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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSelect Board 9/2/2020Select Board Meeting Minutes September 2, 2020 Present: The members of the Select Board all participated remotely via using GoToWebinar: Mr. Frank DelVecchio, Chairman; Mr. Neil Rhein, Vice -Chair; Mr. less 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. Mr. Trowbridge was not present at the start of the meeting but arrived at 5:37PM. 1. Call To Order Select Board Meeting -Pledge of Allegiance Chairman DelVecchio called the meeting to order at 5:3013M. 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. 2. Town Manager's Report • Miscellaneous Items Update • Bristol Country Retirement Pension Allocation • Airport Insurance Claim 3 • COVID/CARES Funding — • Health Insurance Post 65 Mr. Dumas provided an update on various DPW construction projects and stated that snow and ice planning for winter has already started. Work continues on brush cutting, street sweeping, and line painting on roadways and draining cleaning. He then stated that employees enrolled in the Town's dental plan will have a 90% holiday from premiums. He noted that he has another interview with Business View Magazine which the Town will have its second article. He then stated that Amazon is working with the Building Inspector and Fire Chief on a few items and the building permit will be requested soon. Mr. Dumas stated that the Town did receive an additional $23,730.76 from the insurance company for the plane crash from 2019 for the remaining cleanup and groundwater testing so the Airport Commission will be responsible for about $48,000. Mr. Dumas then updated the Board on the Bristol County Retirement Board stating that they met on August 26th and they discussed their funding options. They decided on extending the funding schedule out to 2034 with FY2022 still at an eight percent increase and a five percent increase from FY2023-2034. Lastly, Mr. Dumas stated that the Town reapplied for the Shared Streets grant for picnic tables and umbrellas for the North and South Common and Fulton Pond area. Mr. LaCasse then gave an update on the CARES Act Funding stating that just over $900,000 has been tracked as tangible items that are COVID related, but it is not to say that all will be considered as eligible items. He further brought to their attention to several items the Town and Schools are exploring of items to fund with the COVID funds. He then stated that there are about fifteen retirees that are over sixty five years of age, but do not qualify for Medicare so he is working with MIAA to transitions these individuals to Medicare as the primary payer which will be helpful to the Town's future OPEP liability. 3. Resident Questions and Comments Mr. Peter Wiggins a resident from Norton was present on the webinar and asked about GATRA bus service from Norton to Mansfield. He stated that since COVID started the bus service has not been available. Mr. Dumas stated that he would follow up on that item. 4. Green Communities Presentation Ms. Lisa Sullivan, Regional Coordinator for Green Communities was present along with Mr. Eric Arbeene from SRPEDD. Ms. Sullivan presented a PowerPoint that provided an overview of the Green Communities Designation and Grant Programs and walked through the five criteria that the Town of Mansfield would need to meet to get the designation. She also explained that Mr. Arbeene will help the Town through the process as a consultant and has Select Board Meeting Minutes September 2, 2020 worked with him previously. She stated that there will be a vote needed at Annual Town Meeting to adopt the Stretch Code which applies to new residential construction and commercial new construction over 100,000 square feet. The Select Board members then asked a few questions and had a discussion, but no motions were made. Ms. Sullivan also noted that the meeting at Town Hall had a large group of department heads and town officials to ensure that everyone was on the same page. She noted that it was great to see that many people involved from the start. Mr. Arbeene echoed what Ms. Sullivan stated. 5. Discussion and Consideration of Revised RFP for North Main Street Fire Station Mr. Mike Ahern was present on the GoToWebinar for this part of the meeting. Mr. Ahern stated that the original request for proposal was due in May and there were no proposals submitted. Mr. Ahern went through the document letting the Board know the changes he made to the RFP. He stated that he has made some revisions to section one and eliminated the text about a restaurant being the most ideal proposal. He added text to section 2 about the accessory building located at the back of the property and in section seven an "estimated price" replaced minimum price. He stated that commercial property is not doing well during COVID and stated that one of the suggestions has been made to remove the facade restriction to see if that would generate more responses, but that he was not proposing that for this second round. The Select Board asked a few questions. Mr. Aptowitz and Mr. Trowbridge noted that it was stated publically that the facade restriction was to be a large part of the RFP and believed public input would be needed to change it. Mr. LaCasse stated that the facade restriction is not being removed for this second RFP, but that it was something to consider if there was no response this time. Mr. Schoonveld stated that he believed in May it was the height of COVID and it may be a better time now, but would not make a decision based on the market today for a long term property. He did believe that flexibility was needed and suggested keeping the RFP open for as long as possible. Mr. Ahern stated that the RFP had to have an end date and all proposals were reviewed equally. Mr. Trowbridge was in favor of a shorter time frame for the proposals to be due and suggested sixty to ninety days. Mr. Rhein stated he was fine with all the changes, but was unsure if the timing was still going to provide response. Mr. Rhein suggested there was a creative way to help someone finance the property and the priority was getting the site redeveloped and not sitting vacant. Mr. Ahern stated that there are creative options explained in the RFP to help and the Town would have a developer agreement. Mr. Schoonveld added that he wanted it to be a competitive environment with lots of proposals and if it took a little longer it was okay. Mr. DelVecchio believed it was okay for this to take longer in order to get the right proposal. Mr. DelVecchio questioned the wording on page ten referring to the bullet item that began with unacceptable price. Mr. LaCasse understood what Mr. DelVecchio was stating and believed that line could be removed. Motion: To approve the revised RFP for North Main Street Fire Station as presented with the change made by Mr. LaCasse mentioned above to remove the unacceptable price. (Aptowitz/Schoonveld) Amended Motion: To approve the revised RFP for North Main Street Fire Station as presented with the change made by Mr. LaCasse to remove the unacceptable price with a sixty day deadline after it is advertised. (Aptowitz/Schoo nve Id) Roll Call Vote: Rhein —Yes, DelVecchio—Yes, Trowbridge — Yes, Schoonveld—Yes, Aptowitz — Yes Passes 5:0 6. Discussion and Consideration to Name Parklet on Old Colony Road after Harry Chase Jr. Mr. Rhein summarized the pervious discussion the Board had on naming the parklet. Mr. Barnes and Mr. Chase were the two men recommended for naming the parket after. There was further discussion with Mr. Lou Andrews and the NRT and it was believed that it would be more appropriate for Mr. Chase's name be used for naming the parklet, because of Mr. Chase's background with the railroad Mr. Rhein added that a model train play structure has been proposed by the DownTown Committee to be placed at that area to tie the connection further. Motion: To Name the Parklet on Old Colony Road "Harry Chase Place" in honor of Harry B. Chase Jr. (Aptowitz/Rhein) Roll Call Vote: Select Board Meeting Minutes September 2, 2020 Rhein —Yes, DelVecchio—Yes, Trowbridge — Yes, Schoonveld—Yes, Aptowitz — Yes Passes 5:0 7. Review and Approve Consent Agenda 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: • August 19, 2020 b) Vote To Approve Warrants: • Town Vendor Warrant No. 21008T in the amount of $2,164,866.40 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 21008E in the amount of $182,449.12 • School Vendor Warrant No. 21008S in the amount of $3,660.00 • Town Vendor Warrant No. 21009T in the amount of $162,779.23 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 21009E in the amount of $68,790.40 • School Vendor Warrant No. 210095 in the amount of $341,748.37 Motion: To approve the consent agenda. (Aptowitz/Rhein) Roll Call Vote: Rhein —Yes, DelVecchio—Yes, Trowbridge — Yes, Schoonveld — Yes, Aptowitz — Yes Passes 5:0 8. Consideration and Approval of Town Payroll Warrants: • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 21008PT in the amount of $388,594.95 Motion: To approve Town Payroll /Town Medicaid Payroll 21008PT in the amount of $388,594.95. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge ) Roll Call Vote: Rhein —Yes, DelVecchio—Yes, Trowbridge — Yes, Schoonveld — No, Aptowitz— Abstain Passes 3:1:1 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 21008TV in the amount of $120,713.21 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 21008TV in the amount of $120,713.21, (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Roll Call Vote: Rhein —Yes, DelVecchio—Yes, Trowbridge — Yes, Schoonveld—Yes, Aptowitz — Yes Passes 5:0 9. Correspondence Letter from Xfinity of Programming Changes • Letter from Xfinity of Programing Updates and Internet Essentials Information Mr. Aptowitz read a summary of the above correspondence items. 10. Select Board Member's Comments and Questions Mr. Schoonveld noted that the Bristol County Retirement Meeting went well and there were two reasons for extending the schedule. One was to give communities relief and the second to accommodate experience and assumptions. Mr. Schoonveld then asked if Mr. LaCasse could prepare a schedule to show the changes. Mr. Schoonveld then stated that the OPEB Policy will need to be revised based on these changes. Mr. Schoonveld then provided an update on the Trash and Recycling Task Force and the Audit Committee. He then commended the Town Clerk and her team on the smooth election yesterday. Select Board Meeting Minutes September 2, 2020 Mr. Trowbridge asked if there was a timeline established for the vacant land that is owned by tax title. Mr. Dumas answered that it was on the list of items and a meeting had been scheduled for tomorrow and the team will be discussing if adding municipal services to the properties to make them more valuable will be worth it. Mr. Trowbridge then asked everyone to keep in their thoughts the family of Patty Coyne a Mansfield Teacher who passed away as well as the family of James Thibault who was a long time election worker. Mr. Aptowitz added that Ms. Coyne was the brother of Mr. Yunits the Norton Town Manager. Mr. Aptowitz stated that he was receiving a lot of calls about when Town Hall was opening. Mr. Dumas noted that he is working on a final plan with the team and will have an update at the next Select Board meeting. Mr. Aptowitz then stated he forwarded Mr. DelVecchio emails for singing Airport grants and asked how to get the information updated with Mr. DelVecchio's contact information. Mr. Rhein stated that he also would like to see Town Hall open to the public and asked what the details were for Fall Town Meeting. Mr. Dumas stated that the election has made the timing of Fall Town Meeting more challenging, but he is working on that plan as well and will also have an update at the next meeting with more details. Mr. Rhein then asked about the COVID update emails and he has not received them lately. Mr. Dumas responded that they will only be sent out to the Board if there is a significant change in the numbers, but anyone is welcome to sign up for alerts and notifications through the Towns website. Mr. Rhein then asked about the train station construction and if it was complete and Mr. Dumas stated that there were still some items pending. Mr. DelVecchio commented how well the election went and noted that it was good to see so much participation. He then noted that he heard lots of people ask how they could volunteer in Town and he commented that there are over twenty-five Town Board and Committees and some have openings now and many of the terms end in December and stated the information will be on the website and Facebook. 11. Any items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting There were no items. 12. Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the Select Board Meeting of September 2, 2020 at 7:1913M. (Schoonveld/Aptowitz) Roll Call Vote: Rhein —Yes, DelVecchio—Yes, Trowbridge — Yes, Schoonveld — Yes, Aptowitz — Yes Passes 5:0 1 QA/40e Date Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne Select Board Meeting Minutes September 2, 2020