Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSelect Board 9/16/2020Select Board Meeting Minutes September 16, 2020 Present: The members of the Select Board all participated remotely via using GoToWebinar: Mr. Frank DelVecchio, Chairman; Mr. Neil Rhein, Vice -Chair; Mr. Jess Aptowitz, Clerk; Mr. Michael Trowbridge and Mr. Steve Schoonveld. Mr. Kevin Dumas, Town Manager and Mr. Barry LaCasse, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director also participated using the GoToWebinar. 1. Call To Order Select Board Meeting -Pledge of Allegiance Chairman DelVecchio 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 broadcast on Mansfield Cable. The public was not allowed to be present in Town Hall. Chairman DelVecchio read a statement and provided an email address and phone number to those watching directing residents to send their questions in, and they would receive a response within twenty four hours. Mr. DelVecchio then acknowledged the passing of three Mansfield residents: Ms. Carole Clemmey; Mr. Paul Copparini and Ms. Doreen Tighe. 2. Town Manager's Report • Miscellaneous Items Update } • Fall Town Meeting 'i • Town Hall/Library Reopening Mr. Dumas began his report stating that Special Fall Town Meeting is being planned for Saturdayjzlovember 71h at noon. The meeting will be at the DPW Highway Garage as the Xfinity Center is not available due to another event. He stated that he is expecting budget items and bond authorizations to be on the warrant and noted that there would not be any items from Planning. He then stated that he is requesting the Select Board meet on September 30th to discuss PFAS regulations and the removal process which will also accelerate other well improvements, and Highway is in need of equipment. Mr. Dumas stated that he would be inviting the Finance Committee, School Committee and the CIP Committee to the Select Board meeting. Mr. Dumas stated that there is an audit at the Waste Management facility in Avon because there is a large amount of contaminated recyclables coming to their facility from Mansfield. Mr. Dumas then provided information on the reopening of Town Hall and the Library beginning the week of September 28, 2020 with strict protocols to protect the employees and members of the public. He then stated that Select Board and School Committee will be meeting in person starting with the Select Board meeting on September 30, 2020 and virtual access will also be provided to members of the public. Mr. Dumas then provided an update on the construction projects. Mr. Dumas then provided the free cash approval from the state as follows: General Fund $1,391,895.00 Enterprise Fund Sewer $1,460,102.00 Enterprise Fund Water $205,296.00 Enterprise Fund Airport $78,720.00 Enterprise Fund Parking $101,596.00 Mr. Dumas then updated the Board on several recent meetings and additional items including the bond review meeting, Amazon applying for a building permit and Halloween guidance that is expected from the Department of Public Health. 3. Resident Questions and Comments Mr. Peter Wiggins of Norton was on the webinar and stated that he went to the Station Square project and they are working hard on the project. There were no other questions or comments from the public. 4. Discussion and Consideration of Water Intermunicipal Agreement between Mansfield and Foxborough Mr. Lee Azinheira was present for this agenda item and stated that 105 year old agreement between Mansfield and Foxborough and some of the items have been followed and others have changed. However it was agreed that it was Select Board Meeting Minutes September 16, 2020 time to revise the agreement. He stated that it has been reviewed by Town Counsel and the Town Manager and it was voted in Foxborough by the Water Commissioners and voted in favor of it. Those residents from Foxborough who are connected to Mansfield water would now be following all the same rules as Mansfield residents and he provided the example of water bans, restrictions and shut off of service giving Mansfield the authority to enforce these items. Mr. Azinheira stated it was a limited area of Foolish Hill and this essentially cleans up the paperwork. The residents will also have Mansfield meters that will be read by Mansfield and billed directly vs. Foxborough reading the meters and providing the data. The Select Board members asked a few questions. Motion: To approve the Water Intermunicipal Agreement between Mansfield and Foxborough. (Aptowitz/Trowb ridge) Roll Call Vote: Rhein —Yes, DelVecchio—Yes, Trowbridge — Yes, Schoonveld—Yes, Aptowitz — Yes Passes 5:0 S. Discussion and Consideration of Purchasing Card Policy Mr. Barry LaCasse introduced this agenda item stating that the Board should have reviewed the memo provided and asked if the Board had any specific questions. The Select Board members made a few comments. Mr. Aptowitz stated that years ago there were American Express Credit Cards and there was an abuse of the cards and things purchased that should not of been purchased. The Town Treasurer will have the card and individuals will need to show an approved purchase order to sign out the card. Mr. Schoonveld also noted the importance of internal controls and thanked Mr. LaCasse for writing the policy. Mr. DelVecchio stated it was common practice in municipalities and businesses across the country. Mr. Rhein agreed that it did make sense but asked if someone purchased something not allowed what would happen. Mr. LaCasse answered that an employee has to have an approved purchase order exactly and when the card is returned it needs to have a receipt and the employee can be disciplined. Mr. Trowbridge stated he was surprised the Town has survived this long without this type of card and he was in favor of the policy. Mr. Schoonveld asked about the amazon purchases and asked if there was an account and controls on those purchases. MR. LaCasse stated that any large purchases require a purchase order and would look further into Amazon specially and see if individual departments had an account or if it was one account for the Town. Motion: To approve the Purchasing Card Policy. (Aptowitz/Schoonveld) Roll Call Vote: Rhein —Yes, DelVecchio—Yes, Trowbridge — Yes, Schoonveld — Yes, Aptowitz — Yes Passes 5:0 6. Continued Discussion of Revised Goals and Objectives The Board went through the draft of the Goals and Objectives spreadsheet that is added to the end of this set of minutes. Each Select Board member informally voted for each item in the list and if at least two members were in favor of an item it would remain on the list. It was then decided to add an additional two items from last year's list that Mr. Dumas noted in regards to Munis implementation, which is only half way through completion and trash and recycling rising costs which is in process with the Trash and Recycling Task Force. There was consensus to add these two items to the list. Mr. DelVecchio suggested adding both of those goals being added under Management Budget and Finance. Mr. Schoonveld at 7:OOPM stated his battery was running low and at 7:04PM his connection ended. Mr. DelVecchio stated at this point these edits need to be made to the document and then brought before the Select Board again for a final discussion session. Mr. Rhein stated that he will revise the document based on the meeting and share it with the Board. Mr. Dumas stated that him and Mr. LaCasse can look at the document and then meet with Mr. DelVecchio and Mr. Rhein. 7. Review and Approve Consent Agenda Select Board Meeting Minutes September 16, 2020 All items on the Consent Agenda may be adopted with a single motion. Any member of the Select Board may request that an item be withdrawn from the Consent Agenda for separate consideration in which case that item will be voted on separately from the remainder of the Consent Agenda. All licenses have been routed through Town Hall Departments and any conditions have been noted below. a) Approval of Select Board Meeting Minutes for: • September 2, 2020 b) Vote To Approve Warrants: • Town Vendor Warrant No. 21010T in the amount of $498,490.75 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 21010E in the amount of $1,312,220.96 • Town Vendor Warrant No. 21011T in the amount of $1,971.684.23 • School Vendor Warrant No. 21011S in the amount of $778,781.75 c) Permits and License: • Consideration of Boy Scouts Troop 17 Christmas Tree Lot Motion: To approve the consent agenda. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Roll Call Vote: Rhein —Yes, DelVecchio—Yes, Trowbridge — Yes, Aptowitz — Yes Passes 4:0 8. Consideration and Approval of Town Payroll Warrants: • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 21009PT in the amount of $381,431.74 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 21009PT in the amount of $381,431.74. (Aptowitz/Trowb ridge) Roll Call Vote: Rhein —Yes, DelVecchio—Yes, Trowbridge — Yes, Aptowitz —Abstain Passes 3:0:1 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 21009TV in the amount of $119,792.17 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 21009TV in the amount of $119,792.17. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Roll Call Vote: Rhein —Yes, DelVecchio—Yes, Trowbridge — Yes, Aptowitz — Yes Passes 4:0 • School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 21009PS in the amount of $1,609,274.55 Motion: To Approve School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 21009PS in the amount of $1,609,274.55. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge ) Roll Call Vote: Rhein —Yes, DelVecchio—Yes, Trowbridge — Abstain, Aptowitz — Yes Passes 3:0A • School Deductions Vendor Payroll 21009SV in the amount of $504,332.11 Motion: To approve School Deductions Vendor Payroll 21009SV in the amount of $504,332.11. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Roll Call Vote: Rhein —Yes, DelVecchio—Yes, Trowbridge — Yes, Aptowitz — Yes Passes 4:0 • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 2101OPT in the amount of $373,738.29 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 2101OPT in the amount of $373,738.29. (Aptowitz/Trowb ridge) Roll Call Vote: Rhein —Yes, DelVecchio—Yes, Trowbridge — Yes, Aptowitz —Abstain Passes 3:0:1 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 21010TV in the amount of $117,948.86 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 21010TV in the amount of $117,948.86. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Select Board Meeting Minutes September 16, 2020 Roll Call Vote: Rhein —Yes, DelVecchio—Yes, Trowbridge — Yes, Aptowitz—Yes Passes 4:0 • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 21011PT in the amount of $398,729.52 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 21011PT in the amount of $398,729.52 (Aptowitz/Trowb ridge) Roll Call Vote: Rhein —Yes, DelVecchio—Yes, Trowbridge — Yes, Aptowitz—Abstain Passes 3:0:1 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 21011TV in the amount of $126,620.37 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 21011TV in the amount of $126,620.37. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Roll Call Vote: Rhein —Yes, DelVecchio—Yes, Trowbridge — Yes, Aptowitz — Yes Passes 4:0 • School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 21011PS in the amount of $1,746,215.24 Motion: To approve School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 21011PS in the amount of $1,746,215.24. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Roll Call Vote: Rhein —Yes, DelVecchio—Yes, Trowbridge — Abstain, Aptowitz — Yes Passes 3:0:1 • School Deductions Vendor Payroll 21011SV in the amount of $542,214.88 Motion: To approve School Deductions Vendor Payroll 21011SV in the amount of $542,214.88. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Roll Call Vote: Rhein —Yes, DelVecchio—Yes, Trowbridge — Yes, Aptowitz — Yes Passes 4:0 9. Correspondence • Letter from Southeastern Regional School District Mr. Aptowitz stated that the amount to be apportioned to the Town of Mansfield for its share of capital and operating costs to the district was $1,284,856 which reflects a reduction of $45,161. 10. Select Board Member's Comments and Questions Mr. Aptowitz stated they are doing a lot of paving and construction on Old Colony and by the Catman Cafe and asked what the jet outs were that he sees. He thought they may be a hazard for cars to hit and they narrow the road. Mr. Dumas stated that it is a multiuse paths and those will be safe points at crosswalks. He added that once the project is complete and lines are painted it will make more sense than what can be seen now. Mr. Aptowitz stated he was happy to hear the plans for reopening Town Hall and the Library. He added that it is important to keep a close eye on the budget and limit expenses right now because it is very unclear as to what will happen with the budget for fiscal year 2022. Mr. Trowbridge agreed with Mr. Aptowitz about spending and that putting the funds into stabilization is a good plan. Mr. Trowbridge then thanked for their work on the goals and it is difficult in this format and having to do roll call votes. The goals that received only two he would want those highlighted and eliminate those or delete them. Mr. Dumas stated that could be done so the Board would be voting on an official document. Mr. Rhein asked if the Board could get a proposed schedule for all meetings for the rest of the year. He then stated that in regards to opening Town Hall. He stated the main reason for allowing the Select Board to meet in person was to allow the public to participate at the meetings and if the public was not allowed it did not we what was being accomplished by having the Board meet in person. Mr. Dumas stated that it was complicated because of Select Board Meeting Minutes September 16, 2020 droplets in the microphone and cleaning the table they are near and would like to have a conversation with the health agent. Mr. DelVecchio thanked everyone for the goals and objectives process and it worked out well. He stated that there will be a final document in the near future. 11. Any items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting Mr. DelVecchio stated that an event application was received from the Republican Town Committee. He stated the application was routed through departments and it was not an unreasonable burden. Mr. Dumas confirmed everything was all set if approved by the Board. Motion: To approve the event application for the Republican Town Committee. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Roll Call Vote: Rhein —Yes, DelVecchio—Yes, Trowbridge — Yes, Aptowitz — Yes Passes 4:0 12. Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the Select Board Meeting of September 16, 2020 at 7:42PM. (Aptowitz/Rhein) Roll Call Vote: Rhein —Yes, DelVecchio—Yes, Passes 5:0 gnatur Trowbridge — Yes, Aptowitz — Aye Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne Date Select Board Meeting Minutes September 16, 2020