HomeMy WebLinkAboutSelect Board 10/7/2020Select Board Meeting Minutes
October 7, 2020
Present: The members of the Select Board were present in meeting room 3 A/B. 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/Fina?Tc�,,E iTctor were also present.
1. Call To Order Select Board Meeting -Pledge of Allegiance =r OFFICE
Chairman DelVecchio called the meeting to order at 5:30PM. He theh4sked *gse;Aro$er o 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 Db lVecchio 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 Managers Report
• COA Update
• Nelson Nygaard
• Miscellaneous Update
Mr. Dumas began his update stating what nights were available for the Select Board to meet in November. He
reminded the Board that holidays fell on the 11th and 25th so it was necessary to meet earlier on the 4th and 181h to
allow the Planning Board to have their meeting after theirs. He also stated that there were three Mondays being held
for the Board, but it would be necessary to pick dates this evening to free up the schedule for other meetings. He
stated that school would begin with their hybrid schedule on October 15. He then updated the Board on information
from the Town Clerk's office stating that they have sent out 2500 absentee ballots and are waiting for the vote by
mail ballots which have not been received, however this was a state-wide issue and not specific to Mansfield. Mr.
Dumas then announced the ribbon cutting ceremony at SEMRECC's High Rock location on Tuesday, November 171n
He was happy to report that the construction is ahead of schedule. He then provided an update on construction
projects that the DPW is working on. Mr. Dumas stated that the Director of the COA is working on starting some small
group activities with limited numbers to ten people or less and having multiple sessions of the program run each day
so that many will be able to attend and have activities to do inside now that winter is approaching. He then stated
that he has met with Mr. Matt Smith from Nelson Nygaard for some final edits to the parking study and that the
document will be ready for the October 2151 Select Board meeting. He then gave an update on reLeaf and COVID. Mr.
LaCasse then stated the presentation of the tax classification be held on November 4th and then on the November
18th the Board can take a vote on the split.
3. Resident Questions and Comments
Chairman DelVecchio then announced that beginning at the October 215Y meeting members of the public can register
to attend the meeting in person to address the Board by calling or emailing the Select Board's office due to the State
regulations on limitations to the number of people in the meeting room. Mr. Peter Wiggins was on the webinar and
stated that he was not able to see the Board on the webinar and the audio was not good. Mr. DelVecchio stated that
there were technical difficulties that were being worked on.
4. Consideration to Adopt the Order of Eminent Domain for Avigation Easements and to Take by and Through the
Mansfield Airport Commission under the authority vested in said Airport Commission by virtue of MGL c. 79
and c. 90, Avigation Easement No. 4-142 over property located at 190 North Washington Street, Norton, MA
02766 and Avigation Easement No. 4-140 over property located at 198 North Washington Street, Norton, MA
02766, and to execute and deliver any and all documents necessary to effed said Order of Eminent Domain.
Mr. Matt Caron was present on the webinar and gave a summary of the avigation easements that were before the
Board for signature. The order of taking was what is being taken to the Registry of Deeds and will complete the taking
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October 7, 2020
of the'air space through eminent domain and paying fair market value for the airspace over each of the properties as
voted at Annual Town Meeting.
Motion: Vote to adopt the Order of Eminent Domain for Avigation Easements and to take by and through the
Mansfield Airport Commission under the authority vested in said Airport Commission by virtue of MGL c. 79 and
c. 90, Avigation Easement No. 4-142 over property located at 190 North Washington Street, Norton, MA 02766 and
Avigation Easement No. 4-140 over property located at 198 North Washington Street, Norton, MA 02766, and to
execute and deliver any and all documents necessary to effect said Order of Eminent Domain. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge)
Passes 5:0
5. Consideration to Vote and Sign Documents for the October 15, 2020 Bond Issuance in the Amount of
$4,175,000
Chairman DelVecchio recused himself and left the meeting room at 5:52PM and gave the Chair responsibilities to Mr.
Rhein for this agenda item.
Motion: I, the Clerk of the Select Board of the Town of Mansfield, Massachusetts (the "Town"), certify that at a meeting of
the board held October 7, 2020, of which meeting all members of the board were duly notified and at which a quorum was
present, the following votes were unanimously passed, all of which appear upon the official record of the board in my
custody:
Voted: that the sale of the $3,900,000 General Obligation Municipal Purpose Loan of 2020 Bonds of the Town dated
October 15, 2020 (the "Bonds"), to FHN Financial Capital Markets at the price of $4,229,289.65 and accrued interest, if any,
is hereby approved and confirmed. The Bonds shall be payable on October 15 of the years and in the principal amounts and
bear interest at the respective rates, as follows:
Interest
Interest
Year
Amount
Rate
Year
Amount
Rate
2021
$260,000
4.00%
2029
$250,000
1.00%
2022
260,000
4.00
2030
250,000
1.50
2023
255,000
4.00
2031
250,000
1.50
2024
255,000
4.00
2032
250,000
1.50
2025
255,000
4.00
2033
250,000
1.50
2026
255,000
4.00
2034
250,000
1.50
2027
250,000
4.00
2040
360,000
2.00
2028
250,000
4.00
Further Voted: that the Bonds maturing on October 15, 2040 (a "Term Bond") shall be subject to mandatory
redemption or mature as follows:
Year
Amount
2035
$60,000
2036
$60,000
2037
$60,000
2038
$60,000
2039
$60,000
2040*
$60,000
*Final Maturity
Further Voted: that in connection with the marketing and sale of the Bonds, the preparation and distribution of
a Notice of Sale and Preliminary Official Statement dated September 24, 2020, and a final Official Statement dated
October 1, 2020 (the "Official Statement"), each in such form as may be approved by the Town Treasurer, be and hereby
are ratified, confirmed, approved and adopted.
Further Voted: that the Bonds shall be subject to redemption, at the option of the Town, upon such terms and
conditions as are set forth in the Official Statement.
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October 7, 2020
Further Voted: that the Town Treasurer and the Select Board be, and hereby are, authorized to execute and
deliver a continuing disclosure undertaking in compliance with SEC Rule 15c2-12 in such form as may be approved by
bond counsel to the Town, which undertaking shall be incorporated by reference in the Bonds, for the benefit of the
holders of the Bonds from time to time.
Further Voted: that we authorize and direct the Town Treasurer to establish post issuance federal tax
compliance procedures and continuing disclosure procedures in such forms as the Town Treasurer and bond counsel
deem sufficient, or if such procedures are currently in place, to review and update said procedures, in order to monitor
and maintain the tax-exempt status of the Bonds and to comply with relevant securities laws.
Further Voted: that any certificates or documents relating to the Bonds (collectively, the "Documents"), may be
executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be regarded as an original and all of which shall constitute one and
the same document; delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to a Document by electronic mail in a
".pdf' file or by other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart
signature page to such Document; and electronic signatures on any of the Documents shall be deemed original
signatures for the purposes of the Documents and all matters relating thereto, having the same legal effect as original
signatures.
Further Voted: that each member of the Select Board, the Town Clerk and the Town Treasurer be and hereby
are, authorized to take any and all such actions, and execute and deliver such certificates, receipts or other documents
as may be determined by them, or any of them, to be necessary or convenient to carry into effect the provisions of the
foregoing votes.
I further certify that the votes were taken at a meeting open to the public, that no vote was taken by secret ballot, that a
notice stating the place, date, time and agenda for the meeting (which agenda included the adoption of the above votes)
was filed with the Town Clerk and a copy thereof posted in a manner conspicuously visible to the public at all hours in or
on the municipal building that the office of the Town Clerk is located or, if applicable, in accordance with an alternative
method of notice prescribed or approved by the Attorney General as set forth in 940 CMR 29.03(2)(b), at least 48 hours,
not including Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, prior to the time of the meeting and remained so posted at the time
of the meeting, that no deliberations or decision in connection with the sale of the Bonds were taken in executive
session, all in accordance with G.L. c.30A, §§18-25, as amended, further suspended, supplemented or modified by the
Executive Order of the Governor of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open
Meeting Law, Chapter 30A, §20 dated March 12, 2020.
Dated: October 7, 2020,
Motion: To sign the Bond documents for $4,229,289.65. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Passes 4:0
Chairman DelVecchio returned to the meeting room at 6:0113M.
6. Call for the November 3, 2020 State Election and Sign the Warrant
Motion: To Call for the November 3, 2020 Election and sign the Warrant. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0
7. Discussion and Consideration of Extension of Allowance of Outdoor Table Service for Licensed On -Premises
Consumption from November 1, 2020 for any Period up to Sixty Days After the End of the State of Emergency
Motion: To modify prior approvals extending the allowance of outdoor table service for licensed on -premises
consumption from November 1, 2020 for up to sixty days after the end of the State of Emergency.
(Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0
Mr. Schoonveld asked about new licenses and if this was only for existing licenses. Mr. Dumas stated that a new
restaurant could apply and get the temporary outdoor expansion by including this wording in their approval.
8. Consideration to Declare October 16th as Mansfield Green Hornet Day
Motion: To declare October 16th as Mansfield Green Hornet Day. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0
9. Warn to Adopt Select Board Policy on Conduct
Mr. DelVecchio thanked Mr. Trowbridge and Mr. Rhein for the draft of the policy and hoped that the document could
help guide future Boards and hopes that some of the information is obvious. He stated what may not be as obvious is
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October 7, 2020
the relationship between the Board and Town Administration. Mr. Trowbridge stated that he when he was first
elected to the Select Board it was discussed to create Board policies and he had since accumulated many examples
from other communities. He stated that Town Counsel recommended the Town of Holden as an example to follow
and he also agreed that it was the cleanest and had the best language compared to all the other towns that he
reviewed. Mr. Rhein agreed that it was well written and he made some minor edits such as changing the name of the
Board. The one edit of significance was in regards to constituent complaints and if those should go to the Chair or
Town Manager. Mr. Schoonveld stated that he remembers when this first came up and Mr. Dentino was very upset
about this type of policy. He stated he reached out to MMA and received some good information that could be used.
He stated that it should not just be a policy on conduct but also include ethics. Mr. Schoonveld then asked Mr. Dumas
if the employee handbook had a code of conduct and stated the Boards policy should be consistent with that. Mr.
Aptowitz thought that it was important to get something adopted and like the goals it is a working document that can
be updated along the way. The Board then discussed the chain of command, and there were multiple opinions. In the
end Mr. Aptowitz stated that that Board members are welcome to talk with staff and that the Board has good
intentions, but if a Board member was assigning an employee to do a lengthy report or analysis that would have to go
through the Mr. Dumas because that affects the employee's ability to get other assignments done.
10. Discussion of November Meeting Schedule
Chairman DelVecchio stated that the Board had conflict with meeting on their normal schedule due to the holidays
that fall on Wednesdays in November. The Planning Board would need to also meet on November 41h and 181h. It was
decided to meet on November 4, 2020 at 513M and November 16, 2020 at 6:30PM.
11. 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) Vote To Approve Warrants:
• Town Vendor Warrant No. 21014T in the amount of $100,542.57
• Electric Vendor Warrant No. 21014E in the amount of $1,234,741.19
b) Permits and License:
• Consideration of 2020 Common Victualler and Entertainment Licenses for Tratoria Romana Pizzeria
Bar and Grill pending routing through Town Hall Departments
Motion: To approve the consent agenda. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0
12. Consideration and Approval of Town Payroll Warrants:
• Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 210124PT in the amount of $384,375.55
Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 210124PT in the amount of $384,375.55.
(Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Passes 4:0:1(Aptowitz Abstained)
• Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 21014TV in the amount of $119,918.20
Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 21014TV in the amount of $119,918.20. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge)
Passes 4:1 (Schoonveld-No)
13. Correspondence
• Letter from Xfinity
Mr. Aptowitz read a summary of the above correspondence item.
14. Select Board Member's Comments and Questions
Mr. Schoonveld stated that there was a good presentation on COVID from the school nurse and commends the
school committee and Superintendent and all their work in getting the schools open again. Mr. Schoonveld then
asked about the Plymouth Street Playground and the money that was set aside for the project. Mr. Dumas
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October 7, 2020
answered that the consultant priced the equipment and installation of the playground with the handicap
accessibility and the project estimate was $600,000 and currently there is $100,000 set aside. Mr. Dumas stated
that the project will be readdressed as part of CIP. Mr. Schoonveld then gave an update on the audit of the
recycling from the Town which he went to at Waste Management and showed examples of some of the items
found in the recycling that caused the contamination of the recyclables to jump from ten percent to eighteen
percent. He then stated the Board can expect a memo from the Trash and Recycling Task Force within the next
month. The two main items the Board to consider will the collection contract renewal and the second is the
disposal contract that expires in 2028. Mr. Schoonveld then asked for a list of items that are expect to be paid from
the $2.7 million that is being placed in the Finance Committee Reserve Fund. He also asked what other towns are
doing in regards to PFAS. He then asked about extended the hours of Downtown Parking and if residents and
business owners have been asked for their input. Mr. Dumas stated that there will be an additional opportunity for
their input and would like the information presented for Boards review and accept any final comments and
questions and then put it out there for the publics review before the Board takes an official vote.
Mr. Trowbridge commented that the Downtown has never looked as nice as it does now and thanked everyone for
their hard work.
Mr. Aptowitz commented that some people believe that Town employees have not been busy or not working at all
the last few months during COVID and he stated that they are working harder than before and publicly thanked
Nancy Griffin and Carrie Champagne and everyone at Town Hall for working hard. Mr. Aptowitz then commented
that there may be lots of trees in Town that have the potential to come down and suggested that DPW and Electric
work together and create a list and start to be proactive about taking down the unhealthy trees before they come
down in a storm. He then stated that there is a wind advisory tonight and there is an electric crew on standby.
Mr. Rhein thanked Nancy, Carrie, Kevin and Barry for meeting in person tonight and making that happen. He stated
we should not take this for granted there is new technology and a lot of work that goes in to making it all happen.
He wished the schools luck and hopes that everyone continues to follow the guidelines so the school can stay in
hybrid. He stated that he got a flu shot and recommended going online to schedule one to make sure they have one
available because they are in demand. He then asked when early voting started and encouraged people to plan
their vote in person or by mail. lastly, he stated that he was almost done with the goals and objectives spreadsheet
and there are twenty-five total and with a little more work they could be reduced and combined to twenty.
Mr. DelVecchio echoed what Mr. Aptowitz said and stated that he appreciates all the work and also asked people to
follow COVID guidelines and be safe because there is an expected uptick in cases now that winter is coming.
15. Any items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting
There were no items.
16. Adjourn
Motion: To adjourn the Select Board Meeting of October 7, 2020 at
i nature Date
Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne
U
(Schoonveld/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0
Select Board Meeting Minutes
October 7, 2020