emergency order.
The Chairman asked to wait a minute to see if Mr. Schoonveld could get his audio working. Mr. Rhein asked to take
care of an unfinished business item from the last meeting. Mr. Rhein stated that he has reviewed the citizen's
petitions that he had abstained voting on and would like for them to be reconsidered.
Motion: To reconsider Town Meeting Warrant Articles 34 and 35. (Trowbridge/DelVecchio) Passes 4:0
Roll Cali Vote:
Mr. Rhein —Yes
Mr. Trowbridge —Yes
Mr. DelVecchio —Yes Chairman Aptowitz - Yes
Mr. Schoonveld's audio began to work at this point in the meeting.
Motion: To support Town Meeting Warrant Articles 34 and 35. (Rhein/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Rhein —Yes Mr.DelVecchio —Yes ChairmanAptowitz - Yes
Mr. Trowbridge —Yes Mr.Schoonveld —Yes
2. Public Hearing— Consideration of Quorum Reduction for Annual Town Meeting
In accordance with the provisions of Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2020 of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
notice is hereby given by the Town of Mansfield Select Board of the Board's intention to consider an adjustment
of the Annual Town Meeting quorum requirement.
Mr. Dumas read the public notice for the record.
Motion: To open the public hearing. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Rhein —Yes
Mr. Trowbridge —Yes
Mr. DelVecchio —Yes Chairman Aptowitz - Yes
Mr. Schoonveld - Yes
Chair Aptowitz read an email from Mr. Bob Saquet, Town Moderator for the record. The email stated that he was in
favor of reducing the quorum to one hundred registered voters. Chair Aptowitz then opened the discussion up for
questions and comments from the Select Board. Mr. Trowbridge commented that he wanted to hear from any
residents that were participating before making any comments. Chairman Aptowitz provided the information for
those that were on the webinar as an attendee via the internet or on the phone lines, to which there was no
response. Mr. Trowbridge then commented that this was a unique situation and hopefully there are a lot of people
in attendance, but if not the business of Town Meeting will be able to continue and therefore he was in favor of
reducing the quorum to one hundred. Mr. Rhein noted that there is a cost to the Town to hold the meeting at Xfinity
Select Board Meeting Minutes
June 22, 2020
Center and if the quorum is reduced it would help reduce the risk of having to incur the cost for a second time. Mr.
Schoonveld commented that it was a full Town Meeting agenda with zoning articles and he would hate for those
articles to be voted on by only one hundred voters. He then asked if the Moderator could decide to not have those
articles voted on because of an insufficient quorum for zoning articles. Mr. Dumas answered that he was not aware
of that and he would have to ask the moderator. Mr. Schoonveld then stated that one hundred people is the number
of people on boards and committees and their spouses and therefore these "insiders" should not be the ones making
those deciding votes at Town Meeting and for that reason he would not support a quorum reduction. Mr.
Schoonveld lastly commented that he expected at least three hundred people to be present at Town Meeting.
Chairman Aptowitz commented that he was concerned that if one hundred fifty people came, the Town Meeting
would not be able to start. He understood where Mr. Schoonveld was coming from about having a small number of
voters decide on the zoning articles. He stated that then meeting needs to happen to get the budget voted and
having a second meeting would be a lot of work and individuals concerned with zoning need to come to the meeting.
Mr. DelVecchio commented that he has heard that some people feel it is voter suppression to have Town Meeting
during a State of Emergency. He added that he wanted to have a pragmatic approach and would not want one
hundred and ninety two people show up and not be able to do the Town's business. Mr. Dumas stated that he
considers this an insurance policy and would not want to not be able to conduct Town Meeting if the number was
below two hundred. Mr. Dumas stated that they have done everything possible to provide the safest environment
for Town Meeting. He was sure there would be one hundred people present, but was not confident of reaching two
hundred.
Motion: To close the public hearing. (Trowbridge/DelVecchio) Passes 5:0
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Rhein —Yes Mr.DelVecch!a —Yes ChairmanAptowitz - Yes
Mr. Trowbridge —Yes Mr. Schoonveld - No
Motion: To reduce the quorum from 200 registered voters to 100 registered voters for the Annual Town Meeting
and any other town meeting during the time period when the Governors Declaration of Emergency is in effect and in
consultation and with the approval of the Town Moderator. (Trowbridge/Rhein) Passes 4:1
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Rhein —Yes
Mr. Trowbridge —Yes
Mr. DelVecchio —Yes Chairman Aptowitz - Yes
Mr. Schoonveld - No
3. Consideration of FY2021 Economic Relief Memorandum of Understanding
Motion: To approve the FY21 Economic Relief Memorandum of Understanding. (Trowbridge/DelVecchio) Passes 5:0
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Rhein —Yes
Mr. Trowbridge —Yes
Mr. DelVecchio —Yes Chairman Aptowitz - Yes
Mr. Schoonveld - Yes
4. Any items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting
There were no items.
5. Adjourn
Motion: To adjourn the Select Board Meeting of June 22, 2020 at 5:5913M. (Schoonveld/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Rhein —Yes
Mr. Trowbridge —Yes
Mr. DelVecchio—Yes
Mr. Schoonveld - Yes
Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne
Select Board Meeting Minutes
June 22, 2020
Chairman Aptowitz - Yes
Date